st gradually lessen the
quantity of stimulus, till the excitability become capable of being
sufficiently acted on by the exciting powers, when the cure will be
affected.

There is, however, an important point, with respect to the cure of
diseases of exhausted excitability, which could not be known to Dr.
Brown; and this depends on the fact which was formerly pointed out;
viz. that the degree of excitability was in proportion to the
oxydation of the system. On this account I have given the oxygenated
muriate of potash in typhus, which is a disease of diminished
excitability, in more than one hundred cases, without the loss of
one, a success which has attended no other mode of practice in this
disease, if we except, perhaps, the affusion of cold water, as
described by Dr. Currie, the effects of which are wonderful, but
which can only be applied at the commencement of the disease. In all
diseases of indirect debility, therefore, it is proper to attempt the
introduction of oxygen into the system, by the oxygenated muriate of
potash, acid fruits, nitre, &c. I do not think that the inhaling of
oxygen gas for a few minutes in the day can do much good; but free
ventilation of apartments, and gentle exercise in the open air, are
highly useful.

In either case of debility, we should by no means rely on the action
of medicines alone; for though there are a variety of stimulants
which will produce excitement, yet this is only temporary, we must
therefore endeavour, by nutritious substances, to fill the vessels
with blood, and employ all the natural exciting powers in due
proportion as soon as possible.

But in the cure of either sthenic or asthenic diseases we shall
seldom succeed by the use of one remedy only: for since no stimulus
exerts its effects equally on all parts of the body, but always acts
more powerfully on some part than on others, we cannot by the use of
one remedy alone obtain an equal increase or diminution of
excitement.

There are few diseases however in which the excitement is equally
increased or diminished over the body; some part being generally more
affected than the rest; and this inequality produces the various
phenomena or forms of disease; indeed no disease but increase or
diminution of strength would take place, on the supposition that an
equal increase or diminution of excitement all over the body, were
produced by the hurtful powers causing the disease.

From what has been said, it necessarily