338 PHYSIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF VISCERAL INFLAMMATION* 
been applied from the earliest times, yet for the want of the 
rational basis which I have shown in the following paper, it 
has not commanded that universal adoption which the writer 
is persuaded it has in store for it, and deserves. 
It has long been supposed, and recently it has been de¬ 
monstrated, that there exists between the cutaneous and 
muscular systems on the one side and the viscera on the 
other a direct antagonism as regards their blood supply. To 
induce a rapid circulation in the skin and muscular systems 
is to cause a corresponding drain upon and proportionately 
an anaemic condition of the viscera; and, on the other hand, 
to drive the blood irom cutaneous and muscular systems is 
to cause a congested condition of the viscera. 
This antagonism appears to depend upon the different 
degree in which those systems are acted upon by a discharge 
of contractile influence.from the vaso-motor centre such a dis- 
charge affecting the vessels of the viscera in a much greater 
degree than those of the cutaneous and muscular systems, 
the skin being second in degree and the muscular system in 
the least degree affected; the difference between the cuta¬ 
neous and muscular systems being so little that they may 
be classed together as compared with the viscera. 
This difference of response is due to the fact that the 
splanchnic nerves are composed wholly of fibres which con¬ 
vey only contractile influence, while those distributed to 
the muscles and skin are principally dilating fibres. 
It is found that the excitation of a sensory nerve produces 
by reflex action through the vaso-motor centre dilatation of 
all the vessels in the region to which it is distributed, and 
contraction of all other arteries of the body. 
The contracting power of the arteries of the viscera being 
greater than that of the arteries of the muscles and skin 
overcome them, and hence it is found that although the 
vessels of the irritated part are larger and the flow of blood 
through them more rapid than at other times, the blood 
pressure is greater, which extra pressure is due to the con¬ 
traction of the vessels of the viscera. 
The antagonism demonstrated by physiologists is fully 
confirmed hy pathological observations, which show that the 
coldness of the superficies of the trunk and the extremities 
is in inverse ratio to existing internal heat during visceral 
inflammation. 
Recognising the antagonism that exists between the ex¬ 
terior and viscera of the body, it is very clear that it will be 
advantageous to have recourse to the inducing by some means 
or other increased circulation in the superficies whenever 
