De resolutione theses

lute part is quickly cooled, and if it is lifted high, it soon falls back; and when the malady is prolonged, it is accustomed to waste away from atrophy.

VIII.

Resolution, when taken as a symptom, follows not just one kind of disease, but sometimes an intemperies (though it may be doubted not without reason whether it can be produced by this alone), sometimes a solution of continuity, or an organic disease. Passing over the first two (of which the one is easy to cure, the other entirely impossible), we shall deal here only with the third, namely the organic, which, as it is not altogether easy, so it is not always impossible to cure; and it occurs more frequently for physicians to treat.

IX.

Indeed, as is clearly evident from what has been said, whatever is apt to impede the transit of the animal faculty from the brain through the nerves to the members can effect this; of these, some are referred by physicians to external or evident causes, others to internal ones.

X.

Among the external ones, a gross or disordered regimen of diet holds the principal place, as well as the intermission of customary exercises or their untimely use; likewise, the varied constitution of the ambient air, on account of which crude humors are collected or, once collected, are rendered fluid. Here also belong compressions of the nerves or the spinal cord, made by hands, bonds, or some constricting body, as well as distortions of parts, various flexions, and similar things.

XI.

Of the internal causes, some are called antecedent, others conjunct. The antecedent causes of resolution produced by an instrumental disease are the accumulation in the body of crude or gross humors (especially phlegm); the suppression of customary evacuations; and the generation of various tumors constricting the spinal cord or the nerves.

XII.

The conjunct causes of this disease are the already mentioned tumors or humors which [obstruct] one part of the brain, or the spinal cord, or