CHAPTER XVI 



THE CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD IS FURTHER PROVED 

 FROM CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES 



THERE are still certain phenomena, which, taken as 

 consequences of this truth assumed as proven, are not 

 without their use in exciting belief, as it were, a 

 posteriore; and which, although they may seem to be 

 involved in much doubt and obscurity, nevertheless 

 readily admit of having reasons and causes assigned 

 for them. The phenomena alluded to are those that 

 present themselves in connexion with contagions, 

 poisoned wounds, the bites of serpents and rabid 

 animals, lues venerea and the like. We sometimes 

 see the whole system contaminated, though the part 

 first infected remains sound ; the lues venerea has 

 occasionally made its attack with pains in the shoulders 

 and head, and other symptoms, the genital organs being 

 all the while unaffected ; and then we know that the 

 wound made by a rabid dog having healed, fever and 

 a train of disastrous symptoms nevertheless supervene. 

 Whence it appears that the contagion impressed upon 

 or deposited in a particular part, is by and by carried 

 by the returning current of blood to the heart, and by 

 that organ is sent to contaminate the whole body. 



In tertian fever, the morbific cause seeking the heart 

 in the first instance, and hanging about the heart and 

 lungs, renders the patient short-winded, disposed to 

 sighing, indisposed to exertion ; because the vital 

 principle is oppressed and the blood forced into the 

 lungs and rendered thick, does not pass through their 



90 



