CHAPTER XVI. ON CACHEXIA, OR BAD HABIT OF BODY.
CACHEXIA arises as the conversion of nearly all diseases; for
almost all diseases are its progenitors. But it likewise is formed
by itself, separately from all others, as an original affection of
the noxious kind, by deriving its increase from the administration
of many and improper medicines. And "a bad habit"
for a season is common to all complaints, with many symptoms;
and of this its name is significant. There is emaciation, paleness,
swelling, or whatever else happens for the time to be
prevalent in the body. But cachexia is the form of one great
affection, and gives its name to the same. For "the good
habit of the patient" (
Euhexia) in all respects, as regards digestion,
the formation of blood for distribution, and every natural
operation whence arise good breathing, good strength, and
good colour, constitutes the pristine state of good health. But
if its nature become changed to the weakness of cacochymy,
this constitutes cachexia.
This disease is difficult to cure, and is a very protracted
illness; for it is engendered during a protracted space of time,
and not from one infirmity of the body, nor in connection with
only one viscus; for it is formed by the conversion of all into
a vitiated state. Wherefore those diseases which are its offspring
are incurable, as dropsy, phthisis, or wasting; for,
indeed, the causes of cachexia are akin to those of wasting.
The disease is a protracted and continuous dysentery, and the
relapses of diseases in certain cases. Generally there is sufficient
appetite, and plenty of food is taken; but the distribution
thereof takes place in a crude and undigested condition, for
the operation of digestion is not performed upon the food.
The cause of it also may be the suppression of the hemorrhoidal
discharge, or the omission of customary vomiting,
inactivity as regards exercises, and indolence as to great
labours. When each of its attendants has ceased to return,
there is heaviness of the whole body, now and then paleness,
flatulence of the stomach, eyes hollow, sleep heavy, and inactivity.
But these symptoms occurring in an erratic form conceal
the existence of the disease; but if they remain and strike
root, nor readily give way, they are significant of a mighty
illness. When in an erect posture, then they become swollen
in their feet and legs; but, when reclining, in the parts they
lay upon; and if they change their position, the swelling
changes accordingly, and the course of the cold humour is
determined by its weight. For when the heat evaporates the
humidity, if it be not diffused, the humidity again runs in a
liquid state. They have an appetite for much food, and are
very voracious; the distribution is more expeditious than the
digestion, of matters that are crude rather than undigested; but
digestion is not at all performed, nor is it digested in the whole
body by nature. For the weakness of the heat in the belly
and in the system is the same, neither is good and well-coloured
blood formed.
And when the whole body is filled with crudities, and the
desire as to food is gone, the cachexy having now extended to
the stomach, and the affection having now attained its summit,
they become swollen, inactive, and spiritless towards every exertion.
The belly is dried up, and, for the most part, the alvine
discharges are without bile, white, hard, and undigested. They
are parched in person, without perspiration, troubled with
itchiness; sleep at no time settled, but drowsiness in the
reclining position; respiration slow; pulse obscure, feeble,
frequent, and very frequent upon any, even a very small,
exertion; respiration in these cases asthmatic; veins on the
temples elevated, with emaciation of the parts around; but at
the wrists the veins much larger and tumid; blood of a dark-green
colour. Along with these,
phthisis or
tabes induces anasarca
or ascites, and from their progeny there is no escape.
With regard to the ages which induce this disease, in the
first place, old age, in which there is no recovery; children
are readily affected, and more readily recover; adults are not
very much exposed to the affection, but have by no means
easy recoveries. No one season produces this disease, nor
does it terminate in any one; but autumn indeed conceives
it, winter nurses it, spring brings it to its full growth, and
summer despatches it.
