74 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



be cautiously tried, and sometimes have been employed with 

 advantage. 



CCCXCVI. A tendency to suppuration, in this disease, is to 

 be obviated by the the means just now proposed. After a 

 certain duration of the disease, it cannot be prevented by any 

 means whatever ; and, when actually begun, must be left to 

 nature ; the business of the physician being only to avoid all 

 irritation. 



CCCXCVII. A tendency to gangrene can be obviated in 

 no other way than by the means suggested in CCCXCIIL, 

 employed early in the disease ; and, when it does actually 

 supervene, it admits of no remedy. 



CCCXCVIII. Erythematic inflammations of the stomach 

 are more frequent than those of the phlegmonic kind. It ap- 

 pears, at least, from dissections, that the stomach has often been 

 affected with inflammation, when neither pain nor pyrexia had 

 before given any notice of it ; and such inflammation I appre- 

 hend to have been chiefly of the erythematic kind. This species 

 of inflammation also, is especially to be expected from acrimony 

 of any kind thrown into the stomach ; and would certainly occur 

 more frequently from such a cause, were not the interior surface 

 of this organ commonly defended by mucus exuding in large 

 quantity from the numerous follicles placed immediately under 

 the villous coat. Upon many occasions, however, the exuda- 

 tion of mucus is prevented, or the liquid poured out is of a less 

 viscid kind, so as to be less fitted to defend the subjacent nerves ; 

 and it is in such cases that matters, even of moderate acrimony, 

 may produce an erythematic affection of the stomach. 



CCCXCIX. From what has been said, it must appear that 

 an erythematic inflammation of the stomach may frequently 

 occur ; but will not always discover itself, as it sometimes takes 

 place without pyrexia, pain, or vomiting. 



CCCC. There are cases, however, in which it may be dis- 

 covered. The affection of the stomach sometimes spreads into 

 the oesophagus, and appears in the pharynx, as well as on the 

 whole internal surface of the mouth. When, therefore, an 

 erythematic inflammation affects the mouth and fauces, and 

 when, at the same time, there shall be in the stomach an un- 

 usual sensibility to all acrids, with a frequent vomiting, there 



