During the paroxysm of inflammatory fever all the secretions and
excretions are diminished or suppressed; and hence the hot dry state
of the skin, the thirst with foul and dry tongue, the scanty and high
coloured urine, and the constipation of the bowels. This last symptom,
however, though it may arise partially from the diminished secretion
of mucus, yet is often dependent on disturbance of the functions of
the brain and nerves. The pulsations of the arteries become rapid and
strong, the sanguiferous system being unable to relieve itself by
effusion, in consequence of the obstruction of the exhalants.
If the extreme vessels are in any way obstructed, and the general
circulation in consequence much accelerated, the internal viscera
become oppressed, and are interrupted in their functions; and relief is
experienced only when relaxation occurs in the vessels upon the surface
of the body. Thus, in any violent and continued exertion, there is a
sense of oppression in the chest, and the functions of the encephalon
are somewhat disordered, but as soon as perspiration breaks out the
relief is instantaneous, and the animal can, without difficulty,
persevere in its exertions.
In inflammatory fever, the breathing is often difficult, and the
appetite declines; the patient is restless and watchful, and when he
does sleep, he is not thereby refreshed. In the more violent cases,
the sensorial functions are much disturbed; even delirium supervenes,
with violent muscular exertion and convulsions, and may be followed by
coma, should the local affection not subside. The delirium attendant
on violent diseases and accidents may often be considered a beneficent
effect of nature’s operations; for the patient, frequently losing all
consciousness of his situation, seems to be under the influence of the
most pleasing hallucinations, and is freed from the more lamentable
state of severe mental as well as bodily affliction.
Writers on Inflammation have expatiated at great length on
_Sympathies_; and these have been divided into, 1st, The Partial—the
Remote, the Continuous, and the Contiguous;—Remote, when parts
sympathise, though situated at a considerable distance from each
other;—Contiguous, when the sympathetic action seems to be produced, in
separate parts, merely from juxtaposition;—Continuous, when the action
extends in parts which are of similar texture, and conjoined with that
which is primarily affected.—2d, Universal, where the whole system
suffers along with parts of it. For instance, the whole system is often
disturbed by a deranged state of the alimentary canal, and, conversely,
the bowels, or the skin, the brain, the osseous or any other of the
textures, may suffer from a general disorder.
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