248 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



short distance, it seemed black, but when exa- 

 mined close it was discovered to be of a dirty 

 brown ; and this colour continued, with slight 

 alterations, for many hours after it had recovered 

 the faculty of generating the usual quantity of 

 animal heat. This fact is important, as it shows 

 that the most delicate part of the capillary system 

 is affected long after the thoracic organs have re- 

 gained their general vigour. The eye may be consi- 

 dered an index of the condition of the whole capil- 

 lary system, and, therefore, it is important, as it 

 teaches that the production of animal heat should 

 be carefully attended to long after its re-esta- 

 blishment, because the unfavourable effects, oc- 

 casioned by the circulation of improper blood, are 

 not removed so soon as we might imagine. 



The number of respirations is extremely vari- 

 able. I have often counted 20 and 25 in one mi- 

 nute, and, almost immediately after, double this 

 number. The cause of this was explained in 

 CCLXVII. 



CCLXIX. The respiratory function is disor- 

 dered by the affection of the brain, and, as it re- 

 covers its ordinary sensibility, the proper oxyge- 

 nation and circulation of the blood are establish- 

 ed. But if the narcotic effects increase, the ne- 

 cessary conditions of the sanguineous fluid are no 

 longer maintained ; the extremities become cold, 

 the surface of the body discoloured, the face tu- 

 mefied, and the temperature diminished. These 

 are the consequences of deranged respiration. 



