G52 A DISSERTATION ON THE EPIDEMIC CHOLERA. 
and tormina. And, as this proposition may be objected to, from 
the name Colica being subject to some ambiguity, as leading to 
the apprehension that it was the colon that was chiefly the seat 
of the disorder, which would not be true; for although this large^ 
intestine may at times chill, and become the first organ of the 
arrested function, yet is the stomach as often, or indeed much 
oftener, the first part affected; so that, to do away all ambiguity, 
if such might be thought desirable, we should propose to unite the 
two genera into one, that is, Cholera and Colica, under a new 
name, and in order to remove any possible misnomer, inscribe it 
with the name Strophos, the Greek appellation for the tormina, 
and which, perhaps, always present, attending all the species of 
the genus, thus making the griping or tormina the essential and 
leading character of this larga family. 
And if, after giving it this more natural arrangement, we might 
be allowed to give it a specific name also, indicative of its dan¬ 
gerous character, we should, if it be not thought inappropriate, 
or till some better shall be devised, propose to give to it, 
that it may also serve as a timely warning of the fatal con¬ 
sequences of its invasion if neglected, the epithet Tetralge, or the 
four miserp disease, from quataor, and dolor; con¬ 
joining to the three above enumerated affections, a fourth, viz. 
the wTetched cramps and spasms of the legs and abdominal 
muscles, which so frequently, but not invariably, attend the 
disease: and thus constituted and titled, it may be said to be 
somewhat as the candid rattlesnake, always carrying about with 
it its salutary w^arning. Such is, however, merely a proposition 
for adoption or rejection, as may be judged right in a system of 
medicine. The public will ever, probably, continue to call it by 
the dread name of cholera morbus, though ambiguous and wrong 
as to its signification as now used. For names are of no mean 
importance in leading our views and opinions; and the nearer 
these approach or approximate to the truth, the danger of error 
will be the more diminished, and the facility of forming just 
reasonings and conclusions be augmented. The catalogue of the 
genera of human diseases will be also diminished by the measure 
we have proposed, by the removal of one of its most obscure 
genera, which cannot but facilitate the labours of the rising gene¬ 
ration of physicians in acquiring their art. 
Arrived at this point of the subject, and furnished with the 
preceding data, we may now profitably turn our attention for a 
moment to the consideration of one of the latest and most 
popular, as well as most generally read and used, of the medical 
works of the present day—that of Dr. Mason Good, entitled 
Studies of Medicine, At vol. i, p. 248, we have his views of this 
