On the powers on which the circulation of the blood depends.

  • Philip, Alexander Philip Wilson, 1770-1847.
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the powers on which the circulation of the blood depends. 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.

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    [ l ] XXVI. On the Sources and Nature of the Powers on which the Circulation of the Blood depends. By A. P. W. Philip, M.D. F.R.S. L. &f E. Read June 16, 1831. It is remarkable that, notwithstanding the great importance of the circulation in the animal economy, the length of time which has elapsed since its discovery, and the constant attention it has obtained, there is hardly any department of physiology respecting which there appears to be greater uncertainty and con- trariety of opinion than the sources and the nature of the powers on which this function depends. I propose in the following paper, by comparing the prin- cipal facts on the subject, and by such additional experiments as seem still to be required, to endeavour to determine these points. Much has lately been written and many experiments have been made with this view, and it has become customary to look for the causes which support the circulation to other sources beside the powers of the heart and blood-vessels. It has been supposed that what has been called the resilience of the lungs, that is, their tendency to collapse, by.relieving the external surface of the heart from some part of the pressure of the atmosphere, is a principal means of causing it to be distended with blood, the whole weight of the atmosphere acting on its internal surface through the medium of the blood which is thus propelled from the veins into its cavities ; and in this way it has been supposed that the motion of the blood through the whole of the venous part of the circu- lation is maintained. A similar effect has been ascribed to the act of inspi- ration, which it is evident must operate on the same principle; and this opinion has even been sanctioned by the Report of a Committee of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris *, and in this country by men whose authority is deservedly high ; and the effect of these causes, it is asserted, is increased by the elastic power of the heart itself. * Report on Dr. Barry’s paper, by Baron Cuvier and Professor Dumeril. MDCCCXXXI. A