precordia

The symptoms of this disease are said to be "palpitation, twitching of the limbs (_saltus membrorum_), perspiration, weakness of the nerves, facial pallor, weakness of the body as in hectic fever or phthisis, excessive pain and faintness over the precordia, a disposition to sleep and often constipation."

Gilbertus Anglicus Medicine of the Thirteenth Century Henry Ebenezer Handerson

As soon as the young animal is born, the first important sensations, that occur to him, are occasioned by the oppression about his precordia for want of respiration, and by his sudden transition from ninety-eight degrees of heat into so cold a climate.

Zoonomia, Vol. I Or, the Laws of Organic Life Erasmus Darwin 1766

In these cases the patient previously feels a fulness about the precordia, with difficult respiration, and symptoms similar to those of hysteria.

Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life Erasmus Darwin 1766