AND ANIMAL LIFE. 315 



for the operation of increased temperature, but 

 on account of the diminished sensibility of the 

 nervous system. The blood which is determined 

 internally would probably give rise to syncope or 

 vomiting, but the cold has, at the same time, 

 blunted the susceptibility of the mind to impres- 

 sions by the quantity of vital fluid transmitted 

 to the internal organs, and by its less stimulating 

 properties. 



CCCLIX. Fatigue is familiarly known to pre- 

 dispose to syncope, and the cause of this is obvi- 

 ous ; when the mind or body has been long ex- 

 erted, debility is experienced. By excessive ex- 

 ercise of every kind the promptitude and per- 

 fection of many functions essential to life are en- 

 feebled or constrained ; weariness is indicated by 

 sighs, y awnings, and irregular respiration ; a sense 

 of swooning or lightness succeeds ; and as these 

 symptoms augment the paroxysm gradually ap- 

 proaches. CHAMBERET says, " Dans toutes ces 

 circonstances, la faiblesse et la fatigue du cceur, 

 suite de la faiblesse et de la fatigue generales, 

 sont la cause de la suspension de 1'action de cet 

 organ et de la syncope, par consequent."* Ge- 

 neral weakness and debility do not produce weak- 

 ness and fatigue of the heart in the manner this 

 author imagines. General weakness and debility, 

 particularly if brought on by great muscular ex- 



* Dictionnaire des Sciences Medicales, p. 89. Vol. 54. 



