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264 ESOTERIC ANTHROPOLOGY.
it is not. Where there is organic disease, there must
always be functional; where there is functional, there
must be organic disetise somewhere, though not neces
sarily in the part which appears to be affected. It may
be in the nervous^ centers connected with it. Thus
asthma may be an affection of the spinal cord; and
irregular action of the heart, in most cases, comes from
some nervous connection with the stomach or generative
organs.
Diseases are called sporadic, endemic, and epidemic.
Sporadic-, when they appear in single cases at irregular
intervals ; endemic, when of constant occurrence from
local causes; epidemic, when numbers of cases arise
in the same district from some cause of temporary oc
currence.
Diseases are acute, when recent and violent ; chronic,
when of long continuance, and slower progress.
Diseases are mild, when most cases recover; and
malignant, when a large proportion are fatal.
Diseases are contagious, when they spread in any
manner by the influence of the sick upon the well;
otherwise, non-contagious. Highly contagious diseases
are called virulent.
Diseases, in any part, may be characterized by in
crease, or diminution, or irregularity of function, or
some morbid change in its results. Thus, in the bowels
there may be diarrhea, or constipation, or each in alter
nation, or unnatural excretions; and the same of other
organs. The heart may act with excessive force and
rapidity; or it may be weak and rapid,
or weak and
Blow, or irregular.
In inflammation there is preternatural heat, swelling,