AND OTHER ORGANS. 45 



obscure. Our knowledge of the animal functions is, 

 indeed, still so imperfect, that we daily meet with 

 many occurrences of which we can give no expla- 

 nation. But it is nevertheless of high utility to 

 make known the fact that a connexion does exist 

 between two orders of phenomena, as it calls atten- 

 tion to their more accurate observation, and leads 

 to the adoption of useful practical rules, even when 

 their mode of operation is not understood. No- 

 thing, indeed, can be more delusive than the rash 

 application of merely physical laws to the explana- 

 tion of the phenomena of living beings. Vitality is 

 a principle superior to, and in continual warfare 

 with, the laws which regulate the actions of inani- 

 mate bodies ; and it is only after life has become 

 extinct that these laws regain the mastery, and lead 

 to the rapid decomposition of the animal machine. 

 In studying the functions of the human body, there- 

 fore, we must be careful not to hurry to conclusions, 

 before taking time to examine tha influence of the 

 vital principle in modifying the expected results. 



It is in consequence of the sympathy and reci- 

 procity of action existing between the skin and the 

 internal organs, that burns and even scalds of no 

 very great extent prove fatal, by inducing internal, 

 generally intestinal, inflammation. By disordering 

 or disorganizing a large nervous and exhaling sur- 

 face, an extensive burn causes not only a violent 

 nervous commotion, but a continued partial sus- 

 pension of an important excretion ; and when death 

 ensues at some distance of time, it is almost always 

 in consequence of inflammation being excited in the 

 bowels or sympathizing organ. So intimate, in- 

 deed, is this connexion, that some surgeons of great 

 experience, such as Baron Dupuytren of the Hotel 

 Dieu, while they point to internal inflammation as 

 in such cases the general cause of death, doubt 

 whether recovery ever takes place, when more than 

 one -eighth of the surface of the body is severely 



