80 OF VITAL MOTION. 



or otherwise, bears a strict relation to the supply of 

 blood, and it must fail therefore as the haemorrhage 

 progresses to a fatal termination. In no way indeed 

 can we suppose the spasms of haemorrhage to be the 

 result of an exaltation in organic force. 



On the contrary, the absence of a disposition to 

 muscular contraction is a conspicuous phenomenon in 

 cases where the normal supply of blood is exaggerated. 

 Thus, for example, there is no unusual tendency to 

 cramp in the congested and inflammatory condition 

 of the parts in muscular rheumatism, as we might 

 anticipate if the activity of these vessels was likely to 

 excite contraction ; but the reverse is the case, and 

 the parts are swollen and immobile. In plethoric 

 persons, also, where it may be supposed that the 

 muscular tissues participate in the general state of 

 vascular repletion, an indisposition or inaptitude to 

 muscular action is a frequent phenomenon. It is 

 known, also, that the circulation in a muscle is 

 quickened during exercise; and, at the time when it 

 ceases to respond to the will in consequence of fatigue, 

 there is reason to believe that the vessels are most 

 congested. 



A further argument in favour of the previous views 

 may be deduced from the action of blood upon the blood- 

 vessels, for if these vessels expand or contract according 

 to the communication or withdrawal of organic force, 

 (and these results are general,) such we may argue 



