268 OF THE ABSORBENT VESSELS. 



part of those secreted fluids which are retained for 

 some time in their ducts, v. c. of the milk, semen, 

 bile, &c. and not a small portion of the stillatitious 

 fluids that are applied to the common integuments.* 



440. The solids, after performing their purpose in 

 the economy, insensibly melt away and are absorbed, 

 as is proved by the absorption of the greater part of 

 the thymus gland during infancy, of the roots of the 

 first teeth, and of the alveoli after the second teeth 

 have fallen out. The constant change of the whole 

 osseous system, arising from the insensible renovation 

 of the bony matter, of which we have treated else- 

 where professedly,f may also be adduced. 



441. It is therefore evident, since so great a variety 

 of matter is absorbed, and at the same time nothing 

 crude or improper allowed to enter the blood, that 

 there is a necessity for some peculiar medium to 

 previously subact and assimilate the various sub- 

 stances. 



442. It appears to be the chief office of the conglo- 

 bate glands, which constitute the last part of the ab- 

 sorbent system, to prevent the ill effects, upon the 

 heart, of the improper admixture of crude fluid % with 



* Consult among others, Valor. Lud. Brera, .Jnatripsologia ; fourth edition. 

 Par. 1799. 2 vols. 8vo. A. J. Chrcstien, De la mc'thode iatrolipticc, 

 Montpcll. 1803. 8vo. 



+ Decade 1. of my collection of the crania of different nations, p. 27. 



* If we consider the winding course which nature has provided for the pur- 

 pose of changing and assimilating the nl^orlx'd fluids before their admixture 

 Avith the blood ; and, on the other hand, the dreadful syniptonis, such as 

 palpitation, convulsions, &c. which ensue upon the artificial infusion of a 

 minute portion of any mild fluid into the bhxtd, we shall lie thoroughly con- 

 vinced that no absorption of heterogeneous fluid takes place by Uie veins, except- 

 ing that r>f the blood itself (v. c. in the erection of some parts, in the placenta, 



