But I must reserve the further discussion of the
effects of stimuli, of the phenomena of inflammations,
and its terminations, to a future opportunity.
I have attained my present object, which was
merely to shew that the effects of irritants or stimuli
applied over the minute and capillary vessels,
are not to be resolved into mere increased or diminished
action. I believe their first effect is either
physical or chemical. The subsequent links in the
chain are doubtless vital; but still, such as are not
to be resolved into mere increased or diminished
action. In fact they must rank amongst the most
intricate and obscure of the animal economy. M.
Kaltenbrunner has very wisely and philosophically
confined himself to the detail of the obvious phe-
nonema of inflammation, in a work which cannot,
in my opinion, be estimated too highly. 1
The constriction of a single vessel at one particular
point; the apparent adhesion of the globules
of blood to the sides of the vessels; the change
of colour and the change of form of the globules,
are facts which clearly shew that the whole parie-
tes of the vessels, their internal lining, and their
1 Experimenta circa Statum Sanguinis et Vasorum in Inflarama-
tione ; auctore Georgio Kaltenbrunnero. 1826.
contents, are alike subject to change by the application
of various stimuli. The first effect appears
to be distinctly of a physical or chemical character ;
the second is produced in cases in which the circulation
is previously languid, by gentle pressure with
mere blotting paper ; the third is, in some instances,
probably the result of the actual imbibition
of the substance applied.
It is a singular circumstance that phenomena
may be produced by mere gentle scratches by a
needle, which cannot be distinguished from the
effect of alcohol. It is difficult to imagine that one
of these acts upon the irritability of the vessels,
when the action of the other is so entirely physical.
Here then I conclude my observations upon this
subject. For I reserve the investigation of the
series of phenomena which occur in inflammation,
and in restoration on one hand, and gangrene on
the other, to a future opportunity.