170 MR. TOYNBEE ON THE ORGANIZATION AND NUTRITION 



I and flattened, and having their long diameters parallel to the free surface. These 

 I canals contain a transparent fluid, which is seen to ooze from them after a section. 



It is most probable that the uninjected vessels observed in sections of cartilage by 

 Meckel, Bichat, and others, were these canals and sinuses. 



Into the substance of healthy articular cartilages, I have never been able to trace 

 blood-vessels, and my researches induce me to believe that they do not possess any. 

 Previous to proceeding with my investigations upon this subject, 1 will give the 

 statements of preceding inquirers with respect to the vascularity of articular cartilage. 



Sir B. Brodie, in speaking of articular cartilage, states, " Here is a morbid alter- 

 ation of structure, the occurrence of which seems to indicate that there must be 

 such a vascular apparatus entering into the formation of cartilage, as enables new 

 materials to be deposited and old materials to be absorbed *." 



BiCHAT recognizes " a vascular system in cartilages, but he was ignorant of the 

 nature of the white fluids which circulate in them-}-." 



M. Beclard. " These cartilages (the articular) have no vessels J." 



M. BoYER. " Leurs (les cartilages articulaires) vaisseaux sanguins sont si petits, 

 qu'il est impossible de les suivre dans leur ^paisseur ; ces vaisseaux viennent d'un 

 reseau vasculaire qui entoure la partie de I'os comprise entre I'attache du ligament 

 capsulaire, et le bord du cartilage, vers lequel ils s'avancent ; ils s'enfoncent entre 

 I'os et le cartilage dans T^paisseur duquel ils envoient sans doute un grand nombre 

 des ramifications^." 



M. Cruveilhier. " The diarthrodial cartilages do not present any trace of organ- 

 ization 1|." 



M. Meckel. " Cartilages do not receive vessels which carry red blood, although 

 in cutting them, distinct vessels are frequently observed in their substance ^." 



M. MuLLER. " The tendons, ligaments and cartilages have blood-vessels, although 

 in small number**." 



Since the foregoing quotations were made, I have read with much interest some 

 observations upon the subject by Mr. Liston. I subjoin the following extracts from 

 them. " The possibility of cartilage being acted upon, nourished, absorbed, and 

 repaired by its own vessels, must thus be admitted." Mr. L., however, adds, "This 

 cellular tissue (between the cartilage and bone) is scarcely demonstrable in the 

 healthy condition of parts, any more than is the vascularity of the articular 

 cartilage 'j-'f'." 



* Pathological and Surgical Observations on the Diseases of the Joints. Third Edition, 1834, p. 92. 



t Anatomie Gdnerale, Article, Organization du Systeme Cartilagineux . 



X Elements of General Anatomy. Knox's Translation, 1830, p. 246. 



§ Traits d' Anatomie, vol. i. p. 60. Quatrifeme Edition. 



I! Observations sur les cartilages diarthrodiaux. Archives G6n6rales de M^decine, vol. iv. p. 162. 



% Manuel d' Anatomie, vol. i. p. 354. 



** Elements of Physiology, Translated by Dr. Baly, vol. i. p. 384. 



tt Medical and Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxiii. pp. 94, 95. 



