104 OF STIMULUS AND EXERTION. SECT. XII. 7. 



and this at frequent and ftated intervals, fo that 

 the effect of one quantity may be obferved before 

 the exhibition of another. 



If thefe circumftances are not attended to, as the 

 fenforial power becomes accumulated in the quief- 

 cent fibres, an inordinate exertion takes place by 

 the increafe of ftimulus acting on the accumulated 

 quantity of fenforial power, and either the para- 

 lyfis, or death of the contractile fibres enfues, from 

 the total expenditure of the fenforial power in the 

 affected organ, owing to this increafe of exertion, 

 like the debility after intoxication. Or, fecondly, 

 the violent exertions above mentioned produce 

 painful fenfation, which becomes a new ftimulus, 

 and by thus producing inflammation, and increaf- 

 ing the activity of the fibres already too great, fooner 

 exhaufts the whole of the fenforial power in the 

 acting organ, and mortification, that is. the death 

 of the part, f upervenes. 



Hence there have been many inftances of peo- 

 ple, whofe limbs have been long benumbed by ex- 

 pofure to cold, who have loft them by mortifica- 

 tion on their being too haftily brought to the fire ; 

 and of others, who were nearly famifhed at fea, 

 who have died foon after having taken not more 

 than an uiual meal of food. I have heard of two 

 well-attefted inftances of patients in the cold fit of 

 ague, who have died from the exhibition of gin 

 and vinegar, by the inflammation which enfued. 

 And in many fevers attended with debility, the 

 unlimited ufe of wine, and the wanton application 

 of blifters, I believe, has deftroyed numbers by the 

 debility confequent to too great ftimulation, that 

 is, by the exhauftion of the fenforial power by its 

 inordinate exertion. 



Wherever the leaft degree of intoxication exifts, 

 a proportional debility is the confequence ; but 

 there is a golden rule by which the neceffary and 



ufeful 



