276 DISEASES CLASS III. 1. 1. 



cjectio seminrs, because they do not "contribute to dislodge the 

 cause, but only to prevent the sensation of it. In two cases of^ 

 parturition, both of young women with their first child, I have 

 seen general convulsions occur from excess of voluntary exer- 

 tion as above described, instead of the actions of particular mus- 

 cles, which ought to have been excited by sensation for the ex- 

 clusion of the fetus. They both became insensible, and died 

 after some hours; from one of them the fetus was extracted in 

 vain. I have heard also of general convulsions being excited 

 instead of the actions of the musculi acceleratores in the ejectio 

 seminis, which terminated fatally. See Class III. 1. 1. 7. 



These violent exertions are most frequently excited in con- 

 sequence of those pains, which originate from defect of the 

 action of the part. See Sect. XXXIV. 1. and 2. The pains 

 from excess and defect of the action of the part are distin- 

 guishable from each other by the former being attended with 

 increase of heat in the pained part, or of the whole body; 

 while the latter not only exist without increase of beat in the 

 pained part, but are generally attended with coldness of the ex- 

 tremities of the body. 



As soon as these violent actions of our muscular or sensual 

 fibres for the purpose of relieving pain cease to be exerted, the 

 pain recurs; whence the reciprocal contraction and relaxation 

 of the muscles in convulsion, and the intervals of madness. 

 Otherwise these violent exertions continue, till so great a part of 

 the sensorial power is exhausted, that no more of it is excitable 

 by the faculty of volition; and a temporary apoplexy succeeds, 

 with snoring as in profound sleep; which so generally terminates 

 epileptic fits. 



When these voluntary exertions become so connected with 

 certain disagreeable sensations, or with irritations, that the ef- 

 fort of the will cannot restrain them, they can no longer in com- 

 mon language be termed voluntary; but, nevertheless, belong to 

 this class, as they are produced by excess of volition, and may 

 still not improperly be called depraved voluntary actions. See 

 Sect. XXXIV, 1. where many motions, in common language 

 termed involuntary, are shewn to depend on excess of volition. 



When these exertions from excess of volition, which in com- 

 mon language are termed involuntary motions, either of mind 

 or body, are perpetually exerted in weak constitutions, the pulse 

 becomes quick; which is occasioned by the too great expendi- 

 ture of the sensorial power in these unceasing modes of activity, 

 In the same manner as in very weak people in fevers, the pulse 

 sometimes increases in frequency to 140 strokes in a minute,, 

 when the patients stand up or endeavour to walk; and subsides 



