VII. An experimental inquiry concerning the reproduction of nerves

Abstract

An animate machine differs from an inanimate one in nothing more conspicuously, than in its power of repairing its injuries, and of curing its diseases. It is wisely contrived by nature that, in many instances, the cause producing the injury lays the foundation for the cure; for as injuries, particularly those occasioned by cutting instru­ments, are necessarily attended with an effusion of blood, from the division of blood-vessels, this fluid, either immediately or remotely, fills up the breach. Hence every part possessed of vascularity, and consequently of blood, carries with it the prin­ciple by which it repairs its injuries; and the facility with which this process is conducted, generally bears some propor­tion to the freedom of the circulation in each individual part.