AND ANIMAL LIFE. 119 



nights, unusually severe ; and, whenever this occurs 

 the circulation is taken by surprise, * the blood is 

 suddenly determined to the internal organs, and 

 that which is the most susceptible to the impres- 

 sion becomes the seat of disease. In this way 

 arise the frequent coughs, inflammations of the 

 lungs or bowels, dysenteric symptoms, and fe- 

 vers incident to that season. 



CXXIV. When the constitution has been some 

 time accustomed to the wet and cold days of 

 winter, it is capable of resisting the influence of 

 these with great security. If the system had not 

 undergone a change in the mode of its circula- 

 tion, it is impossible to conceive by what means 

 it could withstand the operation of those causes 

 to which it is exposed, since we observe so much 

 internal disease occasioned by similar, but much 

 weaker agents, in the more temperate seasons. 



CXXV. Dr CURRIE, in treating of the sub- 

 ject of cold affusion in fevers, is correct in the 

 observations which he makes regarding the condi- 

 tions of the system which ought at all times to 

 regulate its employment ; but he does not appear 

 fully acquainted with the principles on which the 

 truth of his observations rests. He remarks, that 

 it may be resorted to with safety and benefit 

 when the temperature of the body is above the 



* Nam fere (autumno) meridianis temporibus calor ; noctur- 

 nis atque matutinis, simulque etiam vespertinis, frigus est, 

 corpus ergo, et aestate, et subinde meridianis caloribus relaxa- 

 tum, subito frigore excipitur.'' CELSUS, Lib. II. Cap, I. 



