346 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



ing medicines, and the commencement of most 

 inflammatory diseases, are illustrations of the 

 correctness of the opinion. The same physical 

 alterations may occur without an individual com- 

 plaining of its influence, or apparently being con- 

 scious of its presence, as is frequently observed to 

 be the case when the mind is too much absorb- 

 ed by an interesting tale or discourse, or when 

 the sensorium does not possess its ordinary sen- 

 sibility to take cognizance of those impressions 

 which the nerves transmit. 



A still further illustration, in support of this 

 view, and of the explanation already given of 

 certain phenomena characteristic of fear, is found 

 in retracing the transactions or amusements of 

 our juvenile years. On a winter evening, when 

 assembled together to listen to the credulous 

 matron, who felt all she described, and whose 

 stories, from their interest, suspended every fa- 

 culty except attention, and obliterated every 

 feeling save sympathy the pale countenance, 

 heaving chest, and palpitation of the heart, ex- 

 pressed sufficiently well the depth of our senti- 

 ments, and indicated clearly the cause to which 

 the effects were attributable, viz. the Junctional 

 disorders of respiration. During the continuance 

 of the interest, no shivering or coldness was felt ; 

 but when we approached towards the close, when 

 no further mystery remained to excite or absorb, 



