tric acid, as well
as to the general decay of the system: elderly people will go on years
without animal food; but inebriates soon sink, when their digestion becomes
so far impaired. Want of appetite is sometimes produced by the putrid
matter from many decaying teeth being perpetually mixed with the saliva,
and thence affecting the organ of taste, and greatly injuring the
digestion.

M. M. Fine charcoal powder diffused in warm water held in the mouth
frequently in a day, as in Class I. 2. 4. 12. or solution of alum in water.
Extract the decayed teeth. An emetic. A blister. Chalybeates. Vitriolic
acid. Bile of an ox inspissated, and made into pills; 20 grains to be taken
before dinner and supper. Opium half a grain twice a day.

All the strength we possess is ultimately derived from the food, which we
are able to digest; whence a total debility of the system frequently
follows the want of appetite, and of the power of digestion. Some young
ladies I have observed to fall into this general debility, so as but just
to be able to walk about; which I have sometimes ascribed to their
voluntary fasting, when they believed themselves too plump; and who have
thus lost both their health and beauty by too great abstinence, which could
never be restored.

I have seen other cases of what may be termed anorexia epileptica, in which
a total loss of appetite, and of the power of digestion, suddenly occurred
along with epileptic fits. Miss B. a girl about eighteen, apparently very
healthy, and rather plump, was seized with fits, which were at first called
hysterical; they occurred at the end of menstruation, and returned very
frequently with total loss of appetite. She was relieved by venesection,
blisters, and opiates; her strength diminished, and after some returns of
the fits, she took to her bed, and has survived 15 or 20 years; she has in
general eaten half a potato a day, and seldom speaks, but retains her
senses, and had many years occasional returns of convulsion. I have seen
two similar cases, where the anorexia, or want of appetite, was in less
degree; and but just so much food could be digested, as supplied them with
sufficient strength to keep from the bed or sofa for half the day. As well
as I can recollect, all these patients were attended with weak pulse, and
cold pale skin; and received benefit by opium, from a quarter of a grain to
a grain four times a day. See Class III. 1. 1. 7. and III. 1. 2. 1. and
III. 1. 2. 20.