452 THEORY OF FEVER. SUP. I. 2. 8, 



its reabsorption? For oxygen gas penetrates moist animal mem- 

 branes though not dry ones, as in the lungs during respiration. 

 See Class I. 2. I. 17. 



8. When the sensorial power of sensation is introduced into 

 the arterial system, other kinds of compound fevers are produc- 

 ed, which will be spoken of in their place. 



III. Termination of the cold Fit. 



1 . If all the parts, which were affected with torpor, regain 

 their irritability, and associability, the cold paroxysm of fever 

 ceases; but as some of the parts affected were previously accus- 

 tomed to incessant action, as the heart and arteries, and others 

 only to intermitted action, as the stomach and intestines; and 

 as those which are subjected during health to perpetual action, 

 accumulate sensoriai power faster, when their motions are im- 

 peded, than those w r hich are subjected to intermitted action; it 

 happens, that some of the parts, which w r ere affected with torpor 

 during ihe cold fit, recover their irritability or associability sooner 

 than othtrs, and more perfectly, or acquire a greater quantity of 

 them than natural; as appears by the partial heat and flushings 

 previous to the general hot fit. 



Hence if all the parts, which were previously torpid, regain 

 their due degree of irritability, or of associability, the disease is 

 removed, and health restored. If some or all of them acquire 

 more than their natural degree of these sensorial powers; in- 

 creased actions, and consequent increased secretions, and greater 

 heat occur, and constitute the hot fit of fever. If after this hot 

 fit of fever all the parts which had acquired too great irritability 

 or associability, regain their natural degree of it, the disease is 

 removed, and health restored. But if some of these parts do 

 not regain their natural degree of these sensorial powers, the 

 actions of those parts remain imperfect, and are more or less 

 injurious to the system according to the importance oftheir func- 

 tions. 



2. Thus if a torpor of the heart and arteries remains; the 

 quick pulse without strength, which began in the cold fit, per- 

 sists; arid a continued fever is produced. If the torpor of the 

 stomach and intestines remains, which is known by sickness and 

 undigested stools, the fever is liable to be of considerable length 

 and danger; the same if the kidneys and absorbent system re- 

 tain some degree of torpor, as is shewn by the pale urine in not 

 unusual quantity. If part of the absorbent system remains tor- 

 pid, as the absorbent vessels of the spleen, a tumour of that vis- 

 cus occurs, which may be felt by the hand; the same some- 



