in relation to Disease, %\ 



tributed, to be due to other causes acting concurrently ; such 

 as exhaustion from fatigue, the perspired fluid left on the body, 

 and the influence of cold itself in suddenly changing the balance 

 of circulation between external and internal parts. The latter 

 effect may equally happen, independently of perspiration ; and 

 there is no ascertained reason why this, previously occurring, 

 should alter or change its amount. The customs of some coun- 

 tries, and the necessary habits of particular avocations, shew 

 how suddenly these changes may be made without any injury, 

 if other causes of mischief are excluded ; and prove the useless- 

 ness or wrong selection of many of the cautions current on the 

 subject. This is a point on which just views are very desirable 

 to the practitioner. It is in every case important that his 

 judgment should be unfettered by common opinions, exaggera- 

 ted or unproved ; — and though here, as in other instances, it 

 may be well to concede sometimes, yet must he ever maintain 

 the prerogative of applying his better knowledge, when cir- 

 cumstances require it. 



To the more common results of variations of temperature, 

 hitherto noticed, may be added those which depend on ex- 

 tremes of heat or cold, suddenly, or continuously, applied to 

 the body ; the observations regarding which have been much 

 extended of late years. The recent voyages of northen disco- 

 very furnish many as to the effect of high degrees of cold, of 

 great interest to physiology ; but as these are now familiar, 

 and do not apply to practice, I merely allude to them as one 

 portion of the inquiry. 



There are other parts of this subject, more practical in kind, 

 which, though better considered now than formerly, do yet 

 not receive all the notice they deserve. Such are the direct 

 applications of cold as a remedy ; possessing certainly great 

 value, and admitting of much more general and defined use 

 than is made of them. Common prejudices, fostered to a sin- 

 gular degree on this point, are not only a great hinderance to 

 the physician, but often do much to pervert his own views and 

 practice. Accordingly we find that the effect produced for a 

 time by the writings of Dr Currie, on the application of cold 

 in fevers (exanthematous as well as others), has been only par- 

 tially sustained; and that the common course of treatment 



