which is just the reverse
of tumefaction. It destroys by withholding nutrition and all of the
fluids; the effect is starvation, shrinkage and death. Thus you see it
is equally certain in results. In the one case death ensues from an
overplus of unappropriated fluids of nutrition, in the other there is no
appropriation to sustain animal life and the patient dies from
starvation. The same law holds good in the parts as well as in the whole
body.

CHAPTER XI.

FEVERS.

Be Armed With Facts--Union of Human Gases With Oxygen--Fever and
Nettle-rash. Nature Constructs for a Wise Purpose--Processes of
Life Must be Kept in Motion--No Satisfaction from Authors--Animal
Heat--Semeiology--Symptomatology--Definition of Fever--Fevers only
Effects--Result of Stoppages of Vein or Artery--Aneurisms.

BE ARMED WITH FACTS.

When we reason for causes we must begin with facts, and hold them
constantly in line for action, and use, all the time. It would be good
advice never to enter a contest without your saber is of the purest
steel of reason. By such only can you cut your way to the magazine of
truth.

As we line up to learn something of the cause of fever, we are met by
heat, a living fact. Does that put the machinery of your mind in motion?
If not, what will arouse your mental energy? You see that heat is not
like cold. It is not a horse with eyes, head, neck, body, limbs and
tail; but it is as much of a being as the horse; it is a being of heat.
If cause made the horse, and cause made the heat, why not devote all
energy in seeking for cause in all disturbances of life?

UNION OF HUMAN GASES WITH OXYGEN.

Who says heat is not a union of the human gases with oxygen and other
substances as they pass out of the excretory system. By what force do
parts of the engine of life move? If by the motor power of electricity,
how fast must the heart or life current run to ignite the gasolene of
the body and set a person on fire and burn to fever heat?

If we know anything of the laws of electricity, we must know velocity
modulates its temperature. Thus heat and cold are the effect.

If we understand anatomy as we should, we know man is the greatest
engine ever produced, complete in form, an electro-magnet, a motor, and
would be incomplete if it could not burn its own gases.

When man, is said to have fever, he is only on "fire," to burn out the
deadly gases, which a perverted, dirty, abnormal, laborator