e produced either by its stimulating the absorbents
in the ulcer to absorb the venereal matter before it has acquired oxygene;
or by afterwards uniting with it chemically, and again depriving it of its
acquired acidity. On either supposition it might probably be given with
advantage in small-pox, and in all infectious diseases, both previous to
their commencement, and during their whole progress.

8. The cold fits of intermittent fevers are caused by the torpor of some
part owing to deficient irritation, and of the other parts of the system
from deficient association. The hot fits are owing first to the
accumulation of irritation in the part primarily affected, if it recovers
its action, which does not always happen; and secondly to the accumulation
of association in the other parts of the system, which during health are
subject to perpetual action; and lastly also to the greater excitement of
the power of association, when the part primarily affected recovers its
irritability, and acts with greater energy than natural.

The deficient secretions in the cold fit depend on the torpor of the
glandular system; and the increased secretions in the hot fit on their more
energetic action. The thirst in the cold fit is owing to the deficient
absorption from the skin, cellular membrane, and bladder; the thirst in the
hot fit is owing to the too great dissipation of the aqueous part of the
blood. The urine is pale and in small quantity in the cold fit from
deficient secretion of it, and from deficient absorption of its aqueous
parts; it is high coloured, and sometimes deposits a sediment, in the hot
fit from the greater secretion of it in the kidneys, and the greater
absorption of its aqueous and saline part in the bladder. The dryness and
scurf on the tongue and nostrils is owing to the increased heat of the air
expired from the lungs, and consequent greater evaporation of the aqueous
part of the mucus. The sweats appear in consequence of the declension of
the hot fit, owing to the absorbent vessels of the skin losing their
increased action sooner than the secerning ones; and to the evaporation
lessening as the skin becomes cooler. The returns of the paroxysms are
principally owing to the torpor of some less essential part of the system
remaining after the termination of the last fit; and are also dependent on
solar or lunar diurnal periods.

The torpor of the part, which induces the cold paroxysm, is owing to
deficient irritati