a. Path. [ad. mod.L. sthenic-us (Brown), f. Gr. σθέν-ος strength: after asthenicus ASTHENIC a.] Applied by Dr. John Brown (1735–88) and his followers to diseases characterized by a normal or excessive accumulation of ‘excitability’ or vital power in the system. Similarly in later use, of diseases, symptoms, etc.: Marked by normal or excessive vital or nervous energy. Opposed to asthenic.
1788. J. Brown, trans. Elem. Med., I. Pref. p. xii. note. Sthenic diseases … are such as depend upon an excessive application of the several powers that otherwise produce health.
1793. T. Beddoes, Let. Darwin, 49. It had before occurred to me that air of a reduced standard would be extremely beneficial in sthenic inflammation.
1874. Maudsley, Mental Dis., iii. 83. Idiopathic insanity divisible into two varieties,—sthenic and asthenic, according to the strong or feeble condition of the bodily health.
1877. F. T. Roberts, Handbk. Med. (ed. 3), I. 6. The sanguineous temperament is believed to predispose to fevers of a sthenic type.
1880. Barwell, Aneurism, 94. When the too sthenic symptoms are somewhat subdued, a dry diet is preferable.
b. In extended sense: Belonging to, tending to produce, vital or nervous energy.
1797. Monthly Mag., III. 350/2. M. Humboldt concludes his letter with some observations on the sthenic or asthenic virtue of chemical agents, that is to say, their ability or impotence to produce irritation.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 372. The cerebellum normally exerts on the apparatus of movement, a sthenic, tonic, and static influence.
