EXTRACT L. 



ON CIRCULATORY STASIS AS A PATHOGENIC FACTOR. 



ALL the circulations within the human body are liable to 

 the phenomenon of stasis, and hence are liable to initiate 

 mechanically many forms of disease, and to lay a founda- 

 tion for the genesis of many more, according to the locale 

 and extent of its incidence and character, and the nature 

 of the super-added pathogenic influences. Thus gastro- 

 intestinal circulatory stasis may mechanically give rise to 

 fatal obstructions, or less lethal consequences, in accord- 

 ance with the nature of its cause, or may be followed by 

 consequences of an easily remedied character or which 

 yield to the influence of the unaided vis medicatrix 

 nature ; haemo-lymphatic stasis may originate oedema of 

 all intensities between the most ephemeral and persistent, 

 such as simple sub-cutaneous passive accumulation 

 and elephantiasis ; neuro-lymphatic stasis may originate 

 adenoids and hydrocephalus, blood circulatory stasis may 

 cause simple congestion or gangrene, stasis of the circu- 

 lation of particular organs or textures may be followed 

 by all degrees of local implication, in accordance with the 

 structural elements affected, while stasis of the metabolic 

 or nutritive circulation may induce an innumerable multi- 

 tude of affections in proportion to the extent, intensity, 

 and persistence of its incidence. 



Indeed, circulatory stasis, however induced, and where- 

 ever existent, as a pathogenic influence exercises a wider 

 range of morbid effect than any other causa morbi 

 with which we are acquainted, and requires to be en- 

 quired after, in a far-spreading range of organic and even 



