10 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



the lungs and heart, is not confined to depress- 

 ing emotions of the mind, or to any single dis- 

 ease, but will occur whenever the circulation of 

 the sanguineous fluid becomes becomes rather in- 

 ternal than external* whether this be occasioned 

 by exposure to cold or by affections of an asthenic 

 description. 



XIV. An expiration is an act by which dete- 

 riorated air is expelled : but this is only one part 

 of its important function. It is the effect of in- 

 spiration to facilitate the motion of blood through 

 the lungs ; but it is that of expiration to retard 

 it. If, then, we have a preponderance of expi- 

 ratory actions, we diminish the quantity of blood 

 generally circulating through the respiratory or- 

 gans ; and this being the case, we shall observe 

 the heart beating with unusual vigour, at times 

 amounting to palpitation, the pulse quick and 

 strong, the countenance flushed, the whole sur- 

 face of the body exhibiting improved circulation, 

 and increase of temperature. 



XV. I cannot agree with Mr CHARLES BELL 

 in thinking that Nature has been extremely so- 

 licitous to secure the act of inspiration, and that 

 expiration is of little importance comparatively. 

 He draws his conclusions from observing the 

 distribution of nerves ; and mine also are the re- 

 suit of observation, but not directed by any de- 

 sire to appreciate the value of nervous fasciculi, 



* These terms are explained in Chap. IV. 



