SECT.XXXIf. 3. DISEASES OF IRRITATION. 42$ 



heat in confequence of this exertion, and the re- 

 mainder of it adds vigour to both the vital and 

 voluntary exertions of the whole day. 



If the activity of the fubcutaneous vefTels, and 

 of thofe with which their actions are afibciated, was 

 too great before cold immerfion, as in the hot days 

 of fummer, and by that means the fenforial power 

 was previously diminifhed, we fee the caufe why 

 the cold bath gives fuch preient ftrength ; namely, 

 by (topping the unneceflary activity of the fubcu- 

 taneous veflels, and thus preventing the too great 

 exbauflion of fenforial power ; which, in metapho- 

 rical language, has been called bracing the fyftem : 

 which is, however, a mechanical term, only appli- 

 cable to drums, or mufical firings : as on the con- 

 trary the word relaxation, when applied to living 

 animal bodies, can only mean too fmall a quantity 

 of ftimulus, or too fmall a quantity of fenforial 

 power : as explained in Seel. XH. i. 



3. This experiment of cold bathing prefents us 

 with a fimple fev^r-fit ; for the pulfe is weak, fmall, 

 and quick during the cold immerfion ; and be- 

 comes flrong, full, and quick during the fubfequent 

 glow of heat ; till in a few minutes thefe fymptoms 

 iubfide, and the temporary fever ceafes, 



In thofe conftitutions where the degree of imr- 

 ritability, or of debility, is greater than natural, the 

 coldnefs and palenefs of the fkin with the quick 

 and weak pulfe continue a long time after the patient 

 leaves the bath ; and the fubfequent heat approach- 

 es by unequal flufhings, and he feels himfelf dif- 

 ordered for many hours. Hence the bathing in 

 a cold fpring of water, where the heat is but forty- 

 eight degrees on Fahrenheit's thermometer, much 

 difagrees with thofe of weak or inirritable habits of 

 body j who poffefs fo little fenforial power, that they 

 cannot without injury bear to have it diminifhed 

 even for a fhort time > but who can neverthelefs 



bear 



