or fixed spasms. 6. Produces paralysis of the organ. V. Of stimulus less than natural. 1. Stimulus less than natural occasions accumulation of sensorial power in general. 2. In particular organs, flushing of the face in a frosty morning.  In fibres subject to perpetual stimulus only.  Quantity of sensorial power inversely as the stimulus. 3. Induces pain.  As of cold, hunger, head-ach. 4. Induces more feeble and frequent contraction.  As in low fevers.  Which are frequently owing to deficiency of sensorial power rather than to deficiency of stimulus. 5. Inverts successive trains of motion.  Inverts ideas. 6. Induces paralysis and death. VI.  Cure of increased exertion. 1. Natural cure of exhaustion of sensorial power. 2. Decrease the irritations.  Venesection.  Cold.  Abstinence. 3. Prevent the previous cold fit.  Opium.  Bark.  Warmth.  Anger.  Surprise. 4. Excite some other part of the system.  Opium and warm bath relieve pains both from defect and from excess of stimulus. 5. First increase the stimulus above, and then decrease it beneath the natural quantity. VII.  Cure of decreased exertion. 1. Natural cure by accumulation of sensorial power.  Ague-fits.  Syncope. 2. Increase the stimulation, by wine, opium, given so as not to intoxicate.  Cheerful ideas. 3. Change the kinds of stimulus. 4. Stimulate the associated organs.  Blisters of use in heart-burn, and cold extremities. 5. Decrease the stimulation for a time, cold bath. 6. Decrease the stimulation below natural, and then increase it above natural.  Bark after emetics.  Opium after venesection.  Practice of Sydenham in chlorosis. 7. Prevent unnecessary expenditure of sensorial power.  Decumbent posture, silence, darkness.  Pulse quickened by rising out of bed. 8. To the greatest degree of quiescence apply the least stimulus.  Otherwise paralysis or inflammation of the organ ensues.  Gin, wine, blisters, destroy by too great stimulation in fevers with debility.  Intoxication in the slightest degree succeeded by debility.  Golden rule for determining the best degree of stimulus in low fevers.  Another golden rule for determining the quantity of spirit which those, who are debilitated by drinking it, may safely omit.

I. Of fibrous contraction.

1.  If two particles of iron lie near each other without motion, and afterwards approach each other; it is reasonable to conclude that something besides the iron particles is the cause of their approximation; this invisible something is termed magnetism.  In the same manner, if the particles, which compose an animal muscle, do not touch each other in the relaxed state of the muscle, and are brought into contact during the contraction of the muscle, it is reasonable to conclude, that some other agent is the cause of this new approximation.  For nothing can act, where it does not exist; for to act includes to exist; and therefore the particles of the muscular fibre (which in its state of relaxation are supposed not to touch) cannot affect each other without the influence of some intermediate agent; this agent is here termed the spirit of animation, or sensorial power, but may with equal propriety be termed the power, which causes contraction; or may be called by any other name, which the reader may choose to affix to it.