302 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



MXXI. When such a suppression happens, it may be sup- 

 posed to operate by inducing a plethoric state of the whole 

 body, and thereby occasioning haemorrhagy from other parts of 

 it ; and haemorrhagies from many different parts of the body 

 have been observed by physicians as occurring in consequence 

 of the suppression we speak of. It is, however, the great 

 variety of such haemorrhagies that leads me to think, that, with 

 the plethoric state of the whole body, there must be always 

 some peculiar circumstances in the part from which the blood 

 flows, that determines its afflux to that particular, often sin- 

 gularly odd part ; and, therefore, that such haemorrhagies may, 

 from these circumstances, occur without any considerable ple- 

 thora at the same time prevailing in the whole system. 



MXXII. It is to be observed, that, if we are to expect an 

 haemorrhagy in consequence of a suppression of the menses 

 inducing a plethoric state of the system, we should expect 

 especially an haemoptysis, or haemorrhagy from the lungs, as a 

 plethora might be expected to show its effects especially there ; 

 and accordingly, upon occasion of suppressed menses, that 

 haemorrhagy occurs more frequently than any other : But, even 

 this, when it does happen, neither in its circumstances nor its 

 consequences, leads us to suppose, that, at the same time, any 

 considerable or dangerous plethora prevails in the body. 



MXXIII. These considerations in MXXI. MXXII., 

 will, I apprehend, apply to our present subject ; and I would 

 therefore allege, that a haematemesis may perhaps depend upon 

 particular circumstances of the stomach determining an afflux 

 of blood to that organ, and may therefore occur without any 

 considerable or dangerous plethora prevailing in the system. 

 What are the circumstances of the stomach, which, upon the 

 occasion mentioned, may determine an afflux of blood to it, I 

 cannot certainly or clearly explain ; but I presume that it depends 

 upon the connexion and consent which we know to subsist be- 

 tween the uterus and the whole of the alimentary canal, and 

 especially that principal part of it, the stomach. 



MXXIV. From these reflections we may, I think, draw the 

 following conclusions : 



1. That the haematemesis we speak of is hardly ever a dan- 

 gerous disease. 



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