216 
FK. BLAZEKOVIC. 
origin of the arteries has become greater in the ventricle; the 
valves become depressed and form a pouch, which makes the re¬ 
flux of blood from the arteries into the ventricle entirely im¬ 
possible. 
The mixing of the blood, which flows into the heart from the 
different parts of the body, is caused partly by the current and 
partly by the ruggedness of the inner surface of the heart, 
especially the fleshy parietes. It is generally admitted that the 
right ventricle receives and discharges a greater quantity ol blood 
during inspiration than during expiration, which circumstance 
must be considered in diagnosing. 
Of special value for diagnosis are the sounds and impulses of 
the heart, which arise by change of position and form of the 
heart, whilst the systole of the ventricle exercises a pressure upon 
the parts of the lungs situated between the heart and thoracic 
walls, causing a concussion of the thoracic walls, and results in the 
appearance of the heart beats and sounds of the heart. Accordingly 
the heart beat, which coincides with the systole of the ventricle, is 
continued, for the heart is soft and supple diu-ing diastole of the 
ventricle and diming the systole of the ventricle becomes hard 
and elastic, and in consequence of the resistance which it en¬ 
counters by the expelling of blood, the heart must change its 
position during systole of the ventricle. 
I shall discuss the number,, frequence, and regularity in timbre 
and the result of the hearts sounds in another part of this 
lecture. 
It is necessary to take a minute consideration of the influence 
of the nervous system upon the normal state of the heart. Above 
all, it is noteworthy that the will can in no way exercise any in¬ 
fluence upon the rythmical action of the heart. The construction 
of the heart is therefore very peculiar in that it lacks every trace 
of motors for voluntary action. However, the heart, as every other 
muscle, possesses the property of irritability, which can be aroused 
by every possible impulse. The inner surface, however, seems 
to be more susceptible to mechanical and chemical stimulants than 
the outer; the sensibility, on the contrary, appears less import¬ 
ant, for the animals exhibit no particular pain when the muscle of 
the heart is injured. 
