8 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



to overcome it, or which are occasioned by it, 

 must necessarily disturb " the state of circula- 

 tion and respiration" to a more obvious extent 

 than expiration. The latter act is " soft and 

 without effort," not because it is deficient in cer- 

 tain nervous fasciculi, but because it is not ex- 

 cited by those momentous and painful occasions 

 which characterise the former. The act of cough- 

 ing, and the violent state of respiration after run- 

 ning, shew, whenever there is the necessity for 

 expiratory motions, that these are performed in 

 a manner as manifest as the inspiratory, which 

 proves that their character is not *' soft and with- 

 out effort," from the cause assigned by Mr BELL. 

 XI. Inspiration having the tendency to in- 

 crease the quantity of blood brought to the lungs, 

 it follows, that if these preponderate, either in 

 number or perfection, over the expirations, a greater 

 proportion than usual of this fluid will be circu- 

 lating in the pulmonary tissue. The truth of 

 this is apparent in all instances in which these 

 acts exert a superior and almost exclusive ener- 

 gy. In the depressing passions of the mind, 

 particularly in fear, and in certain diseases, as 

 spasmodic asthma, a state of congestion, or un- 

 usual determination of blood to the lungs, is 

 present. This is indicated by the very quick 

 and almost imperceptible pulse, palpitation of 

 the heart, and diminution of temperature. 



