This circ.u.mstance nevertheless can only occur in those parts of the system, whose natural actions are perpetual, and the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power on that account very great, when their activity is much lessened by the deduction of their usual stimulus; and are therefore only to be found in the sanguiferous system, or in the alimentary ca.n.a.l, or in the glands and capillaries. Of the first of which the following is an instance.
The respiration of a reduced atmosphere, that is of air mixed with hydrogene or azote, quickens the pulse, as observed in the case of Mrs.
Eaton by Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Thornton; to which Dr. Beddoes adds in a note, that "he never saw an instance in which a lowered atmosphere did not at the moment quicken the pulse, while it weakened the action of the heart and arteries." Considerations on Fact.i.tious Airs, by Thomas Beddoes and James Watt, Part III. p. 67. Johnson, London. By the a.s.sistance of this new fact the curious circ.u.mstance of the quick production of warmth of the skin on covering the head under the bed-clothes, which every one must at some time have experienced, receives a more satisfactory explanation, than that which is given in Cla.s.s IV. 1. 1. 2. which was printed before this part of Dr. Beddoes"s Considerations was published.
For if the blood be deprived of its accustomed quant.i.ty of oxygen, as in covering the head in bed, and thus breathing an air rendered impure by repeated respiration, or by breathing a fact.i.tious air with less proportion of oxygen, which in common respiration pa.s.ses through the moist membranes of the lungs, and mixes with the blood, the pulsations of the heart and arteries become weaker, and consequently quicker, by the defect of the stimulus of oxygen. And as these vessels are subject to perpetual motion, the acc.u.mulation of the sensorial power of irritation becomes so great by their lessened activity, that it excites the vessels next connected, the cutaneous capillaries for instance, into more energetic actions, so as to produce increased heat of the skin, and greater perspiration.
How exactly this resembles a continued fever with weak and quick pulse!--in the latter the action of the heart and arteries are lessened by defect of the excitement of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation, owing to the torpor or lessened actions of the stomach; hence the acc.u.mulation of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation in this case, as the acc.u.mulation of that of irritation in the former, becomes so abundant as to excite into increased action the parts most nearly connected, as the cutaneous capillaries.
In respect to the circ.u.mstance mentioned by Sydenham, that covering the head in bed in a short time relieved the pertinacious sickness of the patient, it must be observed, that when the action of the heart and arteries become weakened by the want of the due stimulus of the proper quant.i.ty of oxygen in the blood, that an acc.u.mulation of the sensorial power of irritation occurs in the fibres of the heart and arteries, which then is expended on those of the capillary glands, increasing their actions and consequent secretions and heat. And then the stomach is thrown into stronger action, both by the greater excitement of its natural quant.i.ty of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation by the increased actions of the capillaries, and also by some increase of a.s.sociability, as it had been previously a long time in a state of torpor, or less activity than natural, as evinced by its perpetual sickness.
In a manner somewhat similar to this, is the redness of the skin produced in angry people by the superabundance of the unemployed sensorial power of volition, as explained in Cla.s.s IV. 2. 3. 5. Rubor ex ira. From hence we learn how, when people in fevers with weak pulse, or in dropsies, become insane, the abundance of the unemployed sensorial power of volition increases the actions of the whole moving system, and cures those diseases.
7. As the o.r.g.a.s.m of the capillaries in fevers with weak pulse is immediately caused by the torpid actions of the heart and arteries, as above explained, this supplies us with another indication of cure in such fevers, and that is to stimulate these organs. This may probably be done by some kind of medicines, which are known to pa.s.s into the blood unchanged in some of their properties. It is possible that nitre, or its acid, may pa.s.s into the blood and increase the colour of it, and thus increase its stimulus, and the same may be supposed of other salts, neutral or metallic?
As rubia tinctoria, madder, colours the bones of young animals, it must pa.s.s into the blood with its colouring matter at least unchanged, and perhaps many other medicines may likewise affect the blood, and thus act by stimulating the heart and arteries, as well as by stimulating the stomach; which circ.u.mstance deserves further attention.
Another way of immediately stimulating the heart and arteries would be by transfusing new blood into them. Is it possible that any other fluid besides blood, as chyle, or milk, or water, could, if managed with great art, be introduced safely or advantageously into the vein of a living animal?
A third method of exciting the heart and arteries immediately is by increasing the natural stimulus of the blood, and is well worthy experiment in all fevers with weak pulse; and that consists in supplying the blood with a greater proportion of oxygen; which may be done by respiration, if the patient was to breathe either oxygen gas pure, or diluted with atmospheric air, which might be given to many gallons frequently in a day, and by pa.s.sing through the moist membranes of the lungs, according to the experiments of Dr. Priestley, and uniting with the blood, might render it more stimulant, and thus excite the heart and arteries into greater action!
May not some easier method of exhibiting oxygen gas by respiration be discovered, as by using very small quant.i.ties of hyper-oxygenated marine acid gas very much diluted with atmospheric air?
XII. _Torpor of the Stomach and upper Intestines._
1. The princ.i.p.al circ.u.mstance, which supports the increased action of the capillaries in continued fever with weak pulse, is their reverse sympathy with those of the stomach and upper intestines, or with those of the heart and arteries. The torpor of the stomach and upper intestines is apparent in continued fevers from the total want of appet.i.te for solid food, besides the sickness with which fevers generally commence, and the frequent diarrhoea with indigested stools, at the same time the thirst of the patient is sometimes urgent at the intervals of the sickness. Why the stomach can at this time take fluids by intervals, and not solids, is difficult to explain; except it be supposed, as some have affirmed, that the lacteal absorbents are a different branch from the lymphatic absorbents, and that in this case the former only are in a state of permanent torpor.
2. The torpor of the heart and arteries is known by the weakness of the pulse. When the actions of the absorbents of the stomach are diminished by the exhibition of small doses of digitalis, or become retrograde by larger ones, the heart and arteries act more feebly by direct sympathy; but the cellular, cutaneous, and pulmonary absorbents are excited into greater action. Whence in anasarca the fluids in the cellular membrane throughout the whole body are absorbed during the sickness, and frequently a great quant.i.ty of atmospheric moisture at the same time; as appears by the very great discharge of urine, which sometimes happens in these cases; and in ileus the prodigious evacuations by vomiting, which are often a hundred fold greater than the quant.i.ty swallowed, evince the great action of all the other absorbents during the sickness of the stomach.
3. But when the stomach is rendered permanently sick by an emetic drug, as by digitalis, it is not probable, that much acc.u.mulation of sensorial power is soon produced in this organ; because its usual quant.i.ty of sensorial power is previously exhausted by the great stimulus of the foxglove; and hence it seems probable, that the great acc.u.mulation of sensorial power, which now causes the increased action of the absorbents, is produced in consequence of the inactivity of the heart and arteries; which inactivity is induced by deficient excitement of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation between those organs and the stomach, and not by any previous exhaustion of their natural quant.i.ty of sensorial power; whereas in ileus, where the torpor of the stomach, and consequent sickness, is induced by reverse sympathy with an inflamed intestine, that is, by dissevered or defective a.s.sociation; the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power, which in that disease so violently actuates the cellular, pulmonary, and cutaneous absorbents, is apparently produced by the torpor of the stomach and lacteals, and the consequent acc.u.mulation of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation in them owing to their lessened action in sickness.
4. This accounts for the dry skin in fevers with weak pulse, where the stomach and the heart and arteries are in a torpid state, and for the sudden emaciation of the body; because the actions of the cellular and cutaneous absorbents are increased by reverse sympathy with those of the stomach, or with those of the heart and arteries; that is by the expenditure of that sensorial power of a.s.sociation, which is acc.u.mulated in consequence of the torpor of the stomach and heart and arteries, or of either of them; this also explains the sudden absorption of the milk in puerperal fevers; and contributes along with the heat of the respired air to the dryness of the mucous membrane of the tongue and nostrils.
5. Besides the reverse sympathy, with which the absorbent vessels of the stomach and upper intestines act in respect to all the other absorbent vessels, as in the exhibition of digitalis, and in ileus; there is another reverse sympathy exists between the capillaries, or secretory vessels of the stomach, and those of the skin. Which may nevertheless be occasioned by the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power by the torpor of the heart and arteries, which is induced by direct sympathy with the stomach; thus when the torpor of the stomach remains in a fever-fit which might otherwise have intermitted, the torpor of the heart and arteries remains also by direct sympathy, and the increased cutaneous capillary action, and consequent heat, are produced by reverse sympathy; and the fever is thus rendered continual, owing primarily to the torpor of the stomach.
6. The reverse sympathy, which exists between the capillaries of the stomach and the cutaneous capillaries, appears by the chillness of some people after dinner; and contrary-wise by the digestion being strengthened, when the skin is exposed to cold air for a short time; as mentioned in Cla.s.s IV. 1. 1. 4. and IV. 2. 1. 1. and from the heat and glow on the skin, which attends the action of vomiting; for though when sickness first commences, the skin is pale and cold; as it then partakes of the general torpor, which induces the sickness; yet after the vomiting has continued some minutes, so that an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power exists in the capillaries of the stomach, and of the skin, owing to their diminished action; a glow of the skin succeeds, with sweat, as well as with increased absorption.
7. Nevertheless in some circ.u.mstances the stomach and the heart and arteries seem to act by direct sympathy with the cutaneous capillaries, as in the flushing of the face and glow of the skin of some people after dinner; and as in fevers with strong pulse. In these cases there appears to be an increased production of sensorial power, either of sensation, as in the blush of shame; or of volition, as in the blush of anger; or of irritation, as in the flushed face after dinner above mentioned.
This increased action of the capillaries of the skin along with the increased actions of the stomach and heart is perhaps to be esteemed a synchronous increase of action, rather than a sympathy between those organs. Thus the flushing of the face after dinner may be owing to the secretion of sensorial power in the brain being increased by the a.s.sociation of that organ with the stomach, in a greater proportion than the increased expenditure of it, or may be owing also to the stimulus of new chyle received into the blood.
8. When the stomach and the heart and arteries are rendered torpid in fevers, not only the cutaneous, cellular, and pulmonary absorbents are excited to act with greater energy; but also their correspondent capillaries and secerning vessels or glands, especially perhaps those of the skin, are induced into more energetic action. Whence greater heat, a greater secretion of perspirable matter, and of mucus; and a greater absorption of them both, and of aerial moisture. These reverse sympathies coincide with other animal facts, as in eruption of small pox on the face and neck the feet become cold, while the face and neck are much flushed; and in the hemiplagia, when one arm and leg become disobedient to volition, the patient is perpetually moving the other. Which are well accounted for by the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power in one part of an a.s.sociated series of actions, when less of it is expended by another part of it; and by a deficiency of sensorial power in the second link of a.s.sociation, when too much of it is expended by the first.
9. This doctrine of reverse sympathy enables us to account for that difficult problem, why in continued fevers the increased action of the cutaneous, cellular, and pulmonary capillaries proceeds without interruption or return of cold fit; though perhaps with some exacerbations and remissions; and that during a quarter, or half, or three quarters, or a whole lunation; while at the same time the pulsations of the heart and arteries are weaker than natural.
To this should be added the direct sympathy, which exists between the peristaltic motions of the fibres of the stomach, and the pulsations of the heart. And that the stomach has become torpid by the too great stimulus of some poisonous or contagious matter; and this very intricate idea of continued fever with feeble pulse is reduced to curious simplicity.
The direct sympathy of the stomach and heart and arteries not only appears from the stronger and slower pulse of persons exhausted by fatigue, after they have drank a gla.s.s of wine, and eaten a few mouthfuls; but appears also from the exhibition of large doses of digitalis; when the patient labours under great and incessant efforts to vomit, at the same time that the actions of the absorbent system are known to be much increased by the hasty absorption of the serous fluid in anasarca, the pulsations of the heart become slow and intermittent to an alarming degree. See Cla.s.s IV. 2.
1. 17. and 18.
10. It would a.s.sist us much in the knowledge and cure of fevers, if we could always determine, which part of the system was primarily affected; and whether the torpor of it was from previous excess or defect of stimulus; which the industry of future observers must discover. Thus if the stomach be affected primarily, and that by previous excess of stimulus, as when certain quant.i.ties of opium, or wine, or blue vitriol, or a.r.s.enic, are swallowed, it is some time in recovering the quant.i.ty of sensorial power previously exhausted by excess of stimulus, before any acc.u.mulation of it can occur. But if it be affected with torpor secondarily, by sympathy with some distant part; as with the torpid capillaries of the skin, that is by defective excitement of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation; or if it be affected by defect of stimulus of food or of heat; it sooner acquires so much acc.u.mulation of sensorial power, as to be enabled to accommodate itself to its lessened stimulus by increase of its irritability.
Thus in the hemicrania the torpor generally commences in a diseased tooth, and the membranes about the temple, and also those of the stomach become torpid by direct synchronous sympathy; and pain of the head, and sickness supervene; but no fever or quickness of pulse. In this case the torpor of the stomach is owing to defect of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation, which is caused by the too feeble actions of the membranes surrounding the diseased tooth, and thus the train of sympathy ceases here without affecting the motions of the heart and arteries; but where contagious matter is swallowed into the stomach, the stomach after a time becomes torpid from exhaustion of the sensorial power of irritation, and the heart and arteries act feebly from defect of the excitement of the power of a.s.sociation. In the former case the torpor of the stomach is conquered by acc.u.mulation of the power of a.s.sociation in one or two whole days; in the latter it recovers by acc.u.mulation of the power of irritation in three or four weeks.
In intermittent fevers the stomach is generally I believe affected secondarily by sympathy with the torpid cutaneous capillaries, or with some internal torpid viscus, and on this account an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power arises in a few hours sufficient to restore the natural irritability of this organ; and hence the hot fit succeeds, and the fever intermits. Or if this acc.u.mulation of sensorial power becomes excessive and permanent, the continued fever with strong pulse is produced, or febris irritativa.
In continued fevers the stomach is frequently I suppose affected with torpor by previous excess of stimulus, and consequent exhaustion of sensorial power, as when contagious matter is swallowed with the saliva, and it is then much slower in producing an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power sufficient to restore its healthy irritability; which is a frequent cause of continued fever with weak pulse or febris inirritativa. Which consists, after the cold fit is over, in a more frequent and more feeble action of the heart and arteries, owing to their direct sympathy with the muscular fibres of the torpid stomach; together with an increased action of the capillaries, glands, and absorbents of the skin, and cellular membrane, owing to their reverse sympathy with the torpid capillaries, glands, and absorbents of the stomach, or with those of the heart and arteries.
Or in more accurate language. 1. The febris inirritativa, or fever with weak pulse, commences with torpor of the stomach, occasioned by previous exhaustion of sensorial power of irritation by the stimulus of contagious matter swallowed with the saliva. 2. The whole system becomes torpid from defect of the excitement or the sensorial power of a.s.sociation owing to the too feeble actions of the stomach, this is the cold fit. 3. The whole system, except the stomach with the upper intestines, and the heart and arteries, falls into increased action, or o.r.g.a.s.m, owing to acc.u.mulation of sensorial power of a.s.sociation during their previous torpor, this is the hot fit. 4. The stomach and upper intestines have not acquired their natural quant.i.ty of sensorial power of irritation, which was previously exhausted by violent action in consequence of the stimulus of contagious matter, and the heart and arteries remain torpid from deficient excitement of the sensorial power of a.s.sociation owing to the too feeble actions of the stomach. 5. The acc.u.mulation of sensorial power of a.s.sociation in consequence of the torpor of the heart and arteries occasions a perpetual o.r.g.a.s.m, or increased action of the capillaries.
11. From hence it may be deducted first, that when the torpor of the stomach first occurs, either as a primary effect, or as a secondary link of some a.s.sociate train or circle of motions, a general torpor of the system sometimes accompanies it, which const.i.tutes the cold fit of fever; at other times no such general torpor occurs, as during the operation of a weak emetic, or during sea-sickness.
Secondly. After a time it generally happens, that a torpor of the stomach ceases, and its actions are renewed with increase of vigour by acc.u.mulation of sensorial power during its quiescence; as after the operation of a weak emetic, or at the intervals of sea-sickness, or after the paroxysm of an intermittent fever.
Thirdly. The stomach is sometimes much slower in recovering from a previous torpor, and is then the remote cause of continued fever with weak pulse; which is owing to a torpor of the heart and arteries, produced in consequence of the deficient excitement of the power of a.s.sociation by the too weak actions of the stomach; and to an o.r.g.a.s.m of the capillaries of the other parts of the system, in consequence of the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power occasioned by the inactivity of the heart and arteries.
Fourthly. The torpor of the stomach is sometimes so complete, that probably the origin of its nerves is likewise affected, and then no acc.u.mulation of sensorial power occurs. In this case the patient dies for want of nourishment; either in three or four weeks, of the inirritative fever; or without quick pulse, by what we have called paresis irritativa. Or he continues many years in a state of total debility. When this torpor suddenly commences, the patient generally suffers epileptic fits or temporary insanity from the disagreeable sensation of so great a torpor of the stomach; which also happens sometimes at the eruption of the distinct small pox; whence we have termed this disease anorexia epileptica. See Cla.s.s II. 2. 2. 1. and III. 1. 1. 7. and Suppl. I. 14. 3.
Fifthly. When this torpor of the stomach is less in degree or extent, and yet without recovering its natural irritability by acc.u.mulation of sensorial power, as it does after the cold fit of intermittent fever, or after the operation of mild emetics, or during syncope; a permanent defect of its activity, and of that of the upper intestines, remains, which const.i.tutes apepsia, cardialgia, hypochondriasis, and hysteria. See Cla.s.s I. 3. 1. 3. and I. 2. 4. 5.
Sixthly. If the torpor of the stomach be induced by direct sympathy, as in consequence of a previous torpor of the liver, or spleen, or skin, an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power will sooner be produced in the stomach; because there has been no previous expenditure of it, the present torpor of the stomach arising from defect of a.s.sociation. Hence some fevers perfectly intermit, the stomach recovering its complete action after the torpor and consequent o.r.g.a.s.m, which const.i.tute the paroxysm of fever, are terminated.
Seventhly. If the torpor of the stomach be owing to defect of irritation, as to the want of food, an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power soon occurs with an increase of digestion, if food be timely applied; or with violent inflammation, if food be given in too great quant.i.ty after very long abstinence.
Eighthly. If the torpor of the stomach be induced by defect of pleasurable sensation, as when sickness is caused by the suggestion of nauseous ideas; an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power soon occurs, and the sickness ceases with the return of hunger; for in this case the inactivity of the stomach is occasioned by the subduction of agreeable sensation, which acts as a subduction of stimulus, and not by exhausting the natural quant.i.ty of sensorial power in the fibres or nerves of the stomach.
Ninthly. If the torpor of the stomach be induced by a twofold cause, as in sea-sickness. See Vertigo rotatoria. Cla.s.s IV. 2. 1. 10. in which the first link of a.s.sociation acts too strongly, and in consequence expends more than usual of the sensorial power of irritation; and secondly in which sensation is produced between the links of a.s.sociation, and dissevers or enfeebles them; the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power soon occurs in the stomach; as no previous expenditure of it in that organ has occurred. Whence in sea-sickness the persons take food with eagerness at times, when the vertigo eases for a few minutes.
Tenthly. If the gastric torpor be induced by previous violent exertion, as after intoxication, or after contagious matter has been swallowed, or some poisons, as digitalis, or a.r.s.enic; an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power very slowly succeeds; whence long sickness, or continued fever, because the quant.i.ty of sensorial power already wasted must first be renewed, before an acc.u.mulation of it can be produced.
12. This leads us to a second indication of cure in continued fevers, which consists in strengthening the actions of the stomach; as the first indication consisted in decreasing the actions of the cutaneous capillaries and absorbents. The actions of the stomach may sometimes be increased by exhibiting a mild emetic; as an acc.u.mulation of sensorial power in the fibres of the stomach is produced during their retrograde actions. Besides the evacuation of any noxious material from the stomach and duodenum, and from the absorbents, which open their mouths on their internal surfaces, by their retrograde motion.
It is probable, that when mild emetics are given, as ipecacuanha, or antimonium tartarizatum, or infusion of chamomile, they are rejected by an inverted motion of the stomach and oesophagus in consequence of disagreeable sensation, as dust is excluded from the eye; and these actions having by previous habit been found effectual, and that hence there is no exhaustion of the sensorial power of irritation. But where strong emetics are administered, as digitalis, or contagious matter, the previous exhaustion of the sensorial power of irritation seems to be a cause of the continued retrograde actions and sickness of the stomach. An emetic of the former kind may therefore strengthen the power of the stomach immediately after its operation by the acc.u.mulation of sensorial power of irritation during its action. See Cla.s.s IV. 1. 1.
Another method of decreasing the action of the stomach for a time, and thence of increasing it afterwards, is by the acc.u.mulation of the sensorial power of irritation during its torpor; is by giving ice, iced water, iced creams, or iced wine. This accounts for the pleasure, which many people in fevers with weak pulse express on drinking cold beverage of any kind.
A second method of exciting the stomach into action, and of decreasing that of the capillaries in consequence, is by the stimulus of wine, opium, bark, metallic salts of antimony, steel, copper, a.r.s.enic, given in small repeated quant.i.ties; which so long as they render the pulse slower are certainly of service, and may be given warm or cold, as most agreeable to the patient.
For it is possible, that the capillaries of the stomach may act too violently, and produce heat, at the same time that the large muscles of it may be in a torpid state; which curious circ.u.mstance future observations must determine.
Thirdly. Hot fomentation on the region of the stomach might be of most essential service by its stimulus, as heat penetrates the system not by the absorbent vessels, but by external influence; whence the use of hot fomentation to the head in torpor of the brain; and the use of hot bath in cases of general debility, which has been much too frequently neglected from a popular error occasioned by the unmeaning application of the word relaxation to animal power. If the fluid of heat could be directed to pa.s.s through particular parts of the body with as little diffusion of its influence, as that of electricity in the shocks from the coated jar, it might be employed with still greater advantage.
Fourthly. The use of repeated small electric shocks through the region of the stomach might be of service in fevers with weak pulse, and well deserves a trial; twenty or thirty small shocks twice a day for a week or two would be a promising experiment.
Fifthly. A blister on the back, or sides, or on the pit of the stomach, repeated in succession, by stimulating the skin frequently strengthens the action of the stomach by exciting the sensorial power of a.s.sociation; this especially in those fevers where the skin of the extremities, as of the hands or nose or ears, sooner becomes cold, when exposed to the air, than usual.
Sixthly. The action of the stomach may be increased by preventing too great expenditure of sensorial power in the link of previous motion with which it is catenated, especially if the action of that link be greater than natural. Thus as the capillaries of the skin act too violently in fevers with weak pulse, if these are exposed to cold air or cold water, the sensorial power, which previously occasioned their o.r.g.a.s.m, becomes acc.u.mulated, and tends to increase the action of the stomach; thus in those fevers with weak pulse and hot skin, if the stomach be stimulated by repeated small doses of bark and wine or opium, and be further excited at the same time by acc.u.mulation of sensorial power occasioned by rendering the capillaries torpid by cold air or water, this twofold application is frequently attended with visible good effect.
By thus stimulating the torpid stomach into greater action, the motions of the heart and arteries will likewise be increased by the greater excitement of the power of a.s.sociation. And the capillaries of the skin will cease to act so violently, from their not possessing so great a superfluity of sensorial power as during the greater quiescence of the stomach and of the heart and arteries. Which is in some circ.u.mstances similar to the curious phenomenon mentioned in Cla.s.s IV. 2. 2. 10; where, by covering the chill feet with flannel at the eruption of the small-pox, the points of the flannel stimulate the skin of the feet into greater action, and the quant.i.ty of heat, which they possess, is also confined, or insulated, and further increases by its stimulus the activity of the cutaneous vessels of the feet; and by that circ.u.mstance abates the too great action of the capillaries of the face, and the consequent heat of it.
XIII. _Case of continued fever._