AND ANIMAL LIFE. 439 



cutting short the former, and I am not acquaint- 

 ed with any, when given before the paroxysm 

 of the latter, that so generally stops or modifies 

 the progress of the symptoms. When an indi- 

 vidual is supposed to be affected with fever of what- 

 ever kind, the pulse, the respiration, the animal 

 heat, and the blood, shew unequivocal indications 

 of disorder, and, at the same time, some of the in- 

 ternal viscera are more or less conges ted ex inflamed. 

 I have already endeavoured to shew that vomit- 

 ing tends to equalize the circulation of the blood, 

 and it is almost impossible to attain this end 

 without changing at the same time the nature of 

 the fluid. If both objects be accomplished, the 

 affection is cut short before it is fully established 

 in the system ; the excess of animal heat which 

 is generated by the disease itself, and by the 

 means employed, passes off in copious perspira- 

 tion, or in the other increased secretions of the 

 body. 



DXXXVIII. Dysentery is a disease concern- 

 ing whose proximate cause there is little unity 

 of opinion. Some are disposed to believe, that 

 the larger intestines are in a state of constriction 

 or spasm, and therefore consider this as the 

 proximate cause. I am inclined to believe, that 

 such a condition is to be regarded in the light 

 of effect and not cause ; others, from perceiv- 

 ing, on all occasions, inflammation, or its conse- 

 quences, believe the proximate cause to be in- 



