170 
MR. TOYNBEE ON THE ORGANIZATION AND NUTRITION 
and flattened, and having their long diameters parallel to the free surface. These 
canals contain a transparent fluid, which is seen to ooze from them after a section. 
It is most probable that the uninjected vessels observed in sections of cartilage by 
Meckel, Bichat, and others, were these canals and sinuses. 
Into the substance of healthy articular cartilages, I have never been able to trace 
blood-vessels, and my researches induce me to believe that they do not possess any. 
Previous to proceeding with my investigations upon this subject, 1 will give the 
statements of preceding inquirers with respect to the vascularity of articular cartilage. 
Sir B. Brodie, in speaking of articular cartilage, states, “ Here is a morbid alter- 
ation of structure, the occurrence of which seems to indicate that there must be 
such a vascular apparatus entering into the formation of cartilage, as enables new 
materials to be deposited and old materials to be absorbed *.” 
Bichat recognizes “ a vascular system in cartilages, but he was ignorant of the 
nature of the white fluids which circulate in theni'f'.” 
M. Beclard. “ These cartilages (the articular) have no vessels^.” 
M. Boyer. “ Leurs (les cartilages articulaires) vaisseaux sanguins sont si petits, 
qu’il est impossible de les suivre dans leur epaisseur ; ces vaisseaux viennent d’un 
reseau vasculaire qui entoure la partie de l’os comprise entre l’attache du ligament 
capsulaire, et le bord du cartilage, vers lequel ils s’avancent ; ils s’enfoncent entre 
l’os et le cartilage dans I’epaisseur duquel ils envoient sans doute un grand nombre 
des ramifications §.” 
M. Cruveilhier. “ The diarthrodial cartilages do not present any trace of organ- 
ization ||.” 
M. Meckel. “ Cartilages do not receive vessels which carry red blood, although 
in cutting them, distinct vessels are frequently observed in their substance^]".” 
M. Muller. “The tendons, ligaments and cartilages have blood-vessels, although 
in small number**.” 
Since the foregoing quotations were made, I have read with much interest some 
observations upon the subject by Mr. Liston. I subjoin the following extracts from 
them. “ The possibility of cartilage being acted upon, nourished, absorbed, and 
repaired by its own vessels, must thus be admitted.” Mr. L., however, adds, “This 
cellular tissue (between the cartilage and bone) is scarcely demonstrable in the 
healthy condition of parts, any more than is the vascularity of the articular 
cartilage 
* Pathological and Surgical Observations on the Diseases of the Joints. Third Edition, 1834, p. 92. 
t Anatomie Generale, Article, Organization du Systeme Cartilagineux . 
X Elements of General Anatomy. Knox’s Translation, 1830, p. 246. 
§ Traitd d’ Anatomie, vol. i. p. 60. Quatrieme Edition. 
|| Observations sur les cartilages diarthrodiaux, Archives Gendrales de Mddecine, vol. iv. p. 162. 
Manuel d’ Anatomie, vol. i. p. 354. 
** Elements of Physiology, Translated by Dr. Baly, vol. i. p. 384. 
tt Medical and Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxiii. pp. 94, 95. 
