I should be
inclined at some future time to give this a fairer trial in similar
circumstances.

Another thing worth trial at the commencement of this deplorable disease
would be electricity, by passing strong shocks through the painful part;
which, whether the pain was owing to the inaction of that part, or of some
other membrane associated with it, might stimulate them into exertion; or
into inactivity, if owing to fixed painful contraction.

And lastly, the cold bath, or aspersions with cold water on the affected
part, according to the method of Dr. Currie in the Memoirs of a Med. Soc.
London, V. iii. p. 147, might produce great effect at the commencement of
the pain. Nevertheless opium duly administered, so as to precede the
expected paroxysm, and in such doses, given by degrees, as to induce
intoxication, is principally to be depended upon in this deplorable malady.
To which should be added, that if venesection can be previously performed,
even to but few ounces, the effect of the opium is much more certain; and
still more so, if there be time to premise a brisk cathartic, or even an
emetic. The effect of increased stimulus is so much greater after previous
defect of stimulus; and this is still of greater advantage where the cause
of the disease happens to consist in a material, which can be absorbed. See
Art. IV. 2. 8.

M. M. Venesection. An emetic. A cathartic. Warm bath. Opium a grain every
half hour. Wine. Spirit of wine. If the patient becomes intoxicated by the
above means, the fit ceases, and violent vomitings and debility succeed on
the subsequent day, and prevent a return. Blisters or sinapisms on the
small of the leg, taken off when they give much pain, are of use in
slighter convulsions. Acupuncture. Electricity. Aspersion with cold water
on the painful part.

9. _Somnambulismus._ Sleep-walking is a part of reverie, or studium inane,
described in Sect. XIX. In this malady the patients have only the general
appearance of being asleep in respect to their inattention to the stimulus
of external objects, but, like the epilepsies above described, it consists
in voluntary exertions to relieve pain. The muscles are subservient to the
will, as appears by the patient's walking about, and sometimes doing the
common offices of life. The ideas of the mind also are obedient to the
will, because their discourse is consistent, though they answer imaginary
questions. The irritative ideas of external objects continue