ation of sensorial
power arises in a few hours sufficient to restore the natural irritability
of this organ; and hence the hot fit succeeds, and the fever intermits. Or
if this accumulation of sensorial power becomes excessive and permanent,
the continued fever with strong pulse is produced, or febris irritativa.

In continued fevers the stomach is frequently I suppose affected with
torpor by previous excess of stimulus, and consequent exhaustion of
sensorial power, as when contagious matter is swallowed with the saliva,
and it is then much slower in producing an accumulation of sensorial power
sufficient to restore its healthy irritability; which is a frequent cause
of continued fever with weak pulse or febris inirritativa. Which consists,
after the cold fit is over, in a more frequent and more feeble action of
the heart and arteries, owing to their direct sympathy with the muscular
fibres of the torpid stomach; together with an increased action of the
capillaries, glands, and absorbents of the skin, and cellular membrane,
owing to their reverse sympathy with the torpid capillaries, glands, and
absorbents of the stomach, or with those of the heart and arteries.

Or in more accurate language. 1. The febris inirritativa, or fever with
weak pulse, commences with torpor of the stomach, occasioned by previous
exhaustion of sensorial power of irritation by the stimulus of contagious
matter swallowed with the saliva. 2. The whole system becomes torpid from
defect of the excitement or the sensorial power of association owing to the
too feeble actions of the stomach, this is the cold fit. 3. The whole
system, except the stomach with the upper intestines, and the heart and
arteries, falls into increased action, or orgasm, owing to accumulation of
sensorial power of association during their previous torpor, this is the
hot fit. 4. The stomach and upper intestines have not acquired their
natural quantity of sensorial power of irritation, which was previously
exhausted by violent action in consequence of the stimulus of contagious
matter, and the heart and arteries remain torpid from deficient excitement
of the sensorial power of association owing to the too feeble actions of
the stomach. 5. The accumulation of sensorial power of association in
consequence of the torpor of the heart and arteries occasions a perpetual
orgasm, or increased action of the capillaries.

11. From hence it may be deducted first, that when the torpor of th