276 Medicine. 



torpor is formed, which constitutes the cold fit. 

 During this cold fit, an accumulation of the asso- 

 ciative sensorial power takes place in the stomach, 

 arterial system, &c. which more than compensates 

 this defect of excitement in the sensorial power 

 of association; consequently all these parts are 

 thrown into increased action. This constitutes the 

 hot fit, w^hich, according to the degree of accu- 

 mulation of the sensorial power of association, and 

 the force of stimuli applied to it, will produce va- 

 rious effects. Hence various kinds of intermittent 

 fevers; or these increased actions may be in such 

 degree as to produce sensation, and thereby oc- 

 casion inflammatory fevers: or, lastly, such in- 

 creased actions may, in consequence of their vio- 

 lence, produce a smaller, or greater, or complete 

 exhaustion of sensorial power in some part essential 

 to life. Hence various kinds of continued fevers 

 with arterial debility, or even death. 



On this extensive scale of sympathy and associa- 

 tion. Dr. Darwin endeavours to account for a 

 great number of the phenomena of diseases, and 

 especially for those of fever. From the same doc- 

 trine he deduces the indications of cure, and ex- 

 plains the operation of the remedies by which these 

 indications are fulfilled." 



The extensive and accurate observations of the 

 laws of organic life, the sagacious conjectures and 

 profound reflections which abound in ih^Zooiwrnia, 

 must be greatly admired. The most competent 

 judges seem to concur in pronouncing it the ablest 

 . medical work of the eighteenth century. In col- 



j The number of compartments which belong to the system of medical 

 philosophy delivered in Zoouomia, the cycles and epi-cycles, and the variety 

 and intricacy of the relations they bear to each other, render it difficult to 

 comprize, within a short compass, such an abstract as can do justice to the 

 ingenuity and learning of the celebrated author. If this attempt should be 

 found unsuccessful, the difficulty of combini:ng clearness and brevity in 

 sketches of such a kind will not be forgotten. ' ' 



