of the Stomach* 233 



be termed primary ; and those which effect other parts 

 of the body, from sympathy with the stomach. 



As the sympathetic actions of the system have ap- 

 peared to me, when present at the prescriptions of phy- 

 sicians, to be usually, not sufficiently brought up to view, 

 in forming opinions of the nature of diseases; andasma^ 

 ny of the observations yet to be made will, unless such 

 sympathies exist, be irrelevant, I shall, before I particu- 

 larize the symptoms, make some brief remarks, relative 

 to that subject. These remarks are intended to illus- 

 trate two points, viz. that a general sympathy exists be- 

 tween all parts of the body ; and that a peculiar sympa- 

 thy exists between the stomach and other parts. 



That a general sympathy pervades the body is evi- 

 dent, from the following considerations. 



1. Obstinate bleedings at the nose, and many other 

 hemorrhages, may be often almost immediately stopped, 

 by the application of cold water, to the surface of the 

 body. A gentleman, who had bled to a very alarming 

 degree, from the lungs, so as to endanger his life, unless 

 speedy relief was afforded, was wrapt in a sheet, which 

 han been dipped in cold vinegar, and the bleeding soon 

 ceased. 



2. The phenomena, which occur in the production of 

 ague and fever, can be accounted for in no other manner. 

 Every attentive practitioner, conversant with this disease, 

 must have often witnessed the following facts which I 

 have repeatedly seen, relative to that subject. Persons 

 possessing sound health, and never subject to chronic 

 diseases of any kind, on being exposed to cold and damp 

 air so long as to be severely chilled, are often affected 

 as follows. In consequence of the chill, or torpid state 

 of the vessels on the surface of the body, induced by it, 

 a universal paleness of the skin takes place. To this 

 succeeds nausea, which is attended frequently with much 

 acid and wind in the stomach ; the heart and arteries 

 cease to act with their wonted vigour; the pulse be- 

 comes small and feeble, and sometimes slower, but gen- 

 erally more frequent ; universal languor and listlessness 

 ensue, accompanied with frequent yawning. Pains in 



C 



