170 LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 



Upon the whole then it appears, that the interstitial lymph, 

 or the fluid which moistens the different cavities of the body, 

 being different from mere water, cannot be produced simply by 

 transudation through inorganical interstices; but that there 

 are small exhalant arteries, or organized passages, which not 

 only transmit the lymph from the blood, but change its pro- 

 perties, and adapt it to the office of lubrication, and likewise 

 make it assume very different appearances in different circum- 

 stances of health (LXXVIII). 



(LXXVIII.) The accuracy of this opinion is supported by the recent 

 observations on the agency of cells in secretion, of which an account 

 will be found, with reference to the researches of Purkinje, Henle, 

 Goodsir, and Bowman, in Dr, Carpenter's Report on the Origin and 

 Functions of Cells, Brit, and For. Med. Rev. xv, 279. Some of Mr. 

 Goodsir' s works are referred to in Notes LXXXII and LXXXIII. The 

 fact that the fluid of the ventricles of the brain rarely contains coagu- 

 lable lymph, and commonly but a very little albumen, is also in favour 

 of Hewson's view. Were this fluid merely an exudation, as the vessels 

 of the brain seem to have very thin coats, might it not be expected 

 that the fluid from them would be rich in albumen and coagulable 

 lymph ? 



