A lecture, introductory to a course of lectures, on anatomy, physiology, and surgery / delivered at the School of Medicine and Surgery, Gerrard Street, Soho, by G.D. Dermott.

  • Dermott, G. D. (George Darby), 1802-1847.
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture, introductory to a course of lectures, on anatomy, physiology, and surgery / delivered at the School of Medicine and Surgery, Gerrard Street, Soho, by G.D. Dermott. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    its own—such an affinity of Life is ciofitcd between the two, as to, produce an union of vascularity between tlie coagnliim and the contiguous surface of the membrane: this affinity and communi- cation of Life is well seeu between two contiguous cut surfaces, producing an union of vascularity—for there must be a reciprocity, an unity of action, to produce an unity of substance. It is this affinity of Life between two living parts which occasions the sympathy of contiguity described by John Hunter. As the Blood or this vital principle circulates into the various structures, it is of course distinguished by other properties than the general one of exciting organic action throughout the frame, these properties are those living properties distinguishing these various structures, functionally, as living structures, for in- stance, the vital principle in muscular fibre is known by the con- tractihility of muscular fibre, in the Nerves it is displayed by the properties of sensibility in some, volition in others, and respir- atory action in others, the vital principle circulating into the base of the Brain, is developed by the same propeilies of animal vitality, as in the Nerves; and this part is probably the seat of the various animal propensities excited into action by the various sensations created in parts, and with which it is continuous through the medium of the Nerves. But the vital principle ascending into the superior part of the Cerebrum, so abundant in Man, is there developed by the higher range of vital powers, namely, perception, (the action of the nervous sensibility of the Brain) thought, memory, and volition, by the just exercise of which Man reaches to God and Heaven, as well as attains all necessary earthly knowledge. But mark you, if you are so degraded as to bring]this intellectual part of the Brain into subserviency to the base, the part which re- ceives those impressions which rouse the sensualities of Man, then you become in the very worst sense of the word a mere Beast; and it is this which makes the grand distinction between Man and Beast. It is not merely his walking erect as a Biped; because that refers not to his vital intellectual endowments,but to his mere external form. The voluntary power of any part of a Nerve depends, I believe, not only upon its origin, but also upon the vessels in any portion of it in its course developing its living principle in that part—thus when the Femoral Artery is tied the inferior extremity is be- numbed in consequence, the Nerves of that part not being supplied with their usual quantity of Blood and vital irritability,* and their living properties not being in a due degree developed in conse- quence of that. But it must be remembered that although the dc- * Irritability, I thinlt, should not be confined to the vital capability of con- traction in muscles, but extended also to the power which any part possesses to perform its vital function, including of course the susceptibility inherent in the Brain and Nerves of being stimulated by agents acting upon them.