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244 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
lent, do not kill ; and when any part not vital sympathizes,
the patient is generally free from danger ; a security to the
whole being obtained by the sufferings of a part which is of
very little consequence to life.
Universal sympathy seems to be the first effect of irrita-
tion, and in general appears as such in those whose local
and partial sensation, and irritability, are not yet formed ; for,
in such subjects, when one part is irritated, the whole sympa-
thizes, and general convulsions ensue. But as the sensations
and partial irritability begin to be formed, each part, in some
degree acting for itself, acquires its own peculiarities ; so that
when a local disease takes place in a patient that is very
young, it is capable of giving a general disposition to sympa-
thize ; but as the child advances, the power of sympathy be-
comes partial, there not being now in the constitution that
universal consent of parts ; but some one part is found which
has a greater aptitude than the rest to fall in with the local
irritation ; therefore the whole disposition for sympathy is
directed to some particular part, and it sympathizes accord-
ing to its own peculiar action. This arises from the different
organs acquiring more and more their own independent
sensations as the child grows older ; and gradually losing
the power of sympathizing with one another : so that by the
age of six years few parts suffer but those immediately
affected, and in adults, who cut their Teeth, we almost always
find the pain and other symptoms confined to the part, or
only local sympathy taking place, such as a swelling of the
side of the face.
But as the symptoms become more confined, the suffering
part is often much more violently affected, than where it has
a power of taking in the other parts. Therefore we find that
in adults the pain of cutting a grinder is frequently exces-
sive, and that the local inflammation is very considerable,
and often of long continuance.* This is not the case with

* Vide Case the third.