

42 f ON DEATH. f ^ 



heart; and the lungs do not transmit red blood to the 

 heart. 



Q. How does a cessation of the chemical function of 

 the lungs affect the heart? 



ft. It is by the operation of black blood on the vital 

 forces of the heart. Understand, it is not contact of black 

 blood with the lining membrane of the heart, but because 

 black blood conveyed to the heart through the coronary 

 arteries fails to maintain its vital forces. 



Q. How does black blood destroy life in the organs ge- 

 nerally ? 



ft. By its contact with the minute fibres, &c. of the or- 

 gans, and not by impression made on the internal surface 

 of the heart. 



Q. Is this operation of black blood-on the minute fibres, 

 or on the nerves which supply them ? 



ft. It rnay be on the nerves. 



Q. Why does the left side of the heart always die first? 



.#.' Because its supply , of blood fails soonest; for as 

 death progresses the blood accumulates in the right side of 

 the heart, keeping it alive longest. 



Q. Why are the right heart and the veins always more 

 loaded with blood in asphyxia, than the red blood heart 

 and arteries? 



ft. Three causes concur to produce this; viz. the kind 

 of blood in circulation, the state of the lungs, and that of 

 the heart. 



Q. What agency has the blood in inducing this loaded 

 state of the right side of the heart and of the veins? 



ft. In asphyxia the heart circulates black blood; this 

 being unfit for secretions, exhalations and nutrition, is not 

 consumed for the purposes of the oeconomy, it therefore 



