25. Fever (rise or fall in temperature) does not constitute
a disease, but is always an evidence of the existence of an
offending cause in the system, and an indication that nature
is struggling to remove such cause.
26. Living creatures (man and animals) are ever sur
rounded by agents or forces which exert an influence in direct
22.
36 THOMSONIAN SYSTEM
antagonism to the laws of life and tend to subvert or destroy vital action. Thus the living state is held, as it were, in a balance between opposing powers.
27. The direct effect of cold and other morbific agents upon
the system is to weaken vital action, and to lessen the power
of generating heat: hence, disease of every form and variety
commences with symptoms which show that the vital powers are
weakened; these are lassitude, general debility, coldness of the
surface and extremities, and chilliness. Cold and damp feet
exert an influence in weakening and deranging the natural and
healthy order of activity in the system, and thus prove a fruitful
source of disease, yet would be powerless if there were no
congestions present in the system due to an improper diet, in
activity, and various other causes. Dampness operates as a
conducting medium by which the caloric activity, and more
especially the electro-galvanic fluids escape, not only from the
lower extremities but also from the digestive functions and all
the viscera of the abdomen, by means of the nerves, which form
a connecting chain of conductors or channels throughout the
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