46 



5. By the dilferent modifications of that process, which are ob- 

 served in inflammation. 



6. By the phenomena which are observed in those portions of blood, 

 which are extravasated in inflamed parts. 



In proof of these points, the author refers partly to personal obser- 

 vation, and partly to the works of Hunter, Hewson, Thackrah, Scu- 

 damore. Prater, Schraeder van der Kolk, Velpeau, Gendrin, Royer- 

 Collard, and Kaltenbrunner. 



V. The last set of observations, adduced in support of the general 

 principle, are those which, in reference to more complex questions in 

 physiology, are the most important, viz. those which indicate that 

 the blood circulating in the capillary vessels of living animals, and 

 examined by the microscope, exhibit a variety of movements, and 

 changes of movement, wliich no visible or conceivable vital con- 

 tractions of the heart and arteries are adequate to explain. 



Most of these facts, as to the capillary circulation, were accurately 

 described, and the conclusion, which appears inevitable from them, 

 as to the existence, in the living state, of a peculiar cause of move- 

 ment inherent in the blood itself, or at least independent of any im- 

 pulse from contracting solids, was stated and carefully limited by 

 Haller. In regard to the rest, the author refers, not only to personal 

 observations, but chiefly to the authority of Dollinger, Wedemeyer, and 

 Kaltenbrunner in Germany, and of Quillot and Leuret in France. 



The analogies which may be traced, between the principle which 

 seems thus established, and other ascertained laws both of living 

 beings and of inorganic matter ; and the applications which may be 

 made of it, to the explanation of the more complex phenomena of the 

 living body in health and disease, were reserved for a future commu- 

 nication. 



February 3. 



Sir T. M. BRISBANE, President, in the Chair. 



The following Donations were presented : — 



1. Transactions of the Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Com- 

 merce, vol. XLIX. — By the Sucicti/. 

 2. Entomologia Edinensis, or a History and Description of the 

 Insects found in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. By James 

 Wilson, Esq., and the Rev. James Duncan — From the 

 Authors. 



