318 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



CCCLXIV. Syncope has not any relation to 

 the quantity of Mood which is drawn, its only 

 relation is with the sensations which precede, at- 

 tend, or follow the operation. 



CCCLXV. On tying the arm," says Dr 

 MASON GOOD, " a considerable stream of supply 

 is cut off, and ten ounces of blood flow, in per- 

 haps five minutes, into a basin, which would have 

 otherwise flowed into the heart in the same pe- 

 riod of time. The volume of blood is hence di- 

 minished, and the heart must collapse or contract 

 itself in the same proportion."* If the heart con- 

 tracted according to the loss of blood, one would 

 think that its contraction or collapse would be 

 very great when it loses six times the quantity 

 mentioned by Dr MASON GOOD. But the heart 

 is not thus mechanically affected in its action ; 

 it may be influenced by the diminution, but it is 

 only so far influenced, in the first place, as to ex- 

 cite an unpleasant sensation, the influence of which 

 disorders the respiratory functions, causing sighs 

 and deep inspirations ; and it is these acts that have 

 the tendency to bring an unusual quantity of blood 

 to the chest from the surface of the body, the inferior 

 and superior extremities ; so that during the pre- 

 cursory stage of the paroxysm, and particularly 

 during the Jit itself, the lungs and heart have more, 

 and not less, of the sanguineous fluid. 



* The Study of Medicine, Vol. III. p. 506. Edit. Prima. 



