ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, &C. 259 



the chyle is absorbed by the lacteals, and conveyed 

 to the blood-vessels and lungs. 



Various diseases may be resolved into mere sym- 

 pathetic affections, connected with a deranged state 

 of the organs of digestion. The intestinal canal 

 forms an infinite number of windings and involutions 

 through its course, measuring, on an average, six 

 times the length of the individual.* 



Corporeal Identity. 



Some have considered a change of corporeal iden- 

 tity to be effected every three, others every seven 

 years. Letters marked on the skin, however, last 

 during life ; and there are some diseases of which 

 the constitution is only once susceptible. 



Increase of Height at rising. 



The cartilages between the vertebrae of the back- 

 bone, 24 in number, yield considerably to the pres- 

 sure of the body in an erect posture, and expand 

 themselves during the repose of the night ; hence a 

 person is considerably taller at his rising in the morn- 

 ing than at night. The difference in some amounts 

 to so much as one inch ; and recruits who have passed 

 muster for soldiers in the morning, have been re- 

 jected when re-measured at night, as below the 

 standard. 



Respiration. 



There are about 20 respirations made in a minute, 

 and above 20 cubic inches of air are taken into the 



* Boxers, by a certain plan of training, may be brought to 

 attain a high degree of wind and muscular strength; but if they 

 do not fight when at the height of their condition, a re-action takes 

 place, and, although the same system be persevered in, they fall 

 off below even their former average standard, and must live in 

 their usual manner for some considerable time, before they can 

 resume their training discipline with effect. 

 S 2 



