109*2 THEORY OF METASTASIS. 



example, we are informed by Dr. Robert Dick, 

 of a gentleman with gout, who kept the affected 

 foot in cold water for fifteen minutes, when the 

 pain and swelling subsided; but that he was 

 soon afterwards attacked with a feeling of oppres- 

 sion, weight, and fullness in the region of the 

 heart, from which he had not been able to relieve 

 him : and that another gentleman of feeble con- 

 stitution, who was labouring under rheumatism, 

 was persuaded by some hydropathist to use the 

 cold bath ; soon after which he was attacked with 

 disease of the heart and difficulty of breathing. 

 (Lancet, Nov. 12, 1842.) 



That the application of cold to an inflamed 

 part should relieve the pain for a time, is not in 

 the least surprising, because it deadens the sensi- 

 bility of the part. It also diminishes the swelling 

 by its astringent operation upon the capillaries, 

 and by arresting the free passage of blood into 

 them from the larger vessels. But as it reduces 

 the activity of the circulation through the lungs, 

 heart, stomach, and all the other organs, they 

 are rendered more liable to congestion or inflam- 

 mation, especially if previously debilitated by 

 intemperance or the abuse of drugs. And if the 

 brain has been weakened by narcotics, the de- 

 pressing emotions, or intense thinking ; vertigo, 

 head-ache, low spirits, and even apoplexy, may 

 be induced by undue exposure to cold. Many 

 examples of metastasis are recorded by Arm- 



