264 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



Third, The blow which is given necessary to pro- 

 duce the desired effect shakes the zvhole system of 

 the animal. The circulation of blood in the larger 

 arteries and veins is for a moment retarded, if not 

 completely arrested. 



CCLXXXVI. If the circumstances which 

 have now been stated be taken into considera- 

 tion, it must be acknowledged that the mystery 

 connected with the phenomenon, if not altoge- 

 ther unravelled, is nearly so ; and in reasoning 

 on the manner in which the heart recovers its 

 contractions, we shall find the present view ma- 

 terially supported. In a few seconds after the 

 blow, the heart commences to pulsate, at first 

 feebly, but in a few minutes with almost its 

 ordinary vigour. During the short period of 

 its inactivity, it is either gradually and almost 

 imperceptibly overcoming the burden by which 

 it is oppressed, or during this time the whole 

 sanguiferous system re-establishes its regular func- 

 tions, and therefore we have the contractions of 

 the heart as soon as the different relations exist- 

 ing between the various parts of this system are 

 restored. 



CCLXXXVII. If it were owing to the sup- 

 pression or injury of the nervous influence, the 

 cessation ought to be rather of a permanent than 

 evanescent character, because one of the sup-, 

 posed sources of nervous power is destroyed. 



