264 PATHOLOGY OF 



pillary circulation in that organ, and with it the 

 cessation of the cerebral functions, acting in this 

 respect precisely in the same manner as other 

 physical causes producing cerebral compression. 



The arguments in favour of this opinion may be 

 thus concisely enumerated : - 



1. The incessant motion of the blood in the ca- 

 pillaries of the brain, is essential to the performance 

 of its functions. 



2. The brain cannot materially enlarge. 



3. It is capable of transmitting pressure equally 

 in all directions. 



4. The natural proportion between the rates of 

 supply and discharge of blood to and from the brain, 

 is liable to be disturbed, and will then tend to pro- 

 duce a general accumulation in its vessels. 



5. From the second proposition it follows that 

 this general accumulation cannot take place in the 

 brain. 



6. The distending pressure of the impeded blood, 

 which in other organs produces enlargement, is 

 therefore, in the brain, diffused laterally and equally 

 through the whole mass; it thus compresses and 

 obstructs the capillaries, and, in arresting the circu- 

 lation through them, it also suspends the functions 

 of the brain itself. 



Having fully participated in the opinion expressed 

 by a late eminent pathologist, that this subject re- 

 quired further investigation, I have been led to the 

 conclusions now stated, with reference to the patho- 

 logy df one class of cerebral disorders. And in 

 for the present the further consideration of 



