DIGESTION OF FOOD. 341 
or other nerves of the sympathetic system; but, from the fact 
that discharge of the gastric contents is impossible when the 
vagi are cut, it is likely that the efferent impulses, determining 
the relaxation of the cardiac sphincter, descend by these nerves, 
while the chorda tympani is concerned, of course, in the secre- 
tion of saliva, But it will be clear, from the facts of the case, 
that many nerves, both afferent and efferent, are concerned ; 
and it is more than likely that our explanations of the entire 
process are quite inadequate to unravel its real complexity. 
Therapeutics.—The evidence from the use of drugs seems to 
emphasize the last statement. At all events, emetics act ina 
variety of ways, and differently in different animals. 
THE REMOVAL OF DIGESTED PRODUCTS FROM THE ALIMENT- 
ARY CANAL. 
The glands of the stomach are simply secretive, and all ab- 
sorption from this organ is either by blood-vessels directly or 
by lymphatics; at least, such is the ordinary view of the sub- 
ject—whether it is not too narrow a one remains to be seen. 
It is important to remember that the intestinal mucous 
membrane is supplied not only with secreting glands but lym- 
phatic tissue, in the form of the solitary and agminated glands 
(Peyer’s patches) and thickly studded with villi, giving the 
small gut that velvety appearance appreciable even by the 
naked eye. 
It will not be forgotten that the capillaries of the digestive 
organs terminate in the veins of the portal system, and that the 
blood from these parts is conducted through the liver before it 
reaches the general circulation. 
The lymphatics of these organs form a part of the general 
lymphatic system of the body; but the peculiar way in which 
absorption is effected by villi, and the fact that the lymphatics 
of the intestine, etc., at one time (fasting) contain ordinary 
lymph and at another (after meals) the products of digestion, 
imparts to them a physiological character of their own. 
Absorption will be the better understood if we treat now of 
lymph and chyle and the lymph vascular system, which were 
purposely postponed till the present; though its connection 
with the vascular system is as close and important as with 
the digestive organs. 
The lymphatic system, as a whole, more closely resembles 
the venous than the arterial vessels, We may speak of lym- 
