On the theory of inflammation / [John James Drysdale].

  • Drysdale, J. J. (John James), 1817-1892.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the theory of inflammation / [John James Drysdale]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    gaged in increased secretion ; to the intestines lor example, during the operation of a cathartic. But it has been already shewn, that any such increased determination is entirely devoid of proof; and reason has been given for thinking that it is highly improbable and unnecessary (see p. 22); while in chronic increased secretion or nutrition, as in new growths, the case is different as already explained (see p. 16). If no increased quantity, therefore, of blood be sent to the secreting organ, that which is evacuated must be subtracted from the amount returned by the veins, and thus the evacuation will, like general bloodletting, affect the whole system equally.* In the second place, even if it were proved that the most copious determination of blood to the se¬ creting parts took place, it would still remain to be shewn how determination to one organ could deplete another, with which it had no vascular connection directly, but only through the medium * Except in the case of purging in inflammation of the liver, for reasons which the anatomy of that organ will render obvious; but most probably very little is to be attributed to this cause. This instance, by the way, is particularly unfortunate for the determina¬ tion of blood theory, as most purgatives increase the secretion of bile, while they must, if any thing, rather diminish the quantity of blood sent to the liver. In short, in so far as their action in this case helps to support the derivative theory, it tends to overthrow that of determination.