CARTILAGINOUS SYSTEM. 199 



Q. What important consideration does the general cha- 

 racter of the vital forces of various parts inculcate on the 

 pathologist? 



*ft. That these forces are exceedingly various in differ- 

 ent tissues. Active in some, their diseases are acute and 

 rapid, and their restoration speedy. Slow in others, their 

 diseases are chronic, and their reunion very tardy. And 

 again, that acute and chronic inflammation are relative, 

 not arbitrary terms; governed in their application by the 

 activity of the vital forces of the part. 



Development of the Cartilaginous System. 



Q. What constitutes the mucous bed of the osseous and 

 cartilaginous systems in the foetus? 



A. The cellular and vascular parenchyma; this is after- 

 wards penetrated by the peculiar saline and gelatinous 

 substances, which form the bone and cartilage. 



Q. What effect has age on the deposition of gelatine? 



. It diminishes as we advance in life; young animals 

 yield the most jelly. 



Q. What appearances take place in macerating the car- 

 tilages of young animals in water? 



. They become of a reddish colour. 



Q. It has been said that the motions of the cartilages in 

 the moveable articulations prevents their ossifications; 

 may not another physiological reason be given for this? 



#. In the moveable articulations the organic sensibility 

 of the cartilage not being in relation to the red blood' and 

 .calcareous substance, they are neither conveyed to the 

 cartilage nor deposited in it; hence ossification does not 

 take place. 



