CHAP. XXVI. What may be the cause of the convulsive twitching of broken members.
THis contraction, and (as it were) convulsive twitching, usually happens to fractured members in the time of sleepe. I thinke the cause thereof is, for that the native heat withdraws its selfe while we sleepe, into the * 1.1 center of the body; whereby it commeth to passe, that the extreme parts grow colde. In the meane while, nature, by its accustomed providence, sends spirits to the suply of the hurt part. But because they are not received of the part evill affected and unapt thereto, they betake themselves together, and suddenly, ac∣cording to their wonted celerity, thither from whence they came, the muscles fol∣low their motion: with the muscles, the bones, whereinto they are inserted, are together drawne; whereby it comes to passe, that they are againe displaced, and with great torment of paine, fall from their former seate. This contraction of the muscles is towards their originall.