e stomach
rejecting every thing stimulant, even opium or alcohol, together with much
viscid mucus; till the inflammation at length ceases, as happens when other
membranes, as those of the joints, are the seat of gouty inflammation; as
observed in Sect. XXIV. 2. 8.

The sympathy, or association of motions, between those of the stomach and
those of the heart, are evinced in many diseases. First, many people are
occasionally affected with an intermission of their pulse for a few days,
which then ceases again. In this case there is a stop of the motion of the
heart, and at the same time a tendency to eructation from the stomach. As
soon as the patient feels a tendency to the intermission of the motion of
his heart, if he voluntarily brings up wind from his stomach, the stop of
the heart does not occur. From hence I conclude that the stop of digestion
is the primary disease; and that air is instantly generated from the
aliment, which begins to ferment, if the digestive process is impeded for a
moment, (see Sect. XXIII. 4.); and that the stop of the heart is in
consequence of the association of the motions of these viscera, as
explained in Sect. XXXV. 1. 4.; but if the little air, which is instantly
generated during the temporary torpor of the stomach, be evacuated, the
digestion recommences, and the temporary torpor of the heart does not
follow. One patient, whom I lately saw, and who had been five or six days
much troubled with this intermission of a pulsation of his heart, and who
had hemicrania with some fever, was immediately relieved from them all by
losing ten ounces of blood, which had what is termed an inflammatory crust
on it.

Another instance of this association between the motions of the stomach and
heart is evinced by the exhibition of an over dose of foxglove, which
induces an incessant vomiting, which is attended with very slow, and
sometimes intermitting pulse.--Which continues in spite of the exhibition
of wine and opium for two or three days. To the same association must be
ascribed the weak pulse, which constantly attends the exhibition of emetics
during their operation. And also the sudden deaths, which have been
occasioned in boxing by a blow on the stomach; and lastly, the sudden death
of those, who have been long debilitated by the gout, from the torpor of
the stomach. See Sect. XXXV. 1. 4.

* * * * *

SECT. XXVI.

OF THE CAPILLARY GLANDS AND MEMBRANES.

I. 1.