72 OF STIMULUS, Sec. Sect. XII. 8. 



cy their health. It mould be premifed, that where the power 

 of digeftion in thefe patients is totally deftroyed, there is not 

 much reafon to expect a return to healthful vigour. 



I have directed feveral of thefe patients to omit one fourth 

 part of the quantity of vinous fpirit they have been lately ac- 

 cuftomed to, and if in a fortnight their appetite increafes, they 

 arc advifed to omit another fourth part ; but if they perceive 

 that their digeition becomes impaired from the want of this 

 quantity of ipirituous potation, they are advifed to continue as 

 they are, and rather bear the ills they have, than rifk the en- 

 counter of greater. At the fame time flefh-meat with or with- 

 out fpice is recommended, with Peruvian bark and fleel in fmall 

 quantities between their meals, and half a grain of opium, or a 

 grain, with five or eight grains of rhubarb at night. 



VIII. Conclusion. 



It may be nflced, if ftimulus exhaufts the fenforial power, 

 can an incrcafe of it ever be ufed witli advantage, where the 

 fenforial power is already in too fmall quantity ? We muff, rec- 

 oiled:, that the fenforial power h produced in the brain and fpi- 

 nal marrow by the fibrous actions of thofe glands like other fe- 

 cretions : and that hence an increafed action of thefe glands by 

 an adapted ftimulus, or by aifeciation of motions, may increafe 

 the quantity of fenforial power, which increafed actions of the 

 fyftem may be continued by habit, after the ftimulus is with- 

 drawn. Thus fome kinds of ftimuli affect particular parts of 

 the fyftem, as blifters affect the fkin, and the ftomach by its af- 

 fociation with the fkin ; emetics affect the ftomach, cathartics 

 the inteitines ; and fea-fait the perfpirable glands or capillaries : 

 but it is probable, that wine and opium affect the whole fyftem ; 

 and, when given in fmall repeated quantities, that they increafe 

 the fecretion of fenforial power, either by their immediate ftim- 

 ulus or by affociation, and that the ftrength of convalefcents is 

 recruited, as they are thus enabled to digeft more food, and 

 that of a fomewhat more ftimulating quality. The Peruvian 

 bark, and arfenic, in the cure of agues, probably act in a fi mi- 

 Jar manner on the ftomach, and on the parts affociated with it, 

 fo as to increafe their powers of action ; but not not on the 

 whole fyftem, as general heat is not produced by them. 



SECT. 



