Or Chronius, (from time). Chronical.

Diseases which continue long, and are without any, or at least a considerable degree of, fever. On the contrary, those which proceed rapidly, and terminate soon, are termed acute.

In the cure of chronical disorders, Dr. Fothergill intimates, that those means or medicines which enable the stomach duly to perform its office, are the most effectual, if not the only remedies. (See Lond. Med. Obs. vol. i. p. 314.) Dr. Cadogan seems to corroborate this, by his observations on the causes of chronical disorders; which, he says, are indolence, intemperance, or vexation: though now and then he allows, that an acute disorder, imperfectly cured, may be the cause of chronical ones. (See his Essay on the Gout and Chronical Diseases.) In general, however, chronical diseases depend on an obstructed discharge, or an infarcted gland, usually the liver. Atonic gout may be another cause; but, in general, an attention to the state of the bowels is essentially necessary, and a preservation of the balance of the circulation, particularly an attention to the warmth of the surface and extremities. Wallis's Sydenham, vol. i. p. 4.