Book 2
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IF many thick and hard cicatrices form after dysenteries, and broad and very deep ulcerations of the upper intestines, the food passes from them to those below in a fluid state, without separation of the nutritious part; for the cicatrix shuts up the pores by which the nutriment is carried upwards. The patient, therefore, is seized with atrophy, loss of colour and of strength. The affection gets the appellation of Lientery, this name being applied to a cicatrix of the intestines. And here the affection is from ulcers. But sometimes the intestines do not acquire cicatrization, but yet usage and habit reconcile the intestines to the discharge. For, the heat in these parts, if congealed, neither at times performs digestion, nor is the nutriment distributed upwards; but being unchanged, owing to weakness, it fails to undergo any part of the process. But if the purging, though of vitiated matters, be temporary, and not confirmed, a simple vomit after food will sometimes remove the disease. But if the exciting cause be prolonged, and get confirmed, it does no good.
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A chronic disease, and cachexia so mild as not to confine the patient to bed, will engender this disease. But dropsies sometimes have terminated favourably in this disease; a change from one evil to another, but still a better change.
CHAPTER XI. ON AFFECTIONS OF THE WOMB, OR HYSTERICS.
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THE uterus in women is beneficial for purgation and parturition, but it is the common source of innumerable and bad diseases; for not only is it subject to ulcers, inflammation, and the fluor, but, if the whole organ be suddenly carried upwards, it quickly causes death. The fatal diseases of an acute nature connected therewith have been described elsewhere: but the chronic affections are, the two species of fluor; hardness; ulcers, part mild, but part malignant; prolapsus of the whole, or of part.
