CHAP, m.] AREOLAR TISSUE. 79 



and anastomose with one another with much greater frequency. 

 The texture of the cutis affords the most characteristic example of 

 this condition. 



Physical Properties. These have only been studied hitherto in 

 those situations where the tissue exists in great abundance, as in 

 the subcutaneous fascia, the sheaths of muscles, &c. It has here a 

 whitish hue, especially when steeped in water. It is extensible in 

 all directions, and is very elastic, returning to its original disposition 

 after stretching. It possesses no contractility beyond that attri- 

 butable to the vessels which are everywhere found in connexion 

 with it, and in such situations in great profusion. Its sensibility 

 is usually stated to be low ; but it may be doubted whether the 

 nerves can in any case be said to be distributed to this tissue, 

 which has been already shewn to be an appendage and protector 

 to these and other organs. Its asserted powers of absorption and 

 secretion appertain to the capillary blood-vessels, rather than to the 

 threads of the areolar tissue. 



This tissue, like all other soft solids, contains a large quantity of 

 water. This keeps the filaments moist, without being so abundant 

 as to be free in their interstices. A morbid increase of this fluid 

 in the subcutaneous areolar tissue occasions the condition called ana- 

 sarca, and which may be known by the skin pitting under the pres- 

 sure of the finger. 



When dried, out of the body, areolar tissue becomes hard and 

 transparent, but resumes its former state if moistened. It under- 

 goes the putrefactive process slowly. It is one of that class of tis- 

 sues which yields gelatine by boiling, the gelatine being derived 

 from the white fibrous element only. 



The great value of areolar tissue, in facilitating the motion of 

 parts between which it is situate, is shewn by the effects of inflam- 

 mation, or other diseases which injure its physical properties. It is 

 well known, that, when the subcutaneous tissue is the seat of phleg- 

 monous inflammation, the movements of the part affected are stiff 

 and painful, or altogether impeded, because the subjacent muscles 

 cannot move freely, by reason of the loss of elasticity in the areolar 

 tissue. When this tissue becomes indurated by an effusion of 

 coagulable material, the movements of the diseased limb are simi- 

 larly impaired. 



