152 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



rate climates from the evil consequences and 

 painful sensations of cold. 



CLXV. From the present view, it is not diffi- 

 cult to explain the more frequent occurrence of 

 phthisis in countries that seem calculated to de- 

 stroy the tendency to such an affection ; but the 

 circumstances which seem to give security to the 

 system against such a disease are the very cir- 

 cumstances which promote it. 



CLXVI. Much has been written on the action 

 of cold ; and it has been warmly contested, whe- 

 ther it is to be considered as a stimulant or as a 

 sedative? It is manifest, from the development 

 of the principles concerning the distribution of 

 the blood at different ages and seasons, that cold, 

 though primarily sedative, will produce a seda- 

 tive or stimulant effect according to the charac- 

 ter of this distribution and the energy of the thoracic 



organs. 



CLXVII. The spasm of Dr CULLEN is the key- 

 stone of his doctrine of fevers. It was ably sup- 

 ported by himself, and attained great celebrity, 

 and is even yet brought forward by his enthusi- 

 astic adherents, as possessing the same important 

 rank in febrile diseases as first distinctly stated 

 by him. How " a spasm of the extreme vessels 

 proves an irritation to the heart and arteries," 

 neither he nor his followers have explained in 

 intelligible language. If we were to allow the 



