SKCT. XXIX. M, RETROGRADE ABSORBENTS. 399 



dofes excite the ftomach into more energetic adion 

 and ftrengthen the digeftion; as the flowers of cha- 

 momile, and the vitriol of zinc : for, according to 

 the fourth law of irrita ion, the ftomach will not 

 long be obedient to a. Hiinulus fo much greater than 

 ii natural ; but its action becomes firft tiemulous and 

 then retrograde. 



7. When the motions of any vcflels become re- 

 trograde, lefs heat of the body is produced ; for in 

 paroxyfms of vomiting, of hyfteric affections, of di- 

 abetes, of afthma, the 'extremities of the body are 

 cold ; hence we may conclude, that thefe fymptoms 

 arifc from the debility of the parts in action ; for an 

 increafe of mufcular action is always attended with 

 mcreafe of heat. 



8. But as animal debility is owing to defect of (U- 

 fnulus, or to defect of irritability, as (hewn above, 

 the method of cure is eaiily deduced : when the 

 vafcular mufcles are not excited into their due acti- 

 on by the natural ftimuli, we (hould exhibit thofe 

 medicines, which po fiefs a ft ill greater degree of 

 ftimulus ; amongft thefe are the feet ids, the vola- 

 tiles, aromatics, bitters, metallic falts, opiates, wine, 

 which indeed fhould be given in final I dofes, and 

 frequently repeated. To thefe fhould be added 

 conliant, but moderate exercife, cheerfulnefs of 

 mind, and change of country to a warmer climate ; 

 and perhaps occasionally the external ftimulus of 

 blifters. 



It is alfo frequently ufeful to diminifh the quan- 

 tity of natural ftimulus for a (hort time, by which 

 afterwards the irritability of the fyftem becomes in- 

 ctealed ; according to the third law of irritation 

 above-mentioned, hence the ufe of baths fomewhat 

 colder than, annual heat, and of equitation in the 

 open air. * 



The 



