ABSORBENT SYSTEM. 163 



Q. What is it that renders absorption of the solids 

 practicable for such delicate vessels as the absorbents? 



.tf. Solids, like fluids, are composed of minute par- 

 ticles, and vessels remove a particle of the one as they do 

 of the pther. 



Q. In what system do the absorbents arise? 



tfi. Of course they arise in the capillary tissue. 



Q. How are the absorbents of the extremities divided ? 



'&. Into the superficial and the deep-seated. 



Q. How are the absorbents of the trunk divided? 



t#. Into the superficial and deep-seated of the parietes 

 of the trunk of the body; and into the superficial and deep- 

 seated of the viscera. 



Q. Where have they not yet been found ? 



#. In the cavity of the cranium. 



Q. In form how do the absorbents differ from the 

 veins? 



#. The absorbents do not enlarge in their course as 

 the veins do; they compensate for their small size by the 

 number of tubes. 



Q. How can you have the best natural view of the ab- 

 sorbents? 



#. By examining the concave surface of the liver, very 

 speedily after opening the abdomen of the dog or other 

 large animal. 



Q. In what disease are they often remarkably enlarged ? 



/?. In dropsy. 



Q. What constitutes the difficulty in deciding on the 

 capacity of the absorbents? 



Ji. The same as in the case of the veins; both veins and 

 absorbents are so extensible and contractile, as to be ever 

 varying in size. 



