458 ABSORPTION. 



repeated, with the same results. Effusions into the areolar 

 tissue are generally removed by absorption. In cases of 

 penetration of air into the pleura or the general areolar tis- 

 sue, absorption likewise takes place ; showing that gases may 

 be taken up in this w r ay as well as liquids. Effusions of 

 blood beneath the skin or the conjunctiva, or in the muscular 

 or nervous tissue, may become entirely or in part absorbed. 

 It is true that these are pathological conditions, but in the 

 closed cavities, the processes of exhalation and absorption are 

 constantly going on, though not very actively. 



Experiments are not wanting to confirm these facts. It 

 is very common to produce dilatation of the pupil by the 

 application of a solution of atropine to the conjunctiva. Ma- 

 gendie made numerous experiments upon the relative rapid- 

 ity of absorption of poisons from the areolar tissue, the pleu- 

 ra, and some of the other serous cavities. 1 These, however, 

 only confirmed what has been so often observed in pathology 

 and therapeutics. As regards absorption from the areolar 

 tissue, the administration of remedies by the hypodermic 

 method, which is now so common, is a daily proof of the 

 facility with which soluble principles are taken into the blood 

 when introduced beneath the skin. 



Under some circumstances, absorption takes place from 

 the reservoirs of the various glands, the watery portions of 

 the secretions being generally taken up, leaving the solid 

 and the organic matters. It is supposed that the bile becomes 

 somewhat inspissated when it has remained for a time in the 

 gall-bladder, even when the natural flow of the secretion is 

 not interrupted. Certainly, when the duct is in any way 

 obstructed, absorption of a portion of the bile takes place, 

 as is proven by coloration of the conjunctiva, and even of 

 the general surface. The serum of the blood, under these 

 conditions, will always be found strongly colored with bile. 



Transactions, No. 240, p. 181 ; reprinted in the Abridgment, London, 1749, 

 fifth edition, vol. iii., p. 78. 



1 MAGENDIE, Phenomenes Physiques de la Vie, Paris, 1842, tome i., p. 29 ctseq. 



