A treatise on indigestion and its consequenses, called nervous and bilious complaints : with observations on the organic diseases in which they sometimes terminate / by A.P.W. Philip.

  • Philip, Alexander Philip Wilson, 1770-1847.
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on indigestion and its consequenses, called nervous and bilious complaints : with observations on the organic diseases in which they sometimes terminate / by A.P.W. Philip. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/256 (page 4)
    consequence of the sympatliy which exists between the stomach and every other part of the system, a general state of debility, almost approaching to syncope. The surface is pale, cold, and shrunk, and the action of the heart impaired, the pulse becom- ing small and feeble. The limbs perhaps tremble, and are always unequal to their usual exertions; and the mind is anxious and subdued. These sym])toms, however, disappear as soon as the act of vomiting relieves tlie stomach from the offending cause. When we consider that the causes which disorder the powers of the stomach in indigestion are of a more permanent nature, and that the contents which irritate its surface, although often removed, as in the case of the emetic, are soon repro- duced, we shall find little difficulty in perceiving the general rationale of the symptoms of this disease. But in order more particularly to ascertain the state of the stomach and bowels in its various stages, it will be necessary to take a closer view of its symptoms, and attempt a more minute investigation of their immediate causes. THE symptoms which arise immediately from undigested food, exist in various degrees in different cases. In the very commencement of the disease, they are often the only symp- toms which occasion much uneasiness; from which it appears, that the functions of the stomach may, for a certain time, be so disordered as to produce a feeble, or otherwise vitiated, secre- tion, without in any other way very sensibly affecting the functions of the system. People frequently complain of a sense of distention of the stomach after eating, and flatulent and acid eructations, who, notwithstanding, enjoy good general health ; and find that even these symptoms may be prevented by taking less food, and that of a more digestible quality ; and if they are prudent in this respect, and the constitution is otherwise sound, and not exposed to the effects of indolence, and other causes weakening the nervous system, the stomach will often recover its powers without farther means. In the majority of cases, however, either from neglect on the ])art of the patient, or a greater degree of obstinacy in the cause, the above symptoms continue to recur. Ibis never happens, for anv great length of time, witliout the other parts