Sect. XXI. it. OF DRUNKENNESS. 197 



not reafonable to conclude, that a perpetual repetition of To pow- 

 erful a poifon muft at length permanently affect, him ? — If a per- 

 fon accidentally becomes intoxicated by eating a few muihrooms 

 of a peculiar kind, a general alarm is excited, and he is faid to 

 be poifoned, and emetics are exhibited 5 but fo famiiiarifed are 

 we to the intoxication from vinous fpirit, that it occafions laugh- 

 ter rather than alarm. ^ 



There is however ccnfiderable danger in too haftily discontin- 

 uing the ufe of fo ftrong a ftimulus, left the torpor of the fyftem, 

 or paralyfis, mould fooner be induced by the omiflion than by 

 the continuance of this habit, when unfortunately acquired. A 

 golden rule for determining the quantity, which may with fafety 

 be discontinued, is delivered in Sect. XII. 7. 8. 



11. Definition of drunkennefs. Many of the irritative motions 

 are much increafed in energy by internal flimulation. 



2. A great additional quantity of pleafurable fenfation is occa- 

 sioned by this increafed exertion of the irritative motions. And 

 many fenfitive motions are produced in confequence of this in- 

 creafed fenfation. 



3. The aflbciated trains and tribes of motions, catenated with 

 the increafed irritative and fenfitive motions, are disturbed, and 

 proceed in confufion. 



4. The faculty of volition is gradually impaired, whence pro- 

 ceeds the instability of locomotion, inaccuracy of perception, and 

 inconfiftency of ideas ; and is at length totally fufpended, and a. 

 temporary apoplexy fucceeds. 



SECT. 



