\Pro`cat*arc"tic\, a. [Gr. ? beginning beforehand.
fr. ? to begin first; ? before + ? to begin; ? intens. + ? to
begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.)
Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [Obs.]
Note: The words procatarctic causes have been used with
      different significations. Thus they have been employed
      synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and
      predisposing or remote causes.
            The physician inquires into the procatarctic
            causes.                            --Harvey.