102 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOLOGY 



from the head and neck, with the superior 

 subclavian vein, coming from the left arm. 

 This lacteal system (so called because, during 

 the digestion of fat, it is filled with a milky 

 like fluid, the chyle) is the absorbent system 

 mainly for fats, taken up, either as a fine 

 emulsion or as soaps, from the bowel by the 



54. In each villus, between its epithelial 

 covering and the centre, in addition to the 

 fine absorbents already noticed, there is a 

 rich plexus of capillary blood vessels. These 

 absorb all soluble matters, such as peptones, 

 sugars, possibly soaps, saline matters, water, 

 and any other substances in solution. The 

 blood thus circulating in the villi is gathered 

 up by veins, and these form the mesenteric 

 system of vessels. Blood is thus gathered 

 from all parts of the intestinal canal, 

 stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, 

 and by the vessels forming the portal system 

 and, by a large vein called the portal 

 vein, it is carried to the liver : It will thus 

 be seen that all the products of digestion, 

 except emulsive fats, and all soluble matters, 



