SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 493 



fluids is rather to be blamed, I conclude from hence, that even 

 the solid food taken in, increases the quantity of the urine 

 voided, at the same time with an increase of the saccharine 

 matter above mentioned. , 



MDXI. The diabetes has been supposed to be owing to a 

 certain state of the bile ; and it is true, that this disease has 

 sometimes occurred in persons who were at the same time affect- 

 ed with diseases of the liver : but this occurrence does not 

 often take place; and the diabetes frequently occurs separately 

 from any affection of the liver. In twenty instances of diabetes 

 which I have seen, there was not in any one of them any evi- 

 dent affection of the liver. 



The explanation that has been offered of the nature and 

 operation of the bile, in producing diabetes, is very hypotheti- 

 cal, and nowise satisfying. 



MDXII. As I have already said, I think it probable, that in 

 most cases the proximate cause of this disease is some fault in the 

 assimilatory powers, or in those employed in converting alimen- 

 tary matters into the proper animal fluids. This I formerly 

 hinted to Dr. Dobson, and it has been prosecuted and published 

 by him ; but I must own that it is a theory embarrassed 

 with some difficulties which I cannot at present very well re- 

 move. 



MDXI 1 1. The proximate cause of diabetes being so little 

 known or ascertained, I cannot propose any rational method of 

 cure in the disease. From the testimony of, several authors, I 

 believe that the disease has been cured ; but I believe also, 

 that this has seldom happened ; and when the disease has been 

 cured, I doubt much if it was effected by the several remedies 

 to which these cures have been ascribed. In all the instances 

 of this disease which I myself have seen, and in several others 

 of which I have been informed, no cure of it has ever been 

 made in Scotland, though many instances of it have occurred, 

 and in most of them the remedies recommended by authors 

 have been diligently employed. I cannot, therefore, with any 

 advantage, enter into a detail of these remedies ; and as the dis- 

 ease, together with its several circumstances, when they shall 

 hereafter occur, is likely to become the subject of diligent inves- 

 tigation, I avoid going farther at present, and judge it prudent 



