From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordSevere suffering located in the bowels.
- In the bookColica also concerns the bowels but adds a historical explanation involving tartar and the colon.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 17; facsimile PDF page 345.
Historical definition
Contorsio is a torment of the bowels.
Meaning
The definition gives an affected region and a description of suffering. It does not identify a cause, specify an anatomical lesion, or offer a treatment. The older word “torment” conveys the character of the complaint without establishing a modern diagnosis.
Use in the book
Colica also concerns the bowels but adds a historical explanation involving tartar and the colon. Contractio describes weakness and drawing together of members. Keep those additional features attached to their own entries; they are not supplied by the brief definition of Contorsio.
Places to read
- ContorsioRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- ColicaA bowel disorder explained through the historical category of tartar.
- ContractioWeakness accompanied by a drawing together of bodily members.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 17; facsimile PDF page 345 — Facsimile