Medicine. ^65 



towards the center. In consequence of this, a 

 Contraction of the vessels of the extremities must 

 of course take place, impelling the circulating^ 

 fluids in an increased ratio on the heart and lungs; 

 which stimulating these organs to increased action, 

 the fluids arc thereby repelled towards the extre- 

 mities, and thus the phenomena of fever are pro- 

 duced. There are, therefore, according to Hoff- 

 man, two distinct sets of motions in fever; the first, 

 from the extremities towards the center, arising 

 immediately from the spasm, and accompanied by 

 a small pulse, anxiety and oppression; the second, 

 from the center towards the surface, which is the 

 effort of nature to resolve the spasm, and indicated 

 by a full strong pulse and increased heat. The 

 first of these sets of motions is baneful, and some- 

 times fatal; the second is medicinal and salutary. 

 By these views of the nature of fever, he supposes^ 

 the physician ought to be directed in counteract- 

 ing the morbid actions, and in assisting the sana- 

 tive process of nature." 



The general pathological doctrines of Hoffman 

 undoubtedly contain a great deal of truth, and 

 form a distinguished era in the history of medical 

 theory. Though his opinions on the subject of fe- 

 ver, however improved by a succeeding theorist, 

 must be supposed to be rapidly falling into disre- 

 pute; still they evince deep and just viev/s of the 

 animal economy, and much observation of the na- 

 ture and phenomena of diseases. 



The originality of Hoffman's scheme of patho- 

 logy has been brought into question ; and nobody 

 can doubt that he received many important hints 

 from preceding writers. Van Helmont seems to 

 have been the first \\\\q turned his attention to the 

 nervous system w^ith any discernment. Some^ 



n Hoffman. C/, Omn, roL i. toai, u. p. lo. 



