CHAPTER X. ON THE ACUTE AFFECTIONS ABOUT THE BLADDER
THE bladder is a dangerous part to suffer in acute diseases,
even when it merely sympathizes with other parts; but more
dangerous and fatal if the affection begin with itself; for it is
very potent to make the other parts sympathise with it, as the
nerves and the understanding: for the bladder is a cold and
white nerve, at a very great distance from the innate heat, but
very near the external cold: for it is situated in the lowest
part of the belly, at the greatest distance from the chest. But,
also, its office is of vital importance, namely, the passage of
the urine.
Even, then, when the passage is only stopped by stones, or
clots, or from any native or foreign mischief, it is of a deadly
nature. In women, the phlegmonous tumour of the uterus
may compress it; and in men, the straight intestine at the end
bowels, called the Rectum. In many cases, too, owing to
involuntary restraint from modesty in assemblies and at banquets,
being filled it becomes distended; and, from the loss of
its contractile power, it no longer evacuates the urine. When,
then, the urine is stopped, there is fulness of the parts above,
namely, the kidneys; distension of the ureters, grievous pain
of the loins, spasms, tremblings, rigors, alienation of mind.
But if it suffer from an ulcer or inflammation, there are, indeed,
many bad symptoms; but death from the ulcers is by
far the most speedy. With regard, however, to the ulceration
and purulent abscess, and those other affections which are not
very acute, they will be treated of among the chronic diseases;
but such as are acute, and prove fatal in fourteen days, or a
little earlier or later, such as inflammation, thrombus, or a
stone falling down to the neck of the bladder, of these I will
now treat. If, therefore, any of these occur, there is retention
of urine; swelling in the hypogastric region; acute pain all
over the abdomen; distension of the bladder; a sallow sweat
on the tenth day; vomitings of phlegm, then of bile; coldness
of the whole body, but especially of the feet: but, if the mischief
spread farther, there come on fevers attended with hiccup,
pulse irregularly frequent and small, redness of the countenance,
thirst, distress of mind, delirium, spasms. From deleterious
substances, such as cantharides and buprestis, both the
bladder is distended with flatus, and the whole belly suffers
violence; and all things get worse, and death cannot be long
delayed.
The bladder also sometimes suffers from hemorrhage; the
blood there is bright and thin, but the patients never die from
it, although it may not be easy to stop. But from the clots
and the inflammation there is danger; for the coldness, mortification,
gangrene, and the other evils consequent upon it
readily prove fatal.
Winter and autumn bring on these diseases. As to age,
manhood, but still more old age. The other seasons and
periods of life do not generally produce the diseases, and they
very rarely prove fatal. Of all others, infants are most free
from danger.
