THE VASCULAR TISSUE. 83 



viscera, between the tendons and bones, and at the several 

 joints. Morbid accumulations of this fluid constitute sev- 

 eral varieties of dropsy as ascites in the peritoneum, 

 hydrothorax in the pleura, hydrocele in the tunica vaginis 

 testis, &c, 



A variety of opinions have been entertained as to the 

 uses of the different peritoneal reflections, particularly the 

 omentum majus. But as they are mostly fanciful, we will 

 only mention one, which seems to be the most rational 

 explanation, and that is, that they allow of the free ex- 

 pansion of the organs with which they are connected as 

 the omentum majus, during the reception of food, permits 

 the safe enlargement of the stomach, and the broad liga- 

 ments, during gestation, that of the uterus. 



The sensibility of this tissue is remarkably obtuse in the 

 healthy state, but when inflamed causes the most acute 

 pain. 



CHAPTEK HI 



THE VASCULAR TISSUE. 



ANALYSIS. 



OBJECT, DEFINITION OP CIRCULATION, DIVISION, SITUATION, FORM, ANASTOMO- 

 SES, DISTRIBUTION, RELATIONS, DEVELOPMENT. 



THE great object of the vascular tissue is to convey the 

 nutritive fluid to every part of the body, to supply the ma- 

 terials of its growth and renovation, as well as to remove 

 those of its decomposition and waste. The performance of 

 this duty is styled circulation, from the fact that the blood 

 beginning at the heart and going to every portion of the 

 system, and then back again to the heart, moves as it were 

 in a circle; hence it is said to circulate; and the function 

 itself, as just stated, is called the circulation. 



The heart, arteries and veins constitute the parts be- 

 longing to the circulation proper the first being the cen- 



