CLASS III. t. 1. 15. OF VOLITION, 297 



walking down hill, and of thofe of the calf of the leg after walk- 

 ing up a deep eminence. For the reafon why thefe cramps 

 commence in fleep, fee Sect. XVIII, 15. 



The mufcle in this difeafe contracts itfelf to relieve fome 

 fmaller pain, either from irritation or aflbciation, and then falls 

 into great pain itfelf, from the too great action of its own fibres. 

 Hence any mufcle, by being too vehemently exerted, falls into 

 cramp, as in fwimming too forcibly in water, which is painfully 

 cold ; and a fecondary pain is then induced by the too violent 

 contraction of the mufcle ; though the pain, which was the 

 caufe of the contraction, ceafes. Which accounts for the con- 

 tinuance of the contraction, and diftinguimes this difeafe from 

 other convulfions, which are relaxed and exerted alternately. 

 Hence whatever may be the caufe of the primary pain, which 

 occafions the cramp of the calf of the leg, the fecondary one is 

 relievable by ftanding up, and thus by the weight of the body 

 on the toes forcibly extending the contracted mufcles. For the 

 caufe which induces thefe mufcles of the calf of the leg to fall 

 into more violent contraction than other fpafmodic mufcles, 

 proceeds from the weaknefs of their antagonift mufcles ; as 

 they are generally extended again after action by the weight 

 of the body on the balls of the toes. See the preceding article. 



M. M. Rub the legs with camphor diflblved in oil, and let 

 the patient wear (lockings in bed. If a foot-board be put at 

 the bed's feet, and the bed be fo inclined, that he will reft a 

 little with his toes againft the foot-board, that preflure is faid 

 to prevent the undue contractions of the mufculi gaftrocnemii, 

 which conftitute the calf of the leg. In gouty patients, or 

 where the bowels are affected v/ith acidity, half a grain of opi- 

 um, and fix grains of rhubarb, and fix of chalk, every night. 

 FlenVmeat for fupper. A little very weak warm fpirit and 

 water may be taken for prefent relief, when thefe cramps are 

 very troubleforrte to weak or gouty patients. 



15. Hydrophobia. Dread of water generally attending ca- 

 nine madnefs. I was witnefs to a cafe, wheje this difeafe pre- 

 ceded the locked jaw from a wound in the ancle, occafioned by 

 a fall from a horfe ; as mentioned in the preceding article. It 

 came on about the fixth day after the accident ; when the pa- 

 tient attempted to fwallow fluids, he became convulfed all 

 over from the pain of this attempt, and fpurted them out of his 

 mouth with violence. It is alfo faid to happen in fome hyfterical 

 cafes. Hence it feems rather the immediate confcquence of % 

 pained tendon, than of a contagious poifon. And is fo far anal- 

 ogous to tetanus, according with the opinions of Dr. Rulh and 

 Dr. Percival. 



VOL. II. P t In 



