218 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



moment suppose that it is equally independent 

 of the general circulation. It will be subject to 

 two great modifications : The quantify, and condi- 

 tion of the vital fluid transmitted to its vessels. If 

 the properties of the blood be highly stimulating, 

 the same will immediately influence the circu- 

 lating powers of the capillaries ; if the quantity 

 which is sent is either greater or less than usual, 

 these w ill be sensibly affected ; and if we employ 

 chemical or mechanical means which produce 

 one or both of these circumstances, the results 

 cannot be regarded as affording any indications 

 of nervous influence. 



CCXLIV. The sympathetic nerve is almost 

 universally supposed by anatomists and physio- 

 logists to be indispensable to the offices of secre- 

 tion, nutrition, and circulation, and is also ima- 

 gined to be the source of a multitude of diseases. 

 LOBSTEIN, in enumerating the Pathemata istius 

 nervi essentialia, includes in the list Hypochon- 

 driasis, Morbus Hystericus, Melancholia, Mania, 

 et Febris Intermittens. I shall not, at the pre- 

 sent, attempt to show the fallacy of such opinions : 

 the refutation of the greater number will be 

 found in the different views developed in this 

 work ; and the more minute investigation of the 

 subject will be deferred until we treat fully of the 

 class of nervous diseases. 



CCXLV. The principal arguments hitherto 

 advanced to prove that organic functions are per- 

 formed by means of the sympathetic nerve and 



