7.2 OF STIMULUS, &c. SECT. XII. 8. 



er their health. It (hould be premifed that where the power 

 of digeftion in thefe patients is totally deftroyed, there is not 

 much reafon to expect a return to healthful vigour. 



I have direfted feveral of thefe patients to omit one fourth 

 part of the quantity of vinous fpirit they have been lately ao 

 cuftomed to, and if in a fortnight their appetite increafes, they 

 are advifed to omit another fourth part ; but if they perceive 

 that their digeftion becomes impaired from the want of this 

 quantity of fpirituous potation, they are advifed to continue as 

 they are, and rather bear the ills they have, than rifle the en- 

 counter of greater. Ar the fame time flefli-meat with or with- 

 out fpice is recommended, with Peruvian ;>ark and fteel in fmall 

 quantities between their meals, and a half a grain of opium, or a 

 grain, with five or eight grains of rhubarb at night. 



VIII. Conclujion. 



IT may be afked, if ftimulus exhaufts the fenforial power, 

 can an increafe of it ever be ufed with advantage, if where the 

 fenforial power is already in too fmall quantity ? We muft rec- 

 ollect, that the fenforial power is produced in the brain and fpi- 

 nal marrow by the fibrous aclions of thofe glands like other fe- 

 cretions : and that hence an increafed action of thefe glands by 

 an adapted ftimulus, or by aflbciation of motions may increafe 

 the quantity of fenforial power, which increafed aclions of the 

 fyftem may be continued by habit, after the ftimulus is with- 

 drawn. Thus fome kinds of ftimuli affett particular parts of 

 th-j fyftem, blifters afFel the Ikin, and the ftomach by its af- 

 ibciation with the Ikin ; emetics affect the ftomach, cathartics 

 the inteftines ; and fea-falt the perfpirable glands or capillaries : 

 but it is probable, that wine and opium affect the whole fyftem : 

 and, when given in fmall repeated quantities, that they increafe 

 the fecretion of fenforial power, either by their immediate ftim- 

 ulus or by aflbciation, and that the ftrength of convalefcents is 

 recruited, as they are thus enabled to digeft more food, and 

 that of a fomewhat more ftimulating quality. The Peruvian 

 bark, and arfemc, in the cure of agues, probably aft in a fimilar 

 manner on the ftomach, and on the parts affbciated with it, fo 

 as to increafe their powers of aft ion ^ but not on the whole 

 fyftem, as general heat is not produced by them. 



SECT. 



