Book 2
1
In all the species there are present paleness, difficulty of breathing, occasional cough; they are torpid, with much languor and loss of appetite; but if they take any food, however small in quantity and free from flatulence, they become flatulent, and have distension as if from repletion; skin dry, so that it does not become moist even after the bath; they are white and effeminate; but in Anasarca they are of a dark-green colour, and have dark veins; in Ascites and Tympanites these are prominent, both in the face, and in the wrists, and the abdomen. But in Anasarca and Leucophlegmatia all the parts are concealed by the swelling; sleep heavy; they are torpid, with slight dejection of spirit; concern about trifles; fondness of life; endurance not from good spirits and good hopes like those in prosperity, but from the nature of the affection. It is not possible exactly to state the cause; but this is a mighty wonder, how in certain diseases, not altogether dangerous, the patients are spiritless, dejected, and wish to die, but in others they have good hopes and are fond of life. Diseases produce both these contraries.
