A Mechanical Account of Poisons in Several EssaysMead, Richard
Science
A Mechanical Account of Poisons in Several Essays
Mead, Richard
Poisons -- Early works to 1800; Venom -- Physiological effect -- Early works to 1800
Of the Nature of which we may probably conjecture, that it is, when
mixed with the Blood, being exalted by the Heat of the Climate, of so
great Force and Energy, that it immediately raises an extraordinary
Fermentation in the whole Arterial Fluid, by which its Texture and
_Crasis_ is very considerably altered; the Consequent of which
Alteration, when the Ebullition is over, must necessarily be a Change
in the _Cohæsion_ of its Parts, by which the _Globules_, which did
before with equal Force press each other, have now a very differing and
irregular _Nisus_ or Action, so that some of ’em do so firmly cohere
together, as to compose _Moleculæ_, or small Clusters; upon which
Account there being now a greater number of _Globules_ contained in the
same Space than before, and besides, the _Impulse_ of many of these
when united together differing according to the Conditions of their
_Cohæsion_, as to Magnitude, Figure, _&c._ not only will the _Impetus_,
with which this Fluid is drove towards the Parts, be at some Strokes at
least greater than ordinary; but the Pressure upon the Blood Vessels
must be very unequal and irregular; and this more especially will be
felt in them which are most easily distended; such are those of the
Brain, _&c._ And hereupon the Fluid of the Nerves must necessarily be
put into various _Undulatory_ Motions, some of which will be like unto
those which different _Objects_ acting upon the Organs or Passions of
the Mind, do naturally excite in _It_, whereupon such Actions must
follow in the Body, as are usually the Consequents of the several
_Species_ of Sadns, Joy, Despair, or the like Determinations of the
Thoughts; and we shall readily pronounce one in this Condition, _Sad_,
_Joyful_, _Timorous_, _&c._ and all without any apparent Reason or
Cause; that is, in one Word, we shall say he is _Delirous_.
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