47 DISEASES OF VOLITION. SECT. XXXIV. i. 



at length prevails, and produces a$ion. Similar 

 to this, where two pains oppofe each other, the 

 ftronger or more interefting one produces adion ; 

 as in pleuiify the pain from fuffocation would pro- 

 duce expanfion of the lungs, but the pain occafi- 

 oned by extending the inflamed membrane, which 

 lines the c heft, oppofes this expanfion, and one or 

 the other alternately prevails. 



When any one moves his hand quickly near ano- 

 ther perfn's eyes, the eye-lids inftantly clofe ; this 

 a& in common language is termed involuntary, as 

 we have not time to deliberate or to exert any con* 

 trary defire or averfion, but in this work it would 

 be termed a voluntary aft, becaufe it is caufed by 

 the faculty of volition, and after a few trials the 

 niclitation can be prevented by a contrary or op* 

 pofing volition. 



The power of oppofing volitions is beft exem- 

 plified in the ftory of Mutius Scaevola, who is faid 

 to have thrufl his hand into the fire before Por- 

 fenna, and to have fuffered it to be confumed for 

 having failed him in his attempt on the life of that 

 prince. Here the averfion for the lofs of fame, 

 or the unfatisfied defire to ferve his country, the 

 two prevalent enthufiafms at that time, were more 

 powerful than the defire of withdrawing his hand, 

 which muft be occafioned by the pain of combufti- 

 on j of thefe oppofing volitions 



Vicit amor patriac, laudumque immenfa cupi do. 



If any one is told not to fwallow his faliva for 

 a minute, he foon fwallows it contrary to his will, 

 in the common fenfe of that word ; but this alfo is 

 a voluntary a&ion, as it is performed by the faculty 

 of volition, and is thus to be underllood. When 

 the power of volition is exerted on any of our fenfes, 

 they become more acute, as in our attempts to hear 



7 fmall 



