192 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



shiverings, the pulse small and frequent, and the 

 generation of animal heat controlled. 



CCXIV. As the efforts of the system were 

 unable to overcome the symptoms by which it 

 was oppressed, the lungs would gradually be- 

 come congested, thereby losing the power of main- 

 taining the ordinary stimulating qualities of the 

 blood ; and as this would be insufficient to excite 

 the usual contractions of the heart, the pulsations 

 would necessarily become feeble, and frequent, 

 because it is compelled to circulate what it receives. 

 The propelling energies being lessened, the vital 

 fluid is not transmitted to the distant parts of 

 the body with its accustomed force, but the veins 

 possess their usual disposition to return their 

 contents ; the consequence of which is, that the 

 viscera of every cavity have their functions dis- 

 ordered by the unusual determination of venous, 

 and the deteriorated properties of the arterial 

 blood. 



CCXV. If we suppose the intestines to be the 

 seat of acute inflammation, the temperature is 

 augmented, because the respiratory functions are 

 again disordered. This effect is not to be refer- 

 red to any nervous connection between the tho- 

 racic and abdominal viscera, but to the changes 

 in the distribution of the blood. We can stimu- 

 late the action of the lungs by warming the in- 

 ferior extremities, or we can oppress it by cool- 

 ing the same ; and, if alterations so far removed 



