There are circumstances however in which the absorbents have a very acute sensibility, viz. when they are inflamed. It is a very frequent phenomenon in diseases, that there is a very evident swelling and redness, along the course of the sub-cutaneous absorbents in the lower extremities, giving considerable pain to the patient, terminating at the inguinal glands, or even extending beyond. In wounds with a poisoned instrument, in the acute pains of a whitlow, &c. a very painful sensation is often felt the whole length of the absorbents of the superior extremities. The lymphatic glands do not appear to enjoy, in a natural state, animal sensibility, when they are irritated in different ways, which can easily be done. But inflammation may develop it in these glands as in the absorbents, by raising to a high degree their organic sensibility. Thus the pain is very acute, when after a puncture made by an infected instrument, after a sprain, &c. these glands swell. We know the extreme suffering that arises from those in the axilla, when they swell and suppuration succeeds. Shall I speak of the pains experienced from the mesenteric glands when cancerous? Who is ignorant of those which buboes occasion, &c.? As to animal contractility, it is entirely wanting in the absorbents and their glands. The organic properties exhibit in the absorbent system, the following arrangement. Sensible contractility has been allowed them by Haller. It is founded upon this, that the lymphatics easily empty themselves of the chyle that passes through them, and upon this also, that by touching them with sulphuric acid, they crisp immediately. But sulphuric acid, like all the concentrated acids and caloric, produces the same effect upon all animal substances, even after death; it is the horny hardening. When the absorbents, particularly the thoracic duct are touched with the point of a scalpel, no contraction follows. If they are capable of contracting upon themselves, it appears that it is when they cease to be distended, and not when they are irritated; and that it is consequently by their contractility of texture. The sensible organic contractility is then at least doubtful in them, if it exists it is very obscure and at most to be compared to that of the dartos muscle.