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enumerated as follows. In the organic system, the action of the 

 heart ceases by the destruction of the spinal marrow j all the 

 powers of motion existing elsewhere are destroyed in the same 

 way : some secretions are modified or suspended by a division of 

 nerves supplying the secreting organs ; the function of the organs of 

 respiration is made to cease in the same way, &c. In the animal 

 system, the action of a voluntary muscle is destroyed by a similar 

 division of nerves, or by compression or laceration of their centres* 

 Sensation in all its seats acknowledges a similar dependence. 



5. The latter instances, viz. those illustrating dependence in 

 disease (or preternatural condition), are exemplified in the cases 

 denominated those of sympathy. These, also, are in some respects 

 liable to doubts: they are enumerated as follows: a fractured bone 

 disorders the action of the heart, quickens the pulse, &c.; the 

 stomach becomes disordered from the same cause, there is loss of 

 appetite, furred tongue, &c.; the brain is affected from the same 

 cause, and delirium may occur; the secretion of the kidneys is 

 scanty or almost suspended, and the urine is changed in other 

 respects, &c. These consequences appear to indicate an exten- 

 sive chain of dependence: thus, inflammation arises in the fra,c- 

 tured limb, with other local peculiarities which need not be men- 

 tioned ; the whole constitution sympathises t or the whole of the 

 organic spirit in its several seats becomes affected by a communi- 

 cation with that which is locally changed; or, to pursue the in- 

 stances, pain arises in the shoulder when the liver is influenced, 

 or a testicle may swell from strictures in the urethra, &c. These 

 examples are numerous and familiar, and need be no further 

 particularized. 



6. It may be objected that these latter examples are not un- 

 equivocally illustrative of the direct relation, as, in the case of 

 inflammation, the fluids may be changed by the altered condition 

 of the spirit in one seat, and the influence thus mediately com- 

 municated to other parts. But this would be to lay an undue 

 stress upon a mere possibility, which there is the less reason to 

 do as the objection can scarcely be imagined to apply to some of 

 the other examples, which for the sake of a more complete illus- 

 tration I shall still further extend. 



7. If a considerable injury is inflicted upon one part of the 

 spinal marrow, the functions of the whole (indeed of the whole 

 body) cease. If one part of the brain be injured, the function of 

 the whole are either modified or cease. I have seen also, in an 

 experiment, the action of the heart immediately destroyed by 

 passing a lancet through one ventricle. If a muscle be half 

 divided in a transverse direction, the power of contraction in the 

 uninjured portion will be either impaired or destroyed. The 

 injuries of nerves also exhibit many curious connections of the 

 same kind. All these instances are sufficient to prove a direct 

 relation of some kind : the kind or mode of the relation remains 

 to be investigated. 



