Galen: On the Natural Faculties by Galen
Chapter XIII
324 words | Chapter 43
Expulsion takes place through the same channel as
attraction (_e.g._, in stomach, gall-bladder, uterus).
Similarly the delivery (_anadosis_) of nutriment to the
liver from the food-canal _viâ_ the mesenteric veins may
have its direction reversed. Continuous give-and-take
between different parts of the body; superior strength
of certain parts is natural, of others acquired. When
liver contains abundant food and stomach depleted,
latter may draw on former; this occurs when animal can
get nothing to eat, and so prevents starvation.
Similarly, when one part becomes over-distended, it
tends to deposit its excess in some weaker part near it;
this passes it on to some still weaker part, which
cannot get rid of it; hence _deposits_ of various kinds.
Further instances of reversal of the normal direction of
anadosis from the food canal through the veins. Such
reversal of functions would in any case be expected _a
priori_. In the vomiting of intestinal obstruction,
matter may be carried backwards all the way from the
intestine to the mouth; not surprising, therefore, that,
under certain circumstances, food-material might be
driven right back from the skin-surface to the
alimentary canal (_e.g._ in excessive chilling of
surface); not much needed to determine this reversal of
direction. Action of purgative drugs upon terminals of
veins; one part draws from another until whole body
participates; similarly in intestinal obstruction, each
part passes on the irritating substance to its weaker
neighbour. Reversal of direction of flow occurs not
merely on occasion but also constantly (as in arteries,
lungs, heart, etc.). The various stages of normal
nutrition described. Why the stomach sometimes draws
back the nutriment it had passed on to portal veins and
liver. A similar ebb and flow in relation to the spleen.
Comparison of the parts of the body to a lot of animals
at a feast. The valves of the heart are a provision of
Nature to prevent this otherwise inevitable
regurgitation, though even they are not quite efficient.
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