ir natural quantity of
stimulus, a great excess of activity supervenes; because the fibres, which
possess accumulated irritation, are now excited by their usual quantity of
stimulus; and those which possess accumulated association, are now excited
by double or treble the quantity of the preceding irritative fibrous
motions, with which they are catenated; this constitutes the hot fit of
fever.

Another important circumstance occurs, when the parts, which are torpid
from decreased stimulus, do not accumulate a quantity of sensorial power
sufficient for the purpose of renewing their own natural quantity of
action; but are nevertheless not so torpid, as to have the life of the part
impaired. In this situation the superabundance of the accumulated power of
irritation contributes to actuate the associate motions next catenated with
them. Thus, when a person breathes air with less oxygene than natural, as
by covering his head in bed, and thus respiring the same atmosphere
repeatedly, the heart and arteries become less active by defect of the
stimulus of oxygene; and then the accumulation of sensorial power of
irritation becomes instantly very great, as these organs are subject to
perpetual and energetic action. This accumulation nevertheless is not so
great as to renew their own activity under this defect of stimulus, but yet
is in sufficient abundance to increase the associability of the next link
of catenation, that is, to actuate the capillaries of the skin with great
and perpetual increase of energy. This resembles continued fever with weak
pulse; in which the accumulation of the sensorial power caused by the
lessened motions of the heart and arteries, actuates the capillaries with
increase of energy.

3. When the accumulation of the sensorial power of association, which is
caused as above explained by deficient excitement owing to the lessened
quantity of action of the irritative fibrous motions, with which the
associate train is catenated, is not in quantity sufficient to renew the
natural actions of the first link of an associate train of motions; it is
nevertheless frequently so abundant as to actuate the next link of the
associated train with unnatural energy by increasing its associability; and
that in a still greater degree if that second link of the associated train
was previously in a torpid state, that is, had previously acquired some
accumulation of the sensorial power of association. This important
circumstanc