236 ON TIM: >,. \TTUK AND PRINCII-LKS OF 



extreme capillary relaxation, will necessarily tend to 

 induce and maintain, throughout the whole extent 

 of the affected vessels, a constant but moderate 

 lateral pressure of the detained fluid; sufficient to 

 occasion its partial exudation through the porous 

 capillaries, without, at the same time, morbidly ex- 

 riting the sensibility of the part. 



In accordance, then, with these views of the na- 

 ture and causation of the disorder, the chief object 

 of our treatment must evidently be the re-invigora- 

 tion of the affected vessels, and, if necessary, of the 

 whole system ; and, by the adoption of this course, 

 the physical disorder of the enlarged and retarded 

 columns of blood will in general be effectually re- 

 moved, and its effects obviated. The treatment of 

 asthenic inflammation is, therefore, based upon a 

 precisely opposite principle to that which claims our 

 chief attention in the management of the acute dis- 

 ease. In the latter, the power of the heart, and the 

 resulting pressure or impulse of the arterial blood 

 being very considerable, our first step is to diminish 

 the amount of that pressure by the use of debilitating 

 agents, and thus prevent any serious local injury 

 resulting from the extravasation of blood, or effusion 

 of liquor sanguinis. But in the primarily chronic 

 or asthenic forms of the disease, the lateral pressure 

 of the detained blood is comparatively inconsiderable ; 

 and though it may, in certain situations, be pro- 

 ductive of copious serous effusion, or even fibrinous 

 exudation, there never can be the same necessity for, 

 nor will the system endure, anything like the act'm 

 depletory mea.-iiiv.- demanded in oases of acute in- 



