268 TRACT ICE OF PHYSIC. 



Sometimes the disease is preceded by a discharge of serous 

 matter from the anus : and sometimes this serous discharge, ac- 

 companied with some swelling, seems to be in place of the dis- 

 charge of blood, and to relieve those disorders of the system 

 which we have mentioned. This serous discharge, therefore, 

 has been named the Hsemorrhois alba. 



DCCCCXXIX. In the hoemorrhois, the quantity of blood 

 discharged is different upon different occasions. Sometimes the 

 blood flows only upon the person's going to stool ; and com- 

 monly, in larger or less- quantity, follows the discharge of the 

 faeces. In other cases, the blood flows without any discharge of 

 fasces ; and then, generally, it is after having been preceded by 

 the disorders above mentioned, when it is also commonly in 

 larger quantity. This discharge of blood is often very con- 

 siderable; and, by the repetition, it is often so great, as we 

 could hardly suppose the body to bear but with the hazard of 

 life. Indeed, though rarely, it has been so great as to prove 

 suddenly fatal. These considerable discharges occur especially 

 to persons who have been frequently liable to the disease. They 

 often induce great debility : and frequently a leucophlegmatia, 

 or dropsy, which proves fatal. 



The tumours and discharges of blood in this disease, often re- 

 cur at exactly stated periods. 



DCCCCXXX. It often happens, in the decline of life, that 

 the haemorrhoidal flux, formerly frequent, ceases to flow ; and, 

 upon that event, it generally happens, that the persons are af- 

 fected with apoplexy or palsy. 



DCCCCXXXI. Sometimes haemorrhoidal tumours are affect- 

 ed with considerable inflammation ; which, ending in suppura- 

 tion, gives occasion to the formation of fistulous ulcers in those 

 parts. 



DCCCCXXXII. The hsemorrhoidal tumours have been 

 often considered as varicous tumours or dilatations of veins ; 

 and it is true, that in some cases varicous dilatations have ap- 

 peared upon dissection. These, however, do not always ap- 

 pear ; and I presume it is not the ordinary case, but that the 

 tumours are formed by an effusion of blood into the cellular tex- 

 ture of the intestine near to its extremity. These tumours, 



