ADYNAMIA. 369 



views) therefore, they may be considered as forming one and 

 the same disease, to which we have given the appellation of 

 Dyspepsia, set at the head of this chapter. 



" We have established a genus of disease under the title of 

 Dyspepsia, and perhaps there was no avoiding it, bltt it is too 

 general, and under that generality of little use. 



"It comprehends every irregularity in the functions of the 

 stomach ; but these are certainly of great diversity in their 

 nature and causes : and we want more accuracy and precision 

 than we yet have. 



" There is no part, except the brain, that has so much con- 

 nexion with the whole of the nervous system as the stomach, 

 and it is therefore affected by a great variety of causes, and its 

 affections often consist in modifications of motions, not distinctly 

 understood (See Vol. I. p, 150.). I am of opinion, that we 

 cannot bestow too much pains on the consideration of the 

 affections of the stomach, as we find that, next to the Pyrexia, 

 they are the most frequent occurrences in practice. 11 



MCXCI. But as this disease is also frequently a secondary 

 and sympathic affection, so the symptoms above mentioned are 

 often joined with many others ; and this has given occasion to 

 a very confused and undetermined description of it, under the 

 general title of Nervous Diseases, or under that of Chronic 

 Weakness. " Dr. Withers, in an account of the disease, under 

 the title of Chronic Weakness, has copied my lectures almost 

 verbatim." It is proper, however, to distinguish ; and I appre- 

 hend the symptoms enumerated above are those essential to 

 the idiopathic affection I am now to treat of. 



MCXCII. It is indeed to be particularly observed, that 

 these symptoms are often truly accompanied with a certain state 

 of mind which may be considered as a part of the idiopathic 

 affection ; but I shall take no further notice of this symptom 

 in the present chapter, as it will be fully and more properly 

 considered in the next, under the title of Hypochondriasis. 



MCXCI 1 1. That there is a distinct disease attended always 

 with the greater part of the above symptoms, is rendered very 

 probable by this, that all these several symptoms may arise 

 from one and the same cause ; that is, from an imbecility, loss 



VOL. II. 2 A 



