Physiological Researches on Life and DeathBichat, Xavier
Science
Physiological Researches on Life and Death
Bichat, Xavier
Death (Biology); Life (Biology)
4thly, In the course of an operation, we are not to judge of the
patient’s state of mind, from his cries, or silence. This sign
is very deceitful; because a man may be sufficiently master of
himself to overpower the influence of his internal organs. We
must examine the heart and lungs; their functions, if I may allow
myself the expression, are the thermometer of the affections of
the mind. It is not without reason, that the actor who plays the
part of a courageous man, takes hold upon the hand of him whom
he wishes to set at ease, and lays it on his heart. The exterior
movements of the passions, are not a fair criterion of the inward
feelings of the individual, for these movements may be feigned as
well as real: feigned if they originate in the brain: real if they
have their sources in the heart;--in the first case voluntary, in
the second involuntary. Touch the pulse of the angry man, if you
wish to know whether he really is in anger. When I see a woman
weeping or convulsed at any distressing news, and find her pulse
in its natural state, I know what to judge of her affliction.--On
the contrary, if her grief be concentrated, but her heart beat
strongly, or her pulse have been suddenly depressed, I know that
she feigns a calm which she does not feel. To judge correctly,
we must always compare the external movement with the state of
the internal organs. There could be no deceit, were it possible
to distinguish the involuntary movements produced in a state of
passion, by the action of the heart upon the brain, and then by
the reaction of the brain upon the muscles, from the voluntary
movements which are occasioned by the simple action of the brain
upon the locomotive system.
However strong may be the pain which has been the occasion of the
dyspnœa, and impeded circulation, of which we have been speaking,
this dyspnœa and distress about the precordia, will cease, provided
only that the pain be continued. Nevertheless, if the reaction of
the brain were the real cause of the distress in question, the
contrary should be the case; for the continuation of the affection
of the brain, should continue also to cause its re-action. But here
the effect of habit is evident, though the pain subsists; the brain
indeed continues to be affected, but the internal organs cease to
be so. It may be easily perceived, that I am not here speaking
of those cases, where the action of the heart and lungs has been
deeply troubled by the effect of pain.
To the above considerations I might add many others, with the view
of proving, 1st, That although the brain be the seat of the pain,
it is not the source of those affections of the internal organs,
which are occasioned by such pain; 2dly, That these affections
depend upon an emotion, which is absolutely distinct from sensation
of whatever kind, both in its nature and effects.
II. _Is it indirectly that the lungs cease to act upon the death of
the brain?_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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