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Show EXPRESSION O:F SUFF:E1R1NG : CHAP. VI. adds, we not unfrequently ~ee the hand involuntarily laid upon the eyelids, as if the better to support and defend the eyeball. Nevertheless n1uch evidence cannot at present be advanced to prove that the ~ye ~ctua11y su.ffer~ injury from the want of support during VIolent expuation; but there is some. It is "a fact that forcible expiratory " efforts in violent coughing or vomiting, and especially ''in sneezing, sometimes give rise to ruptures of the " little (external) vessels" of the eye.17 vVith respect to the internal vessels, Dr. Gunning has lately recorded a case of exophthalmos in consequence of whoopingcough, which in his opinion depended on the rupture of the deeper vessels ; and another analogous case has been recorded. But a mere sense of discon1fort would probably suffice to lead to the associated habit of protecting the eyeball by the contraction of the surrounding muscles. Even the expectation or chance of injury woulu probably be sufficient, in th~ same manner as an object moving too near the eye Induces involuntary winking of the eyelids. We may, therefore, safely conclude from Sir C. Bell's observationR, and more especially from the more careful investigations by Professor Danders, that the firm closure of the eyelids during the screaming of children is an action full of meaning and of real service. We have already seen that the contraction of the orbicular muscles leads to the drawing up of the upper lip, and consequently, if the· mouth is kept widely lids by tho polcnoss of the oyc,-not an unnatural paleness, but nn absence. of the reuuess that might have been expected when the sn~·~ face is somewhat inflamed, as is then usually the co.se; and tlas paleness he is inclined to attribute to tho forcible closure of the eyelids. 1; Donders, ibid. p. 3G. HAP. VI. WEEPING. 163 open~ to the drawing down of the corners by the contraction .of the depressor muscles. The formation of the naso-!abial fold on the cheeks likewise follows from th draw~ng up of the upper lip. ~rhus all the chief ex~ ressi ve moven1ents of th~ face during crying apparently 1 esult from the contraction of the muscles round the eyes. We shall also find that the shedding of tears depends on, or at least stands in son1e connection with the contraction of these same muscles. ' In ~orne of the foregoing cases, especially in those of S~leezing and coughing, it is possible that the contraction of the orbicular muscles may serve in addition to }Jr?tect the eyes from too severe a jar or vibration. I think so, because . dogs and cats, in crunchin()' hard b. ones ' al.w ays cI ose the i· r eyel "Id s, and at least sombe times In sneezing·' though d ogs d o not d o so wh.i lst barki.n g loudly. Mr. Sutton carefully observed for me a young ora~g and. chimpa~zee, and_ he found that both always cl~~ocl their ~yes 1~1 sneezing and coughing, but not wl1Ilst screaming VIolently. I gave a small pinch of t;uuff to a monkey of the American division namely a Cebu ' an d I" t c1 o se d I·t s eyeh·d s whi. lst sne'e zing; b'u t not on a subsequent occasion whilst uttering loud cries. . Oaus~ of the secretion of tears.-lt is an important fac~ ~hiCh must be considered in any theory of tho secretion of tears from the mind being affected, that when~ver the muscles round the eyes are strongly and mvoluntarily contracted in order to compress tl~e blood-vessels and. thus to })l'otect the eyes, t ars aie secreted, often In sufficient abundance to roll do" n. the cheeks. This ccurs under the most opposit · emo~Ions, and und r no emotion at all. The sole e~ ·ception, and this is only a partial one to the existen e of a r~ 1a t.I on b etween the involunt' ary and strong contract1on of th ~e muAelcA and the Sflcr tion of tear., M2 |