ORGANISED FLUIDS. 



ART. I. THE LYMPH AND THE CHYLE. 



IT will perhaps render the description of the lymph and 

 the chyle more intelligible, if the observations which we shall 

 have to make on these fluids are preceded by a short sketch 

 of the lymphatic system itself. This system consists of 

 vessels and of glands, which are of the kind which has been 

 denominated conglobate. The vessels have many of the 

 characters of veins, commencing as mere radicles, which unite 

 with each other to form larger trunks, and their interior 

 surface is provided with valves : they arise from all parts of 

 the system, even the most remote ; those of the lower ex- 

 tremities and abdominal viscera form by their union the 

 thoracic duct, which, running along the left side of the spinal 

 column, unites with the left subclavian vein, near its junction 

 with the internal carotid, its contents becoming mingled with the 

 torrent of blood in that vein. The lymphatics of the left side 

 of the head and neck, as well as those of the arm of the 

 corresponding side, unite with the same thoracic duct in the 

 superior part of its course. On the right side, however, a 

 smaller separate duct formed by the union of the lymphatics 

 of the upper part of that side of the body, is frequently met 

 Avith, and this empties itself into the right subclavian vein. 

 All these lymphatic vessels, in their course, pass through 

 the glands above referred to, and in which the fluid or lymph 

 contained by them doubtless undergoes further elaboration. 

 The lymphatics are remarkable for their equal and small 

 diameter, which allows of the passage of the lymph through 

 them ' by mere capillary attraction ; they are also to be 

 regarded as the chief, though not the exclusive, agents of 

 absorption in the system, the veins likewise taking part in 

 this process. 



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