PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OP WASHINGTON, 133 



125th Meeting. May 19, 1S11. 



Vice-President Welling in the Cliair. 

 Thirty-three members and visitors present. 

 Mr. S. C. BusEY read a paper on 



THE influence OP THE CAKDIAC AND P>,ESPIRATORY MOVEMENTS 

 UPON THE MOTION OP THE LYMPH. 



(abstract.) 



He admitted the influence of absorption taking place at the 

 periphery, and of the excess of the arterial over the venous blood 

 pressure, as factors in promoting the movement of the chyle and 

 lymph, but denied their predominance; and insisted that the 

 anatomical arrangement of the lymphatic system, and its con- 

 nection with the venous system near the confluence of three large 

 trunks near the heart, antagonized the theories of Flint and 

 Ricklinghausen. Special attention was directed to the number 

 and arrangement of the valves in the tu))ular channel, which not 

 only preventeji regurgitation, but enhanced the influence of the 

 forces derived from position, pressure of contiguous parts, respi- 

 ration, and venous current in the large vessels near the heart ; 

 and claimed that the entrance of the thoracic duct into the sub- 

 clavian vein near the junction of the internal jugular was an 

 illustration of the principle of Yenturi, whereby the more rapid 

 current of the blood necessarily contributed to the slower current 

 in the thoracic duct. Then followed the citation of cases of ob- 

 structive and regurgitant heart diseases, illustrating the cfi"ects 

 of impediments to the circulation upon the movements of the 

 chyle and lymph, and exhibiting the pathological phenomena 

 attributable to slowing of the chyle and lymph current. The paper 

 concluded with a description of the effects of irregular and in- 

 terrupted respiratory movements upon the motion of the chyle 

 and lymph, and the importance of preserving the normal pulse- 

 respiration ratio in the management of pulmonary diseases. 



(This paper will appear in full in the September number, 1877, cfthe N. 0. 

 Med. and Surg. Journ.) 



Mr. Antisell continued his remarks on 



TERRESTRIAL COSMOGONY. 



Mr. John C. Riley and Mr. Henry Martyn Paul were 

 elected, by the General Committee, members of the Society. 



