31 
NO. VI. 
The Nature of Absorption as effected hp the Mesenteric Fee/is. 
That the extreme radicles of the mesenteric veins really do 
perform the function of absorption from the inner surface of the 
intestinal canal cannot, in my idea, be in the least doubted of; 
for if such was not the case, there would have been no necessity 
for nature to have caused these vessels to have taken their origin 
by open mouths from these parts. 
The following experiment, which was performed in the year 
1826, will also go to support what has already been advanced by 
Magendie on this subject. Having kept a dog for some time with¬ 
out allowing him to take any kind of food or drink; immediately 
previous to performing the experiment, I allowed him to take a pint 
of milk and water : then, after properly securing him, an opening 
was made into the trachea, through which was introduced a tube, 
which was connected with a small pair of bellows; and, in the 
next place, the spinal marrow was pierced with a sharp-pointed 
probe, between the occipital bone and the first cervical vertebra, 
for the purpose of producing a partial insensibility. The bellows 
were then slowly worked by an assistant, with the view of pro¬ 
ducing respiration artificially; and the cavity of the abdomen 
was laid open to its whole extent, by means of which, the 
stomach, intestines, liver, &.C. were freely exposed. Finding the 
muscular action of the stomach, as also the peristaltic motion of 
the intestines, and likewise the circulation of the blood, still 
going on in these parts, I in the next place, divided the sternum ; 
opened freely the cavity of the chest; exposed the heart, lungs, 
&c.; and then on the right side of the spine I divided the thoracic 
duct, from whence there flowed about a tablespoonful of white 
lymphatic fluid. 
Having kept up respiration for the space of one hour and 
twenty-five minutes,! was then induced'to see what effects would 
follow on dividing the hepatic duct at its entrance into the duo¬ 
denum : as soon as this was ‘done, there escaped from thence 
a small quantity of bile, and, very soon after this had taken place, 
the circulation of the blood through the mesenteric arteries, veins, 
&c. became veiy greatly diminished, as also the peristaltic motion 
of the intestines, and the circulation of the blood through the 
heart, lungs, &c.; and, in the further space of a few minutes, all 
these efforts of life entirely ceased. 
Examination after Death. —On opening the stomach there 
were found only about two teaspoonfuls of coagulated milk, and 
a small quantity of gastric juice. The duodenum, and other small 
