Book 1
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When, therefore, it appears without inflammation of any viscus, it is usually not dangerous, though protracted; but if prolonged, and the viscus gets inflamed, it terminates most commonly in dropsy and cachexia. And many have died emaciated, without dropsy. It is familiar to adolescents and young men, and to them it is less dangerous; it is not altogether unusual also with children, but in them it is not entirely free from danger.
CHAPTER XVI. ON CACHEXIA, OR BAD HABIT OF BODY.
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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.
