Arterial structure and arterial function / by G. A. Gibson.

  • Gibson George Alexander, 1854-1913.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Arterial structure and arterial function / by G. A. Gibson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

    7/12 page 511
    It is indeed possible that the vasomotor phenomena of the circulation have received only too much attention. Tliere can be no doubt that the vasomotor theory has often proved a veritable house of refuge for the pathologically destitute. There is a curious tendency here and elsewhere to hunt with the vitalist (as on p. 38) and at the same time to run with the physicist (as on p. 50); it shows itself from time to time in the discussion of different aspects of the various problems under consideration. We entirely agree with the author in his statement that contractility is retained by sclerosed vessels. This belief has been sufficiently emphasised by Mackenzie as well as by the present reviewer, and yet, in spite of the remarks which we have both published upon the subject, we find our author making the following remark:—“ As has already been stated in a preceding section, the idea of sclerosed and atheromatous arteries has hitherto carried with it the idea of rigidity. This is an unfortunate association, for it has led to the idea that thickened vessels are necessarily permanently thickened, that they behave in the body much as rigid tubes would behave, and that no remedial measures are available for removing such anatomical change.” Once more we ask, where are such views to be found as he attributes to modern medicine ? The chapter which discusses the causes of arterial contraction is one of the most interesting in the book, and the author deals fully with the influence of poisonous agents in their double action upon the arteries by evoking contraction of the muscular wall, as well as by producing structural changes in the coats, and particularly in the intima. Here we have a really admirable exposition of a most important subject, illuminated by a wealth of illustrations culled from many a fertile field of physiological and pathological investigation, and brought with rare skill into harmony with clinical and therapeutical observations. This chapter, however, is marred, like so much of the book, by the singular tone of irritation expressed against certain imaginary views, attributed to unnamed observers whom we cannot recall, and who are arraigned for holding opinions which certainly are not current coin. We may again quote from our author. “The mechanical views of the circulation have had their day, and have effected their purpose almost too well; it is now time that we should think of the vessels as living tubes, contracting not only under the influence of nerve centres, but under the direct stimulus of substances present in the circulating blood.” Where, in the name of Harvey, are views different to those expressed ? When we turn to the chapter on the clinical estimation of blood pressure, we must at once premise that we are quite at one with the author in his objection to the phrase “ arterial tension.” As a matter of fact, we have never, from first to last, in any of our
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