32 ANALYTIC SECT. V. 
ordinary extent. Though the hand be firmly 
closed, a constant effort of the will is required 
to maintain it in that state, and prevent the 
natural expansion of the flexor muscles of the 
fingers and wrist. But if the muscles be retained 
long in one position, as practised by the Fakirs 
of Hindostan, they lose their expansibility hy 
continued inaction. 7 
tv. The expansibility of the muscles, does not 
depend on their physical. elasticity; for »if it 
did, expansion would take place with mechanical 
velocity to a given extent, and — to exist 
after death. 7 fy ail 
Lyi. In all diseases which cause high augmen- 
tation of the animal heat, muscular expansion 
undergoes a corresponding increase; hence may; 
in part, be explained the difficulty with which 
muscular contraction is performed in . febrile 
complaints. 
tix. The case of: Deschamps, sical given 
in the article on Animal Heat, (xt) is an in- 
controvertible proof that muscular expansibility 
depends on the vital force; but I shall offer a 
still more conclusive example to the reader's 
consideration. 
Lx. April 6th, 1819.—Hugh Ward, prints 
dragoon of the army of Bengal, aged thirty-six 
years, joined a detachment of the 25th cavalry, 
on board the Mangles transport, at Madras, bound 
