486 THEORY OF FEVER. SUP. I. 12. 11. 



their previous torpor, this is the hot fit. 4. The stomach and 

 upper intestines have not acquired their natural quantity of sen- 

 sorial power of irritation, which was previously exhausted by 

 violent action in consequence of the stimulus of contagious mat- 

 ter, and the heart and arteries remain torpid from deficient ex- 

 citement of the sensorial power of association, owing to the too 

 feeble actions of the stomach. 5. The accumulation of senso- 

 rial power of association in consequence of the torpor of the 

 heart and arteries occasions a perpetual orgasm, or increased ac- 

 tion of the capillaries. 



1 1 . From hence it may be deducted first, that when the tor- 

 por of the stomach first occurs, either as a primary effect, or as 

 a secondary link of some associate train or circle of motions, a 

 general torpor of the system sometimes accompanies it, which 

 constitutes the cold fit of fever; at other times no such general 

 torpor occurs, as during the operation of a weak emetic, or dur- 

 ing sea sickness. 



Secondly. After a time it generally happens, that a torpor 

 of the stomach ceases, and its actions are renewed with increase 

 of vigour by accumulation of sensorial power during its quies- 

 cence; as after the operation of a weak emetic, or at the inter- 

 vals of sea-sickness, or after the paroxysm of an intermittent 

 fever. 



Thirdly. The stomach is sometimes much slower in recover- 

 ing from a previous torpor, and is then the remote cause of 

 continued fever with weak pulse; which is owing to a torpor 

 of the heart and arteries, produced in consequence of the defi- 

 cient excitement of the power of association by the too weak 

 actions of the stomach; and to an orgasm of the capillaries of 

 the other parts of the system, in consequence of the accumula- 

 tion of sensorial power occasioned by the inactivity of the heart 

 and arteries. 



Fourthly. The torpor of the stomach is sometimes so com- 

 plete, that probably the origin of its nerves is likewise affected, 

 and then no accumulation of sensorial power occurs. In this 

 case the patient dies for want of nourishment: either in three 

 or four weeks, of the inirritative fever; or without quick pulse, 

 by what we have called paresis irritativa. Or he continues ma- 

 ny years in a state of total debility. When this torpor suddenly 

 commences, the patient generally suffers epileptic fits or tempo- 

 rary insanity from the disagreeable sensation of so great a torpor 

 of the stomach; which also happens sometimes at the eruption 

 of the distinct small-pox; whence we have termed this disease 

 anorexia epileptica. See Class II. 2. 2. 1. and III. 1. 1. 7. and 

 Suppl. I. 14. 3. 



