482 THEORY OF FfiVER. SUP. I. 12. 4. 



because its usual quantity of sensorial power is previously ex- 

 hausted by the great stimulus of the foxglove; and hence it seems 

 probable, that the great accumulation of sensorial power, which 

 now causes the increased action of the absorbents, is produced 

 in consequence of the inactivity of the heart and arteries; which 

 inactivity is induced by deficient excitement of the sensorial 

 power of association between those organs and the stomach, and 

 not by any previous exhaustion of their natural quantity of sen- 

 sorial power; whereas in ileus, where the torpor of the stomach, 

 and consequent sickness, is induced by reverse sympathy with 

 an inflamed intestine, that is, by dissevered or defective associa- 

 tion; the accumulation of sensorial power, which in that disease 

 so violently actuates the cellular, pulmonary, and cutaneous 

 absorbents, is apparently produced by the torpor of the stomach 

 and lacteals, and the consequent accumulation of the sensorial 

 power of association in them owing to their lessened action in 

 sickness. 



4. This accounts for the dry skin in fevers with weak pulse, 

 where the stomach and the heart and arteries are in a torpid 

 state, and for the sudden emaciation of the body; because the 

 actions of the cellular and cutaneous absorbents are increased 

 by reverse sympathy with those of the stomach, or with those of 

 the heart and arteries; that is, by the expenditure of that sensorial 

 power of association, which is accumulated in consequence of 

 the torpor of the stomach and heart and arteries, or of either of 

 them; this also explains the sudden absorption of the milk in 

 puerperal fevers; and contributes along with the heat of the 

 respired air to the dryness of the mucous membrane of the tongue 

 and nostrils. 



5. Besides the reverse sympathy, with which the absorbent 

 vessels of the stomach and upper intestines act in respect to all 

 the other absorbent vessels, as in the exhibition of digitalis, and 

 in ileus; there is another reverse sympathy exists between the 

 capillaries, or secretory vessels of the stomach, and those of the 

 skin. Which may nevertheless be occasioned by the accumula- 

 tion of sensorial power by the torpor of the heart and arteries, 

 which is induced by direct sympathy with the stomach; thus 

 when the torpor of the stomach remains in a fever-fit, which 

 might otherwise have intermitted, the torpor of the heart and 

 arteries remains also by direct sympathy, and the increased cu- 

 taneous capillary action, and consequent heat, are produced by 

 reverse sympathy; and the fever is thus rendered continual, ow- 

 ing primarily to the torpor of the stomach. 



6. The reverse sympathy, which exists between the capillaries 

 of the stomach and the cutaneous capillaries, appears by the 



