DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN 579 



In 232 cases, downward displacement of stomach 

 and bowels. 



In seventy-one cases, right kidney distinctly mova- 

 ble and sensitive to pressure. 



In six cases, both kidneys freely movable. 



In nine cases, downward displacement of the spleen. 



How a displacement of the stomach, a kidney, the 

 bowels, the uterus, or an ovary, may occasion disease, 

 is a pathological question which it is not necessary to 

 spend time in discussing, since the disturbance in blood- 

 circulation, and hence in nutritive changes (possibly, 

 also, in the supply of nervous energy), and the devel- 

 opment of abnormal and pernicious nerve-reflexes, are 

 etiological factors, the influence of which is too well 

 known and understood to be disputed, and which are 

 likely to come into active operation under the morbid 

 conditions established in an organ crowded by abnor- 

 mal pressure out of its proper place. Nature has 

 placed each internal organ in the position in which it 

 can do its work most easily and efficiently; and the 

 studies of the results of visceral displacement which 

 have been made by eminent scientific physicians, have 

 shown that to morbid conditions of this sort may be 

 fairly attributable the most serious, and not infre- 

 quently the most obstinate, disturbances of some of 

 the most important vital functions, and through them, 

 of all the other functions of the body. 



The question may arise, whether we are treating 

 the subject fairly, in charging upon errors in dress, 

 so great and so serious modifications of the human 

 form as we have pointed out, and whether it is not 

 possible that visceral displacements in some of those 

 cases to which we have called attention are to be found 

 in men as well as in women. In order to place this 



