996 ORIGIN OF TEMPERAMENT. 



error to overlook the influence of the fluids on 

 the development of the solids. 



Again ; if it be true, as I have endeavoured to 

 demonstrate in a preceding chapter, that animal 

 heat is the agent by which blood is formed and 

 converted into the different tissues ; it must deter- 

 mine the radical structure, relative size, and power 

 of all the organs, fashion every part of the body, 

 and regulate every variety of constitution or tem- 

 perament, whether we regard it as depending 

 on the condition of the fluids, as maintained by 

 the ancients ; or on the relative size and vigour 

 of certain ruling organs, as maintained by Thomas 

 and Caldwell. It also follows, that as the quan- 

 tity of organic particles in the blood, and the 

 aggregate vital energy of animals, are in propor- 

 tion to the capacity of their lungs and the amount 

 of their respiration ; all individuals with a broad, 

 deep, and full chest, belong to the sanguine, or 

 what I propose to call the dynamic temperament, 

 whether the brain and abdomen be large or 

 small, and whatever the complexion may be : 

 but that all persons, with a narrow, flat, or small 

 chest, in whom respiration, sanguification, and 

 nutrition, are imperfectly performed, have feeble 

 constitutions, and belong therefore to what may be 

 called the adynamic temperament, which includes 

 the melancholic and phlegmatic of the ancients.* 



* Should physiologists not approve of this classification, as not 

 sufficiently descriptive, they may have a choice of the following-, 



