MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 235 



%/?. That which predominates in a tissue. 



Q. Will you illustrate tins observation? 



.#. In those textures, the mucous, serous, and cutane- 

 ous, for instance, where insensible organic contractility is 

 predominant, acute phlegmasiae are most common, because 

 this property presides over these acute inflammations. In 

 the organic muscles, insensible organic contractility is fee- 

 ble, the diseases therefore of these muscles are those of 

 the predominant property, which is sensible organic con-, 

 tractility. Hence aqute inflammation comparatively 

 rarely attacks the muscular substance of the heart or sto- 

 mach. Again, animal contractility being predominant in 

 the muscular system of animal life, you find that property 

 deranged in its diseases, 



Phenomena of the action of the Muscular System of 

 Organic Life. 



Q. What is to be observed of the force of the contrac- 

 tions of this texture? 



Jl. That its action is more uniform than those of the 

 muscles of animal life; this action never being either con- 

 vulsed or palsied, as that of the animal muscles is. 



Q. What controls the force of the contractions of the 

 organic muscles? 



. Power adapted to function, and the circumstance 

 of there being solid or fluid contents to evacuate. 



Q. In the animal muscular system antagonizing mus- 

 cles act in inducing relaxation after contraction, as the 

 triceps and biceps; now as there are no antagonizing or- 

 ganic muscles, how is their relaxation effected? 



$. Dilatation is, from observation, proved to be as 



