308 QUANTITY OF LYMPH AND CHYLE. 



100 parts of the ash of lymph contained the following substances : 



Sodium chloride, . 74*48 

 Soda, . . .10-36 

 Potash, . ... 3'26 



Sulphuric acid, . 1 *28 



Carbonic acid, . . S'21 

 Iron oxide, . .0*06 



Lime, . . . 0'98 

 Magnesia, . . 0"27 

 Phosphoric acid, . 1*09 



Just as in blood, potash and phosphoric acid are most abundant in the 

 corpuscles ; while soda (chiefly sodium chloride) is most abundant in the lymph- 

 serum. The potash and phosphoric acid compounds are most abundant in cerebro- 

 spinal fluid, according to C, Schmidt. The amount of water in the lymph rises 

 and falls with that of the blood. Gases. Dog's lymph contains much C0 2 more 

 than 40 vols, per cent., of which 17 per cent, can be pumped out, and 23 per cent, 

 expelled by acids, while there are only traces of O and 1*2 vols, per cent, N 

 (Ludwig, Hammersten). 



[The cerebro-spinal fluid contains a substance which reduces an alkaline solution of cupric 

 hydrate. The potassic are in excess of the soda-salts, while the fluid of meningoceles and chronic 

 hydrocephalus contains proto-albumose, some serum-globulin, no serum-albumin, but the last 

 is present in acute hydrocephalus fluid. No albumose is found in pericardial or pleuritic fluids 

 (Halliburton).] 



199. QUANTITY OF LYMPH AND CHYLE. When it is stated that the 

 total amount of the lymph and chyle passing through the large vessels in twenty- 

 four hours is equal to the amount of the blood, it must be remembered that this is 

 merely a conjecture. Of this amount one-half may be lymph and the other half 

 chyle. The formation of lymph in the tissues takes place continually, and without 

 interruption. Nearly 6 kilos, of lymph were collected in twenty-four hours from a 

 lymphatic fistula in the arm of a woman, by Gubler and Quevenne ; 70 to 100 

 grms. were collected in 1 J to 2 hours from the large lymph-trunk in the neck of a 

 young horse. The following conditions affect the amount of chyle and lymph : 



(1) The amount of chyle undergoes very considerable increase during digestion, 

 more especially after a full meal, so that the lacteals of the mesentery and intestine 

 are distended with white or milky chyle. During hunger the lymph-vessels are 

 collapsed, so that it is difficult to see the large trunks. 



(2) The amount of lymph increases especially with the activity of the organ 

 from which it proceeds. Active or passive muscular movements greatly increase 

 its amount. Lesser obtained in this way 300 cubic centimetres of lymph from a 

 fasting dog, whereby its blood became so inspissated as to cause death. 



(3) All conditions which increase the pressure upon the juices of the tissues 

 increase the amount of lymph, and vice versa. These conditions are : 



(a) An increase of the blood-pressure, not only in the whole vascular system, but also in the 

 vessels of the corresponding organ, augments the amount of lymph and vice versd (Ludvng, 

 Tomsa). This however is doubtful, as has been shown by Paschutin and Emminghaus. [In 

 order to increase the amount of lymph depending upon pressure within the vessels, what 

 must happen is increased pressure within the capillaries and veins. ] 



(b) Ligature or obstruction of the efferent veins greatly increases the amount of lymph which 

 flows from the corresponding parts (Bidder, Emminghaus). It may be doubled in amount. 

 Tight bandages cause a swelling of the parts on the peripheral side of the bandage, owing to a 

 copious effusion of lymph into the tissue (congestive oedema). 



(c) An increased supply of arterial blood acts in the same way, but to a less degree. 

 Paralysis of the vaso-motor nerves, or stimulation of vaso-dilator fibres, by increasing the supply 

 of blood increases the amount of lymph; while diminution of the blood-supply, owing i to 

 stimulation of vaso-motor fibres or other causes, diminishes the amount. Even after ligature 

 of both carotids, as the head is still supplied with blood by the vertebrals, the lymph-stream in 

 the large cervical lymphatic does not cease. 



(4) When the total amount of the blood is increased, by the injection of blood or serum 

 into the arteries, much fluid passes into the tissues and increases the formation of lymph. 



(5) The formation of lymph still goes on for a short time after death, and after complete 

 cessation of the action of the heart, but only to a slight extent. If fresh blood be caused to 

 circulate in the body of an animal, while it is still warm, more lymph flows from the lym- 

 phatics. It appears as if the tissues obtained plasma from the blood for a time after the 

 stoppage of the circulation. This perhaps explains the circumstance that some tissues, e.g., 



