244 On Chronic Debiliij 



jnentation of the alimentary matter in the stomach, there- 

 would be a constaqt extrication of gas, and this would 

 bear some proportion to the quantity of acid, I have al- 

 so almost uniformly found, that where the disease con^ 

 sisted of a paroxysm, produced by acid fruits, or other 

 food, occasioning a rapid fermentation of the alimentary 

 mass, vomiting was easily excited, and gave complete re- 

 lief; and, in the course of twelve or twenty^four hours, the 

 stomach became composed ; or a spontaneous diarrhea 

 came on, and produced a similar eftect. 



The acid, at times, without the aid of any fermenting 

 mass in the stomach, comes on with great violence, and 

 in spite of all efforts short of brisk and repeated riding on 

 horseback, or much hard labor, lays prostrate the whole 

 energy of the system. In spite of my utmost endeavours 

 to overcome it, I am sometimes compelled to give way to it 

 for short periods, and even to betake myself to my bed. 

 When the paroxysm is less severe, it is often the case 

 that one half of the strength of the muscular and nervous 

 systems is destroyed, during its continuance, At such 

 times I am able to walk but short distances, without great 

 weariness, languor, faintness, and sometimes manifest 

 disadvantage ; and any degree of walking which I can 

 then accornplish, will not occasion sweating. 



The following brief recital may further illustrate this 

 subject. In the month of July of the last year, during 

 some very hot weather, I imprudently laid aside the use 

 of a flannel shirt, No immediate ill effects apparently 

 resulted from the want of it ; but in six or eight days my 

 stomach became highly acid, and at the end of the first 

 fortnight I was seized with a severe attack of cholic. The 

 acidity was now become intense, and the saliva disagree- 

 ably sour. No flatulence accompanied or preceded the 

 paroxysm, By putting on a thick flannel shirt, which 

 excited much irritation on the skin for a short time, I 

 speedily obtained relief. 



2. The effects of severe study, or application of the 

 mind, upon the debilitated stomach. This uniformly 

 produces a great influx of acid into that viscus, an acid 

 of a very corrosive nature, and producing by sympathy, 

 great debility throughout the system. So great effects 



