412 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC, 



CCCCXCV. At the period of life when he 

 imagines the veins to obstruct the current of 

 blood flowing from the arteries, in consequence of 

 which the latter are distended, the pulsations of 

 the heart are frequent and strong, the respira- 

 tions are numerous, the physical powers are con- 

 tinually exerted, and every other means that can 

 in any way increase the respiratory and circula- 

 tory functions are present. 



CCCCXCVI. It is the excited state of the arte- 

 rial system, and not its engorgement from the ob- 

 stacles which the venous presents, that occasions 

 the phenomena of arterial hemorrhagy. That 

 the coats of the arteries acquire additional den- 

 sity from the power oj distention, is a supposition 

 that gains little support from the operation of the 

 same agent on other parts of the system. 



CCCCXCVIl. The heart is not only unusually 

 dilated, but even enfeebled by the distending 

 force of the blood. The bladder, the intestines, 

 and the stomach, are debilitated by the influence 

 of such a power ; nor am I acquainted with any 

 organ of the body that is augmented by disten- 

 tion alone. The heart, when its parietes are 

 thickened, has been subject to an increased ac- 

 tion, which has a tendency to stimulate its own 

 individual vessels, and these receiving a greater 

 quantity of blood, or blood of more perfect oxy- 

 genated properties, give additional nourishment 

 to its muscular fibres. 



