44 ANALYTIC SECT. VII. 
the furthest removed from spasm, being for the 
most part nearly at their maximum of expansion. 
LxxxIv. The spasm and convulsion which oceur 
in the cold stage of febrile diseases, are of little 
moment, as the re-action which follows, usually 
restores the expansibility of the muscles. But 
convulsions appearing after an acute disease has 
lasted a considerable time, should awaken the 
liveliest apprehension of the practitioner: they 
indicate a high degree of danger, and are, indeed, 
most commonly, the precursors of death. 
Lxxxv. It being possible to refer all morbid 
muscular contraction to direct or indirect reduction 
of the vital force, I shall investigate it under these 
two kinds of causes, which, though apparently 
different, produce effects essentially the same. 
Lxxxvi. Spasm of stricture-——The simplest 
form of spasm from direct reduction of the 
vital force, appears to be stricture of the urethra. 
Exposure to severe cold, causes first spasm of the 
urethra and stoppage of urine, the penis becomes 
small and hard; the cremaster muscles next 
contract, and afterwards the muscles of the abdo- 
men and inferior extremities. These symptoms 
are attended by a great reduction cf animal 
temperature, and the cold stage of an ague-fit is 
formed. But whenever the re-action of the ner- 
vous system has raised the animal heat, the 
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