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Show 34. Parallel of two Authors. often proved injurious in typhus? not in conse~ quence of mere diminution of the fluids: saying this, is but to repeat the fact in other words. Can we conceive the effect better from diminution of blood, in as'far as that blood is a stin mulus to the heart and vessels? Not in the leastFor fever will often rise upon bleeding,----a proof that the irritated state of the vascular system due contraction of the vessels will not follow_ Hence the circulation will be still more im~ peded; and stagnation either begin or increase, though it might have been prevented or removed by astronger impetus; and hence the functions of the brain will be impaired or sus- pended. Still, however, may not the aggravation of goes on-and very minute venaesection will pro- symptoms arise from some unobserved circum- duce bad effects, though certainly not from mechanical subtraction of stimulus. Besides, up- stance ditferent from this? May it not arise from the unfavourable rapid progress of the case, independently of bleeding? on bleeding the vessels contract in proportion; and the points of contact being lessened, the smaller mass of blood continues sufficient to stimulate each point in the vascular system. Do we not often observe considerable quantities of blood to be lost by the sick and the healthy without any remarkable debility ensuing ; which would be impossible, were the mechanical relation of stimulus so important? And do not all .23va ‘ Mom 35 Mischief arising from the secretions being too powerfully excited, afact which in general can- not be contested, is to be ascribed to the af- fection of the secretory organs; to too strong application of a stimulus to them; [as is shewn in the unrestrainable vomiting or flux, from ill-timed administration of emetics; see among many other authorities, the modest and in- the means of cure for fever centre in one point; structive Dalmas sur la jz'evre jaune, Paris, that the irritation in the brain be alloyed .9 NOW this cannot be done without diminution of con- 1805] ; to anirritated or inflammatory state being thus produced, in short, to the vital power being improperly expended on the actions, rather than to any diminution of fluids, as merely changing the relative quantity. gestion, and therefore without diminution of the quantity of blood in that organ. From mere diminution of blood, therefore, no injury could arise. It must however be allowed, that when the tone of the vessels is once bro/ten, loss of blood will increase the laxity and debility, or rather uill render it more evident in its effects; since due The theurapeutic expedient of counter-irritation will the more certainly attain its end, the more susceptible the subject, and the greater the sum of remaining vital power. D3 That n0 mischief Moss} ' 1 |