Fig. 40.
Represents a Portion of the Intestinum Iejunum Distended with Wind; its External Membrane and Muscular Fibres being taken off.
A A, Some of the Semicircular Fibres still remaining on the Inte∣stine.
C C, Divers Small Glands scater'd at Various Distances between the last mention'd Clusters of Glands.
We are beholding to the Learned Wepher and the Accurate Peyer, for the Discovery of these Clusters of Glands of the Small Guts, as well as those Solitary Glands scatter'd up and down in the Large Guts: Tho' Dr. Willis and Others had mention'd a Glandulous Membrane of the Guts, yet it Furnisht us with no tollerable Idea of their Exi∣stence and Office. They are supplied with Blood-Vessels, Nerves and Lympheducts, in Common with the Intestines and Excretory Ducts of their own; but I can by no means think the Nerves Import any Part of the Matter, which these Glands Discharge by their Excre∣tory Pores, into the Cavity of the Intestine.
Peyer takes Notice that these Glandulous Clusters are plac'd in that Part of the Gut, Opposite to its Connection with the Mesentery, but you will frequently find them near the Mesentery; yet I never found them in that Part of the Gut, to which the Mesentery is Con∣nected.
The Matter they separate from the Blood, and Discharge by their Excretory Pores into the Cavity of the Gut, is very Tenacious, and since its Comprest from them by the Peristaltick Motion of the Guts, at the very instant the Alimentary Contents are passing by, it affords us no mean Argument, that it cannot so join with them, as to render any of the Chylous Particles more fit to pass the Mouths of the Lacteal Vessels; but that it only serves as a Vehicle to those Contents of the Guts, and Defends the Inward Villous Membrane from being Offended, either by Sharp Humours, or any Acuminated Bodies which often pass that Way.
The Glands of the Coecum, Colon and Rectum, which are Analogous to these of the Small Guts, differ very much from them in Figure and Situation; the Former lying in Clusters, whereas these from their Appearance, Peyer and Others call Solitary Glands; they being Small, Lentiformal, and very Numerous, plac'd from each other at Various Distances, not unlike the Stars in the Firmament.
All these Glands of the Intestines, as well as those of the Stomach, Liver, and Pancreas, are Affected with Cathartick Medicines, and Help to Discharge the Matter Evacuated by Stool; by Affected, I don't mean that the Purging Medicine bestows any Particles, immediately as it passes by them into the Cavity of the Gut; but that after its Particles are past into the Blood by the Chyle Ducts, it meets with a Fit Strainer in the Parts last mention'd, as well as these Glands by which it passes off again with the Serous Part of the Blood.