AND ANIMAL LIFE. 115 



assimilate has gradually been diminishing the 

 proportion, to allow the lungs and heart to act 

 with moderate correctness. 



CXVI. From the preceding views we may draw 

 the following conclusions : 



1 . That the blood in all young animals is generally diffused 



through the system, on account of the internal ne- 

 cessities making little demand upon this fluid ; and 

 that the character of this distribution is changed in 

 proportion to the development of these necessities. 



2. That, at the maturity of the animal frame, the internal 



organs are more vigorous than at any other period of 

 life ; and that, as the natural or diseased action of 

 these is augmented, if unaccompanied by fever or ex- 

 ercise, the blood in all cases is determined to them 

 in greater quantity than natural, either maintaining 

 the regular internal circulation, or extending this to a 

 state of aberration. 



3. That, at the decline of the powers of life, the blood is 



more internal in its circulation than at any other 

 period, from the concurrent influence of the pre- 

 vious gradual changes tending to promote this effect, 

 and from the imperfection of those functions essential 

 to renew its qualities and facilitate its motion. 



CXVI I. From these deductions others are to 

 be drawn, the consideration of which will occupy 

 much of our attention. Those which we shall at 

 present consider are the following : 



1. That, if the blood be more equally diffused in infancy 

 throughout the system, it is obvious that a much 

 H 2 



