ON DEATH. 43 



passes directly to the veins from the arteries and fills 

 them. 



Q. Did you not say that the lungs contributed to this 

 fulness of the right heart and veins in asphyxia? 



tf. The passage of blood from the right heart to the 

 lungs, is impeded by the weakness of their chemical func- 

 tion; this weakness arising from the circulation of black 

 blood, in the bronchial arteries in asphyxia. This state of 

 the lungs, stagnates blood in the right or black blood side 

 of the heart. 



Q. The third cause for this collection of blood in the 

 right heart and veins was the condition of the heart itself, 

 explain this? 



/2. The powers of the right auricle and ventricle are 

 debilitated by the collection of blood in them from the 

 two causes above assigned; this debility still further fa- 

 vours the congestion in the large veins near the heart. 



Q. Why does the vascular system with red blood, con- 

 tain so little of that fluid in asphyxia? 



JL. Because the obstruction in the lungs prevents the 

 flow of blood to the aortic side of the heart, and because 

 the arteries empty themselves by their inherent powers, 

 into the veins. 



Q. How is the lividity of parts in asphyxia to be ac- 

 counted for? 



JJ. It has been attributed to reflected venous blood; it 

 is, however, owing to the fact that in asphyxia the heart 

 circulates black blood. 



