240 MUCOUS SYSTEM. 



the kidneys, along the seminal ducts and tubes; and in 

 women on the urinary canals, on the vagina, uterus, and 

 fallopian tubes, and by the opening of these tubes it com- 

 municates with the peritoneum. 



Q. Is it common for the mucous and serous membranes 

 .to communicate? 



/#. This just stated is the only instance. 



Q. State some interesting pathological considerations 

 which refer to these two mucous surfaces. 



e/?. The diseases of these two great divisions of the mu- 

 cous membranes are distinct, and sympathies radiate be- 

 tween them comparatively rarely. But there are sympa- 

 thies which play between them deserving recollection, 

 such as that between the utero-mucous and pulmonary 

 mucous surfaces, constituting vicarious haemorrhage from 

 the lungs when menstruation is interrupted. The trans- 

 lation of gonorrhoea to the mucous membrane of the eye 

 is another instance. 



Q. Will you state some curious sympathetic irritations 

 which arise in the courses of these two divisions of the 

 mucous system? 



#. The irritation at the end of the penis occasioned by 

 a stone in the bladder is one, and the itching of the nose 

 occasioned by worms on the intestinal surface is another. 



Q. How many surfaces are presented by each mucous 

 membrane ? 



Jl. Two; an adherent one to the neighbouring organs, 

 and a free villous one. 



Q. What are the uses of the adherent mucous surface? 



.#. By its adhesion to the muscles of organic and animal 

 life, it has a constant agitation, favourable to the secretion 

 of mucus; it gives form to the organ it lines ; it gives force 



