476 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



How far the peculiar effects of this disease are to be certainly 

 foreseen and obviated, I have not properly learned ; and I must 

 leave the matter to be determined by those who have had suffi- 

 cient experience in it. 



CHAP. X. OF THE CHOLERA. 



MCCCCLIII. In this disease, a vomiting and purging, 

 concurring together, or frequently alternating with one another, 

 are the chief symptoms. The matter rejected both upwards 

 and downwards appears manifestly to consist chiefly of bile. 



MCCCCLIV. From the last circumstance I conclude, that 

 the disease depends upon an increased secretion of bile, and its 

 copious effusion into the alimentary canal ; and, as in this it 

 irritates and excites the motions above mentioned, I infer that 

 the bile thus effused in larger quantity is, at the same time, also 

 of a more acrid quality. This appears likewise from the violent 

 and very painful gripings that attend the disease, and which 

 we can impute only to the violent spasmodic contractions of the 

 intestines that take place here. These spasms are commonly 

 communicated to the abdominal muscles, and very frequently 

 to those of the extremities. 



MCCCCLV. In the manner now described, the disease fre- 

 quently proceeds with great violence till the strength of the 

 patient is greatly, and often suddenly, weakened ; while a cold- 

 ness of the extremities, cold sweats, and faintings coming on, 

 an end is put to the patients life, sometimes in the course of 

 one day. In other cases the disease is less violent, continues 

 for a day or two, and then ceases by degrees ; though such re- 

 coveries seldom happen without the assistance of remedies. 



MCCCCLVI. The attacks of this disease are seldom ac- 

 companied with any symptoms of pyrexia ; and though, during 

 the course of it, both the pulse and respiration are hurried and 

 irregular, yet these symptoms are generally so entirely remov- 

 ed by the remedies that quiet the spasmodic affections peculiar 

 to the disease, as to leave no ground for supposing that it had 

 been accompanied by any proper pyrexia. 



