A systeme of anatomy, treating of the body of man, beasts, birds, fish, insects, and plants illustrated with many schemes, consisting of variety of elegant figures, drawn from the life, and engraven in seventy four folio copper-plates. And after every part of man's body hath been anatomically described, its diseases, cases, and cures are concisely exhibited. The first volume containing the parts of the lowest apartiments of the body of man and other animals, etc. / by Samuel Collins ...

CHAP. VIII. Of the Glands of the Liver.

BEfore I Treat of the Glands of the Liver, I deem it not altogether im∣proper, to give some account of them in a general Notice, as ambula∣tory to more particular Glands, relating to our present Design.

The Ancients contenting themselves with slight apprehensions, * 1.1 have assign∣ed mean Offices to them; but this more curious Age, making a deeper search into their Nature, hath given a true Estimate of their nobler uses, speaking their due Attributes and Perfection.

Hippocrates, in his Book of Glands, giveth this Description of them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Glandularum Natura sic se habet, earum quidem Natura spongiosa; rarae quidem & pingues, & neque car∣nem habet reliquo Corpori similem, sed friabilem & multis venis refertam.

And if an Incision be made into the body of the Glands, a white Liquor issueth out of them: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Quam si seces, sanguis copiosus specie albus, & velut pituita effunditur: Which is the Liquor, that destilleth out of the Nerves, into the substance of the Glands for their Nutricion; and that which is unprofitable for it, the Lym∣phatick Juice is separated, and transmitted into the Lymphaeducts.

As to the structure of the Glands, * 1.2 it is a Compage made up for the most part of various kinds of Vessels, Arteries, Veins, Nerves, and Lymphae∣ducts, &c. And the Liquor filling up the Interstices of these Vessels, is not perfectly Homogeneous, but consisteth of divers parts, and the purer being extravasated in the empty spaces of the various Tubes, do after they have been some time stagnant, coagulate and adhaere to the sides of the Ves∣sels, making that soft white Parenchyma of the Glands, while the more thin Limpid Liquor improper for Nourishment is streined off, and received into the Extreamities of proper fine Vessels, which terminate above into the Sub∣clavian Veins, and below into the common Receptacle.

So that the description of the Glands, * 1.3 may be Exhibited after this man∣ner: To be a tender, white, and friable Substance, consisting of great variety of Vessels, interlined with Nervous, and Crystalline Liquor, firmly accres∣cing to them; and every Gland either hath one continued substance, inclu∣ded in one common Membrane, or else it hath the face only of one entire Body, but in truth, is composed of many Minute Globules (besetting the ambient parts of the Liver † 1.4) joyned together by the interposition of Vessels, and Membranous Filaments; whereupon every Globule having a proper Coat, may be reasonably judged a distinct Gland.

The Glands are called by Sylvius, * 1.5 Conglomeratae, and Conglobatae, and may be denominated from their several Offices, Excretrices, and Reductrices: In the one, after a Secretion is made in the substance, of the purer parts from the less fine, in order to Assimilation, their superfluous Particles (as to Nutri∣cion) are received into the Roots of the Lymphaeducts, or Veins.

In the other Excretory Glands, * 1.6 first, The more refined Particles of the Succus Nutricius, and Vital Liquor, do associate (as being near akin) when the Compage of the Liquors is opened in their substance, and afterward, the unprofitable parts are received into the Roots of some Excretory Vessels, ending in a common Trunk, whence they are conveyed into some greater Ca∣vity, or Receptacle.

Whence it may be plainly deduced, * 1.7 that Glands are Colatories of vari∣ous Liquors, (whose Particles are different in Magnitude and Figure) and thereupon are Contextures of many Vessels, having Extreamities disagree∣ing in shape and size; upon which account, the various bores belonging to the Roots of Vessels, cannot give reception to Heterogeneous Liquors, un∣less a separation be made of the disagreeing Particles, and the Homogene∣ous reconciled and united, which being Commensurate in Magnitude and Figure to the Orifices of the Vessels, have a free access into them.

Having discoursed of the nature of Glands, * 1.8 in a common notion as Pre∣liminary: it is time, now to handle them more particularly, as they relate to the Liver, which seemeth to a vulgar Eye, to be one uniform entire Red Substance; but being curiously inspected, will plainly appear to be a body composed of many Globules, whose peculiar circumscriptions and bounds, may be plainly seen in the Livers of Men, Beasts, Fowl, and Fish, and especial∣ly in the last, as in Skaits, Thornbacks, Salmon, &c. in which we may clearly discover the Interstices (parting the Glands one from another) di∣stinguishable in Colour from the body of the Glands.

The Globules being composed of many Glands, are most conspicuous in the Livers of other Animals, which may be clearly seen in the lower Re∣gion of the Liver of a Garfish † 1.9, and in the Origen of the Liver of a Lam∣prey, where the Membrane is stripped off † 1.10.

In reference to a more distinct knowledg of these Glands, * 1.11 I will endea∣vour to set forth their Structure made up of Situation, Connexion, Figure, Substance, and Use.

As to the first, They are confined within the body of the Liver, and are seated both in the Convex and Concave Region, in its Ambient parts and in∣ward Recesses, and are dispersed through the whole substance of the Liver, which is most chiefly integrated of numerous Glands.

The great company of Glands (making the larger body of the Globules) are so many Appendages of the Vessels, * 1.12 to which they are connected near their Terminations, and the Glands too are closely conjoyned to each other by the mediation of many Membranous Fibres, and in the External parts both

above and below, they are affixed by thin Membranes, to the inward sur∣face both of the Convex and Concave parts of the Liver; else it being di∣vided by many Interstices of the Glands and Fissures of its substance (which are plainly discernible) would fall in pieces, and its Globules and Glands would part one from another, were they not firmly fastned to the Vessels, and to each other, and to the Coat (investing the Liver) by the interposi∣tion of the innumerable fine Ligaments.

The Globules and Glands are affixed to the Divarications of numerous Vessels near their Extreamities, * 1.13 in which these of the Liver do resemble clu∣sters of Grapes, as tied to their Stalks, and the Minute Glands (integrating the Globules) are adorned with a Figure of many sides, called Hexagon, and are somewhat like the Stones of Grapes in bigness: And the Globules (which are so many Systems of small Glands) where they are appendant to the Vessels, are beautified with a Conick Figure; which is conspicuous in the Livers, not only of Man, but of Beasts too, which have the same Co∣nick shape; and in a Cat newly Kittened, the Globules appear distinct, as circumscribed with their proper Spaces, observing such orderly distances, * 1.14 that they seem to resemble a kind of Carved Work. And divers Globules (being many collective bodies of Glands) are enwrapped within proper Coats, and firmly tied to each other by fine Ligaments, running cross∣ways, and keeping them in their due station, in which these Globules are so fitted to each other, that they have equal Spaces interceding them, when their Cones change their situations; and its worth our Observation, that there is not the same Figure of the Globules, * 1.15 belonging to the Liver of all Ani∣mals, in which there is great variety: And in many Fish, they are some∣what like a Trefoil. from whence ariseth a great looseness and softness in the Compage of their Liver; as I have often seen in them, * 1.16 by reason (as Inge∣nious Malpighius saith) The greater Lobules, as he calleth them, are of such a shape (consisting of many Angles) that they cannot be closely conjoyned to each other, whence great Spaces may be discerned, interceding the Lo∣bules; whereupon the substance of the Liver groweth loose and pliable, as apt to give way upon motion of Swimming, in which they make many short turnings and girks in the Water.

In other Creatures, the Lobules (which I call Globules, * 1.17 as easier to be understood) do resemble a Pea; and in a Cat, they have many Sides, and variety of Angles. In a Humane Liver, sometimes they are found of a Cu∣bical Figure, as Learned Maebius relateth in a Sick Person, whose Lobules were petrified with a Concreted Tartar, associated with the Blood,

The substance of the Glands (appertaining to the Compage of the Liver) may be considered under a double Notion; and is that which the Ancients, * 1.18 and most Modern Anatomists, call Parenchyma: Which if taken in a strict Sense, is nothing else (as I humbly conceive) but some Particles of Blood, interlining the Vessels in their passage from one Extreamity to another; whereby their outward Surface is tinged with Red, by the accretions of Vital Liquor sticking to them.

But if the substance of these Glands, * 1.19 be apprehended under a more free and large Conception, it is more Comprehensive, and is a System of vari∣ous kinds of Veins, Nerves, Excretory Vessels, (as Lymphaeducts) belong∣ing to the Porus Bilarius, and Bladder of Gall, whose Interstices are filled up after a manner, with some Particles of accreted Purple Liquor, left be∣hind in its Motion between the various Tubes, chiefly composing the substance of the Glands.

The Vessels of the Porta, * 1.20 derived from the Stomach, Spleen, Caul, Me∣sentery, Intestines, do Coalesce into one common Trunk, which entring in∣to the Concave Region of the Liver about its Center, doth divide it self into five Branches, of which Four of them do emit fruitful Ramifications, terminating into the Glands, relating to the hollow parts of the Liver. And the Fifth Branch of the Porta, within the Liver, doth make many Divari∣cations, which do end with numerous Capillaries inserted into the Glands, besetting the Convex part of the Liver.

The Vena Cava, * 1.21 arising out of the Descendent Trunk, a little below the Midriff, doth send forth many Branches and Ramulets, into the body of the Glands (seated in all Regions of the Liver) which associate with the Di∣varications of the Porta; sometimes in a Transverse position, by climbing over them, wherein the Vessels of the Cava do lean one upon another, and other times, the Extreamities of the Cava, are conjoyned to the middle of the Branches of the Porta, and most commonly, the Terminations of the Porta, do approach the Roots of the Cava, that the Blood depurated in the body of the Glands, may be received into the Orifices of the Capillaries be∣longing to the Cava. * 1.22

The Nerves derived from the Intercostal Trunk, and Par Vagum, do send forth numerous Divarications of Fibres, constituting the upper Mesenterick Plex of the Right Side, called by Doctor Willis, the Hepatick Rowl, because it furnisheth the Glands of the Liver, into which they are implanted with fruitful Fibrils.

The Lymphaeducts, do arise out of the substance of the Glands of the Liver, (to which they are Ministerial, as receptive of a thin Liquor, the Recre∣ment of the Blood and Nervous Juice) do Enamel the Coats of the Porta, branching themselves first within the substance of the Globules, seated in the body of the Liver, and afterward are more conspicuous upon the Porta, before its ingress into the Concave part of the Liver; and a Ligature being made upon that part of the Mesentery (which tieth the Liver to the Sto∣mach and Intestines) and upon the Porta with the Ductus Bilarius, which being effected in a live Animal, the Lymphaeducts will swell between the Ligature and the Liver; which plainly evinceth the rise of the Lymphae∣ducts to come from the Glands of this Bowel, and their Liquor to stream from them toward the Mesentery, and common Receptacle, into which the Lymphaeducts discharge their Liquor.

The Excretory Vessels, * 1.23 relating to the Porus Bilarius, have very many Branches accompanying those of the Porta, and are implanted near them with innumerable Capillaries, into the substance of the Glands, every way besetting the body of the Liver; but these Excretories do no where associ∣ciate with the Vena Cava in the Glands, unless it be at some distance by the interposition of the Branches of the Porta.

The Excretory Vessels, * 1.24 belonging to the Bladder of Gall, are not so nu∣merous as those of the Porus Bilarius, and are companions of the Porta, and have many Ramulets and Capillaries, inserted into the substance of the Glands (lodged in the Concave Region of the Liver) wherein a Secreti∣on is made in the Blood, of some Particles of the Bilious Recrements, con∣veyed first into the Roots of these Excretories, and afterward by the Cystick Duct, into the Receptacle of Gall.

Having given an account of the substance, and various Vessels of the Li∣ver, how they are implanted with many Minute Branches and Capillaries, into the Glands: My intendment at this time, is to shew the Use of them,

which dependeth very much upon its Structure, as composed of several parts, subservient to the Depuration of the Vital Liquor, in its recourse to∣ward the Heart.

Hyppocrates, in his Book of Glands, saith, They have a peculiar sub∣stance, not found in other parts of the Body, and is Rare, Spongy, and Fri∣able, full of Vessels, by which the Humours are imported into, and expor∣ted the Glands of the Liver, as so many Collatories of the Vital Juice.

The Blood being brought from the Neighbouring parts, * 1.25 by the numerous Divarications of the Porta, terminating into the Glands (seated in all Re∣gions of the Liver) wherein the Blood is associated with the Liquor, destil∣ling out of the Terminations of the Nerves, whereby it is impraegnated with volatil saline Particles, and the elastick atomes of Animal Spirits, opening the Compage of the Purple Liquor, and rendring it fit for Secretion in the sub∣stance or interstices of the Vessels appertaining to the Glands; whereupon the Blood is severed from its various Recrements, and some and the more mild Bilous parts, are carried by the most proper Excretories, into the receptacle of Gall, and other more harsh Faeces of Choller, are transmitted into the Extreamities of the Bilarian Vessels, first into the Choledoch Duct, and after∣ward into the bosome of the Duodenum: The other Recrement (secerned from the Blood in the inward Recesses of the Glands of the Liver) is a thin Transparent Liquor conveyed into the Extreamities of the Lymphae∣ducts, and afterward conveyed by their manifold Branches through the Me∣sentery, into the common Receptacle, where it meeteth with the Chyle, and embodieth with it, and by its Attenuation, doth render it fit for Motion, through the Thoracic Ducts, into the Subclavian Veins.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Former Ages have had a mean opinion of the Glands.
• * 1.2

  The structure of the Glands.
• * 1.3

  The descrip∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the ••ds of the 〈…〉〈…〉.
• † 1.4

  Ta. 1. w w.
• * 1.5

  The division of the Glands of the Liver.
• * 1.6

  The use of the Excretory Glands of the Liver.
• * 1.7

  The Glands as Systems of va∣riou, Vessels, are Colatories of the Blood.
• * 1.8

  Every Gland consisteth of many Globu∣les.
• † 1.9

  T. 38. Fig. 3. d d d d d.
• † 1.10

  T 38 F. 1 ii.
• * 1.11

  The structure of the Glands is composed of many conside∣rables.
• * 1.12

  The Glands are appendant to the various Vessels.
• * 1.13

  The seat of the Glands of the Liver are the Extreamities of the Vessels. The Figure of the Glands is Conick.
• * 1.14

  The connexi∣on of the Glands is made by Liga∣ments.
• * 1.15

  In Fish the Glands of the Liver resem∣ble Trefoil.
• * 1.16

  The Globules consist of ma∣ny Angles, so that they can∣not be closely conjoyned to each other.
• * 1.17

  The Figures of various Glands in dif∣ferent Ani∣mals.
• * 1.18

  The substance of the Glands appertaining to the Liver, taken in a strict sense.
• * 1.19

  The substance of the Glands conceived un∣der a large notion.
• * 1.20

  The various origen of the Vena Porta.
• * 1.21

  The rise of the Vena Cava.
• * 1.22

  The Nerves of the Liver do proceed from the Interco∣stal Trunk, and Mesente∣rick Plex of the right side: The origen of the Lymphae∣ducts belong∣ing to the Liver.
• * 1.23

  The Excreto∣ry Vessels, ap∣pertaining to the Porus Bi∣larius.
• * 1.24

  The Excreto∣ry Ducts be∣longing to the Bladder of Gall.
• * 1.25

  The use of the Glands as they are Colatories of the Blood, associated with Nervous Li∣quor opening the compage of the Blood, and rendring it fit for Secre∣tion.