fomentation to the head in torpor of the brain; and the use of hot bath in
cases of general debility, which has been much too frequently neglected
from a popular error occasioned by the unmeaning application of the word
relaxation to animal power. If the fluid of heat could be directed to pass
through particular parts of the body with as little diffusion of its
influence, as that of electricity in the shocks from the coated jar, it
might be employed with still greater advantage.

Fourthly. The use of repeated small electric shocks through the region of
the stomach might be of service in fevers with weak pulse, and well
deserves a trial; twenty or thirty small shocks twice a day for a week or
two would be a promising experiment.

Fifthly. A blister on the back, or sides, or on the pit of the stomach,
repeated in succession, by stimulating the skin frequently strengthens the
action of the stomach by exciting the sensorial power of association; this
especially in those fevers where the skin of the extremities, as of the
hands or nose or ears, sooner becomes cold, when exposed to the air, than
usual.

Sixthly. The action of the stomach may be increased by preventing too great
expenditure of sensorial power in the link of previous motion with which it
is catenated, especially if the action of that link be greater than
natural. Thus as the capillaries of the skin act too violently in fevers
with weak pulse, if these are exposed to cold air or cold water, the
sensorial power, which previously occasioned their orgasm, becomes
accumulated, and tends to increase the action of the stomach; thus in those
fevers with weak pulse and hot skin, if the stomach be stimulated by
repeated small doses of bark and wine or opium, and be further excited at
the same time by accumulation of sensorial power occasioned by rendering
the capillaries torpid by cold air or water, this twofold application is
frequently attended with visible good effect.

By thus stimulating the torpid stomach into greater action, the motions of
the heart and arteries will likewise be increased by the greater excitement
of the power of association. And the capillaries of the skin will cease to
act so violently, from their not possessing so great a superfluity of
sensorial power as during the greater quiescence of the stomach and of the
heart and arteries. Which is in some circumstances similar to the curious
phenomenon mentioned in Class IV. 2. 2. 10; where, by coveri