CLASS I. 1. 1. 2. OF IRRITATION. 1 J 



arterial strength cannot be determined by the touch, till the 

 cold part of the paroxysm ceases. This determination is some- 

 times attended with difficulty; as strong arid weak are only com- 

 parative degrees of the greater or less resistance of the pulsation 

 of the artery to the compression of the finger. But the greater 

 or less frequency of the pulsations affords a collateral evidence 

 in those cases, where the degree of strength is not very distin- 

 guishable, which may assist our judgment concerning it. Since 

 a moderately strong pulse, when the patient is in a recumbent 

 posture, and not hurried in mind, seldom exceeds 120 strokes in 

 a minute; whereas a weak one often exceeds 130 in a recum- 

 bent posture, and loO in an erect one, in those fevers, which are 

 termed nervous or putrid. See Sect. XII. 1. 4. 



The increased frequency of the pulsation of the heart and ar- 

 teries, as it is occasioned either by excess or defect of stimulus, or 

 of sensorial power, exists both in the cold and hot fits of fever; 

 but w r hen the cold lit ceases, and the pulse becomes strong and 

 full as well as quick, in consequence of the increased irritability 

 of the heart and arteries, it constitutes the irritative fever, or sy- 

 nocha. It is attended with considerable heat during the paroxysm, 

 and generally terminates in a quarter of a lunation, without any 

 disturbance of the faculties of the mind. See Class IV. 1. 1. 8. 



M. M. Venesection. Emetics. Cathartics. Cool the patient 

 in the hot fit, and warm him in the cold one. Rest. Torpentia. 



2. Ebrietas. Drunkenness. By the stimulus of wine or opium 

 the whole arterial system, as well as every other part of the moving 

 system, is excited into increased action. All these secretions, and 

 with them the production of sensorial power itself in the brain, 

 seem to be for a time increased, with an additional quantity of heat, 

 and of pleasurable sensation. See Sect. XXI. on this subject. 

 This explains why at the commencement of the warm paroxysm 

 of some fevers the patient is in greater spirits, or vivacity; because, 

 as in drunkenness, the irritative motions are all increased, and a 

 greater production of sensation is the consequence, which, when 

 in a certain degree, is pleasurable, as in the diurnal fever of weak 

 people. Sect. XXXVI. 3. 1. 



3. Hcemorrhagia arlcriosa. Arterial haemorrhages. Bleeding, 

 with a quick, strong, and full pulse. The haemorrhages from 

 the lungs, and from the nose, are the most frequent of these; but 

 it sometimes happens, that a small ariery but half divided, or the 

 puncture of a leech will continue to bleed pertinaciously. 



M. M. Venesection. Cathartic with calomel. Divide the 

 wounded artery. Bind sponge on the puncture. If coffee or 

 charcoal, internally? If air, with less oxygene? 



4 Hwmoptoe arteriosa. Spitting of arterial blood. Blood spit 



