Part 26 (2/2)

These fluids are various, as the fat, the marrow, the synovia of joints, serous fluids, and the humors of the eye. Were it not for this variety of absorption, dropsy would generally exist in the cavities of the brain, chest, and abdomen, from the continued action of the secretory vessels.

397. EXCREMENt.i.tIAL absorption relates to the fluids which have been excreted, such as the bile, pancreatic fluid, saliva, milk, and other secretions.

398. CUTANEOUS absorption relates to the skin. Here the lymphatic vessels extend only to the cuticle, which they do not permeate. There has been much diversity of opinion on the question of cutaneous absorption; some maintaining that this membrane absorbs, while others deny it. Many experiments have proved that the skin may absorb sufficient nutriment to support life for a time, by immersing the patient in a bath of milk or broth. It has been found that the hand, immersed to the wrist in warm water, will absorb from ninety to one hundred grains of fluid in the s.p.a.ce of an hour.

399. Thirst may be quenched by applying moist clothes to the skin, or by bathing. It is no uncommon occurrence, during a pa.s.sage from one continent to the other, for the saliva to become bitter by the absorption of sea water. Medicinal substances, such as mercury, morphine, and Spanish flies, are frequently introduced into the system through the skin.

396. What is recrement.i.tial absorption? 397. Define excrement.i.tial absorption. 393. To what does cutaneous absorption relate? Is there a diversity of opinion respecting this variety of absorption? What do well attested experiments show? 399. What remark in reference to quenching thirst? What agency conveys medicinal substances and ointments into the system when tabbed on the skin?

400. RESPIRATORY absorption has reference to the lungs. The mucous membrane of these organs is abundantly supplied with lymphatic vessels. By their action, substances finely pulverized, or in the form of gas, are readily imbibed when inhaled into the lungs, such as metallic vapors, odoriferous particles, _tobacco smoke_, and other effluvia. In this way, contagious diseases are frequently contracted.

_Ill.u.s.tration._ In inhaling sulphuric ether, or letheon, it is introduced into the vessels of the lungs in the form of vapor, and through them it is rapidly conveyed to the brain, and thus influences the nervous system.

401. VENOUS absorption is the function which the veins perform in absorbing from the alimentary ca.n.a.l liquids of various kinds that have been taken into the stomach and are not converted into chyle. In other parts of the body, they also perform the common office of lymphatics.

402. LACTEAL, or digestive absorption has reference to the absorption of chyle only, which is destined for the nutrition of the body.

403. Absorption is not only very abundant, but generally very rapid, and all these varieties are maintained through life, except when suspended by disease.

400. What is said of respiratory absorption? How is letheon introduced into the system? 401. Define venous absorption. 402. What is lacteal absorption? 403. What is said of absorption?

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 85. A representation of the lymphatic vessels and glands. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, The lymphatic vessels and glands of the lower limbs. 7, Lymphatic glands. 8, The commencement of the thoracic duct. 9, The lymphatics of the kidney. 10, Of the stomach. 11, Of the liver. 12, 12, Of the lungs. 13, 14, 15, The lymphatics and glands of the arm. 16, 17, 18, Of the face and neck. 19, 20, Large veins. 21, The thoracic duct.

26, The lymphatics of the heart.]

HYGIENE OF THE LYMPHATIC VESSELS.

404. By the action of the lymphatics, substances of an injurious, as well as of a beneficial, character may be conveyed into the system.

These vessels, under certain conditions, are more active in their office than at other periods; and it is of practical utility to know what influences their action.

405. _The function of these vessels is increased by moisture, and lessened by an active state of the lacteals._ Observation shows that the ill-fed, and those persons that live in marshy districts, contract contagious diseases more readily than those individuals who are well fed, and breathe a dry and pure air.

406. _The air of the sick-room should be dry._ If due attention is not given to ventilation, the clothing of the nurse and patient, together with the air of the room, will be moistened by the exhalations from the skin and lungs. This exhalation may contain a poison of greater or less power, according to its quant.i.ty and degree of concentration, and may be absorbed and reconveyed into the system, causing inflammatory diseases, and not unfrequently death.

_Observations._ 1st. When we are attending a sick person a current of air that has pa.s.sed over the patient should be avoided. We may approach with safety very near a person who has an infectious disease, provided care is taken to keep on the side from which the currents of air are admitted into the room.

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