RATIO SYMPTOMATUM. 1047 



The consequences of which are, that the secre- 

 tions remain for some time suspended, as shewn 

 by the clammy state of the mouth, furred tongue, 

 dry skin, and thirst. The urine is also scanty 

 and high coloured during the hot stage, but con- 

 tains a larger amount of urea and other nitro- 

 genous compounds than in a state of health, 

 according to the experiments of Dr. Prout and 

 other chemists. Yet it must be observed, that 

 whatever amount of animal heat may be ob- 

 tained by respiration, it is incapable of perform- 

 ing its healthy vital office until the blood is 

 restored to its natural state. Nor is it more 

 strange that a diminished transfer of heat from 

 the blood to the solids should induce general 

 debility, torpor of the stomach, bowels, and liver, 

 pains in the head, back, and limbs, than that 

 exposure to a March east wind, or sitting for 

 some time in a cold room, should cause an aching, 

 stiffness, and numbness of the extremities, or that 

 a rapid expenditure of animal heat by over ex- 

 ertion should cause a general soreness and stiff- 

 ness of the muscles. 



But in ordinary cases of intermittent fever, 

 the natural tendency of the hot stage is to limit 

 its own duration, and put an end to the paroxysm. 

 This it does by augmenting the action of the 

 heart and the quantity of respiration, by which 

 the vital properties of the blood are improved, and 

 sent freely into all parts of the body ; when the 



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