of the Stomach. 229 



pathy with that organ. In all such cases it is probable 

 that the circulation of the blood in the liver is languid, 

 the blood itself thin and watery, and the bile which is se- 

 creted less stimulating and pungent, than is requisite to 

 excite a due degree of action in the intestines. That the 

 stomach is primarily and the liver secondarily affected, 

 in most cases, seems probable from the fact, that the 

 morbid sympathies to which this disease gives rise, in 

 other parts of the body, are all owing to the state of the 

 stomach, and none, so far as I have observed, to the state 

 of the liver. I would remark further, that in those cases 

 of the disease, which I have had an opportunity of ex- 

 amining at their commencement, and where in progress 

 of time some reason appeared to apprehend a morbid 

 state of the liver, the stomach uniformly appeared to me 

 to be first diseased. 



The Causes of Chronic Debility of the Stomach are 

 of two kinds, viz. those whicli operate immediately upon 

 the organ itself ; and those which act indirectly, by de- 

 bilitating the body universally, or certain parts of it. 



Those which operate immediately upon the stomach 

 are, 



1st. Improper Diet. 



Under this head may be placed luxurious living, or 

 the habitual use of highly delicious food ; a very abund- 

 ant use of sweetmeats and spices ; an habitual and free 

 use of tea and coffee, drunk too strong or too hot; ardent 

 spirits ; low living, or a diet not sufficiently nourishing ; 

 in the latter wa}^ I have known one person, possessing 

 originally a fine constitution, and alway having every ad- 

 vantage for good living, who brought on the disease, to 

 a severe degree. Strong Tea and Coffee are causes of 

 no small efficacy, in this country. Very luxurious liv- 

 ing, though less general in this part of it, is a cause of 

 some magnitude ; but far the most powerful of all, is the 

 immoderate use of ardent spirits. 



2. Gluttony, or eating an immoderate quantity of 

 food. 



The stomach becomes in consequence of this indul- 

 g-ence unduly extended, and the gastric liquor is not fur-' 

 nished in sufficient q^\?<\\\'^x to dissolve it. 



