INTUMESCENT1JE. 577 



over the whole, and exhibits the phenomena mentioned in the 

 character. Upon the first coming on of the disease, as well as 

 during its progress, the belly is bound, and the fasces discharged 

 are commonly hard and dry. The urine, at the beginning, is 

 usually very little changed in quantity or quality from its na- 

 tural state ; but as the disease continues, it is commonly chang- 

 ed in both respects ; and at length sometimes a strangury, and 

 even an ischuria, comes on. The disease has seldom advanced far, 

 before the appetite is much impaired, and digestion ill perform- 

 ed ; and the whole body, except the belly, becomes considerably 

 emaciated. Together with these symptoms, a thirst and uneasy 

 sense of heat at length comes on, and a considerable frequency 

 of pulse occurs, which continues throughout the course of the 

 disease. When the tumour of the belly arises to a considerable 

 bulk, the breathing becomes very difficult, with a frequent dry 

 cough. With all these symptoms, the strength of the patient 

 declines; and the febrile symptoms daily increasing, death at 

 length ensues, sometimes probably in consequence of a gangrene 

 coming upon the intestines. 



MDCXXXIII. The tympanites is commonly of some dur- 

 ation, and to be reckoned a chronic disease. It is very seldom 

 quickly fatal, except where such an affection suddenly arises in 

 fevers. To this Sauvages has properly given a different ap- 

 pellation, that of Meteorismus ; and I judge it may always be 

 considered as a symptomatic affection, entirely distinct from the 

 tympanites we are now considering. 



MDCXXXIV. The tympanites is generally a fatal disease, 

 seldom admitting of cure ; but what may be attempted in this 

 way, I shall try to point out, after I shall have endeavoured to 

 explain the proximate cause, which alone can lay the foundation 

 of what may be rationally attempted towards its cure. 



MDCXXXV. To ascertain the proximate cause of tympani- 

 tes, is somewhat difficult. It has been supposed in many cases, 

 to be merely an uncommon quantity of air present in the ali- 

 mentary canal, owing to the extrication and detachment of a 

 greater quantity of air than usual from the alimentary matters 

 taken in. Our vegetable aliments, I believe, always undergo 

 some degree of fermentation ; and, in consequence, a quantity of 

 air is extricated and detached from them in the stomach and 



VOL. ii. 2o 



