AND ANIMAL LIFE. 9 



XII. The chief phenomena of fear, and of 

 every state of mind approaching to it, are com- 

 posed of deep inspirations ; and these being more 

 numerous or complete than the expirations, the 

 blood gradually ceases to flow to the surface of 

 the body and the extremities, making the former 

 pale and the latter cold ; and this fluid, of ne- 

 cessity, is retained in the abdominal and thoracic 

 viscera ; these, containing more than is proper 

 for the operation of their function, the pulse is 

 observed to loose its fulness and strength, and to 

 become weak and frequent. This change is in 

 accordance with the condition of the lungs, which, 

 having more more blood of a less stimulating 

 quality than what is natural, must make a greater 

 demand upon the action of the heart, and, when 

 this is so great as almost to overwhelm it, palpi- 

 tation is the consequence ; but when the demand 

 is less, the heart is enabled to transmit the blood 

 it receives, which, however, as will be hereafter 

 explained, is deficient in its ordinary stimulating 

 qualities, and therefore does not excite the strong 

 and full contractions of this organ ; but the ne- 

 cessity of continuing its action being imperative, 

 the heart performs, in frequency and feebleness, 

 what is previously accomplished in slowness and 

 energy.* 



XIII. This peculiarity of the pulse, agree- 

 ably to certain alterations in the functions of 



* Vide Appendix for a full explanation of this and the pre- 

 ceding section. 



