of a partial Obstruction of the Circulation. 483 



it, as such congestions will pass on to inflammation, and lay 

 the foundation of some of the most fatal diseases. The lungs, 

 brain, liver, and spleen, the tegumentary tissues, and some- 

 times the serous membranes are liable to be so affected, and 

 in all such diseases there is sooner or later so great an ac- 

 cumulation of blood in the parts affected, as to produce 

 considerable disturbance in the functions of the part, and to 

 require prompt and careful treatment for their removal. 



Whatever debilitates the tonic powers of vessels, renders 

 them more susceptible of the influence of malaria, which pro- 

 duces congestions of organs. Such causes are — a residence 

 in unhealthy climates and situations ; living on poor food ; 

 great fatigue ; long watching ; grief ; exposure to cold ; sleeping 

 in damp rooms or beds ; the use of some medicines, as mer- 

 cury, by first increasing irritability, is followed by great weak- 

 ness of the system, in which state congestions are liable to 

 occur. The fever developes itself on exposure to cold, while 

 the system is under its influence, producing a congestion in 

 one or more organs, which become oppressed, while there is 

 at the same time a diminution of vital power, or the cold 

 stage of fever is produced. 



These congestions frequently take on an intermittent form 

 from the peculiar state of the vessels of the part. The symp- 

 toms recur in paroxysms until the vessels return, by reaction, 

 to their natural condition. Persons once attacked are very 

 susceptible of relapse from very slight causes, which favour 

 the recurrence of the internal venous congestions. 



The premonitory, or forming stage of fever, includes the 

 period intervening between the first deviation from health, 

 from the injurious impressions of inanimate or other causes 

 of fever, and the commencement of a febrile paroxysm. This 

 important latent period is not always very definite. Most 

 patients first feel languid and tired with loss of appetite ; they 

 complain of slight head-ache, and aching pains in the loins 

 and bones of the limbs. This state lasts from one to ten days, 



