chap, xxii.i THE LEG. 499 



which lies close to the bone at the spot about which 

 these contracting bands are usually applied. Between 

 the two layers of the muscles of the calf Verneuil 

 describes a venous plexus, which he believes to be 

 more often the seat of varices than are the vessels of 

 the surface. A varicose condition of these deeply- 

 placed veins may explain the " aching legs " complained 

 of by those who stand a great deal. The intramus- 

 cular veins are very large. Callender 

 showed that the six chief veins which 

 pass from the soleus muscle alone to 

 enter into the posterior tibial and pero- 

 neal trunks have a united diameter of 

 not less than one inch. Varix would 

 appear to commence most often at points 

 where the deep veins join the superficial 

 vessels. There is good reason for this, 

 for at these points three forces meet, 

 the general directions of which are shown in the 

 annexed diagram (Fig. 51). There is the weight of 

 the superincumbent column of blood (a) acting from 

 above, the resistance offered by the next valve below 

 the point of entry of the deep vein acting from below 

 (&), and the force with which the blood is driven by 

 the conti'acting muscles out of the deep vein into the 

 superficial trunk acting at an angle to both these lines 

 of force (e). Unfortunately for the subjects of varices, 

 the two principal veins (the saphenous) are accom- 

 panied by sensory nerves, and there is no doubt that 

 much of the pain incident to varicose veins in the leg 

 depends upon pressure on these nerves. 



With reference to pain in the leg it must be 

 remembered that the nerves that bring sensation to the 

 part arise at a considerable distance from their points 

 of termination, and that the causes of pain in the limb 

 may be situated far away from the seat of trouble. 

 Thus Sir B. Brodie mentions the case of a gentleman 



