XXIX 4. RETROGRADE ABSORBENTS. 363 



theory : hut the directions of the lymphatic fyftem 

 of the human body, v/hich have yet been publifh- 

 ed, are not fufficiently extenfive for our purpofe ; 

 Jet if we may reafon from comparative anatomy, 

 this tranflation of chyle to the bladder is much 

 illuftrated by the account given of this fyflem of 

 vefiels in a -turtle, by Mr. Hewfon, who obferved, 

 " That the la&eals near the root of the mefentery 

 anaftomofe, fo as to form a net-work, from which 

 feveral large branches go into fome confiderable 

 lymphatics lying near the fpine ; and which can be 

 traced almoft to the anus, and particularly to the 

 kidneys. Philof. Tranf. v. 59. p. 199 Enquiries, 

 p. 74. 



4. At the fame time that the urinary branch of 

 abforbents, in the beginning of diabetes, is excited 

 into inverted action, the cellular branch is excited 

 by the fympathy above mentioned, into more ener- 

 getic action ; and the fat, that was before depofited, 

 is reabforbed and thrown into the blood vefiels ; 

 \vhere it floats, and was miftaken for chyle, till the 

 late experiments of the ingenious Mr. Hewfon de- 

 monflrated it to be fat. 



This appearance of what was miftaken for chyle 

 in the blood, which was drawn from thefe patients, 

 and the obftructed liver, which very frequently 

 accompanies this difeafe, feems to have led Dr. 

 Mead to fulpect the diabetes was owing to a defect 

 of fanguifkation ; and that the fchirrofity of the 

 liver was the original caufe of it; but as the fchir- 

 rhus of the liver is moft frequently owing to the 

 fame caufes, that produce the diabetes and dropfies; 

 namely, the great ufe of fermented liquors ; there 

 is no wonder they mould exift, together, without 

 being the confequence of each other. 



5. If the cutaneous branch of abforbents gains a 

 habit of being excited into ftronger action, and 

 imbibes greater quantities of moifture from the 



VOL. I. B b atmofphere, 



