206 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



to the heart and lungs, not by means of the 

 nerves, but by the circulating medium. These 

 organs being excited to greater action, produce 

 the same general effects as if they had been pri- 

 marily affected by any other stimulating agent. 



CCXXX. Capillary circulation in the state 

 of health may be considered independent of any 

 power derived from the heart or arterial system, 

 but, in the state of disease, still farther removed 

 in its relations. The deranged action of any 

 portion of its own system destroys the harmoni- 

 ous connection which unites it to the general 

 system ; and, therefore, it is reasonable to ex- 

 pect, if a part of the body be thus circumstanced, 

 that its surface will be incapable of performing 

 the function of evaporation, and, consequently, 

 that heat will be accumulated. Emollient cata- 

 plasms and evaporating lotions are among our 

 most efficient means in cases of phlegmonous in- 

 flammations, where there are great heat and pain ; 

 and it is not improbable that these are in part 

 beneficial, because they reduce the accumulated 

 heat, or promote the proper action of the capil- 

 laries subservient to evaporation. The apparent 

 increase of heat in a local, superficial inflamma- 

 tion, is not attributable to one cause, but to 

 three : 



1st, Diminished evaporation ; %d. Augmented 

 quantity of blood in the part ; and, 3d, The more 



