44 Dr. Mac Culloch on Fevers. 



cannot pretend to detail. To commence with apoplexy, we 

 find that, besides that primary attack which we have already 

 described, it is sometimes periodical, or recurs in place of a 

 cold fit, in repeated attacks ; provided at least, that it is 

 Dot rendered mortal, or converted into permanent palsy, by 

 the destructive practice to which we have alluded in quoting 

 the author's opinion as to the effect of bleeding. The lethargy 

 which we described is also represented as being sometimes 

 periodical; in which case, by comparing it with what the 

 type of the simple fever should be, the discrimination of its 

 real nature becomes easy. Coma is also stated as being 

 periodical; and this simpler modification is so very common, 

 that it ought never, according to the author, to permit any 

 difficulty as to a decision on its real nature. There is here also 

 described what is called an universal palsy, arising from the 

 §ame cause : a disease so nearly incredible, that had we not 

 seen an instance recently, ourselves, in a very well-known 

 and conspicuous individual, whom it would nevertheless be 

 very indelicate to quote Sn a public journal, we should 

 scarcely have known how to credit the statements, though 

 one of them is given from a French medical writer of note. 

 Under the same general head, the several modifications of 

 palsy which we mentioned above, are registered as being 

 permanent or periodical ; and on consulting the work, we 

 find cases where the paralytic affection, often very complete, 

 occurred in lieu of a fit of the intermittent, or rather, per- 

 haps, as an attendant on it — subsiding again, to be renewed 

 at the next paroxysm : while if, under mistaken views of its 

 nature, blood-letting was resorted to, it became permanent 

 and incurable. 



In a second division, termed spasmodic, we find a great 

 collection of the diseases commonly termed nervous, to some 

 of which we have already alluded : while here, as in the former 

 division, we find a mass of authorities in support ; to which 

 Dr. M. refers generally through Sauvages ; adopting his 

 terms as a mode of reference to the authors whom he has 

 quoted, and to others who are noticed in the work itself. 



The first of these comprises epilepsy in its ordinary form, 

 and the analogous disease generally termed convulsions, as it 

 occurs in children ; to which we may here add catalepsy, oc- 

 curring as a species of substitute for the ague fit. Hysteria 

 we have already noticed in the analysis of the chapter on re- 

 mittent ; while it is here classed as being either irregular or 

 periodical : the former variety being that which is most sub- 

 ject to be mistaken, though we recollect many cases of a 



