368 QUANTITATIVE RELATIONS OF LYMPH AND CHYLE. 



QUANTITATIVE RELATIONS OF LYMPH AND CHYLE. 



It is estimated that the total amount of lymph and chyle introduced 

 into the circulation through the large lymph-trunks in twenty-four hours 

 equals the total volume of the blood. Of this one-half will be contributed 

 by the chyle, the other half by the lymph. The secretion of lymph in 

 the tissues takes place without interruption. From a lymphatic fistula 

 on a woman's thigh, about 6 kilograms of lymph were collected in twenty- 

 four hours. In young horses, the amount of lymph collected from the 

 large lymph-trunk of the neck in from one and one-half to two hours 

 measured between 70 and more than 100 grams. The following influ- 

 ences affect the amount of chyle, as well as that of lymph. 



The amount of chyle increases considerably during digestion, espe- 

 cially if the quantity of food taken has been large, so that the vessels 

 of the mesentery and the intestine will at this time be constantly found 

 filled with white chyle. In the state of hunger the vessels are collapsed 

 and can be recognized with difficulty. 



The amount of lymph increases especially with the activity of the 

 organ from which it flows. Thus it was found that active and passive 

 muscular movements increase the amount of lymph considerably, almost 

 five-fold in the horse. Lesser obtained more than 300 cu. cm. of lymph 

 in this manner from fasting dogs, in consequence of which, with inspis- 

 sation of the blood, the animals became exhausted, to the point of death. 



All agencies that increase the pressure to which the parenchymatous 

 fluids of the tissues are subjected increase the amount of lymph secreted, 

 and conversely. Of this the following observations are illustrative : 



(a) An increase in blood-pressure, not alone in the entire blood-vessel system, 

 but also in the vessels of the part in question, causes increase in the amount of 

 lymph, and conversely. 



(b) Ligation or compression of the efferent veins causes considerable increase 

 in the amount of lymph given off by the parts in question, even more than double, 

 because the escape of fluid is confined to the lymphatic vessels. The applica- 

 tion of tight bands is also a cause for swelling of the parts to the peripheral aspect of 

 the application, as copious effusion of lymph takes place into the tissues hypo- 

 static edema. 



(c) An increased supply of arterial blood acts in a similar manner, but less 

 powerfully. In this connection paralysis of the vasomotor or irritation of the vaso- 

 dilator fibers may cause an increase in the amount of lymph by creating marked 

 hyperemia. The process of dilatation favors the production of lymph in greater 

 degree than permanent distention of the blood-vessels. Contraction of the arterial 

 paths as a result of irritation of the vasomotor nerves or from other causes will 

 naturally have the opposite result; but even after ligation of both carotids, the 

 lymph-current in the large cervical trunk of the dog by no means ceases, as the 

 head is still supplied with blood in small amount by the vertebral arteries. 



If, after unilateral division of the sympathetic nerve, the blood-vessels of 

 the ear are dilated, indigo-carmine, injected into the blood, enters earliest and 

 in greater degree into the lymph of this ear; the latter also becomes decolorized 

 earlier than the healthy ear. In this way the rare instances of unilateral or 

 partial icterus are to be explained. 



An increase in the total volume of blood as a result of injection of 

 blood or serum into the veins causes increased formation of lymph, as, 

 in consequence of the increased tension thus induced, blood-plasma 

 passes over into the tissues in large amount. If water or a hypotonic 

 salt-solution be infused, water passes out into the tissues. 



After death and complete rest of the heart, the formation of lymph 

 still goes on for some little time, although in slight degree. If fresh 



