SPECIES.
[1]. Visus acrior. Acuter sight. There have been instances of people, who could see better in the gloom of the evening, than in the stronger light of the day; like owls, and bats, and many quadrupeds, and flying insects. When the eye is inflamed, great light becomes eminently painful, owing to the increased irritative motions of the retina, and the consequent increased sensation. Thus when the eye is dazzled with sudden light, the pain is not owing to the motion of the iris; for it is the contraction of the iris, which relieves the pain from sudden light; but to the too violent contractions of the moving fibres, which constitute the extremities of the optic nerve.
[2]. Auditus acrior. The irritative ideas of hearing are so increased in energy as to excite our attention. This happens in some diseases of the epileptic kind, and in some fevers. Hence the whispering of the currents of air in a room, the respiration of the company, and noises before unperceived, become troublesome; and sounds louder than usual, or unexpected, produce starting, and convulsions.
M. M. Put oil of almonds into the ears. Stop the meatus auditorius with cotton wool. Set the feet of the patient's bed on cushions, or suspend it by cords from the ceiling.
[3]. Olfactus acrior. The irritative ideas of smell from the increased action of the olfactive nerve excite our attention. Hence common odours are disagreeable; and are perceived from variety of objects, which were before thought inodorous. These are commonly believed to be hallucinations of the sense.
M. M. Snuff starch up the nostrils.
[4]. Gustus acrior. The irritative ideas of taste, as of our own saliva, and even of the atmospheric air, excite our attention; and common tastes are disagreeably strong.
M. M. Water. Mucilage. Vegetable acids. Scrape the tongue clean. Rub it with a sage-leaf and vinegar.
[5]. Tactus acrior. The irritative ideas of the nerves of touch excite our attention: hence our own pressure on the parts, we rest upon, becomes uneasy with universal soreness.
M. M. Soft feather-bed. Combed wool put under the patients, which rolls under them, as they turn, and thus prevents their friction against the sheets. Drawers of soft leather. Plasters of cerate with calamy.