hydrocephalus internus; and as the deficiency of venous absorption
in the brain, or torpor of the extremities of its veins, is believed
frequently to be the cause of apoplexies; so there is reason to conclude,
that the torpor of the secerning vessels of the brain, which are supposed
to produce the sensorial power, may constitute the immediate cause of some
fevers with arterial debility. And also that the increased action of these
secerning vessels may sometimes constitute the immediate cause of fevers
with arterial strength.

It is nevertheless probable, that the torpor or orgasm of the sanguiferous,
absorbent, or secerning vessels of the brain may frequently exist as a
secondary effect, owing to their association with other organs, as the
stomach or lungs; and may thus be produced like the torpor of the heart and
arteries in inirritative fevers, or like the orgasm of those organs in
irritative fevers, or inflammatory ones.

Where there exists a torpor of the brain, might not very slight electric
shocks passed frequently through it in all directions be used with
advantage? Might not fomentations of 94 or 96 degrees of heat on the head
for an hour at a time, and frequently repeated, stimulate the brain into
action; as in the revival of winter-sleeping animals by warmth? Ether
externally might be frequently applied, and a blister on the shaved head.

Where the secerning vessels of the brain act with too great energy, as in
some inflammatory fevers, might it not be diminished by laying the patient
horizontally on a mill-stone, and whirling him, till sleep should be
produced, as the brain becomes compressed by the centrifugal force? See
Article 15 of this Supplement.

XI. _Torpor of the Heart and Arteries._

1. It was shewn in Class IV. 1. 1. 6. in IV. 2. 1. 2. and in Suppl. I. 6.
3. that a reverse sympathy generally exists between the lacteal and
lymphatic branches of the absorbent system. Hence, when the motions of the
absorbents of the stomach are rendered torpid or retrograde in fevers with
arterial debility, those of the skin, lungs, and cellular membrane, act
with increased energy. But the actions of the muscular fibres of the heart
and arteries are at the same time associated with those of the muscular
fibres of the stomach by direct sympathy. Both these actions occur during
the operation of powerful emetics, as squill, or digitalis; while the
motions of the stomach continue torpid or retrograde, the cellular and