[Footnote 7: In his chapter on embryology (f. 304c) Gilbert describes
the lrili vein as follows: "The embryo is nourished by means of the
lrili or lrineli vein, which does not exist in man. This vein has
its origin in the liver and divides into two branches. Of these the
superior branch bifurcates, and one of its branches goes to the right
breast, the other to the left, conveying blood from the liver. This
blood in the breast is bleached white (_dealbatur_) like milk, and
forms the nourishment of the infant. The inferior branch of the lrili
vein also bifurcates, sending one of its branches to the right cornu
of the uterus, the other to the left. These vessels carry blood into
the cotyledons, whence it is transmitted to the fetus and digested by
its digestive faculty."]

Diabetes is defined as "An immoderate passage or attraction of urine
from the liver to the kidneys and its passage through the kidneys, as
the result of a warm or dry distemperature of these organs." The idea
of some association of the liver and kidneys in the production of
diabetes is at least as old as the eleventh century, and Gilbert's
definition of the disease is undoubtedly borrowed from the "Practica"
of John Platearius (A.D. 1075), of the school of Salernum. The
symptoms, continual thirst, dryness of the mouth, emaciation, in
spite of an inordinate appetite, frequent and profuse urination, are
correctly given, but no knowledge of the presence of sugar in the
urine is indicated.

Dyampnes (involuntary micturition) claims a page or more of
explanation and treatment, and its frequent occurrence in old men and
children is noticed.