let. Mr. HEWSON obferves alfo the power of the mind, as he terms it, of altering the character of the blood, and of three fmall cups, the firft fhall fometimes contain florid blood, the fecond venal, and the third florid again; but in animals that are bled to death, I always, fays this accurate experamentalift, found that the venal blood became brighter in proportion as the animals became faint and it coagulated the more*. Might not the violent palpitation of the heart; the hurry of the circulation ; the retrograde motion of the abforbents; the coldness and palenefs of the fkin; the inability for muscular action, &c. depend upon the minute arteries not giving out their oxygen, as is manifeft from thefe experiments? If fo, it will further confirm the doctrines contained in Vol. I. of this work †,

Hence it will be proper to allow the fwooning patient to remain in the fate of quiefcence: for during this torpor the IRRITABLE PRINCIPLE will accumulate in the fibres, and by degrees the juft balance will be restored betwixt the excitability and the natural stimuli.

Το

* From poffeffing more oxYGEN, i.e. the principle of life.-Dr. BEDDOES.

+ The pulfation of the heart and arteries; the powers of the stomach; the colour and warmth of the furface; the ability for mufcular action; was thewn to depend on OXYGEN in Vol. I. Sections V. VIII. XIII XII.

accelerate

accelerate recovery, the perfon ought however to be expofed to

that VITAL BREEZE, which NATUKE pours to fave
the breathless victim from the untimely grave;

and the forehead should be rubbed with vinegar*, which ought also to be sprinkled all around the fwooning patient; or the real oxygen air might be placed against the mouth and noftrils, while water is poured into the bottle; and the hands and face fhould be rubbed with cold water.

That irritability is accumulated during the operation of terror, we have the following proof. A gentleman, having haftily difmiffed a fervant of an implacable difpofition, was alarmed in the middle of the night by an attempt on his houfe. His wife, who had been. always apprehensive of the villainous principles of this fervant, was so terrified, that she started from her bed, loft the power of utterance, and laid hold of the curtain for support, being feized with violent fhiverings. This continuing for fome time after fhe was got into bed, I was fent for, fays Dr. CORP of Bath, and when

*Fermented liquors, when exposed to heat and air, absorb VITAL AIR, and become in confequence vinegar. Being fprinkled in fine sprays, it is rendered aeriform, and parts with its oxYGEN when it comes into contact with the animal fibre.

I came to this lady, her appearance was lifelefs; her face and extremities cold and pale. As with the paroxyfm of an intermittent fever, a very confiderable degree of heat, fucceeded the trembling fit, which lasted many hours with great reftleffnefs, until a profufe fweat broke out, when she fell asleep, and, as after an attack of ague, the rofe up the next morning exceedingly languid *.

* Vide Dr. CORP's ingenious Effay on the Changes produced in the Body by Operations of the Mind.

SECT.

SECT. LII.

OF ASPHYXIA FROM OPIUM.

I know the power of PREJUDICE in favour of old erroneous doctrines; and how great the refiftance is even to the most certain and luminous experiments. PREJUDICE has certainly a great share in this repugnance; but above all SELF-LOVE dreads to adopt new truths, because they carry with them a tacit avowal of ignorance;—hence arifes the difficulty of bringing those who are advanced in years, and men of learning who have already acquired reputation, to admit of NEW DISCOVERIES.

FONTANA.

THE attention of phyficians has defervedly been turned towards OPIUM; in order to ascertain its falutary operation on the animal ceconomy, and its powers as a poifon. After having been fo long employed, it may seem surprising, that any contrariety of opinion fhould exist among liberal minds; but fome still deem it altogether fedative in its operation; others fimulant; and others again both fimulant and fedative. This controversy appears to have its rife from the difference in effect which takes place according as it is administered.-As a fimulant it ftands before wine, and has nearly the fame operation. WINE quickens the pulfe, raises the fpirits, increases vigour, and gives more than common anima

tion for the time; but no fooner are the fumes of the intoxicating drink exhaufted, than the drunkard becomes weak, enervated, and depreffed in fpirits. Here we distinctly fee both the ftimulant and fedative power of wine; and the fame exactly holds with regard to opium. Thus if any one is under the preffure of fleep, he will by OPIUM be rendered surprisingly sprightly, lively, and vigilant*; it banishes melancholy; begets confidence; converts fear into boldness; makes the filent eloquent; and daftards brave. Has it not the fame effect upon the Turks, that wine has upon us? Or are we to fuppose, that the troops of that people, on their march to the onfet of battle, chew opium with the intention of checking their natural alacrity and propenfity to action, and of blunting and depreffing their high spirits and courage? But after a while, the excitability becomes diminished in quantity, being expended by the great activity of the fyftem; and hence, when the ftimulus of the opium ceafes, the fibres will not obey their natural ftimuli, and a confequent torpor enfues, as is experienced by drunkards, who, on the day after a great excess of spirituous liquor, feel tremor, head-ach, and general debility. During this torpor an accumulation of excitability in the exhausted

* Vide Vol. II. page 332.