70 FUNCTIONS OF NUTRITION. 



30. This duct, or canal, which also receives the lymphatic 

 vessels from other parts of the body, presents at its inferior ex- 

 tremity, a dilatation called the reservoir of Pecquet, or the jecrp- 

 incnlnni i-hyli ; it lies closely glued to the anterior face of the 

 vertebral column or spine, and mounts towards the thorax, to 

 terminate near the base of the neck, in the subclavian vein o 

 the left side 



31. The chyle, in passing through the mesenteric glands seem 

 to be perfected in some degree ; it assumes a rosy tint and be 

 comes coagulable like the blood : but it still differs very much 

 from this liquid, and we do not know, with certainty, in what 

 part of the body it is changed into blood. 



RECAPITULATION OF THE FUNCTIONS OF NUTRI- 

 TION. 



Such are the different functions by the aid of which the nutri- 

 tion of the body is effected. 



32. The alimentary substances, necessary for renewing the 

 materials of which the organs are composed, are derived, as we 

 have seen, from sources exterior to the animal, and, in order to 

 serve the purposes of nutrition, require to undergo a peculiar 

 preparation to which we give the name of digestion. 



33. The chief of the functions of nutrition is, consequently, in 

 man as in all other animals, that of DIGESTION. 



34. The nutritious matters, thus elaborated, do not sojourn in 

 the digestive cavity; in order to support the organs, they pass from 

 this cavity into the very substance of the body itself, to be mixed 

 with the blood. To this transportation from without to within, 

 and the passage of all substances from without into the torrent 

 of the circulation, is applied the term ABSORPTION. 



35. The blood, to convey in this way, to all parts of the body, 

 materials to repair the organs must necessarily be the seat of con- 

 tinual currents, and in fact, this liquid finds its way wherever there 

 is life to be supported: this phenomenon is called the CIRCULATION 



30. Where is the thoracic duct? Where does it terminate ? 



31 . What change does chyle undergo while passing through the mesenteric 

 glands / In what part of the body is chyle changed into blood ? 



32. To be available for nutrition what process does food necessarily un- 

 dergo? 



33. What is the chief function of nutrition? 



34. What occurs next after digestion? 



35. In order to fulfil its office of nourishing the organs, what is necessary 

 4 x> the blood? 



