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EFFECTS OF COLD. 



A free circulation of well oxygenated blood 

 seems essential to tlie perfect execution of the 

 functions of the brain^ and nervous system^ and 

 to the support of sensibility. If the circulation 

 is suspended for a few moments,, as in syncope, 

 the sensibility is also suspended; and on the 

 other hand^ when there is more than an ordinary 

 supply of blood to any part^ as in inflammation^ 

 the sensibility is highly augmented. Hence 

 another immediate effect of the agency of cold on 

 the human body^ is a diminution of the sensibility 

 of parts. 



" This is universally felt in the numbness of 

 the hands and fingers^ which^ under the impres- 

 sion of cold, are altogether incapable of accurate 

 discrimination of touch ; and the whole of the 

 surface of the skin partakes of the imperfect feel- 

 ing. The tongue is also incapable of distin- 

 guishing the peculiar flavour of sapid bodies, if 

 they be extremely cold ; and the sense of smell 

 is considerably enfeebled by cold. 



^' If the cold be intense, or its application 



