[1]. Frigus febrile. Febrile coldness. There is reason to believe, that the beginning of many fever-fits originates in the quiescence of some part of the absorbent system, especially where they have been owing to external cold; but that, where the coldness of the body is not owing to a diminution of external heat, it arises from the inaction of some part of the secerning system. Hence some parts of the body are hot whilst other parts are cold; which I suppose gave occasion to error in Martyn's Experiments; where he says, that the body is as hot in the cold paroxysms of fevers as at other times.
After the sensorial power has been much diminished by great preceding activity of the system, as by long continued external heat, or violent exercise, a sudden exposure to much cold produces a torpor both greater in degree and over a greater portion of the system, by subtracting their accustomed stimulus from parts already much deprived of their irritability. Dr. Franklin in a letter to M. Duberge, the French translator of his works, mentions an instance of four young men, who bathed in a cold spring after a day's harvest work; of whom two died on the spot, a third on the next morning, and the other survived with difficulty. Hence it would appear, that those, who have to travel in intensely cold weather, will sooner perish, who have previously heated themselves much with drams, than those who have only the stimulus of natural food; of which I have heard one well attested instance. See Article [VII. 2. 3]. Class [III. 2. 1. 17].
Frigus chronicum. Permanent coldness. Coldness of the extremities, without fever, with dry pale skin, is a symptom of general debility, owing to the decreased action of the arterial system, and of the capillary vessels; whence the perspirable matter is secreted in less quantity, and in consequence the skin is less warm. This coldness is observable at the extremities of the limbs, ears, and nose, more than in any other parts: as a larger surface is here exposed to the contact of the air, or clothes, and thence the heat is more hastily carried away.
The pain, which accompanies the coldness of the skin, is owing to the deficient exertion of the subcutaneous vessels, and probably to the accumulation of sensorial power in the extremities of their nerves. See Sect. XII. 5. 3. XIV. 6. XXXII. 3. and Class [I. 2. 4. 1].
M. M. A blister. Incitantia, nutrientia, sorbentia. Exercise. Clothes. Fire. Joy. Anger.
[2]. Pallor fugitivus. The fugitive paleness, which accompanies the coldness of the extremities, is owing to a less quantity of blood passing through the capillaries of the skin in a given time; where the absorbent power of the veins is at the same time much diminished, a part of the blood lingers at their junction with the capillary arteries, and a bluish tinge is mixed with the paleness; as is seen in the loose skin under the eye-lids, and is always a mark of temporary debility. See Class [II. 1. 4. 4]. Where the paleness of the skin is owing to the deficiency of red globules in the blood, it is joined with a yellowish tinge; which is the colour of the serum, with which the blood then abounds, as in chlorosis, and in torpor or paralysis of the liver, and is often mistaken for a superabundance of bile.
A permanent paleness of the skin is owing to the coalescence of the minute arteries, as in old age. See Class [I. 2. 2. 9]. There is another source of paleness from the increased absorption of the terminations of the veins, as when vinegar is applied to the lips. See Sect. XXVII. 1. and another from the retrograde motions of the capillaries and fine extremities of the arteries. See Class II. 3. 1. 1.
M. M. A blister, nutrientia, incitantia, exercise, oxygene gas.
[3]. Pus parcius. Diminished pus. Dryness of ulcers. In the cold fits of fever all the secretions are diminished, whether natural or artificial, as their quantity depends on the actions of the glands or capillaries, which then share in the universal inaction of the system. Hence the dryness of issues and blisters in great debility, and before the approach of death, is owing to deficient secretion, and not to increased absorption.
M. M. Opium, wine in very small quantities, Peruvian bark.