SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 481 



Thejirst is, of the diseases of certain parts of the body 

 which, either from a consent of the intestines with these parts, 

 or from the relation which the intestines have to the whole sys- 

 tem, occasion an increased action in the intestines, without the 

 transference of any stimulant matter from the primary diseased 

 part to them. 



The second head of the causes of the increased action of the 

 intestines is of the stimuli of various kinds, which are applied 

 directly to the intestines themselves. 



MGCCCLXXII. That affections of other parts of the sys- 

 tem may affect the intestines without the transference or appli- 

 cation of any stimulant matter, we learn from hence, that the 

 passions of the mind do in some persons excite diarrhoea. 



MCCCCLXXIII. That diseases in other parts may in like 

 manner affect the intestines, appears from the dentition of in- 

 fants frequently exciting diarrhoea. I believe that the gout often 

 affords another instance of the same kind ; and probably there 

 are others also, though not well ascertained. 



MCCCCLXXIV. The stimuli (MCCCCLXXI.) which 

 may be applied to the intestines, are of very various kinds ; and 

 are either, 



1. Matters introduced by the mouth. 



2. Matters poured into the intestines by the several excreto- 

 ries opening into them. 



3. Matters poured from certain preternatural openings made 

 into them in certain diseases. 



MCCCCLXXV. Of those (MCCCCLXXIV. I.) intro- 

 duced by the mouth, the first to be mentioned are the aliments 

 commonly taken in. Too great a quantity of these taken in, 

 often prevents their due digestion in the stomach ; and by being 

 thus sent in their crude, and probably acrid, state to the intes- 

 tines, they frequently excite diarrhoea. 



The same aliments, though in proper quantity, yet having 

 too great a proportion, as frequently happens, of saline or sac- 

 charine matter along with them, prove stimulant to the intes- 

 tines, and excite diarrhoea. 



But our aliments prove especially the causes of diarrhoea, ac- 

 cording as they, from their own nature, or from the weakness of 

 VOL. n. 2 H 



