262 SEROUS SYSTEM. 



pose the tissue was very extensible. Not so, however; for 

 in these dilatations the folds of the serous membranes are 

 developed, or there is a kind of displacement of these 

 membranes. This is the case in ascites and pregnancy. 

 The texture is but slightly distensible. 



Q. Under what circumstances are these displacements 

 of the serous membranes painful? 



#. They are severely so in inflammation. 



Q. What have you to say of the contractility of this 

 texture ? 



Jl. That it is evident, though not very great. It is 

 evident in hydrocele and ascites after the water is evacu- 

 ated. After long and repeated distention these membranes 

 lose their contractility. 



2. Vital Properties. 



Q. What vital properties predominate in these tissues? 



#. Insensible organic contractility and organic sensi- 

 bility. The other vital properties are wanting. 



Q. What effect has disease on these properties? 



t/2. By it they are so exalted as to give acute pain, and 

 the texture of these membranes is readily changed. 



Q. When the serous tissues sympathize with affections 

 of other organs, where is the effusion of serum found? 



#. In the serous cavity nearest the affected organ; as 

 in the chest when the heart is diseased. 



Q. What distinction does Bichat draw between idiopa- 

 thic and sympathetic serous disorder? 



#. In the idiopathic disorder, the exhalents and ab- 

 sorbents of the texture are in a diseased state; in the sym- 



