280 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



the state of the stomach occur, the measures necessary are the 

 same as in the case of atonic gout. 



CHAP. VI. OF THE MENORRHAGIA, OR THE 

 IMMODERATE FLOW OF THE MENSES. 



DCCCCLXVI. Blood discharged from the vagina may pro- 

 ceed from different sources in the internal parts : but I here 

 mean to treat of those discharges only, in which the blood may 

 be presumed to flow from the same sources that the menses in 

 their natural state proceed from ; and which discharges alone 

 are those properly comprehended under the present title. The 

 title of Metrorrhagia, or hcemorrhagia uteri, might compre- 

 hend a great deal more. 



DCCCCLXVII. The menorrhagia may be considered as of 

 two kinds ; either as it happens to pregnant and lying-in women, 

 or as it happens to women neither pregnant nor having recently 

 born children. The first kind, as connected with the circum- 

 stances of pregnancy and child-bearing (which are not to be 

 treated of in the present course), I am not to consider here, but 

 shall confine myself to the second kind of menorrhagia only. 



DCCCCLXVIII. The flow of the menses is considered as 

 immoderate, when it recurs more frequently, when it continues 

 longer, or when, during the ordinary continuance, it is more 

 abundant than is usual with the same person at other times. 



DCCCCLXIX. As the most part of women are liable to 

 some inequality with respect to the period, the duration, and the 

 quantity of their menses ; so it is not every inequality in these 

 respects that is to be considered as a disease ; but only those de- 

 viations which are excessive in degree, which are permanent, 

 and which induce a manifest state of debility. 



DCCCCLXX. The circumstances, DCCCCLXVIII., 

 DCCCCLXIX., are those which chiefly constitute the menorr- 

 hagia : but it is proper to observe, that although I allow the 

 frequency, duration, and quantity of the menses to be judged of 

 by what is usual with the same individual at other times ; yet 



