General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 3 (of 3)Bichat, Xavier
Science
General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Bichat, Xavier
Human anatomy; Human physiology
Under the relation of organic sensibility, the life of the cutaneous
system is essentially continuous. Thus the functions over which this
property presides have a character opposite to the preceding. The
insensible transpiration takes place continually, though there may be
some periods in which it is more active than in others. The oily fluid
is incessantly carried away and renewed; we might even say sometimes
that it is when the animal sensibility is interrupted, that the
organic is in the greatest exercise.
It is especially in diseases that they have made this observation,
which is besides generally applicable to organic life. All this life
is as active and even more so during the night than during the day.
Most of the diseases that attack the functions which belong to it, are
marked by an increase of activity during the night. All fevers which
particularly affect the circulation have their exacerbation towards
night. In diseases of the heart, the patients are more oppressed at
this period, &c. In phthisis which affects respiration, it is in the
night especially that there is hectic fever, sweats, &c. Pneumonia and
pleurisy, exhibit frequent exacerbations towards night. In glandular
diseases, either acute or chronic we make the same observation. It
would be necessary to refer to almost all the affections which alter
especially an organic function, in order to omit nothing upon this
point. On the contrary, observe hemiplegia, epilepsy, convulsions,
various paralysies of the different organs of sense, most mental
alienations, apoplexy and other affections which exert their influence
more particularly upon animal life, they have not, so often at least,
their exacerbations towards evening and during the night, no doubt
because in the natural state, this life is in the habit of becoming
drowsy and not of being raised like the other which seems to imprint
this character upon its alterations. Other causes no doubt have an
influence upon this phenomenon; but I believe this to be a real one.
_Third Character. Influence of the Sexes._
The sex has an influence upon the cutaneous life. In general the animal
portion of this life is more raised in women, in whom every thing that
belongs to the sensations is proportionally more marked than in man,
who predominates by the power of his locomotive muscles. The effects
of tickling are infinitely more powerful in females. All the arts which
require nicety and delicacy of touch are advantageously cultivated
by women. The peculiar texture of the chorion, a texture generally
more delicate, has no doubt an influence upon this phenomenon. As to
the organic portion of the cutaneous life, the difference is not very
great. Man appears to be superior in this respect; he generally sweats
more; his skin is more unctuous, which proves a greater secretion.
_Fourth Character. Influence of Temperament._
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