3.
Hypochondria inflamed not from retention of flatus, tension of the diaphragm,
checked respiration, with dry orthopnoea, when no pus is formed, but when these
complaints are connected with obstructed respiration; but more especially
strong pains of the liver, heaviness of the spleen, and other phlegmasiae and
intense pains above the diaphragm, diseases connected with collections of
humors,—all these diseases do not admit of resolution, if treated at first by
medicine, but venesection holds the first place in conducting the treatment;
then we may have recourse to a clyster, unless the disease be great and strong;
but if so, purging also may be necessary; but bleeding and purging together
require caution and moderation. Those who attempt to resolve inflammatory
diseases at the commencement by the administration of purgative medicines,
remove none of the morbific humors which produce the inflammation and tension;
for the diseases while unconcocted could not yield, but they melt down those
parts which are healthy and resist the disease; so when the body is debilitated
the malady obtains the mastery; and when the disease has the upper hand of the
body, it does not admit of a cure.
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