tly close; this act in common language is termed
involuntary, as we have not time to deliberate or to exert any contrary
desire or aversion, but in this work it would be termed a voluntary act,
because it is caused by the faculty of volition, and after a few trials the
nictitation can be prevented by a contrary or opposing volition.

The power of opposing volitions is best exemplified in the story of Mutius
Scaevola, who is said to have thrust his hand into the fire before Porcenna,
and to have suffered it to be consumed for having failed him in his attempt
on the life of that general. Here the aversion for the loss of same, or the
unsatisfied desire to serve his country, the two prevalent enthusiasms at
that time, were more powerful than the desire of withdrawing his hand,
which must be occasioned by the pain of combustion; of these opposing
volitions

Vincit amor patriae, laudumque immensa cupido.

If any one is told not to swallow his saliva for a minute, he soon swallows
it contrary to his will, in the common sense of that word; but this also is
a voluntary action, as it is performed by the faculty of volition, and is
thus to be understood. When the power of volition is exerted on any of our
senses, they become more acute, as in our attempts to hear small noises in
the night. As explained in Section XIX. 6. Hence by our attention to the
fauces from our desire not to swallow our saliva; the fauces become more
sensible; and the stimulus of the saliva is followed by greater sensation,
and consequent desire of swallowing it. So that the desire or volition in
consequence of the increased sensation of the saliva is more powerful, than
the previous desire not to swallow it. See Vol. II. Deglutitio invita. In
the same manner if a modest man wishes not to want to make water, when he
is confined with ladies in a coach or an assembly-room; that very act of
volition induces the circumstance, which he wishes to avoid, as above
explained; insomuch that I once saw a partial insanity, which might be
called a voluntary diabetes, which was occasioned by the fear (and
consequent aversion) of not being able to make water at all.

It is further necessary to observe here, to prevent any confusion of
voluntary, with sensitive, or associate motions, that in all the instances
of violent efforts to relieve pain, those efforts are at first voluntary
exertions; but after they have been frequently repeated for the purpose of
relieving certa