AND ANIMAL LIFE. 419 



apoplexy, it is probable that great congestion is 

 present. We have frequent proofs that the 

 disease, at times, consists entirely in an over- 

 charged condition of the vessels of the head. 



DX. The reasoning which is employed to 

 explain the origin of hemoptysis or epistaxis, 

 would be incorrect if applied to explain the phe- 

 nomena of apoplexy. The seat of the latter is 

 the brain, which is enclosed by the unyielding 

 parietes of the skull, and is supposed by MONKO 

 and Dr KELLIE to occupy fully the cavity in 

 which it is contained. It is therefore obvious, that 

 an accumulation will easily take place, and this, 

 though existing to a slight extent, will be imme- 

 diately indicated by the symptoms of compres- 

 sion. 



DXL Epistaxis does not arise from a simply 

 congested state of the vessels, but from the action 

 of these being augmented. Nor can we attribute 

 hemoptysis to a similar condition of the pulmo- 

 nary vessels. A great number of thoracic dis- 

 eases retard the flow of blood in the lungs with- 

 out the congestion induced being accompanied 

 or succeeded by hemorrhagy. If we review the 

 ordinary exciting causes of hemoptysis, we shall 

 discover that it is the tendency of such not 

 to weaken or obstruct the flow of blood, but 

 to facilitate its motio?i, increase its strength, and to 

 give additional stimulus to its character. From 

 these, and similar considerations, we may con- 

 p d 2 



