on Muscular Motion. 
23 
The cornea, from some experiments and observations men- 
tioned in a former lecture, appears to be similar in structure 
and use to the elastic ligaments. It has all the common pro- 
perties of ligaments, those of elasticity and transparency being 
superadded. 
Like other ligaments it can be divided into laminae, in an 
healthy state lias no vessels carrying red blood, and is devoid 
of sensibility ; when divided it readily admits of union, when 
inflamed acquires a great degree of sensibility, is slow in its 
powers of resolution, and when the inflammation subsides, the 
coagulating lymph deposited in the adhesive stage of the inflam- 
mation remains, producing an opacity which it is afterwards 
found difficult to remove. 
All ligamentous parts, of which I consider the cornea to be 
one, are weak in their vital powers; this arises from their 
having no vessels carrying red blood ; when they inflame, 
which is a state of increased action, they therefore require a 
different mode of treatment from the other parts of the body, 
whose vital powers are strong, in consequence of being largely 
supplied with red blood. 
The truly healthy inflammation requires an increased action 
in the parts affected ; and if this, either from weakness or in- 
dolence, is not kept up, the inflammation does not go rapidly 
through its stages, but remains in a state between resolution 
and suppuration. In ligamentous structures the actions must 
therefore be roused and supported when under inflammation, 
to promote resolution, and prevent the parts from falling into 
an indolent diseased state. This is, however, attended with 
difficulty, and they too often become considerably thickened 
