OF THE ABSORBENT VESSELS. 278 



intestines are mixed with a large quantity* of fluid that gradually 

 decreases towards the rectum and is therefore absorbed as it 

 passes along the canal. Now, Flandrin, having collected the 

 contents of the lacteals, did not find them smell like this intestinal 

 fluid, whereas the venous blood of the small intestines had a taste 

 distinctly herbaceous 5 that of the caecum a sharp taste and a 

 slightly urinous smell ; and that of the colon the same qualities 

 in a more marked degree. The blood of other parts presented 

 nothing analogous." 



" Half a pound of assa fretida dissolved in the same quantity of 

 honey was given to a horse, which was afterwards fed as usual 

 and killed in sixteen hours. The smell of assa foetida was per- 

 ceptible in the veins of the stomach, small intestines, and 

 caecum ; but not in the arterial blood, nor in the lymph. "f 



The last quotation presents as positive results in regard to 

 veins, as Mr. Hunter's experiments in regard to lacteals and 

 lymphatics. 



(E) Although some albumen is discovered actually in the 

 duodenum, and some fibrine in the first lacteals, the chyle is 

 found to contain more and more of these substances in propor- 

 tion to its progress towards the left subclavian vein. The chyle 

 contains a certain fatty matter, which is considered as incipient 

 albumen, and, in proportion as this decreases, does the quantity of 

 fibrine and albumen increase. % 



* 1. c. page 182-3. f 1. c. page 240. 



X Dr. Prout, Thomson's Annals of Philosophy. 1819. 



