H^MORRHAGIES. 203 



morrhagy ; and if in some cases all of them be not exquisitely 

 marked, or if perhaps some of them do not at all appear, it im- 

 ports only, that in different cases the system is more or less 

 generally affected ; and that in some cases there are purely 

 topical haemorrhagies, as there are purely topical inflamma- 

 tions. 



" The febrile affection of the system does not always occur ; 

 but the other is the more common case, and it amounts to this : 

 that there may be a topical haemorrhagy as well as a topical in- 

 flammation ; but as it is the obvious and ordinary consequence 

 of inflammation in a particular part to produce fever in the whole 

 system, so it is the same with regard to haemorrhagy : we can 

 conceive however, that in certain systems, from certain circum- 

 stances, as their being less irritable, or perhaps owing to topical 

 affections, it is not always thus communicated ; but this does 

 not change any thing in the nature of the case : it will appear 

 at least, that where the general fever does not occur, there is an 

 increased action and impetus of the vessels, which is commonly 

 perceived by a greater fulness and throbbing pulsations in the 

 neighbourhood of the part. This leads me to observe, that the 

 theories of inflammation and of haemorrhagy are very nearly the 

 same, both of them seemingly depending upon a previous con- 

 gestion." 



SECTION II. OF THE PEOXIMATE CAUSE OF ILEMOBBHAGY. 



DCCXLIV. The pathology of haemorrhagy seems to be 

 sufficiently obvious. Some inequality in the distribution of the 

 blood occasions a congestion in particular parts of the sangui- 

 ferous system, that is, a greater quantity of blood is poured into 

 certain vessels than their natural capacity is suited to receive. 

 These vessels become thereby preternaturally distended ; and 

 this distention proving a stimulus to them, excites their action 

 to a greater degree than usual, which, pushing the blood with 

 unusual force into the extremities of these vessels, opens them 

 by anastomosis, or rupture ; and if these extremities be loosely 

 situated on external surfaces, or on the internal surfaces of cer- 

 tain cavities that open outwardly, a quantity of blood flows out 

 of the body. 



