THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
vol. v. MARCH, 1832. No. 51. 
ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 
[Continued from page 63.] 
ABSORBENT SYSTEM, 
COMPRISING THE 
ABSORBENTS AND ABSORBENT GLANDS. 
THE absorbents constitute that system of vessels which are 
employed in absorbing alimentary and other matters, and convey¬ 
ing them into the general circulation. 
Division. —These vessels were, when they were first discovered, 
supposed to exist of different kinds in the body: hence the appel¬ 
lations lacteals and lymphatics. It is now, however, ascertained, 
that they exhibit no difference whatever in their anatomy; and 
also that, although the lacteals are ordinarily employed in ab¬ 
sorbing chyle from the intestinal canal, they are, equally with the 
lymphatics, capable of taking up other matters. 
The only natural division they appear susceptible of, is, into 
superficial and deep-seated absorbents : the former are distributed 
in great numbers immediately beneath the skin, and perforate it 
through almost every point; the latter are commonly found rami¬ 
fying in company with the trunks of the bloodvessels, more 
especially with the veins. 
Peculiarities. —The absorbents are so minute as to bear no 
sort of comparison with the bloodvessels, in point of magnitude. 
To make up for this, however, they are in general vastly more 
numerous ; and have much more frequent anastomosis. They 
also exhibit peculiar tortuosities in their course, and are every¬ 
where beset with valves. 
Glands. —The absorbent glands are small oval-shaped bodies, 
varying in magnitude from a pea to a walnut, found in many un¬ 
exposed parts of the body along the course of the absorbent ves¬ 
sels. Generally speaking, they exhibit a reddish hue : but there 
are some that assume a dark blue, and even a black complexion. 
They exist mostly in groups or clusters—rarely, solitary. 
VOL. V. S 
