These depend on the same Cause as the former, viz. On the Diminution or Obstruction of the Liquidum Nervorum, whereby the Muscles are involuntarily and weakly contracted. As these suppose a more torpid Motion and greater Viscosity of the Fluids, and less Degree of Elasticity in the solid Parts, so the Method taken herein ought to be more active and stimulating than in any of the foregoing Symptoms. Whence Epispasticks, and the most Volatil Attenuating Medicines are more necessarily required, and ought to be oftner repeated, than in preceeding Symptoms.
Pain in the Head.
This is Occasioned by the Obstruction of some of the Capillary Vessels of the Brain by the Coagulated Part of the Blood, and the wounding of the Nervous Filaments by the Poisonous Saline Spiculæ. Whence the Blood being resisted in its Motion, must press more strongly against the Sides of the Vessels, and distend them beyond their Natural Diameters, and produce a shooting and throbbing Pain; and if the Obstruction continue or increase, a Phrensy, Inflammation, Suppuration, and Gangreen of the Part affected. Why this Symptom should be one of the first, as well as a constant Attendant thro' the whole Course of the Disease, appears from Prop. 2.
Carbuncles, Buboes, &c.
Hence likewise appears the Reason of Carbuncles, Boboes, Vesications, and the like, which take their Rise from the same Cause, and are different only in Proportion to the Viscosity or Acrimony of the obstructing Matter, and the Situation and Structure of the Part affected.
Purple spots, Hemorrhages
These show the greatest Corrosion and Acrimony imaginable in the Circulating Fluids, so as to be able to break and destroy the very Vessels themselves, and consequently certain Signs of a speedy Dissolution of the whole Animal Oeconomy.
Dissections of such as have died of Malignant and Pestilential diseases.
The Dissections of such as have died of these Diseases are a farther Confirmation of the foregoing Theory, inasmuch as they demonstrate a greater Acrimony and Coagulation in the Juices than other Diseases, by the numerous Obstructions Inflammations, and Mortifications of different Parts of the Body. Thus the Stomach and Intestines are commonly highly Inflamed, and frequently Gangreen'd. The Lungs, Diaphragm, and several of the Viscera inflamed, obstructed, and beset with Carbuncles and Purple Spots. The Arteries of the Dura and Pia Mater obstructed, and stuff'd with Grumous Blood, and often mortified. The Arteries of the whole Body in general fuller than ordinary, the Veins more empty. The Vessels about Præcordia much obstructed, highly inflamed, and often Gangreen'd. The membranous Parts of the Body in general more dry and rigid than in most other Diseases.