34<> DISEASES CLASS!!!. 2. 1. 17. 



inufcles or organs of fenfe at a proper diftance from each other j 

 yet paralyfis, properly fo called, is the confequence of exhauf- 

 tion of fenibrial power by exertion. And that the accumula- 

 tions of it during the torpor of the cutaneous veffels by expofure 

 to cold, or of fome internal vifcus in the cold fits of agues, are 

 frequently inftrumental in recovering the ufe of paralytic limbs, 

 or of the motions of other paralytic parts of the fyltem. See 

 Spec. 4. of this genus. 



Animal bodies refift the power of cold probably by their ex- 

 ertions in confequence of the pain of cold, fee Botan. Gard. V. 

 i. additional note xii. But if thefe increafed exertions be too 

 violent, fo as to exhauft the fenibrial power in producing un- 

 neceffary motions, the animal will probably fooner perim. Thus 

 a moderate quantity of wine or fpirit repeated at proper inter- 

 vals of time might be of fervice to thofe, who are long expofed 

 to excefiive cold, both by increafing the action of the capillary 

 veflels, and thus producing heat, and perhaps by increafing in 

 fbrrie degree the fecretion of fenforial power in the brain. But 

 the contrary muft happen when taken immoderately, and not 

 at due intervals. A well-'attefted hiftory was once related to 

 me of two men, who fet out on foot to 'travel in the fnow, one 

 of whom drank two or three glaffes of brandy before they began . 

 their journey, the other contented himfelf with his ufual diet 

 and potation ; the former of whom perifhed in fpite of any af- 

 fiftance his companion could afford him ; and the other perform- 

 ed his journey with iafety. In this cafe the fenforial power was 

 exhaufted by the unneceffary motions of incipient intoxication 

 by the ftimulus of the brandy, as well as by the exertions of 

 walking ; which fo weakened the dram-drinker, that the cold 

 fooneY deftroyed him ; that is, he had not power to produce fuf- 

 ficient mufcular or arterial action, and in confequence fufficient 

 heat, to fupply the great expenditure of it. Hence the capilla- 

 ries of the Ikin firft ceafed to act, and became pale and empty ; 

 next thofe which are immediately afibciated with them, as the 

 extremities of the pulmonary artery, as happens on going into 

 the cold bath. By the continued inaction or thefe parts of the 

 vafcular fyftem the blood becomes accumulated in the internal 

 arteries, and the brain is fuppofed to be affected by its compref- 

 fion ; becaufe thefe patients are faid to fleep, or to become apo- 

 plectic, before they die. I overtook a fifherman afleep on his 

 panniers on a very cold froily night, but on waking him he did 

 not appear to be in any degree of ftupor. See Clafs I. 2. 2. i. 

 When travellers are benighted in deep fnow, they might fre- 

 quently be faved by covering themfelves in it, except a fmall 

 aperture for air ; in which fituation the lives of hares, (heep, 



and 



