6 ORGANISED FLUIDS. 



from whatever part of the lacteal system they may have 

 been obtained. 



The granular corpuscles are found but sparingly in the 

 chyle of the inferent lacteals, abundantly in that of the 

 mesenteric glands themselves, and in medium quantity in 

 the efferent lacteals, and in the fluid of the thoracic duct. 



3rd, Oil Globules, which vary exceedingly in dimensions. 



4th, Minute Spherules, probably albuminous, the exact 

 size or form of which it is difficult to estimate, and which 

 are not soluble in aether, as are those which constitute the 

 molecular base. 



Chyle, when left to itself, like the lymph, separates into a 

 solid and fluid portion: the coagulum, however, is larger 

 and firmer than that of lymph, in consequence of the greater 

 quantity of fibrin which it contains ; it is also more opaque 

 from the presence, not merely of the white granular corpuscles, 

 but principally of the molecules of the chyle ; the serum is 

 likewise opaque, the opacity arising from the same cause, 

 the peculiar characteristic molecules of the chyle. 



The lymph and the chyle may now be contrasted together. 

 Both are nutritive fluids, the nutritious ingredients contained 

 in the one being derived from the re-digestion of the various 

 matters which are constantly thrown off from the older solids, 

 those of the other being acquired from the food digested in 

 the stomach : the one is a transparent fluid, containing but 

 little fibrin, a trace only of oil, and but few white corpuscles ; 

 the other is an opaque, white, thick, and oily fluid, more rich 

 in fibrin, and laden with molecules, white corpuscles, oil 

 globules, and minute spherules; the one, therefore, is less 

 nutritive than the other. 



It has been asserted that chyle until after its passage 

 through the mesenteric glands would not coagulate; the 

 fallacy of this assertion has been demonstrated by Mr. Lane*, 

 who collected the chyle previous to its entrance into those 

 glands, and found that it did coagulate, although with but 

 little firmness, less indeed than it exhibited subsequent to 

 its passage through the glands. 



* See Art. " Lymphatic System," loc. cit. 



