CONGESTION. 17 



mented celerity ; but the influx continues so increasing, that 

 over-distension prevails, and in the end obstructs the pas- 

 sages ; a result that is hastened by the blood becoming viscid 

 in its consistence. In such a case as this, the only remedy 

 is instantaneous bloodletting. There are reasons for be- 

 lieving that a sudden accumulation of blood, taking place 

 in internal parts, may sensibly disturb their functions; causing 

 transient fits of giddiness, insensibilit}'-, and sometimes death 

 itself, when the congestion affects the central organization ; 

 and causing difficult breathing when the capillaries of the 

 pulmonary tissue are concerned; even these consequences 

 for aught I know, may end fatally. (Dr. Watson^s Lectures, 

 'Med. Gaz./ 1840.) I once had a horse lent me for trial as 

 a hunter, that had been some weeks pampered in a dealer^s 

 stable. I had not followed the hounds above ten minutes 

 before my horse fell, perfectly exhausted. I freely let blood, 

 until he experienced enough returning strength to rise ; by 

 which time he had lost from three to four gallons. 



The Brain, also, is a part in which we have reason to 

 be apprehensive of congestion. In stables, it happens every 

 now and then that some animal dies suddenly in a fit of 

 staggers, without having manifested any signs of previous 

 indisposition ; when the head of this horse is opened, the 

 brain exhibits congestion. It was at one time the practice 

 in the Ordnance service to turn horses that happened to be 

 low into marsh pastures ; and during the months of July and 

 August, it was very common to see several among them 

 attacked with staggers, proceeding from an overflow of blood 

 to the head, occasioned by the prone position of it, together 

 with the heat of the weather. 



Even the Heart occasionally becomes the seat of con- 

 gestion, from which may arise most serious consequences. 

 Any obstruction, such as disease of the lungs, pressure on 

 the large blood-vessels, disordered circulation in the brain, 

 anything, in fact, that operates towards distending the heart, 

 will tend to its enlargement, or that state of the organ which 

 we designate hypertrophy. 



The Liver is likewise very subject to congestion. The 



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