AND ANIMAL LIFE. 191 



irregular. The degree of temperature is regulat- 

 ed by the situation of the organ affected, or 

 by the disorders which this has communicated 

 to the lungs and heart. If, for example, any of 

 the viscera of the thorax be the seat of inflamma- 

 tion, we have then the flushed or livid counte- 

 nance, according to the stage or severity of the af- 

 fection, the pulse is, for the most part, hard and 

 frequent, and a variety of other symptoms are 

 present equally characteristic of the local disease. 

 The increased frequency of respiration, and the 

 preponderance of its expiratory character, are to 

 be regarded as the principal causes in augment- 

 ing the evolution of heat. Before disorganiza- 

 tions occur, the blood circulates with greater ve- 

 locity through the lungs ; the constant or fre- 

 quent cough prevents or retards its occasional ac- 

 cumulation ; and, from these conditions, the san- 

 guineous fluid is more completely oxygenated, 

 and, having acquired properties more stimulating 

 than usual, it excites palpitation or violent action 

 of the heart. It is at this time that the blood is 

 diffused generally throughout the body. 



The temperature and pulse assume their usual 

 characters as the organs regain their ordinary 

 state; but if, instead of this favourable termination, 

 the disease lose its inflammatory nature,and exhibit 

 asthenic symptoms, we observe the pale and col- 

 lapsed countenance, cold extremities, the surface 

 pallid and shrunk, the patient troubled with 



