320 FUNCTIONS OF NUTRITION. 



taken respectively from the lacteals of the abdomen and the lymphatics 

 of the hind leg, in the ass. 



COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LYMPH AND CHYLE. 



Lymph. Chyle. 



Water 965.36 902.37 



Albumen 12.00 35.16 



Fibrine 1.20 3.70 



Spirit extract 2.40 3.32 



Water extract 13.19 12.33 



Fat traces 36.01 



Saline matter 5.85 7.11 



1000.00 1000.00 



When a canula, accordingly, is introduced into the thoracic duct at 

 different periods after feeding, the fluid discharged varies considerably, 

 both in appearance and quantity. In the dog, it is never quite trans- 

 parent, but retains a marked opaline tinge even so late as eighteen 

 hours after feeding on lean meat, and at least three days and a half 

 after the introduction of fat food. Soon after feeding, it becomes 

 whitish and opaque, and so remains during the continuance of diges- 

 tion and absorption. After this it resumes its former appearance, 

 becoming light colored and opalescent in the carnivorous animals, and 

 nearly transparent in the herbivora. 



The Lymph Globules. The lymph nearly always contains rounded, 

 transparent, or finely granular nucleated cells, from 6 to 12 mmm. in 

 diameter, similar in appearance to the white globules of the blood, 

 and known as "lymph-globules." According to Kolliker they vary 

 much, both in number and size, according to the part of the lymphatic 

 system from which the fluid is taken. In the smallest lymphatic ves- 

 sels of the mesentery, they are scanty or altogether absent ; and in 

 the lymphatics, where they first show themselves, they are few in 

 number and of small size. But after the lymph has traversed one or 

 two ranges of lymphatic glands, the globules are more numerous and 

 larger, often attaining the size of 12 mmm. in diameter. From this 

 circumstance, as well as from the microscopic texture of the lymph- 

 atic glands, it is concluded that the lymph-globules originate, in great 

 part, in the interior of the glands, and that they are brought thence 

 by the current traversing the lymph-paths in the substance of these 

 organs. 



Movement of the Lymph in the Lymphatic Vessels. The move- 

 ment of the fluid in the lymphatic system differs from that of the 

 blood, in the important particular that its course is always in one 

 direction, namely, from the periphery toward the centre. It is ab- 

 sorbed by the lymphatic capillaries, collected into the lymphatic 

 branches and trunks, and thence conducted to the great veins near 

 the right side of the heart. 



