OP THE ABSORBENT VESSELS. 267 



436. But their principal action, by which they take 

 up fluids more or less rapidly, eagerly absorbing some 

 and absolutely rejecting others,* depends upon the 

 peculiar modification of their vitality, and is ascribed 

 by the very acute Brugmans to a certain vita 

 propria. (42) f 



437. The far greater part of these lymphatics termi- 

 nate in the thoracic duct; except, however, those of 

 the right arm, the right side of the neck, the right lung, 

 and the right portion of the diaphragm and liver,, which 

 terminate in the subclavian vein of the same side. 



438. From the universal existence of the lymphatics, 

 and especially from the great numbers on the surface, 

 capable of absorbing fluids from without, the heteroge- 

 neous nature of the lymph must be obvious ; and this 

 is further proved by accurately examining it in different 

 parts of a subject; v. c. that contained in the hepatic 

 or splenic lymphatics is perfectly different from that in 

 the uterine. 



439. We will enumerate the principal fluids which 

 are continually absorbed during health, to say nothing 

 of many different kinds of substances taken up during 

 disease. There is, besides the chyle separated from 

 the faeces in the small intestines, the halitus of the 

 cavities properly so called, especially that of the fauces 

 and of all the mucous tela, the fat, the more watery 



* On this remarkable difference consult T. Fr. Lucr. Albrecht, Comtnentatio 

 (honoured with the Royal Prize) in qua proponitur recensm eorum alimentor. 

 et medicamiiMM, qieibus, sive tubo aliment ario tint ingesta, sivc comminiibits 

 corporis integumentis applivata, iiigressus in syslema vasor. sanguifcr. out 

 concessus a natura, aut negatus sit. Gotting. 1806. 4tO. 



f Conr. Ger. Ontydt (Presidents Scb. Just. Brugmans), De Causa absory- 

 tionis per vaw lymphatica. Lugd. Bat. 1795. 8vo. p. 45. 



