Zoonomia; Or, the Laws of Organic Life, Vol. II

by Erasmus Darwin

CLASS IV.

DISEASES OF ASSOCIATION.

ORDO [I].

Increased Associate Motions.

GENUS [I].

Catenated with Irritative Motion.

The importance of the subsequent class not only consists in its elucidating all the sympathetic diseases, but in its opening a road to the knowledge of fever. The difficulty and novelty of the subject must plead in excuse for the present imperfect state of it. The reader is entreated previously to attend to the following circumstances for the greater facility of investigating their intricate connections; which I shall enumerate under the following heads.

[A.] Associate motions distinguished from catenations.

[B.] Associate motions of three kinds.

[C.] Associations affected by external influences.

[D.] Associations affected by other sensorial motions.

[E.] Associations catenated with sensation.

[F.] Direct and reverse sympathy.

[G.] Associations affected four ways.

[H.] Origin of associations.

[I.] Of the action of vomiting.

[K.] Tertian associations.

A. Associate Motions distinguished from Catenations.

Associate motions properly mean only those, which are caused by the sensorial power of association. Whence it appears, that those fibrous motions, which constitute the introductory link of an associate train of motions, are excluded from this definition, as not being themselves caused by the sensorial power of association, but by irritation, or sensation, or volition. I shall give for example the flushing of the face after dinner; the capillary vessels of the face increase their actions in consequence of their catenation, not their association, with those of the stomach; which latter are caused to act with greater energy by the irritation excited by the stimulus of food. These capillaries of the face are associated with each other reciprocally, as being all of them excited by the sensorial power of association; but they are only catenated with those of the stomach, which are not in this case associate motions but irritative ones. The common use of the word association for almost every kind of connection has rendered this subject difficult; from which inaccuracy I fear some parts of this work are not exempt.

B. Associate Motions of three Kinds.

Those trains or tribes of associate motions, whose introductory link consists of an irritative motion, are termed irritative associations; as when the muscles of the eyelids close the eye in common nictitation. Those, whose introductory link consists of a sensitive motion, are termed sensitive associations; as when the pectoral and intercostal muscles act in sneezing. And lastly, those, whose introductory link consists of a voluntary motion, are termed voluntary associations; as when the muscles of the lower limbs act in concert with those of the arm in fencing.

C. Associations affected by external Influences.

Circles of associate motions, as well as trains and tribes of them, are liable to be affected by external influences, which consist of etherial fluids, and which, by penetrating the system, act upon it perhaps rather as a causa sine quâ non of its movements, than directly as a stimulus; except when they are accumulated in unusual quantity. We have a sense adapted to the perception of the excess or defect of one of these fluids; I mean that of elementary heat; in which all things are immersed. See Class [IV. 1. 4. 7]. But there are others of them, which as we have no power to evade their influence, so we have no sense to perceive it; these are the solar, and lunar, and terrestrial gravitation, in which also all things are immersed; the electric aura, which pervades us, and is perpetually varying, See Class [IV. 1. 4. 5]; the magnetic fluid, Class [IV. 1. 4. 5]; and lastly, the great life-preserver oxygen gas, and the aqueous vapour of the atmosphere, see Class [IV. 1. 4. 6]. and [7]. and [2].

Of these external influences those of heat, and of gravity, have diurnal periods of increase and decrease; besides their greater periods of monthly or annual variation. The manner in which they act by periodical increments on the system, till some effect is produced, is spoken of in Sect. XXXII. 3. and 6.

D. Associations affected by other Sensorial Motions.

Circles and trains of associate motions are also liable to be affected by their catenations with other sensorial powers, as of irritation, or sensation, or volition; which other sensorial powers either thus simply form some of the links of the catenation, or add to the energy of the associated motions. Thus when vomiting is caused by the stimulus of a stone in the ureter, the sensation of pain seems to be a link of the catenation rather than an efficient cause of the vomiting. But when the capillary vessels of the skin increase their action from the influence of external heat, they are excited both by the stimulus of unusual heat, as well as by the stimulus of the blood, and by their accustomed association with the actions of the heart and arteries. And lastly, in the blush of anger the sensorial power of volition is added to that of association, and irritation, to excite the capillaries of the face with increased action. See Class [IV. 2. 3. 5].

E. Associations catenated with Sensation.

Pain frequently accompanies associate trains or circles of motion without its being a cause, or a link, of them, but simply an attendant symptom; though it frequently gives name to the disease, as head-ach. Thus in the cramp of the calves of the legs in diarrhœa, the increased sensorial power of association is the proximate cause; the preceding increased action of the bowels is the remote cause; and the proximate effect is the violent contractions of the musculi gastrocnemii; but the pain of these muscles is only an attendant symptom, or a remote effect. See Sect. XVIII. 15. Other sensitive associations are mentioned in Class [IV. 1. 2]. and [IV. 1. 2. 15].

Thus, if the flushing of the face above mentioned after dinner be called a disease, the immediate or proximate cause is the increased power of association, the remote cause is the increased irritative motions of the stomach in consequence of the stimulus of food and wine. The disease or proximate effect consists in the increased actions of the cutaneous vessels of the face; and the sensation of heat, the existence of heat, and the red colour, are attendants or symptoms, or remote effects, of the increased actions of these cutaneous vessels.

F. Direct and reverse Sympathy.

The increased actions of the primary part of the trains of associated motions are sometimes succeeded by increased actions of the secondary part of the train; and sometimes by decreased actions of it. So likewise the decreased actions of the primary part of a train of associate motions are sometimes succeeded by decreased actions of the secondary part, and sometimes by increased actions of it. The former of these situations is called direct sympathy, and the latter reverse sympathy. In general I believe, where the primary part of the train of associated motions is exerted more than natural, it produces direct sympathy in strong people, and reverse sympathy in weak ones, as a full meal makes some people hot, and others chill. And where the primary part of the train is exerted less than natural, it produces direct sympathy in weak people, and reverse sympathy in strong ones, as on being exposed for a certain length of time on horseback in a cold day gives indigestion and consequent heart-burn to weak people, and strengthens the digestion, and induces consequent hunger in strong ones. See Sect. XXXV. 1.

This may perhaps be more easily understood, by considering strength and weakness, when applied to animal bodies, as consisting in the quantity of sensorial power residing in the contracting fibres, and the quantity of stimulus applied, as shewn in Sect. XII. 2. 1. Now when defective stimulus, within certain limits, is partially applied to parts subject to perpetual motion, the expenditure of sensorial power is for a while lessened, but not its general production in the brain, nor its derivation into the weakly-stimulated part. Hence in strong people, or such whose fibres abound with sensorial power, if the first tribe of an associate train of motions be deprived in part of its accustomed stimulus, its action becomes diminished; and the sensorial power becomes accumulated, and by its superabundance, or overflowing as it were, increases the action of the second tribe of the associate actions by reverse sympathy. As exposing the warm skin for a moderate time to cold air increases the action of the stomach, and thus strengthens the power of digestion.

On the reverse, when additional stimulus within certain limits is partially applied to parts, which are deficient in respect to the natural quantity of sensorial power, the expenditure of sensorial power is increased, but in a less degree than the increased production of it in the brain, or its increased derivation into the strongly-stimulated organ. Hence in weak people, or such whose fibres are deficient of sensorial power, if the first tribe of an associate train of motions be subjected for a while to greater stimulus than usual, a greater production of sensorial power, or a greater derivation of it into the stimulated parts occurs; which by its excess, or overflowing as it were, increases the actions of the second tribe of the associate motions by direct sympathy. Thus when vomiting occurs with cold extremities, a blister on the back in a few hours occasions universal warmth of the skin, and stops the vomiting. And when a diarrhœa occurs with pale skin and cold extremities, the pricking of the points of a flannel shirt, worn next the skin, occasions universal warmth of it, and checks or cures the diarrhœa.

In some associate trains of action nevertheless reverse sympathies more frequently occur than direct ones, and in others direct ones more frequently than reverse ones. Thus in continued fever with debility there appears to be a reverse sympathy between the capillary vessels of the stomach and those of the skin; because there exists a total aversion to solid food, and constant heat on the surface of the body. Yet these two systems of vessels are at other times actuated by direct sympathy, as when paleness attends sickness, or cold feet induces indigestion. This subject requires to be further investigated, as it probably depends not only on the present or previous plus or minus of the sensorial power of association, but also on the introduction of other kinds of sensorial power, as in Class [IV. 1. 1. D]; or the increased production of it in the brain, or the greater mobility of one part of a train of actions than another.

Thus when much food or wine is taken into the stomach, if there be no superfluity of sensorial power in the system, that is, none to be spared from the continual actions of it, a paleness and chillness succeeds for a time; because now the expenditure of it by the increased actions of the stomach is greater than the present production of it. In a little time however the stimulus of the food and wine increases the production of sensorial power in the brain, and this produces a superfluity of it in the system; in consequence of which the skin now becomes warm and florid, which was at first cold and pale; and thus the reverse sympathy is shortly converted into a direct one; which is probably owing to the introduction of a second sensorial power, that of pleasurable sensation.

On the contrary, when an emetic drug produces sickness, the skin is at first pale for a time by direct sympathy with the capillaries of the stomach; but in a few minutes, by the accumulation of sensorial power in the stomach during its less active state in sickness, the capillaries of the skin, which are associated with those of the stomach, act with greater energy by reverse sympathy, and a florid colour returns. Where the quantity of action is diminished in the first part of a train of motions, whether by previous diminution of sensorial power, or present diminution of stimulus, the second part of the train becomes torpid by direct sympathy. And when the quantity of action of the first part becomes increased by the accumulation of sensorial power during its previous torpor, or by increase of stimulus, the actions of the second part of it likewise become increased by direct sympathy.

In moderate hunger the skin is pale, as before dinner, and in moderate sickness, as no great accumulation of sensorial power has commenced; but in violent hunger, and in greater torpor of the stomach, as from contagious matter, the accumulation of sensorial power becomes so great as to affect the arterial and capillary system, and fever is produced in both cases.

In contagious fevers with arterial debilities commencing with torpor of the stomach, why is the action of the heart weakened, and that of the capillaries increased? Is it because the mobility of the heart is less than that of the stomach, and the mobility of the capillaries greater? Or is it because the association between the muscular fibres of the stomach and those of the heart have been uniformly associated by direct sympathy; and the capillaries of the stomach and those of the skin have been more frequently associated by reverse sympathy?

Where the actions of the stomach have been previously exhausted by long stimulus, as on the day after intoxication, little or no accumulation of sensorial power occurs, during the torpor of the organ, beyond what is required to replace the deficiency of it, and hence fever seldom follows intoxication. And a repetition of the stimulus sometimes becomes necessary even to induce its natural action, as in dram-drinkers.

Where there has been no previous exhaustion of sensorial power, and the primary link of associate motions is violently actuated by the sensorial power of sensation, the secondary link is also violently actuated by direct sympathy, as in inflammatory fevers. Where however the sensorial power of the system is less than natural, the secondary link of associated motions becomes torpid by reverse sympathy, as in the inoculated small-pox during the eruption on the face the feet are frequently cold.

G. Associations affected four Ways.

Hence associated trains or circles of motions may be affected four different ways. 1. By the greater or less energy of action of the first link with which they are catenated, and from which they take their names; as irritative, sensitive, or voluntary associations. 2. By being excited by two or more sensorial powers at the same time, as by irritation and association, as in the instance of the application of the stimulus of increased external heat to the cutaneous capillaries. 3. By catenation with other sensorial powers, as with pain or pleasure, which are in this case not the proximate cause of motion, but which, by becoming a link of catenation, excites the sensorial power of association into action; as the pain at the neck of the gall-bladder occasioned by a gall-stone is transferred to the other end of that canal, and becomes a link of catenation between the action of the two extremities of it. 4. The influence of ethereal fluids, as of heat and gravitation. To which last perhaps might be added moisture and oxygen gas as constituting necessary parts of the system, rather than stimuli to excite it into action.

H. The Origin of Associations.

Some trains or circles of associate motions must have been formed before our nativity, as those of the heart, arteries, and capillaries; others have been associated, as occasion required them, as the muscles of the diaphragm and abdomen in vomiting; and others by perpetual habit, as those of the stomach with the heart and arteries directly, as in weak pulse during sickness; with the capillaries directly, as in the flushed skin after dinner; and lastly, with the cellular absorbents reversely, as in the increased absorption in anasarca during sickness; and with the irritative motions of the organs of sense reversely, as in vertigo, or sea-sickness. Some of these associations shall be here shortly described to facilitate the investigation of others.

First, other congeries of glands occupy but a particular part of the system, or constitute a particular organ, as the liver, or kidneys; but those glands, which secrete the mucus, and perspirable matter, which are called capillaries, are of very great extent; they receive the blood from the arteries, separate from it the mucus, which lines every cell, and covers every cavity of body; and the perspirable matter, which softens and lubricates the whole surface of the skin, and the more extensive surface of the air-vessels, which compose the lungs. These are supplied with blood by the perpetual action of the heart and arteries, and have therefore their motions associated with the former, and with each other, by sympathy, which is sometimes direct, and sometimes reverse.

One branch of this association, the capillaries of the skin, are very irritable by the increased quantities of cold and heat, another branch, that of the lungs, has not the perception of cold and heat, but is liable by direct sympathy to act in concert with the former, as in going into the cold bath. And it is probable the capillaries of the internal membranes are likewise directly affected by their sympathy with those of the skin, as appears from the defect of secretion in ulcers during the cold fits of agues.

The motions of this extensive system of capillaries, thus associated by direct sympathy, are also associated with those of the heart and arteries, sometimes by reverse and sometimes by direct sympathy; and thus constitute simple fever. The cold paroxysm of which consists in their torpor, and the hot one in their orgasm, or increased activity.

I. Of the Action of Vomiting.

The manner, in which the stomach and the diaphragm and abdominal muscles acquire their associate action in vomiting, requires some attention. It is not probable, that this action of vomiting occurs before nativity; as the uniform application of the nutritive liquor amnii to the mouth of the fœtus, and the uniform expenditure of its nourishment, would not seem to give occasion to too great temporary repletion of the stomach; and would preclude the deglutition of any improper material. After nativity the stomach of the child may be occasionally too much distended with milk; as previous hunger may induce it to overgorge itself; and by repeated efforts the act of vomiting is learned, as a means of getting free from a disagreeable sensation. Thus when any disgustful material, as a bitter drug, is taken into the mouth; certain retrograde motions of the tongue and lips are produced, for the purpose of putting the disagreeable material out of the mouth again.

When the stomach is disagreeably stimulated by the distention or acrimony of the aliment, a similar effort to regurgitate it must occur; and by repeated trials the action of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles by squeezing the stomach assists its retrograde exertion to disgorge its contents. In the same manner when a piece of gravel is pushed into the urethra, or a piece of indurated bile into the neck of the gall-bladder, after they have been in vain pressed forward by the usual motions of those ducts, they return into the bladders of gall and urine by the retrograde motions of them.

That this is one mode, in which vomiting is induced, appears from the instantaneous rejection from the stomach occasioned by some nauseous drug, or from some nauseous idea; and lastly, from the voluntary power, which some people have been said to have acquired, of emptying their stomachs, much in the same manner as ruminating animals bring up the grass from their first stomach.

There are nevertheless many modes by which these inverted motions of the stomach and œsophagus are induced, and which it is of consequence to distinguish from each other. The first is the mode above described, where an effort is made to dislodge something, which stimulates the stomach into disagreeable sensation; and which is returned by repeated exertions; as when a nauseous drug is taken into the mouth, or a bit of sand falls into the eye, or a drop of water into the wind-pipe. In this the peristaltic motions of the stomach are first stopped, and then reverted by painful sensation; and the abdominal muscles and diaphragm by repeated efforts become associated with them. Now as less sensorial power is expended on the retrograde actions of the stomach, and of the lymphatics, which open their mouths on its surface, than by their natural motions, an accumulation of sensorial power in the fibres of the stomach follows the exhibition of an emetic, and on that account an emetic will sometimes stop a spontaneous vomiting which was owing to sensorial deficiency. See Sect. XXXV. 1. 3. and Art. [V. 2. 1].

As bitters and metallic salts, exhibited in small doses, stimulate the stomach into greater action, as appears by their increasing the power of digestion, and yet become emetic, when given in larger doses; one might suspect, that they became emetic by inducing debility, and consequent retrograde actions of the stomach, by their previously exhausting the sensorial power by their great stimulus; which might be effected in a moment without producing pain, and in consequence without our perceiving it. But on the contrary, there does not in general appear on the exhibition of emetics to be any previous exhaustion of sensorial power; because there is evidently an accumulation of it during the sickness, as appears from the digestion being stronger afterwards; and from the increased action of the cellular and cutaneous absorbents during its operation. See Art. [V. 2. 1].

Another mode, by which vomiting is induced, is owing to debility or deficiency of sensorial power, from the previous exhaustion of it; as on the day after intoxication, or which occurs in people enfeebled with the gout, and in dropsy, and in some fevers with debility. In these, when the vomiting ceases, there is no appearance of accumulation of sensorial power, as the digestion still remains weak and imperfect.

Another mode by which sickness or vomiting is induced, is by defect of stimulus, as in great hunger; and in those, who have been habituated to spice and spirit with their meals, who are liable to be sick after taking food without these additional stimuli. Other means of inducing sickness by vertigo, or by nauseous ideas, will be mentioned below.

We shall only add, that the motions of the muscular fibres of the stomach are associated with those of the heart and arteries by direct sympathy, as appears by the weakness of the pulse during the exhibition of an emetic; and that the absorbents of the stomach are associated with the cellular and cutaneous absorbents by reverse sympathy, as is shewn by the great absorption of the mucus of the cells in anasarca during sickness; at the same time that the absorbents of the stomach invert their actions, and pour the mucus and water thus absorbed into that viscus.

In cold paroxysms of fever the stomach partakes of the general torpor, and vomiting is induced by its debility, either by its association with the torpid capillaries, or other torpid parts, or by its own torpor commencing first, and causing the cold fit. The disordered motions of the stomach frequently seem to be the cause or primary seat of fever, as where contagious miasmata are swallowed with the saliva, and where fever is produced by sea-sickness, which I once saw. Nevertheless a disorder of the stomach does not always induce fever, as in that case it should constantly attend indigestion, and vertigo, and sea-sickness; but is itself frequently induced by association with the disordered movements of other parts of the system, as when it arises from gravel in the ureter, or from a percussion on the head.

The connexion of the motions of the stomach with irritative ideas, or motions of the organs of sense, in vertigo, is shewn in Sect. XX. and thus it appears, that many circles of association are either directly or reversely associated, or catenated, with this viscus; which will much contribute to unfold some of the symptoms of fever.

K. Tertian Associations.

The third link of associate trains of motion is sometimes actuated by reverse sympathy, with the second link, and that by reverse sympathy with the first link; so that the first and third link may act by direct sympathy, and the intermediate one by reverse sympathy. Of this instances are given in the syngultus nephriticus, Class [IV. 1. 1. 7]. and [IV. 2. 1]. At other times the tertian or quartan links of associate motions are actuated by direct sympathy; and that sometimes forwards and sometimes backwards in respect to the usual order of those trains of associate motions, as in Class [IV. 1. 2. 1].