209 



other instances with success, consisting in a division of the nerves 

 which supply this structure, and an observation of the results 

 of this division, in regard to the separation and absorption of 

 lacteal chyle. 



10. The processes by which the ends of this function are ac- 

 complished may be inquired into with much greater minuteness. 

 There is hope, however, of adding but little that is valuable, by 

 such inquiry, to the information which is already attained upon 

 the subject. This information respects the final purpose of the 

 function. It may be said, in the way of a summary, that the vital 

 properties of the lacteal orifices are, with the concurrence of their 

 structure, so related with the contents of the intestines, that a 

 fluid of a certain character is separated, or formed from the gene- 

 ral mass: that this fluid is conveyed in a way, of which we shall 

 hereafter say a few words, through the absorbent vessels and 

 glands into the sanguiferous system; that the fluid thus conveyed 

 is necessary to nutrition ; and that the function of the lacteals is 

 thus mediately related with the diffused life and textures, there being 

 no evidence of a relation of the direct kind, or one by which the 

 results of a functional life, or occasional phenomena, are produced, 

 as by a communication of properties with a related seat. The 

 only way in which the lacteal system may be supposed to be 

 directly related with another seat is that of a possible dependence 

 for properties received ; of which enough has been already said. 



11. At this place we may say, that the enumeration of- one 

 system of preparatory organs is ended. It has been sketched 

 what are the principal points of investigation belonging to these 

 organs: these points might have been much more minutely par- 

 ticularized ; but the design of these articles is to exhibit a general 

 view of relations which are to be taken into the account, though 

 most commonly overlooked, in an inquiry concerning the opera- 

 tions which concur to maintain a living body. It is not attempted 

 to give a complete explanation of any single process ; each process 

 must be the object of a specific and undivided investigation. 

 Such particular investigations abound in the records of physiology, 

 but they have not embraced the whole of the topics which belong 

 to them. Some have thought to explain the physiology of these 

 organs by a minute delineation of their anatomical structure; 

 others have applied chymistry to the same end : both have failed 

 totally. Others have considered the principle of life as the secret 

 agent in all these processes. But none have considered these three 

 as they are related with each other; much less has any one at- 

 tempted an analysis of the last, by which any leading laws, or 

 classification, may be assigned to it : and still more remote has it 

 been from the designings of physiologists to evince that life, as an 

 agent, operates, and is acted upon, in a manner which is common to 

 every possible form of existence. This matter will however here- 

 after require a general recapitulation. 



F F 



