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CHAP. X. Of the dry Belly-ach.
THIS cruciating disease may be called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in Latin Spasmus Abdominis, quod sub umbelico est ad Pubem; and because of the additional Tor∣ments, it may be also named Tormen Abdomi∣nis, quod dolore torquetur Abdomen.
This disease doth also need as well the Name, as the invocation of Miserere mei Deus; the sick being in such extreme misery, that 'tis incredible to all but them that have endur'd it.
The most urgent and exquisite pain under this affect, being in that most tender and sen∣sible part, viz. the Belly, may seem to have some Alliance with the Iliack or Colick pas∣sion; and indeed they are sometimes its Con∣comitants, but much different from it.
The causes of this lamentable Distemper, * 1.1 are either external, or internal.
The external general occasional cause is contracting Cold in the Region of the Belly, &c. which doth cramp not onely the Muscles of the Abdomen, but also the tender Fibres of the Intestines, cruciating all the affected parts with obdurate Contractions; which is