ANATOMY OF THE ABSORBENT SYSTEM. 283 



mode of origin of the lymphatics, at least, in most parts of the 

 body. Meckel, about the middle of the last century, asserted 

 jheir continuity with the veins. Mr. Ribes has seen matter in- 

 jeciC^ i nl tne vena portarum find its way into the lymphatics 

 of the liver. 



On this subject, M. Chaussier says,* that, ignorant of the man* 

 ner in which the .ir* 6 68 * veins, nerves, and lymphatics, arrange 

 themselves collectively into a glandular structure, or, in other 

 words, into a capillary system, we cannot avoid ignorance of 

 the part acted by the lymphatics alone; we only know that the 

 minute lymphatics form a portion of the elements of each viscus 

 and structure of the body, and that they only become visible in 

 becoming larger trunks. 



The absorbents, in proceeding from their origins, in general 

 become larger and less numerous, and form frequent anastomoses 

 with one another. The proportionate increase of magnitude from 

 the successive junction of trunks is, however, by no means equal 

 to what occurs in the veins. The larger superficial absorbent 

 trunks of the extremities have not so much disposition to run 

 into one another, whence they retain a size almost uniform from 

 one end of the limb to the other. When fully distended, the ap- 

 pearance of absorbents is not regularly cylindrical, but knotted, 

 owing to the frequent valvular interruptions to their cavities. 

 The absorbents, from all parts of the body, are finally united 

 into two trunks: one on the left, and the other on the right side 

 of the trunk of the body, and which discharge their contents into 

 the venous system, each on its respective side, at the junction of 

 the internal jugular and subclavian vein. The trunk on the right 

 side receives the lymphatics of the right side of the head and 

 neck, of the right lung, and right superior extremity; while the 

 trunk on the left, called the thoracic duct, receives all the chyli- 

 ferous vessels and the lymphatics of the remaining part of the 

 body. It would appear, from the observations of the younger 

 Lauth,t that there are also other terminations of the lymphatics, 

 in the veins; to wit, such as in the yet capillary state end in the 

 veins of the minute structure of organs, and such as empty into 

 them in the interior of the lymphatic glands. Previously to 

 Lauth, this sentiment of communication with the veins was, 



* Diet des Sciences Med. Art. Lymphatiques. t L.OC. cit. 



