374 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



produce a loss of tone in the muscular fibres of the stomach. 

 They may, I think, be considered under two heads, The first 

 is, of those which act directly and immediately upon the stom- 

 ach itself : The second is, of those which act upon the whole 

 body, or particular parts of it, but in consequence of which the 

 stomach is chiefly or almost only affected. 

 MCXCVIIL Of the first kind are, 



1. Certain sedative or narcotic substances taken into the 

 stomach, such as tea, coffee, tobacco, ardent spirits, opium, bit- 

 ters, aromatics, putrids, and acescents. 



2. The large and frequent drinking of warm water, or of warm 

 watery liquids. 



3. Frequent surfeit, or immoderate repletion of the stomach. 



4. Frequent vomiting, whether spontaneously arising, or ex- 

 cited by art. 



5. Very frequent spitting, or rejection of saliva. 

 MCXCIX. Those causes which act upon the whole body, 



or upon particular parts and functions of it, are, 



1. An indolent and sedentary life. " It is observed that the 

 tone of our system is in general supported by the exercise of its 

 functions, action, and exercise ; and although many, from con- 

 stitution, &c. escape the effects of a sedentary life, yet we can 

 have no doubt that such a life brings on, or at least favours the 

 operation of other causes which bring on dyspepsia. 



" I will add not only indolence of body, but of mind. I 

 can show that a certain action of the mind is as necessary to 

 preserve its functions, as the action of the body is to preserve its 

 healthy state. I shall recur to this in speaking of the dejec- 

 tion of the mind, which is frequently a symptom of dyspepsia.^ 



2. Vexation of mind, and disorderly passions of any kind. 



3. Intense study, or close application to business too long 

 continued. 



4. Excess in venery. 



5- Frequent intoxication ; which partly belongs to this head, 

 partly to the former. 



6. The being much exposed to moist and cold air when with- 

 out exercise. " Cold certainly does invigorate the system in 

 many cases, when we preserve the body in its due temperature. 

 But if we go the length of lowering the temperature, cold may 



