Book 2
1
In Anasarca and Leucophlegmatia the lower belly is empty, the patients are swelled in the face and arms; and likewise, in these cases, whatever parts are empty in the others, in them become full. For in Leucophlegmatia there is collected a white, cold, and thick phlegm; with it the whole body is filled, and the face is swollen, and also the neck and arms; but the abdomen is full from the swelling; but the mammæ are raised up into a swelling in the case of such youths as are still in the happy period of life. But, in Anasarca, there is wasting of the flesh to a fleshy humour, and a bloody ichor, such as runs from ulcerations of the bowels, and such as flows from bruises produced by the fall of weights, if the outer skin be scarified. But the combination of the two has the symptoms of both.
1
In all the species there are present paleness, difficulty of breathing, occasional cough; they are torpid, with much languor and loss of appetite; but if they take any food, however small in quantity and free from flatulence, they become flatulent, and have distension as if from repletion; skin dry, so that it does not become moist even after the bath; they are white and effeminate; but in Anasarca they are of a dark-green colour, and have dark veins; in Ascites and Tympanites these are prominent, both in the face, and in the wrists, and the abdomen. But in Anasarca and Leucophlegmatia all the parts are concealed by the swelling; sleep heavy; they are torpid, with slight dejection of spirit; concern about trifles; fondness of life; endurance not from good spirits and good hopes like those in prosperity, but from the nature of the affection. It is not possible exactly to state the cause; but this is a mighty wonder, how in certain diseases, not altogether dangerous, the patients are spiritless, dejected, and wish to die, but in others they have good hopes and are fond of life. Diseases produce both these contraries.
