286 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



rendered imperfect by a variety of causes calcu- 

 lated to derange the sanguiferous system. 



CCCVIII. The application of cold has the ten- 

 dency to determine the blood upon the internal 

 organs; and if palpitation be the consequence 

 of its influence, this arises from an overcharged 

 state of the lungs. 



SECT. II. Organic Causes which produce Palpitation. 



CCCIX. WHEN we examine the organization 

 of the heart the delicate adaptations of its 

 valves the constitution of its cavities the con- 

 tinued action of its parietes and the variety of 

 vessels with which it is connected, we are in 

 some measure prepared to expect that a multipli- 

 city of causes will tend to disorder its function 

 by the disorganization occasioned in the com- 

 ponent parts of its structure. 



CCCX. The organic diseases of the heart, 

 and those of other organs that produce palpita- 

 tion or irregular action, are divided into three 

 general classes, 



1. The first class includes the organic diseases 

 of the heart itself. These, although differ- 

 ing in nature, situation, and extent, are clas- 

 sified, from possessing one common tendency, 

 to obstruct the natural current of the blood 

 through the cavities of the heart. 



