by the putrid exhalations and stagnant air in prisons; but perhaps most
frequently by contact or near approach of the persons, who have resided in
them. These causes of malignant fevers contributed to produce, and to
support for a while, the septic and antiseptic theory of them; see Sect.
XXXIII. 1. 3. The vibices or bruises, and petechiae or purples, were
believed to be owing to the dissolved state of the blood by its incipient
putrefaction; but hydrostatical experiments have been made, which shew the
sizy blood of the patient in sensitive irritated or inflammatory fever,
with strong pulse, is more fluid, while it is warm, than this uncoagulable
blood taken in this sensitive inirritated, or malignant fever; from whence
it is inferred, that these petechiae, and vibices, are owing to the
deficient power of absorption in the terminations of the veins, See Class
I. 2. 1. 5.

This sensitive inirritated fever, or typhus gravior, is distinguished from
the inirritative fever, or typhus mitior, in the early stages of it, by the
colour of the skin; which in the latter is paler, with less heat, owing to
the less violent action of the capillaries; in this it is higher coloured,
and hotter, from the greater energy of the capillary action in the
production of new vessels. In the more advanced state petechiae, and the
production of contagious matter from inflamed membranes, as the aphthae of
the mouth, or ulcers of the throat, distinguishes this fever from the
former. Delirium, and dilated pupils of the eyes, are more frequent in
nervous fevers; and stupor with deafness more frequent attendants on
malignant fevers. See Class I. 2. 5. 6.

There is another criterion discernible by the touch of an experienced
finger; and that is, the coat of the artery in inflammatory fevers, both
those attended with strength of pulsation, and these with weak pulsation,
feels harder, or more like a cord; for the coats of the arteries in these
fevers are themselves inflamed, and are consequently turgid with blood, and
thence are less easily compressed, though their pulsations are nevertheless
weak: when the artery is large or full with an inflamed coat, it is called
hard; and when small or empty with an inflamed coat, it is called sharp, by
many writers.

M. M. The indications of cure consist, 1. In procuring a regurgitation of
any offensive material, which may be lodged in the long mouths of the
lacteals or lymphatics, or in their tumid glands. 2. To