728 
N. R. MACAULAY. 
nal skin, and in structure much the same, only much more 
delicate and much more sensitive ; and as the same cold air is 
breathed into the lungs that causes such an action on the skin, 
we would expect to find the result of its action here much 
more serious; and that is exactly what we do find. 
When the lungs become congested, their function is 
greatly interfered with, and it is about this time that the 
“ chilling ” or shivering is noticed. This has been attributed 
to nature as a last resource, trying mechanically to rouse the 
nerve centres, and when these have been too greatly strained 
to respond, the most serious consequences occur and inflam¬ 
mation shortly settles on the congested lung and we have 
pneumonia. With the occurrence of this congestion and in¬ 
flammation we notice other changes from the normal condi¬ 
tion, notably, increased number of respirations, increased heart 
beat, rise in temperature, dryness of skin, impaired assimila¬ 
tion, etc. 
Why do we find the number of respirations and the num¬ 
ber of heart beats increased ? It is greatly due to the failure 
of the vagi to assert their inhibitory power over the lungs and 
heart, and the quicker heart beat is partially due to lack of re¬ 
sistance of blood pressure, but if we look closely and study 
what is the result of the increased respiration and pulsation 
on the system, we will surely see that here again nature, with 
that inherent power she possesses of rectifying evils that may 
happen to the system, is trying to remedy the existing condi¬ 
tion. In the quickened pulsation of the heart I fancy I see 
an attempt to drive the blood through the vessels in which it 
is stagnating, and thus equalize the circulation, and in the in¬ 
creased respiration is it not nature, by the contraction and ex¬ 
pansion of the lung, assisting the heart in its action by me¬ 
chanically forcing the blood along through the congested 
vessels, as well as at the same time causing the healthy or 
normal part of the lung to do more oxidation of the blood ? 
It is the vis medicatrix natures working through the. vagi if 
you will, but if we recognize the beneficial effects of this in¬ 
creased respiration and pulsation, let us be careful that in our 
treatment we in no wise go counter to nature’s dictations. 
* 
