87 [EME. - 
Having thus stated the effects of emetics and 
the susceptibilities of the system to an inverted ac- 
tion of the stomach, I proceed to consider by what 
dissociated or perverted train of actions, the im- 
pulse is achieved: of what in other words has 
been called, and most incorrectly and unphiloso- 
phically, the mechanism of vomiting. Different 
opinions are entertained on this subject, by pbysi- 
ologists. Whatever difference of opinion however = — 
may have existed or may still exist, in relation to Be 
ons necessary to produce vomi- 
regards the stomach as a passive instrument in the 
act, directed mechanically to its inverted pro- 
pulsive effort, by the abdominal muscles stimula- 
ted to a peculiar action by the sensorium. His 
experiments as detailed in his memoir to the Royal 
Institute of France in 1812, noticed. Dr. Pari 
appears to lean to this assumption of sensorial in- 
fluence, to explain this act; but by reasoning 
which I cannot deem valid, He observes that 
wounds and contusions of the head, of such vio- 
lence as to suspend sensorial energy ; and profound 
inebriation, which has, for a time a similar effect, 
— both render the stomach inaccessible by the arti- 
ficial stimulus of emetics however vigorously used. 
But that in incipient intoxication, and _ under 
circumstances of less violent wounds or contu- 
sions of the same part, the ‘irritability of the 
stomach is less paralysed, and vomiting under 
such circumstances is excited by the slightest 
causes.”” [assume it as a fact grounded on 
my own observation of numerous cases of vio- 
lent wounds, and forcible contusions of the 
