PROXIMATE CAUSE OF INFLAMMATION. 1085 



2. That persons of feeble constitution are more 

 liable to inflammations than the vigorous and 

 sanguine, while it is equally certain that they 

 generally fall upon the weakest organs of the 

 same individual.* 



3. That if the blood were conveyed through 

 an inflamed part as rapidly as it is sent to it from 

 the heart, there could be no accumulation of 

 fluids, and no congestion or swelling of the part. 



4. That as the pulsating force of the radial 

 artery is increased by compressing it at the wrist ; 

 and as violent throbbing of the heart is the imme- 

 diate consequence of tying the aorta of an animal, 



* For example, we have seen that individuals of narrow chest 

 and weak lungs are far more liable to catarrh, influenza, pneu- 

 monia, phthisis, and all diseases of the respiratory organs, than 

 such as have a large thorax, sound lungs, and robust health : 

 that when the stomach, bowels, liver, and other abdominal viscera, 

 have been weakened by exposure to a very warm or impure 

 atmosphere, (or even the depressing emotions, fatigue, and im- 

 proper nourishment,) they are extremely liable to congestion and 

 inflammation, which are brought on by exposure to slight degrees 

 of cold, or damp night air, as shewn by the prevalence of cholera, 

 gastritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, and hepatitis, in hot climates and 

 seasons. It is also well known that when the peritoneum has 

 been long distended and weakened, as during utero gestation, 

 and the whole system exhausted by parturition, women are very 

 subject to peritonitis ; and that when the brain is greatly debili- 

 tated by concussion, or by violent emotions of terror, grief, and 

 other depressing passions, it is peculiarly liable to inflammation, 

 which is likewise induced by sprains, bruises, lacerations, com- 

 pound fractures, compression from a tight bandage, a severe 

 burn, the action of caustics, and whatever disorganizes or greatly 

 weakens the tissues. 



