THE CELLULAR MEMBRANE. 407 



free from disease, although many pass through them. On this 

 account they have heen considered by some very respectable 

 physiologists as inorganic ; but tliere are good reasons for re- 

 jrardins this sentiment as erroneous. 



If a portion of cellular membrane, in the living subject, be 

 brought into view by a surgical operation or a wound, and be 

 allowed to remain some time covered by an emolient cataplasm, 

 or a soft plaster, a complete change of color will gradually 

 lake place ; it will become uniformly red, in consequence of the 

 great number of minute vessels into which blood has penetra- 

 ted during inflammation ; and granulations will form on its 

 surface. 



These vessels must have existed previously in the sound 

 state of the membrane, and conveyed a transparent fluid ; 

 although no structure of this kind was visible. This single 

 fact therefore proves completely its organization. 



In some parts of the body, this cellular membrane appears 

 to be moistened by a small quantity of fluid, or halitus, in its 

 cells ; which seems merely sufficient to keep it soft and flexi- 

 ble. In other places it is loaded with fat. 



There is great reason to believe that the fat is contained in 

 cavities which are somewhat different from the ordinary cavi- 

 ties of the cellular membrane. 



The cells or cavities which contain the moisture or halitus 

 comnmnicate with each other, over the whole body. Thus, 

 air insinuated into the cellular membrane exterior to the pleura, 

 in consequence of a fractured rib, will be diffused over the 

 whole body ; and produce the disease called emphysema. In 

 a patient who is affected with that species of dropsy called 

 anasarca, a portion of the fluid will be effused in the head and 

 upper parts of the body, after he has passed a night in bed in 

 a horizontal position ; but after he has been in an erect position 

 for some time, the fluid will be accumulated in the legs and 

 feet, or most depending parts of the body, in consequence of 

 its gravity. 



It is well known in dissecting-rooms, that the effused water 



