Conspectus medicinae theoreticae : a view of the theory of medicine ; in two parts: Part I. Containing physiology and pathology. Part II. Containing therapeutics / a new ed., carefully rev. throughout. Translated from the original Latin.

  • Gregory, James, 1753-1821.
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Conspectus medicinae theoreticae : a view of the theory of medicine ; in two parts: Part I. Containing physiology and pathology. Part II. Containing therapeutics / a new ed., carefully rev. throughout. Translated from the original Latin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    116/460 (page 104)
    104) A VIEW OF THE smooth, humid, flaccid, and of an excellent complexion; bnt in the vigour of life he becomes firmer, harder, of darker complex- ion, and of impaired beauty; when an old man, he is rigid, dry, pale, and emaciated. 444. In early life, the veins are much more dense, firm, and strong than the arteries. But these latter, owing to the inces- sant pressure which they endure, and the power which they exert in contraction, daily acquire more firmness, hardness, and strength, until at length they equal or exceed that of the veins. In old men, part of the great artery is frequently found convert- ed into a horny substance, or even into real bone. 445. In early life, therefore, there is a greater proportion of blood in the arteries, but in advanced life the greater proportion is in the veins; this circumstance is of considerable moment, as it furnishes, in some degree, a reason for the increment, the acme, and decay of the system. Farther, if there be a super- abundance of blood, whatever inconvenience arise from it, must manifest itself more readily, in early years, in the arteries, and, in the decline of life, in the veins- , This, at least in some de- gree, accounits for some diseases, which commonly attend certain periods of life. 446. The females of many, perhaps of all species of animals, have their arteries considerably more capacious and lax, com- pared with their veins, and the veins themselves of much less capacity than those of the males of the same species; this is particularly observable in the descending aorta, compared with the corresponding ascending cava; the intention of this is evi- dent, namely, to render them more adequate to the nourish- ment of the foetus during the period of gestation. In the same manner we may account for women being more disposed to a full habit of body than men. We must also ascribe to this en- larged capacity of the arteries, and smallness of the veins, the beauty of the female countenance, the exquisite colour of the skin, and the elegance of their arms, in which are no livid veins, as in men. 447. Farther, the supply of blood varies in diflferent parts, and in the same parts is in different proportions at the various periods of life. When the foundations of the animal structure are first laid, a great supply of blood is sent to the head, w hich must be first formed and evolved, and fitted for its functions;