SECT. VII. “ _ PHYSIOLOGY. 41 
SECTION VII. 
Morbid Muscular Contraction. 
EMacuis yivero 4 TlAmpwouos 7 xevwssos.—HIPPOCRATES. 
Lxxvi. Morbid. muscular contraction has been 
‘divided by medical authors into tonic and clonic 
spasm; Cullen has employed the word Spasm in 
place of Tonic Spasm, and Convulsion instead of 
Clonic Spasm. I shall follow, generally, this dis-— 
tinction of the learned Professor, although I do 
not consider spasm and convulsion as essentially 
different. 
Lxxvil. Morbid contraction is caused by re- 
ducement of the vital force. Direct diminution 
of the vital force may be effected by hemorrhage, 
senescence, cold, fear, and planetary influence; 
and indirect diminution by congestion of blood, 
or other chemical, mechanical, and mental stimu- 
lants. : 
Lxxvit. When life is terminated by old age, 
the flexor muscles, as they become deprived of 
their vital force, contract, and draw the limbs and. 
F 
