Inaugural Medical Dissertation on Blind and Open Hemorrhoids

continues from previous page: ...to the end of the rectum, and [regarding] the proximate efficient cause; as the illustrious Zabarella has it, lib. 4. on methods, chap. 14. col. 306. f. 307. a. we shall also cut into these same parts; so that in the OPEN ones, the place of the GENUS is held by An immoderate Flow of Blood, see Hippocrates lib. on food, which is the symptoma symptom of the excreted (as Galen has it on the causes of symptoms, ch. 6.) contrary to nature, erring in quantity and time. They err in quantity while they flow too far; in time, when they flow longer than necessary. The strengths are prostrated because of the premature exit of the life-giving nectar.

Here, at the very first front, a question must be touched upon that is agitated everywhere: Are Hemorrhoids a natural excretion, or a preternatural one? Many authors place them in the number of Excretions entirely of the kind contrary to nature, for the reason that it is not for all men to shed blood through those places, nor is blood ever excreted according to nature, except in women: see Savanorol. tract. 6. major practice. chap. 17. Sennert. l. 3. medical practice. part. 2. sect. 2. ch. 13.

Others, on the contrary, having applied a distinction between healthy and unhealthy Hemorrhoids, and urging with Galen 6. on the differences of symptoms the difference between symptomatic and critical evacuations, or rather the works of Nature operating rightly and well, think that, with the denomination made from the stronger, the most potent efficient cause, as well as the mode and the end, it can be said most excellently to be through and according to nature: indeed, that healthy Hemorrhoids are not contrary to nature either by reason of the excretion itself or of the excreted matter, and thus in disposed subjects this excretion is entirely natural. Let one see, concerning the former distinction, Henr. Petræus, Nosolog. Harmon. Diss. 32. th. 6. 7.; concerning the latter, confer also the Most Noble and Most Excellent Mr. Dr. Preses, my Teacher and Promoter, to be followed with eternal honor, Diss. IX. Epit. instit. lib. 2. part. 3. c. 1. pag. 153.

We, if we look to the given definition, cannot acknowledge the immoderate flow of hemorrhoids as anything other than a preternatural affliction (that moderate and timely [flow] being left to Nature operating well); and thus this complicated Symptom will have to be referred partly to the first and partly to the third class of symptoms, just as the excess and defect of the menses; so that a harmed action (in excretion and retention) is the primary symptom, while the excretion is secondary. Confer Magnif. Mr. Dr. Rolfincius, my Teacher, Patron, Host, and Promoter, to be venerated like a father, Tr. on Affections of the Head, last diss. on Catarrh. pag. 5. Of the same, Epitome of knowing and curing affections of the human body, particular. lib. 3. chap. 23. p. 343. also Cl. Sennert. instit. Lib. II. part. 3. sect. 1. chap. 11. fol. m. 139. b.