334 DISEASES SECT. XXXIV. i. 7. 



fyncope, which fucceeds after the violent exertions of our vol- 

 untary motions, as after epileptic fits, for the power of volition 

 acts in this cafe as the ftimulus in the other. This fyncope is a 

 temporary palfy, or apoplexy, which ceafes after a time, the muf- 

 cles recovering their power of being excited into aclion by the 

 efforts of volition ; as the eye in the circumftance above men- 

 tioned recovers in ^ little time its power of feeing objects in a 

 gloomy room ; which were invifible immediately after coming 

 out of a ftronger light. This is owing to an accumulation of 

 fenforial power during the inaction of thofe fibres, which were 

 before accuftomed to perpetual exertions, as explained in Seel:. 

 XII. 7. i. A flighter degree of this difeafe is experienced by~ 

 every one after great fatigue, when the mufcles gain fuch inabili- 

 ty to further action, that we are obliged to reft them for a while, 

 or to fummon a greater power of volition to continue their 

 motions. 



In all the fyncopes, which I have feen induced after convul- 

 five fits, the pulfe has continued natural, though the organs of 

 fenfe, as well as the locomotive mufcles, have ceafed to perform 

 their functions ; for it is neceflary for the perception of objects, 

 that the external organs of fenfe ihould be properly excited by 

 the voluntary power, as the eye-lids muft be open, and perhaps 

 the mufcles of the eye put into action to diftend, and thence 

 give greater pellucidity to the cornea, which in fyncope, as in 

 death, appears flat and lefs tranfparent. The tympanum of the 

 ear alfo feems to require a voluntary exertion of its mufcles, to 

 gain its due tenfion, and it is probable the other external organs 

 of fenfe require a fimilar voluntary exertion to adapt them to 

 the diflinct perception of objects. Hence in fyncope as in fleep, 

 as the power of volition is fufpended, no external objects are 

 perceived. See Sect. XVIII 5. During the time which the 

 patient lies in a fainting fit, the fpirit of animation becomes ac- 

 cumulated : and hence the mufcles in a while become irritable 

 by their ufual ilimulation, and the fainting fit ceafes. See Sect. 

 XII. 7. i. 



7. If the exertion of the voluntary motions has been ftill more 

 energetic, the quiefcence, which fucceeds, is fo complete, that 

 they cannot again be excited into action by the efforts of the 

 will. In this manner the palfy, and apoplexy (which is an uni- 

 verfal paify) are frequently produced after convulfions, or other 

 violent exertions 5 of this I {hall add a few inftances. 



Platnerus mentions fome, who have died apoplectic from vio- 

 lent exertions in dancing ; and Dr. Mead, in his eflay on Poi- 

 fons, records a patient in the hydrophobia, who at one effort 

 broke the cords which bound him, and at the fame inftarit ex- 

 pired o 



