THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



bres of the organ, yet I do not consider that 

 this endowment explains the frequent and vio- 

 lent disturbance in the function of circulation 

 observed in the exciting or depressing effects of 

 passion. The abdominal viscera are said to be 

 excited or depressed by the direct agency of 

 mind, but the greater number of the illustrations 

 brought forward in support of this opinion are 

 not strengthened by any reasoning or facts that 

 may not consistently be referred to causes inter- 

 vening between the mental affection and the 

 abdominal derangement. The development of 

 views connected with this subject belongs to a 

 subsequent chapter, and, therefore, we shall defer 

 its consideration. 



CCLXXXIII. WILSON PHILIP has satisfac- 

 torily proved, that the gradual removal of the 

 brain, and destruction of the spinal cord, have 

 little or no influence on the action of the heart ; 

 and yet it is evident, he observes, that it can be 

 powerfully affected through the brain and spinal 

 marrow by chemical and mechanical means. It 

 is also stated by him and others, that it is extra- 

 ordinary that the instantaneous destruction of 

 the brain arrests for a few seconds the pulsations 

 of the heart, since this organ continues its mo- 

 tions when the above nervous sources are entire- 

 ly removed. 



CCLXXXI V. This and many similar pheno- 

 mena will, perhaps, become less mysterious by the 



