VOMITINGis a strong and suddenContractionof the wholeStomach, occasion’d by theAnimal Spirit’sbeing preternaturallyexpandedin itsorbicularas well asoblong Fibres, and the too quick and violentExertionof theirElastick Power: Or otherwise, it is aConvulsive Motionof theStomach, whereby, when theFibres, which compose its middle ormuscular Tunick, are all at once strongly contracted, it endeavours to eject through theOesophagusandMouththe Contents of itsCavity; to which theGulletitself (being of a piece with theStomach) and theMusclesof theBellycontribute not a little.
WHICHDefinitioncomprehends theimmediate Causeof allVomitings; and tho’ there be many external and internalmediate Causes, yet, I think, in the present Case of thepregnant Woman, the Cause of thisSymptomproceeds chiefly from theVapoursof the exhaledHumours, and the worse Part of theBlood; infesting theTunicksof theOrificeof theVentricle, and flying into theCavityof theStomach.
WHICH, ifslightlyaffected, occasions only anauseous Spitting, orgentle Vomiting; but if moreseverely, it excites a far worseVomiting, with a certain grievousPainandTormentof the Person afflicted. Now if thoseVapoursbe of acalid Quality, they commonly occasion a stinking and burning kind ofBelching; but iffrigid, perhaps, on the contrary, a troublesome sour, acid,breaking of Wind: Both of which promotefrequent Vomiting, that carries off thevicious Juices; so that theSymptomcommonly ceases (of itself) in thesecondorthird Month. Wherefore this illHabitneed not be industriously restrain’d, unless veryTroublesome; as in theabove-mention’dCase, when attended with extremeSeverity of Pain: Forthenit is not withoutDanger, and therefore requires immediateRemedyorCure.
WHICHCure, I humbly conceive, maybe judiciously effected by expelling theCause, and strengthening theVentricle; so that it may be capable to repel thoseVapours, orHumours, ascending from theWomb; and may either entirely subvert or repressThosepreviously receiv’d.