Path. Obs. [mod.L. (Brown) irreg. f. Gr. σθέν-ος strength, after ASTHENIA.] Used by Brown (see next) for: Normal or excessive ‘excitability’ or vital power. Opposed to asthenia.
1788. J. Brown, trans. Elem. Med., II. 43. In every sthenia, in all sthenic diseases, in the whole first form of diseases (a), an universal criterion is encreased excitement over the whole system.
1833. Cycl. Pract. Med., II. 702/1. [Dr. Brown] maintained … that both sthenia and asthenia could never exist together in the same individual.
