to occasion in their turn the succeeding cold
ones. And though the increase of stimulus, as of heat, exercise, or
distention, will produce an increased action of the stimulated fibres; in
the same manner as it is produced by the increased irritability which was
occasioned by a previous defect of stimulus; yet as the excesses of
irritation from the stimulus of external things are more easily avoided
than the deficiencies of it; the diseases of this country, except those
which are the consequences of drunkenness, or of immoderate exercise, more
frequently begin with torpor than with orgasm; that is, with inactivity of
some parts, or of the whole of the system, and consequent coldness, than
with increased activity, and consequent heat.

If the hot fit be the consequence of the cold one, it may be asked if they
are proportionate to each other: it is probable that they are, where no
part is destroyed by the cold fit, as in mortification or death. But we
have no measure to distinguish this, except the time of their duration;
whereas the extent of the torpor over a greater or less part of the system,
which occasions the cold fit; or of the exertion which occasions the hot
one; as well as the degree of such torpor or exertion, are perhaps more
material than the time of their duration. Besides this some muscles are
less liable to accumulate sensorial power during their torpor, than others,
as the locomotive muscles compared with the capillary arteries; on all
which accounts a long cold fit may often be followed by a short hot one.

SPECIES.

1. _Febris irritativa._ Irritative fever. This is the synocha of some
writers, it is attended with strong pulse without inflammation; and in this
circumstance differs from the febris inirritativa of Class I. 2. 1. 1.
which is attended with weak pulse without inflammation. The increased
frequency of the pulsation of the heart and arteries constitutes fever;
during the cold fit these pulsations are always weak, as the energy of
action is then decreased throughout the whole system; and therefore the
general arterial strength cannot be determined by the touch, till the cold
part of the paroxysm ceases. This determination is sometimes attended with
difficulty; as strong and weak are only comparative degrees of the greater
or less resistance of the pulsation of the artery to the compression of the
finger. But the greater or less frequency of the pulsations affords a
collateral evidence in those c