334 SURGICAL APPLIED ANATOMY. [Chap. xvm. 



Chiene (Journ. Anat. and Phys., vol. iii.) the cceliac 

 axis and mesenteric vessels were plugged, but blood in 

 sufficient amount to supply the viscera had reached the 

 branches of these arteries through their parietal com- 

 munications. This anastomosis gives an anatomical 

 demonstration of the value of local blood-lettings and of 



o 



counter-irritants in inflammatory affections of certain 

 of the viscera, and also a scientific basis to the ancient 

 practice of poulticing the loin and the iliac region in 

 nephritis and in inflammation about the caecum. 



Cases have been recorded of communications 

 between the external iliac vein and the portal vein. 

 These have generally been effected by the deep epi- 

 gastric vein joining with a pervious umbilical vein in 

 the vicinity of the navel. 



Thoracic duct. Some six cases of wound of 

 this duct have been reported, the injury being usually 

 a stab. In each case lymph and chyle in large 

 quantities escaped from the wound. In one instance 

 the duct is said to have been injured by a bullet 

 that entered just below the left scapula, since from 

 the wound in the integuments large quantities of 

 lymph escaped freely. The duct has been- found to 

 have been obliterated, and that, too, without produc- 

 ing any marked symptoms during life. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE PELVIS AND PERINEUM. 



THE mechanism of tlie pelvis. Besides 

 forming a cavity for certain viscera, a support for 

 some abdominal organs, and a point for the attachment 

 of the lower limb, and of many muscles, the pelvis 



