cumstance not easily to be explained on any other
theory.

The excess or defect of motion in any part of the system occasions the
production of pain in that part, as in Sect. XII. 1. 6. This defect or
excess of fibrous action is generally induced by excess or defect of the
stimulus of objects external to the moving organ. But there is another
source of excessive fibrous action, and consequent pain, which is from
excess of volition, which is liable to affect those muscles, that have weak
antagonists; as those which support the under jaw, and close the mouth in
biting, and those of the calf of the leg; which are thus liable to fixed or
painful contractions, as in trismus, or locked jaw, and in the cramp of the
calf of the leg; and perhaps in some colics, as in that of Japan: these
pains, from contraction arising from excess of volition in the part from
the want of the counteraction of antagonist muscles, may give occasional
cause to epileptic fits, and may be relieved in the same way, either by
exciting irritative and sensitive motions by the stimulus of opium and
wine; or by convulsions or insanity, as described above, which are only
different methods of exhausting the general quantity of sensorial power.

Considering the great resemblance between this kind of painful epilepsy and
the colic of Japan, as described by Kemfer; and that that disease was said
to be cured by acupuncture, or the prick of a needle; I directed some very
thin steel needles to be made about three inches long, and of such a
temper, that they would bend double rather than break; and wrapped wax
thread over about half an inch of the blunt end for a handle. One of these
needles, when the pain occurred, was pushed about an inch into the painful
part, and the pain instantly ceased; but I was not certain, whether the
fear of the patient, or the stimulus of the puncture, occasioned the
cessation of pain; and as the paroxysm had continued some weeks, and was
then declining, the experiment was not tried again. The disease is said to
be very frequent in Japan, and its seat to be in the bowels, and that the
acupuncture eliminates the air, which is supposed to distend the bowel. But
though the aperture thus made is too small to admit of the eduction of air;
yet as the stimulus of so small a puncture may either excite a torpid part
into action, or cause a spasmodic one to cease to act; and lastly, as no
injury could be likely to ensue from so small a perforation,