General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 2 (of 3)Bichat, Xavier
Science
General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 2 (of 3)
Bichat, Xavier
Human anatomy; Human physiology
The fibrous system presents a remarkable phenomenon; it is that it
hardly ever contributes to the formation of pus. I do not know that
after inflammations of this system, purulent collections have been ever
observed. Rheumatism, which is ranked with the phlegmasiæ, is never
accompanied by these collections; some gelatinous extravasations only
have been found around the tendons. That which was formerly taken for a
suppuration of the dura-mater in wounds of the head, is very evidently
a purulent oozing from the arachnoides, analogous to that of all the
other serous membranes. Why does this system refuse, or produce pus
with so much difficulty, or why is it not as much disposed to do it
as most of the other systems? I know not. Nor do I know that in the
midst of the cartilages collections of this fluid have been found. The
inflammations of the cartilaginous system are remarkable, because they
rarely or never terminate by suppuration.
_Sympathies._
All the kinds of sympathies are observed in the fibrous system. Among
the animal sympathies, the following are some of sensibility. 1st. In
certain periostoses which occupy but a small surface, the whole of the
periosteum of the bone that remains sound, becomes painful. 2d. After
a puncture, or bruise of the periosteum, the whole of the limb often
swells and becomes painful. 3d. In the affections of the dura-mater,
the eye is frequently affected, and cannot bear the light, a phenomenon
which may also depend on the communication of the cellular texture, but
which is certainly sometimes sympathetic. 4th. When we make extension
to reduce a luxation, and the articular ligaments consequently suffer
much, the patient often complains of pain in a very distant part of the
limb, &c.
Contractility is also brought into action in the animal sympathies of
the fibrous system. 1st. The puncture of the centre of the diaphragm
causes, it is said, in the facial muscles, a contraction which produces
a sardonic smile. 2d. The injury of the aponeuroses, the stretching
of the ligaments in the luxations of the foot and the tearing of the
tendons, are frequently accompanied by convulsive motions of the jaws
and even well marked tetanus. 3d. A splinter fixed in the dura-mater
produces contractions in the different muscles of the economy. 4th.
In injuries of the albuginea and the external aponeuroses, we often
observe similar phenomena.
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