[ 393 ] 
the lymphatic glands that lie near to, and in contact 
Vv^ith the dudl : generally too attended with obftrlic- 
tions in the more external conglobate glands; there- 
fore always to be fufpeded, where we have thelc 
appearances, accompanied with a gradual wafting of 
the folids. In children and young fubjecls we meet 
with proofs of this difeafe ; a dileafe, which never 
could have been learnt, but from the diftedion of 
morbid bodies. 
The lymphatics are faid to be the true, and only 
fyftem of abforbing veftels. I will fuppofe they are; 
though perhaps this opinion may yet admit of fomo 
doubts : however, they certainly are the veftels that 
take up the watery latex from moft parts of the body, 
and return it back to be again mixed with the blood. 
This free abforption of the lymph is the great ftecu- 
rity againft fuffocation, injurious preflure, and an 
obftruded circulation in every part of the animal. 
Many valuable difeoveries have lately been made, 
of the exiftencc' of thefe veftels in birds, fifh, and 
amphibii. That moft accurate and indefatigable ana- 
tomift. Dr. Hunter, has writ fully and explicitly 
upon the lymphatics in the human body ; and yet, 
ftill it is to be wiftied, we knew more about 
them. 
\¥e have not been able to fee their origins in any 
one inftance; we have not traced them through the 
whole body, as we have done the blood- veftels. It 
is reafonable to fuppofe they abound univ.erfally ; but 
it is doubtful whether in many parts they cxift, or 
not ; for the moft: eminent anatom ifts confefs, there 
are many parts, in which, hitherto, they have not 
been able to difeover them. 
VoL. LIX. 
E e c 
It 
