Lymph nodes have two obvious functions, the production of certain cells and the arrest of foreign material brought to them by the lymph. The second of these functions, that is, the filtering capacity of the nodes, has been the subject of a large amount of indirect experiment and speculation. It would be unprofitable and entirely repetitive to describe this work in view of the excellent reviews of Hellman (1) and Oeller (2).The nodes are held to provide two sorts of filtration, the first of simple mechanical type and the second biological--due particularly to the phagocytic activity of the reticulo-endothelial cells. Opinions as to the combined efficiency of these two types--normal nodes alone being under consideration--vary from assertions of complete effectiveness to very much the reverse.As a result of a great deal of experience with the lymphatics in the hind leg of the dog, it became relatively simple for us to perfuse the popliteal and iliac lymph nodes under conditions of pressure and flow normal for the animal and with the blood circulation completely intact. Prior to a description of typical experiments it will be well to review the architecture of a lymph gland, such as the popliteal node of the dog, together with what is known of the normal flow of lymph through it.Text- fig. 1 is a drawing of a popliteal node injected with a dilute solution of India ink. The injection mass has been delivered through a cannula in one of the large trunks along the saphena parva vein. The injection pressure was 20 mm. of mercury. This is less than the 393
While engaged in a general analysis of the functions of the lymphatic system and the mechanism of lymph movement, we were surprised to find little information upon absorption from the pericardial sac. Hamburger (1) made five experiments on the pericardium of the dog, using salt solutions and horse serum. He found slow removal of serum. His observations were not concerned with possible routes of absorption and do not apply to our interest. Coupled with lack of data on absorption is lack of an adequate description of pericardial lymphatics. Schumkow (2) described somewhat sketchily two sets of lymphatics in the pericardium of the dog and calf. If he excised the pericardia] sac and filled it first with salt solution and later with Berlin blue, he had no trouble in making the dye flow into these vessels. His colleague, Skworzow (3) very briefly confirmed his findings and declared that the dye got into the lymphatics through stomata such as yon Recklinghausen had declared existed on the peritoneal surface of the central tendon of the diaphragm.
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