the blood, the pulse in the hot fit is weaker
than in health, though it is stronger than in the cold fit, as explained in
No. 2. of this section. But at the same time in those fevers, where the
defect of irritation is owing to the defect of the quantity of sensorial
power, as well as to the defect of stimulus, another circumstance occurs;
which consists in the partial distribution of it, as appears in partial
flushings, as of the face or bosom, while the extremities are cold; and in
the increase of particular secretions, as of bile, saliva, insensible
perspiration, with great heat of the skin, or with partial sweats, or
diarrhoea.

There are also many uneasy sensations attending these increased actions,
which, like those belonging to the hot fit of fever with strong pulse, are
frequently followed by inflammation, as in scarlet fever; which
inflammation is nevertheless accompanied with a pulse weaker, though
quicker, than the pulse during the remission or intermission of the
paroxysms, though stronger than that of the previous cold fit.

From hence I conclude, that both the cold and hot fits of fever are
necessary consequences of the perpetual and incessant action of the
arterial and glandular system; since those muscular fibres and those organs
of sense, which are most frequently exerted, become necessarily most
affected both with defect and accumulation of sensorial power: and that
hence _fever-fits are not an effort of nature to relieve herself_, and that
therefore they should always be prevented or diminished as much as
possible, by any means which decrease the general or partial vascular
actions, when they are greater, or by increasing them when they are less
than in health, as described in Sect. XII. 6. 1.

Thus have I endeavoured to explain, and I hope to the satisfaction of the
candid and patient reader, the principal symptoms or circumstances of fever
without the introduction of the supernatural power of spasm. To the
arguments in favour of the doctrine of spasm it may be sufficient to reply,
that in the evolution of medical as well as of dramatic catastrophe,

Nec Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus inciderit.--HOR.

* * * * *

SECT. XXXIII.

DISEASES OF SENSATION.

I. 1. _Motions excited by sensation. Digestion. Generation. Pleasure of
existence. Hypochondriacism._ 2. _Pain introduced. Sensitive fevers of
two kinds._ 3. _Two sensorial powers exerted in