The terminal secerning and exhalent arteries,
the absorbent and incipient veins, are still undescribed,
still unknown. He who shall first trace
them, will deserve the reward of approval, whether
it be his good fortune to obtain it or not.
I think the discovery will be made by means
of the singular spots which accompany the arteries
and veins.
The microscope will, I think, be the means
of the next improvements in anatomy. The minute
anatomy of the lower orders of animals,
must be pursued by its aid. The organization,
or want of organization of morbid structures,
will be determined by its use.
Another object of inquiry in the same class, is
that of the distribution of the minute and ultimate
branches and origins of the nerves. The minute
anatomy of the nerves, whether viewed alone or
in conjunction with that of the arterial system,
is one of the most interesting which can occupy
the scientific physician.
CHAPTER II.
OF THE POWERS WHICH CIRCULATE THE BLOOD.
F r o m the epoch in the history of physiological
science, fixed by the brilliant discovery of Harvey,
the circulation of the blood has Continued to
occupy the attention of physiologists.
The question of the entire circulation is à
problem made up of so many elements, that
it is not extraordinary that it should have been
so difficult to fix and limit the value and influence
of each ; and as usual in the absence of
proofs, the subject has been rendered still more
obscure, by being veiled in a variety of conjectures.
The circle performed by the blood may be
not inaptly divided into four arcs : of these the
heart must be viewed as the principal and first ;
E