MODIFICATIONS OF ENDOSMOSIS. 499 



tlie fluid toward which the current is directed. In ordinary 

 absorption, this modification must be so slight as to have no 

 material influence upon the endosmotic action. 



Modifications due to Variations in Temperature. The 

 original experiments of Dutrochet developed some striking 

 physical facts with regard to the influence of temperature on 

 the endosmotic current, which have been repeatedly confirmed 

 by later observers. In experiments with the caecum of a 

 fowl, filled with a solution containing one part of gum to ten 

 of water, he found that the apparatus immersed in water at 41 

 Fahr. for an hour and a half gained thirteen grains in weight ; 

 while it gained twenty-three grains in the same time when 

 the temperature of the water was raised to from 88 to 90, 

 notwithstanding the fact that the liquid had already become 

 somewhat less endosmotic by the introduction of water in 

 the first experiment. 1 



Under ordinary conditions, physiological absorption is 

 not much influenced by temperature, for most of the liquids 

 to be absorbed are soon brought to the general temperature 

 of the body; but it is a general observation that warm 

 liquids are absorbed more rapidly than cold. 



Modifications induced lyy Electricity. In a physical 

 point of view, the influence of electricity upon the endos- 

 motic current is very interesting ; and it is impossible to say 

 that this force does not intervene in the phenomena of absorp- 

 tion in the living body. JSTevertheless, there are no sufficient 

 data for assuming that physiological absorption has any thing 

 to do with electricity ; and it is much more reasonable to sup- 

 pose that the modifications in absorption which are effected 

 through the nervous system are due to the influence of the 

 nerves upon the circulation. 2 In view of the early experi- 

 ments of Porrett, who produced an endosmotic current 



1 DUTROCHET, Memoires, etc., tome i., p. 27. 

 8 See page 468. 



