a is the remote cause; the
closing of the eyelid is the proximate effect; and the diffusion of tears
over the eye-ball is the remote effect. In some cases two more links of
causation may be introduced; one of them may be termed the pre-remote
cause; as the warmth or motion of the atmosphere, which causes greater
exhalation from the cornea. And the other the post-remote effect; as the
renewed pellucidity of the cornea; and thus six links of causation may be
expressed in words.

But if amid these remote links of animal causation any of the four powers
or faculties of the sensorium be introduced, the reasoning is not just
according to the method here proposed; for these powers of the sensorium
are always the proximate causes of the contractions of animal fibres; and
therefore in true language cannot be termed their remote causes. From this
criterion it may always be determined, whether more diseases than one are
comprehended under one name; a circumstance which has much impeded the
investigation of the causes, and cures of diseases.

Thus the term fever, is generally given to a collection of morbid symptoms;
which are indeed so many distinct diseases, that sometimes appear together,
and sometimes separately; hence it has no determinate meaning, except it
signifies simply a quick pulse, which continues for some hours; in which
sense it is here used.

In naming diseases I have endeavoured to avoid the affectation of making
new compound Greek words, where others equally expressive could be
procured: as a short periphrasis is easier to be understood, and less
burthensome to the memory.

In the Methodus Medendi, which is marked by M.M. at the end of many of the
species of diseases, the words incitantia, sorbentia, torpentia, &c. refer
to the subsequent articles of the Materia Medica, explaining the operations
of medicines.

The remote causes of many diseases, their periods, and many circumstances
concerning them, are treated of in the preceding volume; the descriptions
of many of them, which I have omitted for the sake of brevity, may be seen
in the Nosologia Methodica of Sauvages, and in the Synopsis Nosologiae of
Dr. Cullen, and in the authors to which they refer.

In this arduous undertaking the author solicits the candour of the critical
reader; as he cannot but foresee, that many errors will be discovered, many
additional species will require to be inserted; and others to be
transplanted, or erased. If he could expen