ddering, or
rigours, are convulsive motions; and will be explained amongst the diseases
of volition; Sect. XXXIV.

Sickness and vomiting is a frequent symptom in the beginnings of
fever-fits, the muscular fibres of the stomach share the general torpor and
debility of the system; their motions become first lessened, and then stop,
and then become retrograde; for the act of vomiting, like the globus
hystericus and the borborigmi of hypochondriasis, is always a symptom of
debility, either from want of stimulus, as in hunger; or from want of
sensorial power, as after intoxication; or from sympathy with some other
torpid irritative motions, as in the cold fits of ague. See Sect. XII. 5.
5. XXIX. 11. and XXXV. 1. 3. where this act of vomiting is further
explained.

The small pulse, which is said by some writers to be slow at the
commencement of ague-fits, and which is frequently trembling and
intermittent, is owing to the quiescence of the heart and arterial system,
and to the resistance opposed to the circulating fluid from the inactivity
of all the glands and capillaries. The great weakness and inability to
voluntary motions, with the insensibility of the extremities, are owing to
the general quiescence of the whole moving system; or, perhaps, simply to
the deficient production of sensorial power.

If all these symptoms are further increased, the quiescence of all the
muscles, including the heart and arteries, becomes complete, and death
ensues. This is, most probably, the case of those who are starved to death
with cold, and of those who are said to die in Holland from long skaiting
on their frozen canals.

2. As soon as this general quiescence of the system ceases, either by the
diminution of the cause, or by the accumulation of sensorial power, (as in
syncope, Sect. XII. 7. 1.) which is the natural consequence of previous
quiescence, the hot fit commences. Every gland of the body is now
stimulated into stronger action than is natural, as its irritability is
increased by accumulation of sensorial power during its late quiescence, a
superabundance of all the secretions is produced, and an increase of heat
in consequence of the increase of these secretions. The skin becomes red,
and the perspiration great, owing to the increased action of the
capillaries during the hot part of the paroxysm. The secretion of
perspirable matter is perhaps greater during the hot fit than in the
sweating fit which follows; but as the absorp