Note 89 — Chapter VI · OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE DEATH OF THE LUNGS OVER THAT OF THE HEART.
F. Gold translation
The natural force of the arteries is not dependent on life, and consequently cannot be enfeebled by the entrance of black blood. This force is nothing but elasticity, which indeed ceases to be in action as soon as death takes place, but which does not cease to exist till the texture itself is destroyed and disorganized. As this property is very conspicuous in the arteries, it is sufficient to drive the blood from their cavity at the instant of death, whilst it is too feeble in the veins to expel this fluid entirely. Thus it is, that we find blood in the veins only, after death.