General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 1 (of 3)Bichat, Xavier
Science
General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Bichat, Xavier
Human anatomy; Human physiology
I will terminate this article by an important reflection. If the nerves
were only divided to form the ganglions, if these presented in their
interior only differences of forms, and a very minute division of their
filaments, why should they be so constant in animals? Many organs are
wanting, vary, are presented under a thousand various forms in their
different classes; on the contrary, the ganglions are constant. In
those species even in which the cerebral system is imperfect, that of
the ganglions is complete in its organization. Animal life diminishes
and is contracted in an evident manner in most insects, in worms,
&c. and generally in animals without verterbræ. The brain and the
nerves become less evidently marked in proportion as this life is less
perfect. The organic is, on the contrary, almost in its perfection in
these animals. The ganglions and their nerves are also very evident.
This remark has struck me in reading the researches of different
authors upon the anatomy of the lower classes of animals; now, if
the ganglions were not the centres of certain important functions
of which we are ignorant, would they be so invariable in the animal
organization?
VASCULAR SYSTEM
WITH RED BLOOD.
ARTICLE FIRST.
GENERAL REMARKS UPON THE CIRCULATION.
All authors have considered the circulation in the same way, since the
celebrated discovery of Harvey. They have divided this function into
two; one has been called the great circulation, the other, the small or
pulmonary. The heart, being between the two, is their common centre.
But in presenting in this point of view the course of the blood, it
is difficult at first sight to perceive the general object of its
course in our organs. The method in which I explain in my lectures this
important phenomenon of the living economy, appears to me infinitely
better calculated to give a great idea of it.
I. _Division of the circulation._
I divide the circulation also into two; one carries the blood from
the lungs to all the parts; the other brings it from all parts to the
lungs. The first is the circulation of red blood, the second that of
black.
_Circulation of red blood._
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