from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SICKNESS. By sickness is understood any affection of the body which deprives
it temporarily of the power to fulfill its usual functions.
2. Sickness is either such as affects the body generally, or only some
parts of it. Of the former class, a fever is an example; of the latter,
blindness. When a process has been issued against an individual for his
arrest, the sheriff or other officer is authorized, after he has arrested
him, if he be so dangerously sick, that to remove him would endanger his
life or health, to let him remain where he found him, and to return the
facts at large, or simply languidus. (q.v.)