1068 THE VIS MEDICATRIX NATURE. 



trix nature, which, as I have already shown, is 

 merely another name for the aggregate of the 

 actions by which blood is formed, purified, and 

 prepared to maintain the functions in their natu- 

 ral state. But the essential condition of fever 

 and inflammation is a derangement of the nutri- 

 tive process, and of all those actions by which 

 the healthy powers of life are sustained. At 

 the same time, it must be admitted, that the 

 tendency of the hot stage is to augment the action 

 of the heart, and the circulation through all parts 

 of the body, by which the previous torpor of the 

 cold fit is overcome, and the sweating or secreting 

 stage brought on, as in the various grades of inter- 

 mittent fever. 



It must also be admitted, that emetics and 

 purgatives induce a spasmodic action of the 

 stomach and bowels, by which the offending 

 agents are removed ; but it is by weakening the 

 parts on which they operate, and thus diminish- 

 ing the power of nature, that they produce these 

 effects, which also follow an excessive loss of 

 blood, and the employment of the cold bath when 

 carried too far. It cannot therefore be said with 

 reason, that the nausea, vomiting, and convulsions 

 thus induced, are salutary efforts of nature to 

 counteract the operation of morbific causes which 

 are purely negative. Nor is it true, that the effu- 

 sions which take place during inflammation, 

 dropsy, and apoplexy ; the profuse discharges 



