mach, and sickness; and instead of that
the gout appeared in their extremities. In these cases I conjecture, that
there was a metastasis not only of the diseased action from the membranes
of the liver to those of the foot; but that some of the new vessels, or new
fluids, which were previously produced in the inflamed liver, were
translated to the feet during the cold fit, by the increased absorption of
the hepatic lymphatics, and by the retrograde motions of those of the
affected limbs.

This I think resembles in some respects a fit of humoral asthma, where
stronger motions of the absorbent vessels of the lungs are excited, and
retrograde ones of the correspondent cutaneous lymphatics; whence the
violent sweats of the upper parts of the body only are produced; and for a
time the patient becomes relieved by the metastasis and elimination of the
offending material by sensitive exertion. For a further account of this
intricate subject see Class III. 1. 1. 10.

M. M. To relieve the paroxysm a tea-spoonful of ether may be given mixed
with water, with 10 drops of laudanum, to be repeated three or four times.
Venesection. An emetic. A blister. Afterwards the Peruvian bark, with a
grain of opium at night, and two or three of aloes. A flannel shirt in
winter, but not in summer. Issues. Digitalis?

In this species of asthma, there is great reason to believe, that the
respiration of an atmosphere, with an increased proportion of oxygen, will
prove of great advantage; some well-observed and well-attested cases of
which are published by Dr. Beddoes; as this purer air invigorates the
circulation, and the whole system in consequence, perhaps not only by its
stimulus, but by its supplying the material from which the sensorial power
is extracted or fabricated. In spasmodic asthma, on the contrary, Dr.
Ferriar has found undoubted benefit from an atmosphere mixed with hydrogen.
See Sect. XVIII. 15. and Class III. 1. 1. 10.

8. _Nictitatio sensitiva._ Winking of the eyes is performed every minute,
without our attention, for the purpose of diffusing the tears over them,
which are poured into the eye a little above the external corner of it, and
which are afterwards absorbed by the lacrymal points above and below the
internal corner of it. When this operation is performed without our
attention, it is caused by the faculty of irritation, and belongs to Class
I. 1. 4. 1. but when it is produced by a stronger stimulus of any
extraneous mater