676 FOURTH REPORT — 1834. 



hitherto on record, that the same holds true of the larger vessels 

 supplying an inflamed part. Now, there are two changes in the 

 movement of the blood through the vessels of an inflamed part 

 which seem well ascertained by many observations, viz. re- 

 tarded movement or absolute stagnation {stase du sang) in many 

 of the small vessels most affected, even during the height of 

 the inflammation ; and accelerated movement in the neighbour- 

 ing vessels, with greatly increased transmission, in a given time, 

 through the whole veins of the part. This last change may, 

 perhaps, be reasonably ascribed to the relaxation of the vessels 

 giving increased effect to the impulse from the heart ; but it 

 seems impossible to ascribe likewise to that relaxation of ves- 

 sels, the former, which is just the opposite change in the move- 

 ment of the blood ; and yet no modification of the action of any 

 of the vessels, except simple relaxation, can be detected. 

 . The fair inference from these facts therefore seems to be, that 

 the phaenomena of inflammation are truly inexplicable by any 

 changes which occur, during that state, in the contractile power 

 of the vessels containing the blood ; and that, instead of seeking 

 for an explanation of these phaenomena in the state of contrac- 

 tions of any of the solids, we ought rather to look for it in the 

 state of the attractions subsisting during the living state among 

 the particles of the blood, and between them and the surroimd- 

 ing solids. And this inference the author thinks might be sup- 

 ported by reference both to other facts in the history of in- 

 flammation, and also to many other phaenomena of the living 

 body both in health and disease. 



Report of Progress made in an Experimental Inquiry regard- 

 ing the Sensibilities of the Cerebral Nerves, recommended 

 at the last Meeting of the Association. By Dr. Marshall 

 Hall and Mr. Broughton. 



Some disagreement appears to exist amongst the results of the 

 investigations regarding the sensibilities of the cerebral nerves, 

 which demands further experimental inquiry. A series of ex- 

 periments has therefore been instituted at the request of the 

 Committee of the Medical Section, and the establishment of 

 Messrs. Field in Oxford-street, London, was selected for the 

 purpose of carrying the inquiry into effect ; the horse and the 

 ass, from their large size, being considered as the most favourable 

 subjects for the free exposui'e of the nerves. 



The properties of some of the cerebral nerves being admitted 

 upon other grounds than experimental proof, this investigation 

 ydi% exclu.«ively directed to the facial branches of the fifth pair 



