Diseases > Domestic medicine

DOMESTIC MEDICINE. 73
one may be satisfied of this by observing, that he
passes much more urine by day than in the night,
and also when he walks or rides, than when he
Hepatic Complaints.—The circulation in the
liver being slow, obstructions in that organ can hardly
fail to be the consequence of inactivity. Hence seden¬
tary people are frequently afflicted with schirrous
livers. But the proper secretion and discharge of the
bile is so necessary a part of the animal economy,
that where these are not duly performed, the health
must soon be impaired. Jaundice, indigestion, loss
of appetite, and a wasting of the whole bpdy, seldom
fail to be the consequences of a vitiated state of the
liver, or obstructions of the bile.
Pulmonary Consumption.—Few diseases prove
more fatal to the studious than consumptions of the
lungs. It has already been observed, that this organ
cannot be duly expanded in those who do not take
proper exercise ; and where that is the case, obstruc¬
tions and and adhesions will ensue. Not only want
of exercise, but the posture in which studious persons
generally sit, is very hurtful to the lungs. Those
who read or write much are ready to contract a habit
of bending forwards, and often press with their breast
upon a table or bench. This posture cannot fail to
hurt the lungs.
Adhesions, etc.—The functions of the heart may
likewise by this means be injured. I remember to
have seen a man opened, whose pericardium adhered
to the breast-bone in such a manner as to obstruct the
motion of the heart, and occasion his death. The
only probable cause that could be assigned for this
singular symptom was, that the man, whose business
was writing, used constantly to sit in a bending pos¬
ture, with his breast pressing upon the edge of a plain
table.