11 
ON THERAPEUTICS. 
of any kind. The depression is commonly extreme, although, 
from the absence, probably, of any positive disease, only 
temporary. Debility from excessive secretion, and exhaus¬ 
tion from excessive exertion, are sometimes accompanied 
with symptoms of excitement—a quick, thin pulse, panting, 
and perspiration. Such symptoms, however, are not likely 
to deceive if the causes be taken into account. 
In all these cases we perceive a general depression, which, 
however, we repeat, does not exclude the possibility of a 
temporary excitement: such depression may be removed by 
the spontaneous action of the system. In cases of exhaus¬ 
tion a rest, sufficiently prolonged, is ordinarily followed by 
restoration; but where the depression is consequent upon 
constitutional disease, involving defective circulation and 
nervous action, with impaired digestion, as a necessary con¬ 
sequence, the system is not equal to the necessary effort 
without medicinal aid, in the shape of something which shall 
rouse the inactive nerves and supply the required excitement. 
Stimulants, we find, possess just the action we desire, and 
hence their value in those instances of exhaustion or extreme 
debility where nervous action is almost suspended. We are 
not opposing the employment of other means ; tonics and 
dietetics will be called for before we succeed in effecting a 
cure; but these agencies would frequently be inoperative in 
the state of system we are describing, as they require for the 
development of their properties a certain nervous impressi¬ 
bility which is absent, and which stimulants alone possess 
the power of re-establishing. 
Defective action may present itself as a local disease, and 
influence the system through the medium of an important 
organ. 
Congestion of brain is, of course, synonymous with general 
nervous depression, and, consequently, universal inactivity 
of system. 
Congestion of lungs, including defective oxygenation, is 
soon followed by diminished nervous action and general de¬ 
fect of function. 
Defective glandular action is associated with impaired 
secretion and absorption, and these involve deranged nutri¬ 
tion. 
In these varied conditions of diseased action the whole 
list of stimulants will be brought to bear ; not only medicinal 
agents, but whatever will produce the desired effect, may be 
legitimately employed, according to the urgency of the case. 
Internal remedies may be assisted by external applications. 
Counter-irritants, electricity, galvanism, and, before all, the 
