3,0 Memoirs of Eras™ D arunn,M.D. 



From hence it would appear probable, that scrophula and 

 dropsy are diseases from inirritability ; but that in epilepsy 

 and insanity an excess of sensibility is added, and the two 

 faulty temperaments are thus conjoined. 



Colica flatultnta. — The flatulent colic arises from the too 

 great distention of the bowel bv air, and consequent pain. 

 The cause of this disease is the inactivity or want of suffi- 

 ciently powerful contraction of the coats of the bowel, to 

 carry forwards the gas given up by the fermenting aliment. 

 It is without fever, and generally attended with cold ex- 

 tremities. 



It is distinguished, first, from the pain occasioned by the 

 passage of a gall-stone, as that is felt at the pit of the sto- 

 mach, and this nearer the navel. Secondly, it is distin-» 

 guished from the colica saturnina, or colic from lead, as 

 that arising from the torpor of the liver, or of some other 

 viscus, is attended with greater coldness, and with an ach- 

 ing pain; whereas the flatulent colic being owing to disten- 

 tion of the muscles of the bowel, the pain is more acute, 

 and the coldness less. Thirdly, it is distinguished from in- 

 flammation of the bowels, or ileus, as perpetual vomiting 

 and fever attend this. Fourthly, it is distinguished from 

 cholera, because that is accompanied with both vomiting 

 and diarrhoea. And lastly, from the colica epileptica, or 

 hysteric colic, as that is liable to alternate with convulsion, 

 and sometimes with insanity ; and returns by periods. 



M.M. Spirit of wine and warm water, one spoonful of 

 each. Opium one grain. Spice. Volatile alcali. Warm fo- 

 mentation externally. Rhubarb. 



The discriminations here merit the utmost praise, and are 

 of the highest use to the practitioner. 



Colica saturnina. — Colic from lead. The pain is felt about 

 the navel, is rather of an aching than acute kind at first, 

 which increases after meals, and gradually becomes more 

 permanent and more acute. It terminates in paralysis, fre- 

 quently of the muscles of the arm, so that the hand hangs 

 down when the arm is extended horizontally. It is not 

 attended with fever, or increase of heat. The seat of the 

 disease is not well ascertained, it probablv affects some part 



of 



