LECTURES OM DIET AND REGIMEN. [Entered at Stationers* Hall,^ / LECTURES ON DIET AND REGIMEN: BEING A SYSTEMATIC INQUIRY INTO THE MOST RATIONAL MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH AND PROLONGING LIFE : TOGETHER WITH- PHYSIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL EXPLANATIONS., CALCULATED CHIEFLY FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES, IN ORDER TO BASISH THE PREVAILING ABUSES AND PREJUDICES IN MEDICINE. fi6;fL§K=^ THE THIRD EDITION, "- Qp "I-Lie 'T^ REVISED, CORRECTED, AND IMPROVED. NIVER3ITY By A. F. M. WILLICH, M. D. Qui ftomachum regem totius corporis eflc Cor.tendunt, vera niti ratiune videntur; Hi'jus enim tenor validus firmat omnia membra ; At contra ejufdem franguntur cunfta dolore. Sere MI Sammonici, de Medkina Pracepta jaluheinmd» LONDON: Printed by A. St"rahar, Printers' Stree', rOR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES, PATERNOSTER- RO V\'. i8co. r\ n c- 310' TO rnOSE MOTHERS AND GUARDIANS OF FAMILIES, WHOSE GREATEST PRIDE AND HAPPINESS IT IS, . TO REAR HEALTHY AND VIRTUOUS CHILDREN; AND fO THOSE FRIENDS OF SOCIETT AND THEMSELVES, WHO ARE SOLICITOUS TO PRESERVE THEIR HEALTH, AND TO ADOPT THE PARENTAL HINTS OF NATURE, RATHER THAN SUBMIT TO THE PRECARIOUS RELIEF OF ART. lf)/599; ■y t » P R E F A C E, lij the Adverdfements prefixed to the firft and fecond editions of thefe Leflures, the Author has Hated the objeA of his labours, and the motiveS^ which induced^ him to publifli the Work, He has gratefully acknowledged his obligations to inany Englifh and German Writers, of whofe va- luable obfervations he has occafionally availed himfelfj and is more particularly indebted to Priellley, Fothergill, Vaughan, Armftrong, CuUen, Falconer, Adams, Ingenhouz, Hahnemann, Hufe- land, Marcard, Sommering, Struve, and Unzer. As a difcriminating Public has received this Work with the moft flattering approbation, it may appear fuperfluous to apologize for the infcr- tion of thofe fubjefts of inquiry, however im- portant, which forae faftidious critics have deemed objedlionable. The Author alludes to the ninth chapter, which contains a body of information, not to be met with in any popular treatife hitherto publilhed in the ^Englifh language. It is true, that, on a point of fuch nicety and peculiar delicacy, a variety of feelings and fenti* ments prevail in Society : but if it be admitted, ** that fal/e delicacy has done greatey injury to -a 2 good 4 IJREFACE. good manners, and found morals, than undifguijed iruthy efpecially if this be related in a manly and philofophical ftyle/V the judicious reader will not hefitate to pronounce a verdidl in favour of the Author. Indeed, this has in a great meafure already been verified by experience. Befides, ther .method of writing here adopted will be found uni- formly chafte and ferious; fo that the goad intentions of the Writer cannot be miftaken, particularly as the Work is not immediately addrefTed to the young and inexperienced, but to Mothers and Guardians of Families, It is therefore to be hoped, that in a country, where good fenfe and found principles have long been domefticated, the public mind will not be influenced, either by the anonymous calumny cf the hypercritic, or the illiberal afper- iions of the partifan. Since the fecond edition of the prcfent Leflures was pubiilhed, many applications have been made to the Author, as well as to the different Bookfellers in the Metropolis, refpeding the New Work an- nounced in the Pojlfcript, entitled, " On the Dietetic treatment and Cure of Dijeajes.^' — As the mature digeftion of the materials, and an arrangement of the numerous fads conneded with this inquiry, require a much greater portion of time and labour than the Author at firlt conceived to be necef- fary, he craves the indulgence of the Public for delaying its publication till next year. In that Work, he propofes to point out a more fimple o and PREFACE. ^ and rational method of treating chronic diforderj, and, at the fame time, to fhew, that medicines alone are often unavailing, and in fuch complaints generally mifapplied. It mud, therefore, contain ' the pradlical application of the rules and cautions laid down throughout the prefent volume, in a difeafed Hate of the body. And as the Author has on a former occafion obferved, that in this refpeft, there appears to him a remarkable chafm to be filled up in the philofophy of medicine, he will not venture to appear before the public tribunal, with an imperfeil or defecflive work. — This promife, however, he requefts the candid and liberal reader to interpret in that limited ^^^(q, which is applicable to every novel and arduous un- dertaking. There is another clrcumftance which ought to be explained. The new trcacife before alluded to, is not intended to preclude the neceffity of applying for medical advice, in all difeafes what- ever, but to enable the reader to difcriminate be- tween danger and^fety, and to warn him againft that | ^ implicit reliance on the operation of medicines ', taken by the fto'mach j a practice which mufl: be \ frequently the bane of health, while it undermines ' the foundeft conftitution. Hence the Author v.-ill be induced to fubftitute various means of intro- ducing; medicinal fubftances into the human (\(' rem, and fuch as are lefs dangerous to the digef- tive 5 PREFACE. live organs ; becaufe thefe are defigned by Na- lure for a very different purpofe. The ^.eries addreffed to patients, at the con- clufion of the Poflrfcript, have been reprinted in this edition} for the Author has found by expe- rience, that they were of fervice to fuch perfons as had not an opportunity of confulting profef- fional men, in any other manner than by corref- pondence ; this, I flatter myfelf, has been the cafe more efpecially with thofe' individuals who were afflided with painful and chronic difor- ders, where it is an efiential point to give an ac- curate and fatisfadlory account of their complaints, before phe phyfician can venture to return any ad- vice, with fafety or advantage. E R R A T A> Page 40. line 5. for of read for 40. — 3. for of read in rj. — 20. Vir prafticably r<'aJ pradliCally 113. — 21. /"cr planets 'M(i plants 3^4. — 21. y&r acromaiic /^i^*^ aCroamatic j^f, — 10 of note y for were /fiiii where 359. — 2Z. dele if 27. edd if before white wine i^A%, — 24. yi^-foilags /m/ foliage 47Z. fci' Cliap. Vil. read Chap, Vlll. 4>;ii>. line a?, fr in re.Td 146 Messmer appears, with his Animal Magnetifm .- 147 An account of his artful proceedings, and an authentic narrative of his pretended dlfcovery - 14^—1^5 b His to CONTENTS. His advertifement extraordinary • - 15O;, i^i He impofes upon the French Government - if'z — realifes a princely fortune in Paris - - '53 — is at length proved to be either a fanatic or impoftor 154 LiAVATER himfelf propagates Animal Magnetijm and Sminabulijrii - - - ' ^SS MefTrtter's Syftem exploded, both rtt German-y and England ... - 156 St. Germain's Tea for prolonging life - - th. D'Ailhoud's deleterious powder ftill in vogue on the Continent . . - - 157 CagliosTRO, an impoftor with his Eetlm of Life, &c. ih. Father Gassner afcribes all difeafes to diabolical agency _ - . - \^% Count Tmun, the latell of German fanatics, obtains no credit - - - - 159 All fpecifics and plans for prolonging life reft upon erroneous principles - - - 160 Conditions requifite to the attainment of a long life - - . 160 — 168 1, A certain bodily and mental difpofition to longevity 1 60 2, A foit of hereditary difpofition • - 161 3, A perfeifl birth of the child, and proper condud in the mother - - - - 1 62 4, A gradual culture of the phyfical and mental fa- culties - - - - ' ih, 5, A conftant habit of brooking and refifting the va- rious Imprefllons of external agency - 1 64, 1 65 6, A fteady and equal progrefs of life - - 166 7, A found ftate of digeftion - - - 167 S, Equanimity of mind— avoiding violent exertions - 16S Concluding Remarks on the fubjedt o£ Longevity 169, 170 On ths Symptoms of a<5lual Z)^A. Of the improvement of Air in Dtvelling-houfes - 204 — 2 14 Situation of a Houfe in point of Health - 204, 205 Criterion of a damp and unwholefome air - 20^ The moft proper fituation of a fitting-room - il. Different ftrata of Air in a room - - 207 Various modes of purifying the air by ventilators 207, 20S b 2 Kul-js 12 CONTENTS. P-ACE Rules refpecling the admiflion of frefh air' - zo8, 209 in moift and cold air- — moift and warm air - 210 iri hot and dry air - - - i^' EfTcdsfroni the exhalations of green plants and flowers 211 •— large trees with thick foliage - 2^» • '—— the burning of Candles - - 212 the Ileam of cooked provifions - ib^ the exhalation of green fruit, oil^ tallow, foul linen, &c. ... 212, 213- -— the vapours of Charcoal - - 2 13 — impure wool, oil, colours, &c» • 214 keeping wet fubftances in Dwelling-roo-ms ib. General efFedls of Heat and Cold ' - . - ib» ■ fudden tranfitions - - 215 Of the proper Drefs for the Seafon - - 216 Of heating Rooms in Autumn - - 216, 217 Of expofmg the body to the bracing effecfts of Cold - 217 Precautions refpefiiing the changes of temperature 218, 219 Chap, III. Of Cleanlinefs - - 220 — 25J Extent of this domeftic virtue - - 220 Rules for pradifmg it — as to the body, face, neck, and hands - - - - 221 — — .—————— as to the head, mouth, nofe, tongue, feet, beard, and nails - . 221 — 223 — I with refpetfl to Eating and Drinking - 223 On the Management of the Teeth, Advantage of cleaning them at night - - 224. Precautions in removing the Tartar from the Teeth ib. The ufe of Dentifrices examined - »- 225 Rules for preventing the Tartar from, fettling oa the . Teeth - - ~ - - ib. How to remove the Tartar, when fettled - 226 Some of the bed remedies for the tooth-ach - ib. Treatment of fcorbutic teeth and gums - 227 Diredions for preferving the teeth;tooth-powders - 228 . — -— ■ cleaning; them properly - » 229. Of CONTENTS. « 13 PAGE Of the life of Baths - - 230— 250 Bathing forms the bafis of domefllc cleanlinefs - 230 Effects of the Bath in general - - ''231, 232 Divifion of Baths— eifedts of the warm or tepid bath 232, 233 Of bathing in rivers . _ ♦- 234, 235 Hiftorical narrative of the pradlice of bathing - 235, 236 The nature, properties, andeifecls of the Cold Bath 237 — 247 Drs. Currie and Franklin quoted - - 240, 241 Rules for the ufe of the Cold Bath - - 245, 24C Cafes in which the Cold Bath is injurious - 247 The Shonjjer-Bath recommended — Subftitutes for it - 248 Advantages of the Shower- Bath - - ih, Accownt oi \.\iQ Aerial or Air Bath - - 249, 250 Friclion of the body — cutting the hair---wa{hing and Oiaving the head recommended - - 250, 251 Fridlion of the foles and bathing of the feet . - 252 Of Pomatums for making the hair grow— of changing its colour - - - ih. Of Corns —how to prevent and cure them - 25^ Chap. IV. 0/ Dr^jT - - 254—290 SubftaftSe and Form of Drefs . -1 . . ^^^ The general properties of a good Drefs - - .255 On the mat trials ufe d for articles of Drefs, The proper colour and furface of fubftances confi- dered - - - -215:5, 256 Of animal wool— linen— filk— wax-cloth - 256 Of Cotton and Furs - - "257 Attention to be paid to the Seafon, Climate. &c. 257, 2^8 "On the immediate Covering of the Skin ~ - 259 ;Tlie advantages of animal wool orflatmel explained 260 — 2^|5 The objedions againft flannel anfwered - 263, 264 /The falutiferous effeds of flannel, when worn next the fidn - ^ -^ - - '- .25^ ^f Stof kings — the proper fubftances for them exa- jnined - <. . - , 267—270 b 3 or I^ CONTENTS. Of Drefst as to its Form. PACK On the moR proper method of covering the head 270, 271 Of Shirts, coverings for the Neck, &c. - 2 74. 277 Oflacedftays, &c. - - -277,278 Of narrow fleeves in Gowns - - ' 27b Of Breeches and Pantaloons - - 279' 280 Of Braces— Drawers for females, and Garters 280, 281 Of the form of Stockings and the fize of Shoes 282 290 Of the fubftance for fhoes, and the manner of ren- dering them water -proof - - ., - 288 Of chan"-ing the Shoes from one foot to the other - 289 '■ti'-'-'-b Quav. W. Of Food - ,- 291—3^5 Introdudory remarks on the nature and effects of Food * - and Drink - - - - 291-295 Obfervatiohs and rules relative to the quantity of Food . - - - 295, 296 -On the different kinds of appetite - - 297 Remarks on the quantity of Aliment— on the nature of digeftion and nutrition — mode acid time of taking Food . _ - 301—313 On the propriety of fleeping after dinper - - 3^7 A difcuffion on the general effe(5ts of Animal Food - - - . 309—313 Of Animal Food, - - 313 — 332 The properties of Game - - - 3^3 The different methods of drelTmg vi(5l:uals invefti- gated - - - • - 314. 315 On the digeftibility of animal and vegetable fub- flances - - - "316, 317 On preternatural hunger - - -318 Of animal jelly— the flelh of different animals com- pared as to its falubrity » -3' 8, 319 On the prcperties of Veal »■ - - 322, 323 . ; Beef r - 324, ixs »-^->. '■ ■■•--1 - " Pork - - 325, 326, 327 On CONTENTS, 15 rACx On tKe properties of Smoked Hams - - 327 — — SauHiges and Bacon - - 328, 329 Lard — Sheep — Lamb - 329, 330 .— ■ Houfe-lamb — Goats— Deer, Ve- nifon, and Hare - - 330 -— — — the Lungs, Liver, Heart, and Kidneys of animals - 331, 332 ■ the Fat of animals - "332 • Blood _ , . ii, Milk - -332, 333 Directions for making rtr/£/?«rt/ y^'i- ilfi/jt - "335 On the properties of Cream, Butter, and Butter-milk 338 , t. ' Cheefe - - - 339> 34^ Cheefe forms the flrongeft CeVnent yet contrived • 340 On the relative wholefomenefs of £ir^j in general 347, 342 , Birds' Eggs - 344, 345 -On the various methods of preferving Eggs - 345 An account of Mr. Donaldson's Patent - - 346 -On the properties and effeds of Fifn - 3^.6, 347, 348 amphibious animals, Lobilers, Crabs, and Oyfters - - $48, 349 Turtles ..... 34S The legs of Frogs ufed as food - - Ji. On the properties and effeds of Snails and Mufcles 350, 35 1 Of Vegetable Jlimeni - - 351 — 3.84 Divifion of the vegetable articles of aourifliment into five orders - - - * 35Ij 35^ r, The farinaceous Vegetables : — ^^Bread, its nature and properties reviewed - i- - 352 — 355 Rice - ^ - . 35^ Barley » - - - 357 Millet - . - - ib. Oats - ... ii>. Manna-grafs _ ■ - . • »i. .2, The leguminous produ>5iions, as beans, peas, len- tils, &c. - - _ - .-■ 358, 359 Creen peas • « « - . . 355 b4 z^'n-it i6 Contents. PAGE 3, The various kinds of Salads and Herbs ufed for cooking - - - - 359—361 Afparagus - - - - 361 Artichokes - ^ _ . ;^. Of Salads — Splnage— Sorrel - - - 36? •— Red and White Cabbage — Sauer Kraut - ib. ^— Lettuce - - - - - 363 4, The efculent roots ufed at table - - 364—370 Of Carrots— Turnips - - - 366, 367 Beet-root - r - - 366 Of Parfley, Smallage, Celery, &c. - - 367, 368 Parfnips - - - "367 Scorzonera - , r - - "i^SZ Skirret-root - - - - ~ :h, Salfafy - - _ . - ^69 Of Onions, Garlic, Shallot, and Chives - - ib. — Radifhes - - - - 369, 370 \Arrow-root - - - " 37° 5, Fruit, OF the produiftion of trees and flirubs - 370 384 Sago - - - - - 372 Of Cherries _ - . . 3-72, 373 — Plumbs — Peaches — Apricots — Pears - - 374 — 37^ ■— Tamarinds - - r "374 — Apples - - - - 376, 377 — Quinces - - _ . - ib, -^ Lemons, Oranges, Limes, Shaddocks, &c. - 377, 373 ' — Raifms - - - - 380 Vegetable Acids excellent correctors of Opium - 379, 380 Of Currants, Goofberries, Grapes, and Strawberries 380, 381 Strawberries, a preventative againft the Stone in the Kidneys - - - - 381 Of Cucumbers and Melons - - - 382 ■ — Gourds - - - - 383 — Olives - - - - - ib„ — Almonds, Walnuts, Hazlenuts, and Nuts in ge- neral - ^ . . 383, 384 — Muftirooms - „ _ - 384 0/ CONTENTS. 17 PAGE Chap. VI. Of 'Drink and Spices. ^^^6 — 425 I. With refpeifl to the quantity and time of Drinking 386 — 390 II. With refped to its quality Of Spring— Well — River, and Lake -Water • — Rain — Snow — Hail-Water and Dew Various methods of correcting bad Water, preferving it when frefh Divifion of Wines into five principal Claffes Of Cyder and Perry Conftituent parts of Wine Its properties and effecfts in general The ftate of Intoxication explained How to treat a perfon in that ftate Effe(5ts of a copious ufe of Wine On the adulterations of Wine and the dangers attend- ing thenj Directions for detefting adulterated Wines Hahnemann's Liquor vini prob'atorius "Of ardent Spirits, their general properties and ef- feds .... 405 — 40S "^ Beer, its ingredients, adulterations, properties, and eiTeCts' - _ . - 408 — 413 — Tea, its properties and effects on the Syftem 413 — 416 Subftitutes for Indian Tea recommended -416, 417 Of Coffee, its properties and effetfts on particular con- ' 390- -423 - 39i> 392 - 393 and - 394 - 394> 395 395» 396 - 396 - 396, 397 - 398 - 399 399» ttend- 400 401 - 402, 403 - 4P3' 404 ftitutions - - 418—421 — Chocolate ■ - - 421, 422 — Punch - - 422j 423 — Negus - - ib. — Vinegar - - 423> 424 — Oil - - 424, 425 Of spices* - 425 433 Of Salt - - 425, 426 Lord Dundonalb's me thod of purifying Salt - - ib. Of Sugar - - 427* 42& — Honey - - 428, 429 — i- Pepper ■ • • . ib. Ji Of 1 8 CONTENTS, PAGI Of Cubebs, Cardamoms, Vanilla, &.C ■ 429j 430 — Cloves, Mace, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Caffia, Plmeaito (All-fpice) and Ginger - - 43b, 431 — Parfley, Marjoram, Thyme, Sage - - 432 ' — Caraway, and its effects in flatulency, hyfterics, &c. - - - - 432, 433 ChJJification of the various articles ufed as Foody Drinky and Spices - 434 — 440 I. Food: Alimentary fubRanccs contaimngMlioIelbme fluids - . - - 434—438 ., unwhole- fome fluids - - - 437j 43^ II. Dtixk : Watery Liquors - - 438 — 440 Spirituous Liquors • - 439 in. Spices .... 439, 440 Chap. VII. Of Exercije and Reji 441, — 471 Of the advantages and difadvantages of exercife in general - - - - 44i> 44^ Of the various kinds of exercife, and the time of taking it - - - - 443) 444 — the duration of exercife - - 444—447 — walking, and its effeiSs on the body - 447 — 451 Rules to be bbferved in walking - - 448 — 450 Of Running - - - - 45 1 — Dancing - - - - 451—453 — Riding in Carriages - - - 4^3, 4^4 — Leaping — Fencing, the Military Exercife - 454 New fpecies of mufcular exercife - - ib. Of the Sedan-chair — failing in barges and at Sea 455, 456 — Riding on horfeback - - - 456, 457 — Swimming - - - - 45^ — Playing at Hand-ball, Cricket, CaroufTel, and Swing- ing .... 458, 459 — Speaking — Singing - - - 459, 460 — Wind Inftruments _ - - 460 — the Harmonica, and the influence of ftrlnged in- ftruments in general - - '461, 462 Of CONTENTS. 19 Of frl^lion of the body - - - M*w«f^5» 464 On the condu<5t proper to be obferved after exercife 464, 465 How to fatisfy third after exercife - -, ■ -465 — 467 a cra\'ing appetite - - _ ^66 Confequcnces arifing from the want of exercife - 467, 468 The mod ufual pouures of the body exassiined - 46S — 470 Of exercifing the funflions of the mind - 470 — 471 Chap. Vill. Of Sleeping an4 JVi^king 472 — 502 Neceflity of this alternation - - - - 472 A concife theory of Sleep - - - 473 — 476 An inquiry into the nature and origin of Dreams 476—483 Hal ler's definition of Dreaming - -476, 477 The exiftence of -x fuhreafonmg faculty proved - 477, 478 A curious dream related and illultrated by Prof. Maas - - - - - 478 — 480 Another fmgular dream of Galileo - 482, 483 Confequences arifing from too much or too little fleep - - - - - 4^3 — 485 On the proper duration of fleep - _ 485 — 487 In what fituations fleep is more or icfs neceffary 488, 489 Caufes of a difturbed and uneafy fleep - 450, 491 Whether fleeping after dinner be advifable - 492, 493 On the mod proper pofture in fleeping - 493, 494 Time and manner of going to bed— influence of Dreams - - - - 494» 495 On the moll proper couches and coverings - 495 — 498 Difadvantages of feather-beds - - - 45)8 ■ • curtains - - - 499 • common fleeping-rooms - 499, 500 — — warming the bed - . - 500 Of the proper fituatlon for a bed-room - - 500, 50J .-^ the ufe of burning candles or ruflilights - 500—502 Chap, IX. Of Evacuations S^y—'SZl On the importance of thefe fundions - - 503, 504 '^he three principal einun<5iori!;s defined - 504, 505 aO CONTENTS. PACK GfPiiPPifii^-O/" Evacuations by Stool 505—433 Confequences of neglecling them - - 505, 506 Means of promoting them, and preventing coftlve- nefs - - - - _ 506—509 The different appearance and effect of fuch dif- charges _ _ _ _ ^o(j — 512 The caufes of obftruclions^ and coftivenefs afcertained 512 The means of preventing them pointed out - 5i3> iH How to guard againft too frequent excretions - S^S' 5 ' ^ Neceffity of water-clofets and other precautions - 516, 517 Of Urine - - - - ^ij^^^22 Of the quality and quantity of this difcharge - 5i7> 5'8 Of the prognoftics froni its appearance - - 518, 519 Of the nature and origin of urinary complaints - 519 — 5^^ Of Infenfihle Ferjpration - - c^il — 529 On the nature and great importance of this fundlion 522, 523 Circumflances fuppreffing and affeding perfpiration 523 — 525* Circumftances tending to promote it - - 526 Diflinction betv/een perfpiring and fweating - ib. Effect of Cold on infenfible perfpiration - "52 7 - of Food and Drink on the fame - - 528 of the deprelling paffions and emotions - ib How too violent perfpiration fhould be treated - 529 On the coinmon treatment of Colds - - ib. On exceffive bleedings in general - - 530 Of the Saliva— the cuftom of fmoking Tobacco cen- "fured - - - - 530—532 Of the mucus of the Nofe — the Jiabit of taking Snuff, and its dangerous confequences - - 532 — ^■i^^ The acroamat'tc belts Tindfrieezing -powders of a certain em- piric animadverted upon - '533 Of the wax in the Ears _ - - 535 Of Hemorrhages ; the meufos, hemorrhoids, bleeding of the nofe, &c. - - '. 53'^> 537 Of the retention of iW^ - . - 537, ^^S CONTENTS. ' -21 FACE Of the Sexual Intercourfe - 538 — 561 On the important confequences attending the exercife of this funftion _ - - 538 — 540 Conditions under which it is conducive to the well- being of the individual - - 540 — 542 In what cafes it is detrimental to Health - 542 — 545 Obfervations relative to the lofs of femen - 545-— 548 Situations unfavourable to the Sexual Intercourfe 548, 549 On the nature and conftituent parts of the feminal fluid . . - . 549—551 On the proper time for this intercourfe, and the con- fequences arifmg from excefs - - 551 — $SS Of the proper time and requifites to a married life ^^^ — 557 On the general efFefts of too great abftinence 557, 55S — • means of reftoring the impaired energy, aphrod'ifiacs - - "JS^'Si^ « means of diminiftiing the defire of venery 559 — 561 Chap. X. Of the Faffions and Affec- tions ef the Mind - 562 — 591 Origin of the paffions - - - 562 Lord Kaimes's diftindlioa betv.'eea affedions and paffions - - - '5^3 Influence of the paffions on the body — they are either " of an agreeable or difagreeable nature - 563—564 General effedts of J^oy, Gaiety, Cheerfulnefs, &c. ^6^ — 567 Sanctorius's advice to the paffionate - - 567 Definition of Laughter, and its confequences - 568 . ■ Hope . _ - 568, ^6(.) .—— Love _ _ - 569, 5yo ' — Sorrow, Grief, &c - - 570 — 572 0£ the q^qQ-S oi Weeping - - - 573 Of the defire of returning home, common among the Swifs - ■ - - - 573, 574 The aervous fever defcribed by Manningham - 574 Of an extravagant degree of Z.o'utf - - 575, 576 Of difappointed Love — Jealoiify ■ - - 576, 577 Means of oppofmg the paffions - , ' - 577j 57^ Of 22 CONTENTS. Of the origin and confequenccs of -^^rtu/ '57^* 579 . . Fear ~ 579> 5^° ^ ■ . .... . Bajhfulnefs - 580, 581 . Terror ♦ 581, 5^2 Anger - 582 — 586 Of the origin and confequences oi inward fretting — mal de c our ;--D ef pair - - 586 — 588 pYTHAGORAs's advicc for avoiding pafTions and de- fires . - - - 58H, s^9 Rnles of condufl for the prevention and mitigation of paffions _ - - - - 589—591 Chap. XI. Of the Organs of Senje 592 A ihort analyfis of Senfation - - 592— 59^ &jbn|mering's hypothefis of the feat and operation of the Soul - - - - 592, 593 Definition of the external and internal Senfes - ^94, 595 Specification of the five fenfes, and conjedlures refpcifl- ing a fixth - - - - 597j 59^ The Senfe of Touch analyzed - - 599—603 Defcription of the integuments of the body . - 599—603 0£ th.Q epidermis, orfcarf-fkin - - 599, 600 • rete muco/um, or middle fkin - - 600, 60 1 .. cutis vera, or true flcin — nervous papilla - 602, 603 Of the mechanifm of this fcnfe - - 603, 604 The Senfe of 5"/^/^/ analyzed - - 604 — 610 Curious afiertion of Baron Trenk - - 604, 605 Of Prefbyopia or far-fightednefs, and Myopia or fhort- fightednefs - - - - 607 Cautions how to place children in bed - 607, 608 The phenomenon of fneezing explained • - 609 Of the Senfe of i/(?/3;v'«§' - - -610 — 614 — — niechanifm of this fenfe - - 611, 612 A better fubftitute than the common ear trumpets fuggefted - - - 613, 614 Of the fenfe of Smell and its mechanifm - 614 — 617 Of the different fizeof the nerves in man and ani mals - - ' ' . 615, 616 On the improvement of the fenfe of Smell - ib. Anecdote CONTENTS. 2j| FAC£ Anecdoteof Leonhard Zollikofer's dog -616, 617 Of the fenfe of Tafte, itsmechanifmand funflions 617—619 Remarks on animal motion, or mufcular acftion - 620 Summary of the powers inherent in the human body 62<» Defcription of a Mu/cle ; —their number in human and animal bodies ; their peculiar ftrU(5ture and power . - - « 620 — 624 Account of the ^ar/2p mucqfe - - - 624 the ^/W and its conftituent parts 624, 625 Concluding remarks on the variety of Tempera- ments - - - - 625, 621S Chap. XII. On the treatment and pre- fervation of the Eyes 627 — 6j J I. On the importance of beftowing proper care on thefe organs - _ . 627, 62S II. Of Short- fightednefs, and the reverfe - 628- — 632 Diredions for preventing fliort fightednefs in chil- dren - - - - 629, 630 for the ufe of concave fpe>5lacles - 63 1 Of Far- fightednefs in particular - 631, 632 III. General Rules for the prefervation of the Eyes 632 — 634 IV. Of the conduft to be obferved in weak eyes 635 — 646 On the life of Candks—th.o. mofl proper Screens de- fcribed - - - - 635, 637 How to manage the eyes in the morning - /^. — — in writing and reading 63"', 639 The beft fituation of a fitting room - 639, 640 ^— _—.— ^ a Defk. pointed out - /^. Camions relative to the expofure of the eyes tocandle- light and objeifis ftrongly illumined - 641 Cautions refpeding candle-light in the night - 642 to avoid ftrong fires and hot rooms - i6. — '■■ ■ ■■ againft fufpending the exercife of the eyes 642^ — 644 Remarks on the common eye-cafes - - 644, 645 On the advantage of bathing the eyes In cold water 645, 646 V. Dietetical Precepts refpeding the eyes In general.. 646, 65 1 A fingular fm51: related by Montaldvs • - 651 14 Anoth&r ^4 CONTENTS. Another- by Dr. Russell - - - 651 VI. Some additional Rules addrefled to thofe who are obliged to make ufe of Eye-glafies - 652~658 In what cafes eye-glaffes may be ufed to advantage - 652 How to choofe Spedacles properly - - 652, 654 Green glaffes, when to ufe them - - 654, 655 Reading-glafles condemned - . _ grr Speiflacles, when proper, and how to be chofen 6^6, 658 ■ when the^ ufe of them is improper • - 656 Conclufion - - ~ 659 General reflexions : on Moderation - - gr^ • Dr. Mead, on the Affeclions of the Mind quoted - 659 661 ■— — ■ on Cleanlinefs - _ 66x • Atmofphere and Air - 661, 662 " ■■ - - — ■ • Medicine, as daily food - 662 ' the frequency of Meals 662, d^i - ■ " ■ ■ ■ di-inking water « 55» ■! the effedts of pjoper diet - ib. ''•^-^ — • the duration of work or ex- ercife - -66^, 66:{. • ' the divifion of the day - 664 ' Dr. Mead, on the effe has produced, no difference in the caujes generating difeafe, to which we are even more fubject than formerly, wt muft ncceflarily fufFer by the concomitant effects. For though luxury has affifted us in pre- venting the temporary efFe6ls of external agents, fuch as cold, heat, rain, &c, and we can occafion- ally guard ourfclves againft their feverity, yet we are, upon the next return of them, attacked with much greather violence, than if we had been more habituated to their influence. And this ftate of things has imperceptibly introduced the ufe of many articles, both of drefs and aliment, which in their confequences often prove detrimental to health. Hence we find, that in proportion as the refinements of luxury increafe in a nation, the number and variety of difeafes alfo increafe. On the contrary, the more uncivilized a people con- tinue, ^nd the more their habits and cuftoms ap- proximate to a ftate of Nature, they are proportion- ately the lefs affe<5led by the caufes of difeafe. In the third place, we obferve among the human race a greater number of prevailing pafilons, and man is more violently, and, for the time of their duration, more obftinately governed by them, . than any other living creature. Thefe emotions varioufly affed the human body. But the moft; noxious and oppreflive of all the paffions, are terror •s>.vA grief : the former of which- is fometimes .Itj violent INTRODUCTION,- oy violent as to threaten immediate diffolution. Con- trolled by their powerful influence, and hurried away by the impulfe of the moment, the mind is rendered incapable of judging, and of properly feledling the means of reprefling ihofe paffions. Hence the remedies to which we have recourfe during the prevalence of paffion, and which then appear to us the mod proper, frequently lay the foundation of innumerable diforders, both of body and mind. A fourth fource of difeafes among mankind, are various fpecific contagions j and perhaps the greater number ofthefe originate in the furrounding atmo- fphere. This is highly probable, at lead witn refpeft to marlhy exhalations, and the effluvia of places rendered unwholefome by different manu- faduring proceffes. Another clafs of contagious miafmata confifts of thofe v/hich cannot be traced to any certain origin. Indeed, we daily obferve their migrations j and we perceive them -moving from one individual to another, without fixing any ftationary refidence : yet they have hitherto fruf- trated every attempt made towards their extirpa- tion. Of this unfettled nature are, the fmall-pox, the meaflcs, the hooping cough, the influenza, and many other epidemics. The fmali-pox has of late years been very fuccefsfully treated ; and it is well known that fome of the moll ingenious pradi- tioners in Italy and Germany are, at this moment, employed in a ferious attempt, wholly to extirpate this 38 INTRODUCTION. this contagion from the Continent of Eufope j as has formerly been accomplifhed in the cafes of the plague and leprofy *. On * The means employed by our anceftors to fubdue the virulence of thefe malignant diforders, confifted chiefly in feparating every infeded perfon from the healthy, and pre- venting all intercourfe between them., for this purpofe, many thoufand houfes of reception were then eftablifhed and fupported at the public expence, in every country of Europe ; the difeafed were inftantly and carefully removed to thofe houfes, and not permitted to leave them till perfedly cured. A meafure fomewhat fimilar to this has lately been propofed, and laid before the Plenipotentiaries of the Con- tinental Powers aifembled at Raftadt, by ProfelTor Junker, Dr. Fauft, and other German Phyficians. This propofal, however, differs elfentially from the former method of ex. tirpating contagious difoi ders : as, according to the modern plan, we underftand, every individual whether willing or not, mud fubmit to be inoculated for thefmall pox. To deprive this loathfome difeafe of its deftruftive power, another method, perhaps more plaulible and lefs compul- fory, has been lately attempted in this country, and ftrongly recommended by Drs. Jenner, Pearson, Woodville, and other praditioners. I allude to the inoculation for the coiv-pcx. It is fincerely to be wifhed, that their humanC efforts may be crowned with fuccefs ; and if it be true that perfons inoculated with cow-pox matter zvQfor ever exempt from the infection of i[\Q fmall pox, and that this artificial tranfmiffion of morbid matter from the brute to the human fubject i? not attended with danger, it is of little confequence ■whether the cow-pox originate from any cutaneous difeafe of the milker, or from the greafe of horfes. — I am however not very fanguine In my expectations, which have often been difappointed on fimilar occafions ; and till I can perfuade niyfelf INTRODUCTION, 29 On the Do^rihe of 'Temperament s» Since it is eftabliflied by numberlefs facfls, tiiac the temperaments, as well as the difeafes, of whole nations, are in a great meafure influenced by their ordinary food, it will no longer be doubted that the moO: important confcquences refult from otir daily aliment, whether it confiil of food or drink. As the do^lrine of temperaments is in itfelf highly curious and interefting, I think this a proper place to introduce fome pradical remarks lUuffrative of that fubjedl, and to prefent a concifc view of it, chiefly derived from the learned anno- tations of the celebrated ProfeflTor Sommering, of Mayence. *' The docftrine of temperaments," fays he, " in the general acceptation of that term, muft: be al- lowed to have greatly mifled the ancient phyficians, and particularly thofe who lived before the time myfelf of the perfect analogy fubfifting between the two dif- eafes, nay of their homogeneous nature, 1 fliall patiently vv-ait for a greater number of fafl:s tending to confirm the truth of the hypothefis. Meanwhile I am of opinion, that ihis fubjed can be decided only, when the Jmali fox fhaJi sgain appear as the prevailing epidemic, of 40 INTRODUCTION* of Galen. We are not, however, to infer from this,- that the doflrine itfelf is without foundation. They erred not, by admitting the exiftence of tempera- ments j for that feems now to be fully eftablifhed ; but by too great a fondnefs^f" generalization ; by limiting the number of thtm to foury and fixing their attention in this divifion fimply on the nature and compofition of the blood, inftead of regarding the whole animal CEConomy, Thus> for inftance, they knew many parts of the human body fcarcely by their names, and were little, if at all, acquainted with the great influence of the nerves i while our modern phyficians pay an almoft extravagant homage to thefe fafliionable co-operators in difeafes, and frequently" forget, in their attention to their favourites, the more important, or at lead more obvious parts of the fluids. " There is a certain line obfervable in all the more perfecfl animals, by which Nature is regulated in performing the funftions of the body and-mindj in preferving or impairing the health, and in exerting ail thofe energies of life, on which the happinefs of the creature depends. This line is various in dif- ferent individuals, and the variety cannot be com- pletely explained on the principle of the ancients, by a difference in the qualities of the blood alone ; though a human body of moderate fize cancains not lefs than thirty pounds weight of that fluid. Other terms muft thereibre be fubftituted for their fan^ giiincy choleric, ^blegmaticy and melancholy tem- peraments > INTRODUCTION. ^I peraments ; but before we attempt them, it will be neceflary to take a more extenfive view of the ceconomv of man. " The caufes of the difference of temperaments are various: Firji ; a diverficy in the nervous fyftem, with refpedl to the number of the conftitu- ent fibres, their ftrength, and fenfibility. A large brain, coarfe and ftrong nerves, and great fenfibi- lity, in general, have always been found to be the marks of a choleric or choleric o-Janguine difpofition* Hence proceed the quicknefs of perception and capacity of kncjw ledge in perfons of this clafs, accompanied with great acutenefs and ftrength of judgment, from the multitude of their ideas of comparifon. Thefe qualities are, however, in fome meafure counterbalanced by a violent pro- penfity to anger, and impatience under flight fufferings of body or mind. Medicines ought, therefore, to be cautioufly adminiftered to them, and in fmall quantities only. A diminutive brain and very delicate nerves have generally been obferved to be connected with dull fenfes, and a phlegmatic languor — fometimes with a taint of melancholy. To affc:6t the organs. of fuch perfons, the impreflion of external objeds mud be ftrong and permanent. Their judgments are often childifh from the want of ideas, and hence they are feldom able to make progrefs in fcience. They are, however, more fit to endure labour, and the injuries of climate •» confequently their c medicines 42 INTRODUCTION".' medicines fhould be ftrong, and adminiftered in large quantities. *' Secondly : Difference of irritability is another caufe of difference of temperament. When the fibres are excited by the flighted ftimulus to quick and permanent contraction, we may juftly infer the exiftence of a choleric difpofition ; while a phlegmatic temper difplays itlelf by oppofite fymptoms; the mufcles being ilowly contraded, and excited with difHculty by the mofl: powerful ftimulus. •' 'Thirdly : The fibres and membranes of a phlegmatic perfon are remarkably foft to the touch ; thofe of a melancholic perfon hard and dry, with greater tone and facility of contratlion, " Fourthly : There appears to be fufficient rea* Ton for the opinion, that an ckulric principle is difperfed through the atmofphere, which is com- municated to the body, in different degrees, by refpiration j which fupplies the fibres with their natural tone j (limulates the veffels to a more vi- o-orous a(5tion ; and increales the ferenity of mind. This principle does not exiff in the atmofphere of all countries, in equal quantities ; nor even in the fame country at different feafons or hours of the day. Thus, during the influence of the Srrocco in Sicily, all the fibres are oppreffed by languor j but when the air becomes more ferene and elaftic, the natural energy of body and mind returns^ All men do not inhale this ekftric matter in equai quantities. INTRODUCTION. 43 quantities, and thus a remarkable difference of temperament is produced. " Fifthly: To thefe caufes mud be added the dif- ference in the nature and quantity of the blood. Thus, when the blood is highly ftimulant^ the heart is excited to more violent adlion ; an increafed fe- cretion of bile promotes the vermicular motionj and a fuperfluity of mucus difpofes to catarrh, &c. From thefe confiderations it is evident, that there are caufes fufficiently powerful to produce a predifpo- fition to a particular temperament, at a very early period of life. That a complete change is ever cfFe6led, from a choleric habit, for inftance, to a phlegmatic, cannot ,be confidently admitted, at leaft while the laws of Nature remain unalter- able. I will, however, admit that the tempera- ments, though not completely changed, may be modified ; — that the vehemence of fome, and the languor of others^ may to a certain degree be lefTened j but this mull be done by remedies fuited to the clafs of the caufes produ6live of a particular temperament. Of thefe the principal are : " I. A different regimen. Thus animal food imparts the highcft degree of ftrength to the organs, enlivens the fenfes, and often occafions a degree of ferocity j as is evident in cannibals, in carnivorous animals in general, in butchers and their dogs -, and in hunters, efpecially when aided by the frequent ufe of fpices, wines, and flimulating medicines. Vegetable diet, on the contrary, di- c 1 minifhes 44 INTRODUCTION. minifhes the irritability and fenfibility of the fyftem j in a word, renders it phlegmatic. — Some authors indeed have confidered potatoes as the means of contributing to that end -, but I am not inclined to fubfcribe to this doftrine ; fince I have had occafion to obferve the lively tempera- ment of the common people of Ireland. — Yet at- tention to diet is highly neceflary in thofe, who have the charge of children ; as by the ufe of animal food, additional energy may be given to the fibres, and when their irritability is too great, it may be diminifhed by an oppofite regimen, *^ 2. Education, both phyfical and moral, is another caufe of alteration in the temperament of man. Its power is almofi: unbounded, efpecially in the more early periods of life j and hence it often happens, that whole nations feem to poflefs one common temperament. " 3. Climate, in its moft extenfive fenfe, com- prehending atmofphere and foil, is a third caufe of alteration. The adivity and acutenefs of a cho- leric habit are feldom to be found in a region of perpetual fog ; as for inftance, in Holland. They are the natural produce of a warm climate, and require a gentle elevation of furface, with a moderately moid foil, and a ferene, equal atmo- iphere. " 4. I have often obferved an aftonifhing degree of aflivity communicated to the vvhole lyftem, by an ardent defirc of learning i fo that the tempera- INTRODUCTION. 45^ temperament feemed to receive new life from every acceflion of knowledge. " 5. The want of the necefTaries of life, on the one hand, or poiTcfllon of the means of luxury on the other, varioudy modify the difpofi- tion; — and the livelinefs of the temperament is alfo obferved to rife or fall, according to the degree of political freedom. " 6. Age, company, and profeffional duties greatly affe6b the temperament. Hence we feldom find any one who, at ^6 years of age, retains the aflivity of that choleric or fanguine habit which he pofieffed at 36. " Thofe who follow Nature, and not a plaufible hypothefis, will be fenfible how difficult it is to claffify and fix the charaderiftic marks of the dif- ferent temperaments ; and it is rather a matter of doubt, whether the following ficetch will be more fuccefsful than the attempts of others. " All the modifications of temperaments ap- pear to be varieties of the /anguine and phlegmatic. " I. The fanguine is variable. It is marked by a lively complexion i the veflels are full of blood j and perfons of this habit are feldom able to bear great warmth j they are predifpofed to inflamma- tions, and pofiTefs a high degree of irritability and - fenfibility. All is voluptuous in this temperament. They are fickle in every thing they undertake : are affable, and foon become acquainted, but as foon forget their friends, and are fufpicious of every c 3 body. 4^ INTRODUCTION. body. Whatever requires induftry they abhor and hence make little progrefs in fcicnce, till they advance in age. " 2. The fangdineo-cholerie enjoys all the health and ferenity of the fanguine, with all the perfeverance of the choleric. " 3. la the choleric, the body is foft and flexible, without being dry and meagre as in the raclancholic ; the fkia has a teint of yellow ; the hair is red j the eyes dark and moderately large, with a penetrating exprefiTior^, and frequently a degree of wildnefsj the pulfe full and quick 3 the mufcuiar contradions in walking, fpeaking, Sec. are rapid ; the bile is copious and acrid, and hence the vermicular motion is adlive, and the body not liable to coftivenefs. Perfons of this clafs are par- ticularly fond of animal food. They poffefs great magnanimity, are fitted for laborious undertakings, and feem born to command. " 4. He whofe temperament is hypochondriacal, is a burthen to himfelf and others. Perfons of this clafs are fubjeft to difeafes of the liver, and hence have a fallov.' complexion. They are never con- tented with their fituation, and are a prey to envy and fufpicion^ " 5. The melancholic temperam.ent is marked by a gloomy countenance, fmall, hollow, blinking eyes, black hair, a rigid or tough fkin, dry and meagre fibres. The pulfe is weak and languid, die bile black, the vermicular motion flow. The 5 perceptions INTRODUCTION. J^f perceptions of perfons of this difpofition are acute ; they are fond of contemplation, and arc Dow in the execution of labour, which they patiently undertake. They bear with refolution the troubles of life J and, though not eafily provoked, arc neverthelefs vindi(5live. " 6. The B^eotic, or ruftic temperament, has many of the qualities of the fanguine, in common with thofe of the phlegmatic. The body is brawny, the mufcles have but little irritability, the nerves are dull, the manners rude, and the powers of apprehenfion feeble. '• 7. The gentle temperament is a combination of the fanguine, choleric, and phlegmatic. Uni- verfil benevolence is the diftinguifhing charader in this clafs. Their manners are foft and un- ruffled. They hate talkativenefs j and if they apply to fciencc, their progrefs is great, as they are perfevering and contemplative. Laftly, " 8. The phlegmatic clafs is marked by a fofr, * white fkin, prominent eyes, a weak pulfe, and languid gait. They fpeak (lowly, are little hurt by the injuries of the weather, fubmit to oppref- fion, and feem born to obey. From their little irritability, they are not eafily provoked, and foon return to their natural ftatc of indifference and apathy." c 4 C« INTRODUCTION. On Patent or ^ack Medicines. Although there is buc one ftate of perfcdl health, yet thr deviations from ir, and the genera and fpecies of dileafes are almoft infinite. It will hence, without difficulty, be underftood, that in the clalTes of medical remedies there mufl: likewife be a great variety, and th 't fome of them are even of oppofite tendencies. Such are both the warm and the cold bath, confidered as medical reme- dies. Though oppofite to each other in their fen- fible efFefls, each of them manifefts its medical virtue, yet only in fuch a ftate of the body as will admit of ufing it with advantage. It is evident from ihefe premifes, that an uni- verfal remedy, or one that pofiefles healing powers for the cure of ^// difeafes, is in fa6t a nonentity, the exiftence of which is phyfically impofTible, as the mere idea of it involve'"- a direfl contradi6lion. How, for inflance, can it bt conceived, that the fame remedy fnould be c pable of rcftoring the tone of the fibres, when chcy are relaxed, and alfo have the power of relaxing them when they are too rigid ; that it fhould coagulate the fluids when in a ftate of refolution, and again attenuate them when they are too vifcid ; that it fhould moderate the nerves in a ftate of preternatural fenfibility, 15 and INTRODUCTION. J^ and likewife reftore them to their proper degree of irritability, when t'ley are in a contrary ftate. Indeed the bcliefitCa/i univeriai remedy appears to lofe ground every day, even among the vulgar, and has been Jong exploded in thole clafles of fo- ciety, which arc not influenced by prejudice, or tintftured with fanaticifm. It is, however, fincerely to be regretted, that we are Hill inundated with a flood of advertifements in almoft every newfpaper i and that the lower and lefs enlightened clafles of the community are fl:iil impofed upon by a fet of pri- vileged impoft:ors, who frequently puzzle the intel- ligent reader to decide, whether the impudence or the indufl:ry with which they endeavour to efl:ablifh the reputation of their refpedive poifons, be the n)oft prominent feature in their charadler*.— It was juftly • To illuftrate this propofition farther, 1 fliall quote the fenfible remarks of a late writer, Mr. James Parkinson, ■who exprefles himfelf, in his " Medical Admonitions," when treating on the fubjed of Catarrh, in the following pertinent words : *• Mod of the Noftrums advertifed zs cough drops. Sec. are preparations of opium, fimilar to the paregoric elixir of the (hops, but difguifed and rendered more deleterious, by the addition of aromatic and heating gums. The injury which may be occafioned by the indifcriminate employment of fuch medicines, in this difeafe, may be very confiderable ; as is well known by every perfon ppfleffing even the fmalleft Ihare ©f medical knowledge. « It JO' INTRODUCTION, jnftly obferved by the fagacious and comprehenfive Baco>7, " that a reflcfling phyfician is not direded by the opinion which the multitude entertain of a favourite remedy j but that he muft be guided by a found judgment ; and confequendy he is led to make very important diftindtions between thofe things, which only by their name pals for medical reme- dies, and others which in reality poffcfs healing powers." *• It would undoubtedly be rendering a great benefit to ibciety, if fome medical man were to convince the ignorant of the pernicious confequences of their reliance on advertifed Noflrums : but, unfortunately, the fituation in which me- dical men ftand is fuch, that their befl-iutentioned and moft difmterefted exertions for this purpofe would not only be but little regarded, but frequently would be even imputed to bafe and invidious motives. Thofe to whom they have to ad- drefs their admonitions, are unhappily thofe on whom reafon has leaft influence. *' Prithee, Doftor," faid an old acquaintance to a celebrated empiric, who was {landing at his door, *' how is it that you, whofe origin I ib well know, fhould have been able to obtain more patients than almoft all the regular-bred phyficians r" — " Pray," fays the Quack, ** how many perfons may have pafl'ed us whilll you put your queftion ?" — " About twenty." — " And, pray, how many of thofe do you fuppofe pofi'efied a competent fhare of com- mon fenfe ?"— ** Perhaps one out of twenty." — " Juft fo," fays the Doctor ; ** and that one applies to the regular phy- fician, whilft I and my brethren pick up the other nine- teea-"— p. 327 and 328. lam INTRODUCTION. ^l I am induced to avail myfelf of this quotation, 3S it indireflly cenfures the conduft of certain medical pradlitioners, who do not fcruple to re- commend what are vulgarly called Patent and other Quack medicines, the compojition of which is carefully concealed from the -piiUic. Having acquired their unmerited reputation by mere chance, and being fupported by the moft refined artifices, in order to delude the unwary, we are unable to come at the evidence of perhaps nine-tenths of thofe who have experienced their fatal efFefls, and who are now no longer in a fituation to com- plain. The tranfition from Panaceas^ or univerfal re- medies, to Nofirums or SpecifcSy fuch, for inftance, as pretend to cure t\\t fame difeafe in every pa- tient, is eafy and natural. With the latter alfo, impofitions of a dangerous tendency are often pradifcd. It will probably be afked here, how far they arc pradicaETy admiffible, and in what cafes they are wholly unavailing ? It is not very diiticuk to anfwer this qucftion. In thofe difeafes, which in every inftance depend upon the fame caufc, as in agues, the fmall-pox, meailes, and many other concagious diftempers, the pofTibility of fpecifics, in a limited fenfc, may be rationally, though hypothetic ally, admitted. But in other ma- ladies, the caufes of which depend upon a variety of concurrent circumitances, and the cure of which, in different individuals, frequentlv requires very £2 INTRODUCTION. very oppofite remedies^ as in the Dropfy, the various fpecies of Colic, the almoft infinite variety of ConfumpcionSj &c. &c. a fpecific remedy is an impofition upon the common fenfe of man- kind. Thofe who are but imperfcdiy ac- quainted with the various caufes from v/hich the fame diforder originates in different individuals, can never entertain fuch a vulgar and dangerous notion. They wiireafily perceive, how much de- pends upon afcertaining with precilion, the feat and caufe of the complaint, before any medicine (.an be preferibed .with fafety or advantage : — even life and death, I am concerned to fay, arc too often decided hy the Jir^ JJep J o( h'\n] 3 who intrudes his advice upon a fuffering friend. The following inl>ances will {hew the danger attending the precipitate application of the fame medicine, in fimilar dilorders. — A pcrfon violently troubled with the colic took a glafs of juniper fpirits, commonly called Hollands, from which he received almoft inftantancous relief, as the indifpofi- tion proceeded from flatulency. Another perfon, who found himfelf attacked with fimilar pains, was induced by the example of his friend to try the fame expedient ; he took it without hefitation, and d;cd in a fev^ hours. — Nor is it Turprifing that the eflc(Els ol [he cordial were fatal in this cafe, as the colic was owing to an inflammation in the inteftmes. — A third perfon was afRitled with a colic, ariling from i>oifonous mulhroomb, which he INTRODUCTFOK. . 5;^ he- h«d inadvertently- fwallowed ; the immediate adminiftration of an emetic, and afcer it fome diluted vegetable acid, reftored him to health. A fburth peffon had an attack of this malady from an encyfisd hernia, or inward rupture. The emetic, which relieved the former patient, necef- -farily proved fatal to the latter ; for it burfl the bag. of inclofcd matter, poured the contents into the cavities of the abdomen, and thus fpeedily terminated his exigence. Again, another had by miftake made ufe of arfenic, which occafioned violent pains, not unlike thofe of a common colic. A large quantity of i'f^'ttt oil taken internally, was the means of his prefervation ; whereas the remedies employed in the other cafes would have been totally ineffectual. Kere I willingly clofe a narrative, the recital of which cannot but excite the mofl: painful fenfations. To lengthen the iU luftration would lead me too far beyond my pre- fcribed limits : for cafes of this nature happen fo frequently, that it would be eafy to extend the ac- count of them, by a long catalogue of affc6ting and fatal accidents. What is more natural than to plade confidence in a remedy, which we have known to afford re- lief to others in the fame kind of indifpontion ? The patient anxioiiOy inquires after a:perforA who has been afflifted with the fame malady i he is eager to know the remedy that has been ufed with fucce^ ; his friend or neighbour imparts to him the wiilied- for 54 INTRODUCTION*. for intelligence ; he is determined tti give ihe trte'-f dicine a fair trial, and takes it with confidence. From what has been dated, it will not be difficult to con^ ceive, that if his cafe does not exaflly correfpond with that of his friend, any chance remedy may be extremely dangerous, and even fatal. The phyfician is obliged to employ all his fagacity, fupported by his own experience, as well as by that of his predeceflbrs ; and, neverthelefs, is often under the temporary neceffity of difcover- ing from the progrefs of the difeafe, what he could not derive from the minuteft refearches. Hotv then can it be expected, that a novice in the art of heaHng fhould be more fuccefsful, when the whole of his method of cure is either the impulfe of the moment, or the effe<5t of his own credulity ? It may be therefore truly faid, that life and death arc frequently entrulted to chance *, From * The late Dr. Huxham, a phyfician of great celebritv-; ■when fpeaking oi AJclepiades^ the Roman empiric, fays: "This man from a declaimer turned phyfician, and fet himfelf up to oppofe all the phyficians of his time ; and the novelty of the thing bore him out, as it frequently doth the ^^acks of the prefent time ; and ever w^ill, ivhilft ihe majority of the world are fools. ^' In another place, Dr. Huxham thus curioufly contrafts the too timid praftice of fome regular phyficians, with the hazardous treatment, virhich is the leading feature of Quacks : " The timid, low, infipid practice of fome, is almoft as dangerous as the bold, unwarranted empiricifm of '* others J INTRODUCTION, 55 From what has been premifed, it may be con- ndently alTerted, that a noftrum or an univerfal re- medy is as great a defideratum as the philofopher's ftone. The abfurd idea of an univerfal medicine can only obtain credit with the weak, the credu- lous, or the ignorant. One of th« molt unfortunate circumftances in the hiftory of fuch medicines, is the infmuating and dangerous method, by which they are -puffed into notice. And as we hear little of the baneful effefls which they daily mufi: produce, by being promif- cuoufly applied, people attend only to the extra- ordinary inftances, perhaps not one in fifty, where they have afforded a temporary or apparent relief. It is well known, that the more pov/erful a remedy is, the more permanent and dangerous muft be its effc(5ls on the conftitution •■, efpecially if it be introduced like many Patent-Medicines, by an almoft indefinite increafe of the dofes. There is anoflier confideration, not apt to (Irike thofe who are unacquainted with the laws of animal ceconomy. — When we intend to bring about any remarkable change in the fyftem of an organized body, we are obliged to employ fuch means as mav contribute to produce that change, without affefl- ing too violently the living fo'^x/ers ; or without others ; time and opportunity, never to be regained, are often loft by the former ; whilft the latter, by a bold fujh^ (ends you off ih^Jiage in a moment. extending ^6 INTRODUCTION. extending their a6lion to an improper length. In- deed, the patient may be gradually habituated to almoft any ftimulus, but at the expence of palfied organs, and- a broken conftitution *. Such are the melancholy effects of impofture and credulity! Were it pofTible to collcft all the cafes of facrifices to this myfterious infatuation, it is probable that their number would exceed the enormous havoc made by gunpowder or the fword. A popular writer makes the following juft re- mark on the fubjeft in queftion : ** As matters ftand at prefent," fays he, " it is eafier to cheat a man out of his life, than of a Oiilling, and almoft impofiibk cither to der.ed or punilh the offender. Notwithftanding this, people (till (hut their eyes, and take every thing upon trutt, that is admini- ftered by any pretender to Medicine, without daring to ?fk him a reafon for any part of his con- du6t. Implicit faith, every where elfe the obje6t of ridicule, is ftill facred here." * An Italian Count, uncommonly fond of fwallowlng medicines, found at length tjiat Jie could take no more. Previous to his death, he ordered the following infcription to be placed on his tomb : *' / was once healthy j / wijhed to be better ; / took medlcineg ^' and died:' Analyjts tNJTRObuctiON, '^^ Analyfis of Fafliionable Complaints, If thefe abufes of medicine be of confequencc, !iow much more fo are certain manners^ habits, and tuftoms, which the united efforts of the Faculty will never effeflually remove or fupprefs, unlefs aflifted by the female guardians of heiplcfs infancy. That I may not be mifunderftood with refpedl to the real intention of this addrefs to the fair fex, 1 beg leave previoufly to obfcrve, that the follow- ing remarks apply chiefly to certain clafles of the community, among whom a due degree of atten- tion is but feldom paid to ihe flcin of their ofF- ipring. The greater number of our f^fhionable com- plaints and affeftions are nearly related to each other. The gout, formerly a regular but uncommon difeafe, which attacked only the external parts of perfons advanced in years, has now become a cori- llitutional indifpofition, a juvenile complaint, tor- turing the patient in a thoufand different forms. The famous Podagra and Chiragj-a of our ancef- tors are now nearly obfolete, and inftead of the gout in iht feet or hands ^ v;e hear every day of the nervous gout, the gout in the heady and even the fatal gout in the fiomach. No rank, age, or mode of life feems to be exempt from this fafliion- able enemy.*— The next and (iill more general malady of the times, is an extreme fenfhillty to D every 58 INTRODUCTION. every change of the atmofphere j or rather, a cot- Jiantly Jenfihie relation to its influence. We are not only more fubject to be affefted with every current of air, every change of heat and cold, but the feelings of fome are fo exquifitely delicate, that in a clofe apartment, nay even in bed, they can deter- mine with accuracy the ftate of the weather, as well as the direflion of the wind. By confulting their fenfations, thefe living barometers announce more corret5lly than the artificial ones, not only the prefent, but even the future changes of the weather. I could never have believed, that this ad- ditional fenfe, which is only of modern origin, could have been fo much improved, had I not frequently witnefled the fenfations of certain patients, when a cloud is floating over their heads; — a talent fo pe- culiar to our age, would undoubtedly excite the fur- prife, but not the envy of our lefs refined forefathers. In a climate v/here the weather changes every day> and almoft every hour, it m.ay be eafiiy imagined^ how dependent, frail, and tranfitory, mufl. be the health of the wretched poffeflbrs of this new fenfe ; and that beings fo organized cannot warrant, for a fingle hour, their ftate of health, their good-hu- mour, or their phyfical exiftence. Is it not then very probable, that many ftrange and^inconfiftent events of the times may have their fecret founda- tion in this dependence on the v/eather ? — In judg- ing of man and his aflions, we ought firft to ob- ferve the ftate of the barometer j— as our more fuper- INTRODUCTION. eg fuperftitious anceftors made the celeftial conftclla- tions the criterion in their prognoftics. Not lefs charadteriftic of the prefent generation^ but more painful, are the falhionable nervous and hypochondriacal difeafes. Thefe are formidable, infidious tormentors, which not only deftroy our phyfical well-being, but alfo difcompofe our tran- quillity and contentment, and cloud our faireft profpedts of happinefs. Without depriving us of life, they render it an infupportable burthen ; with- out inducing death, they make him a welcome vifitor. It is unneceflary to detail the diverfified fnapes, in which thefe oialadies prefent themfelves. Let it fjfEce to obferve, that however intimately the mind appears to be conneded with thefe pheno- mena, we can neverthelefs account for themi from phyfical caufes. They have rapidly increafed with the propogation of the gout, and experience fhews, that they frequently alternate with it, in the fame patient. It is highly probable, there;, fore, that they are of a fimil'ar nature with the gout J and that they originate from the fame fource, which is peculiar to our age. Clofely conneded with the gout, and likewife with the hypochondriafis, how frequently do we obferve the hemorrhoids, formerly a difeafe of the aged, but now the companion of youth, and almoft a ge- neral complaint. D 2 The ia INTRODUCTIOI?, ' The laft clafs of our fafliionable dlfeafes included all thofe affedtions of the fkin, which are known by the name of eruptions, difcoloratioitSy efflo- fefcencesjjcorbutic taints^ &c. Of late, thefe have alarmingly increafed, and appear daily to fprvi'V'^ every where, like noxious weeds. Even in the higher ranks, where neither a poor diet, nor want of attention to cleanlinefs, can be affigned as caufe** we frequently obferve perfons, whofe ik:in an- nounces bad health, and on whom medicine can have little or no cfFc6t. Phyficians of different countries complain of new and unheard-of cutaneous diforders, of an extremely malignant tendency ; and if their progrefs be not checked in time, Europe will perhaps once more be vifited widi that malignant and filthy difeafe, the Leprofy, It is however not fufiicient to give a bare cata* logue of thefe fmgular difeafes. I fhallj there- fore, attempt to trace them to their fource j to Ihew that they can be eafily prevented j and to point out the mofl: likely means by which fo defif«- able an event may be accompli flied. — It is to you^ guardians of, a future, and I hope, a hardier race, that I now appeal — it is your aid I folicit in fo important a meafure of national and domeftic policy. Qn INTRODUCTION. 6l f On the Nature and Fun^ions of the Skin. Much as we hear and fpeak of bathings and of the great attention at prefcnt paid to cleanlinefs, I am bold to affirm, that the greater number, if not the whole of our fafhionable complaints, origi- nate from the want of care and proper manage- ment of the /kin. Through unpardonable neglect- in the earlier part of life, efpecially at the age of adolefcence, the furface of the body becomes fo much enervated by conftant relaxation, that it oppreffes, and, as it were, confines our mental and bodily faculties j promotes the general difpo- iition towards the complaints above mentioned ; and, if not counteracted in time, muft produce confequenccs ftill more alarming and deplorable. We often hear people complain, that their Jkin is uneajy '^ a complaint which I fear is but too pre- valent among thofe, who give themfclves little trouble to inquire into its origin. — But how is it poffitile, I hear many perfons afk, that the fkin, which is a mere covering to the body, to Ihelter it from rain and' fun- fhine, can have fuch an influence over the whole frame ? I fliall venture to explain this problem, and hope to imprefs fuch as are in- clined to be fceptical, with more refpeft for that important part of the human body. The fkin unites in itfelf three very effential func- tions. It is the organ of the mod exrenfive and D 3 ufeful 6z INTRODUCTIOI^. ufeful fenfe, that of touch i it is the channel of perJpirationyXht principal means which Nature em- ploys to purify our fluids; and, through the moft admirable organization, it is enabled to ahforb cer- tain falutary particles of the furrounding atmofpherc, and to guard us againfl the influence of others, of an injurious tendency. For this purpofe, innumerable nerves and veflfcls are difperfed throughout the fliin, which are in the continual a6l of feelingj and at the fame time of fccreting and volatilising noxious particles, and abforbing thofe which contain vital principles. It has been proved by accurate calculations, that the moft healthy in- dividual dail}r'and infenfibly perfpires upwards' of three pounds weight of fuperfluous and impure htimours. It may therefore be confidently afltrted, that no part of the body is provided with fo many important organs, by which it is conneded with almofl: every operation performed in animal life, as the fkin. By this organization, we are placed in immediate connedion with the furrounding atmofphere, which particularly affeds us through the fldn, and exerts its influence on our health : , — we further feel, diredtly through that medium, the qualities of the air, heat, cold, prefliire, rare- fadtion, &c. -, and hence we experience, at leafl: in tlieir influence, other much more fubtle and lefs known qualities, of which I Ihall only mention the eifcdtric and magnetic fluids. From the fpirituous ^nd highly penetrating nature of thefe fluids, we 7 may INTRODUCTION. 63 may eafily conjeflure, how confiderable a fliare they muH: have in the principle of vitality, and of what effential ufe the organ is_, through which they affed us. Important as the fkin is to external life, it is no lei's fo to the internal oeconomy of the body, where it appears to be peculiarly defigned to preferve the grand equilibrium of the different fyftems, by which the human frame is fupported in its vital, animal, and fcxual fundions. — If any ftagnanon, accumu- lation, or irregularity arife in the fluids, the fkin, is the great and ever-ready condudor, through which the fuperfluous particles are feparaced, the noxious volatilized, and the fluids, ftagnating in their courfe, efFedually attenuated ; a canal being at the fame lime opened for the removal of thofe humours which, if they fhould get accefs to the vital parts, fuch as the heart and the brain, would caufe inevit- able defl:rudion. By the proper exercife of this or- gan, many difeafes may be fuppreffed in their early ftages ; and thofe which have already taken place may be moft: effeclually removed. No difeafe whatever can be healed without the co-operation of the fkin. The nature and conftitucion of this organ moft certainly determine cither our hope or apprehenfion for the fafety of the patient. In the moft dangerous inflammatory fevers, when the profped of recovery is but gloomy, a beneficial change of the fkin is the only effort, by which Na- ture^ almofl; overcome, relieves herfclf, and ejeds P 4 the ; 64 INTRODUCTION, the polfon in a furprlfing manner, frequently in the courfe of one night. The greateft art of a phy-* fician, indeed, confifts in the proper management- of this extenfive organ, and in regulating its ac- tivity, where occafion requires. To mention only one circumflance ; it is well known to ihofe who have experienced the beneficial effefts of a fimple blifter, that its (limulus, like a charm, has fre- quently relieved the moft excruciating pains an4 fpafrns in the internal parts. CleanUnefs, flexibility^ and a^ivity of the fkin, are^ according to the cbfervations premifed, the prin^ cipal requifites to the health of individuals, as well as of v/hole nations, But, inftead of con- tributing to its improvement, we generally pay very little attention to it, except to the ficin of the face and hands, which arc too often made the fallacious index of health. I ani convinced, how's ever, that moft of the patients and valetudinarians, who take fo much pains to refrefh and fortify the internal parts of the body, by invigorating pota^ tions*, feldom, if ever, pay any regard to their external furface j— an objed: of equal importance, and perhaps (landing in much greater need of cor- roborants than the former. Hence it happens, that the Ikin of convalefcents is ablerved to be particularly relaxed and obflrufled 5 that they are * ** O madnefs, to think ufe of ftrongeft wines, 'f And fti-ongeft drinks, our chief fupport of health.'* Milton. liable INTRODUCTION, 6| liable to eontinual colds, upon the leaft change of temperature j and that every day of their reco-' very renders them more fubjecl to relapfes. In this country, the children of people in th^ middling and lower ranks arc perhaps better ma- naged, than in mod of the countries upon the Continent; becaufc frequent and daily bathing is, to my pofitive knowledge, no where fo generally pra6lifed as in England. As foon, however, as children attain a certain age, this pratflice is again as generally neglef^ed : and after the tenth or twelfth year of age, the furface of the body is very little attended to. Thus a foundation is laid for numberlefs evils, and particularly for that fcorbutic taint which now aimoft univerfally pre- vails, and is more or lefs conne(5led with other more falliionable complaints. — As we advance ia years, this difpofition of the fkin increafes ftill more, efpecially from the mode of life purfued in the higher ranks. We then begin to accuftom ourfeives to fedentary habits, to think, and to par- take of the pleafures of fociety. The lady, the man of fortune, and the ill-fated man of letters, all require fnore aEiive exercifc, than they actually take, which alone can promote a free perfpiration, . and enliven the furface of the body j but, by their indolent habits, the whole machine is in a languid ftate, and the (Ivin becomes contraaed and debi-- litated. The hufbandman, indeed, labours diligently i an4 though, b^ perfpiration, his fkin preferves more 66 INTRODUCTION. more life and adlivity, it is neither kept fufH- ciendy clean, nor prevented from being obflruded by perfpirable matter. The artift and manufac- turer carry on their pu^fuits in a fedentary man- ner, and in a confined, impure air j the latter, -in tlie duties of his occupation, generally employs unwholefome fubflances,' fo that at length, in* fome parts of the body, he lofes the ufe of this organ en- tirely. The voluptuary and the glutton do not fufFer lefsthan the former, as they impair the energy of the Hcin by cxcefies of every kind, and take no precaudons to preferve its elaftic texture.—. Our ufual articles of drefs, flannel excepted, are not calculated to promote a free perfpiration j— Qur coal-fires, and i\\\\ more the free ufe o^ "dv'afm liquors, contribute greatly to relax the fkin. If we add to this lift of predifpofing caufes, our in- conftant climate, which at one hour of the day braces, at another relaxes the furface of the body, alternately heats and cools it, and confequently di'fturbs its uniform aftion j it will be eafily under- ftood, that the fkin muft for thefe reafons be al- moft generally vitiated, and that it really is a lead- ing fource of many of our falhionable indifpofitions. When the fenfibility of the furface is impaired, when the myriads of orifices, that are defigned for the continual purification and renovadon of our fluids, are obftrudled, if not clofed ,•— when the fubtle nervous texture is nearly deprived of its energy, fo that it becomes an impenetrable coat of maily is there any reafon to wonder, that we are fo INTRODUCTION. ^7 fo often harafled by a fenfe of conftraint and anxie- ty, and that this uneafinefs, in many cafes, termi- nates in a defponding gloom, and at length in complete melancholy ? — Afk the hypochondriac, whether a certain degree of cold, paknefs, and a fpafmodic fenfation in the ll^in, do not always pre- cede his moft violent fits of imbecility j and whether his feelings are not mioft com/ortable, when the furface of his body is vigorous, warm, and perfpires freely ? In fliorc, the degrees of infenfible perfpiration are to him the fureft baro- meter of his ftate of mind. If our fkin be difor- ganized, the free inlets and outlets of the eledtric, magnetic, and other matters, which affect us at the change of the weather, are inadlive. Thus the origin of extreme fenfibility towards the various atmofpheric revolutions, is no longer a myftery ; for, in a healthy furface of the body, no incon- venience will follow from fuch changes. — If we farther advert to thofe acrimonious fluids which, in confequence of an imperfed ftate of perfpiration, are retained in the body, and which afFed the mod fenfible nerves and membranes, — we fhall the bet- ter comprehend, how cramps and fpafms, the tor- turing pains of the Gout and Rheumatifm, and the great variety of cutaneous difeafes, have of late be- come fo obftinate and general. The juft proportion of the fluids, and the circu- lation of the blood, are alfo determined in no fmall/ degree by the r*:in j fo that if thefe fluids become thick 6% liJ.TRODUCTION. thick and languid, the whole momentum of the blood is repelled towards the interior pares. Thu$ a continual plethora, or fulnefs of the blood, is occafionedi the head and bread are greatly op* prelTed ■> and the external parts, efpecially the Jower extremities, fee) chilly and languid. In warm climates, in Italy for inftance, the hs- jnorrhoidsj a very difcrefilng complaint, are but rarely met with, notwithftanding the luxurious and ienfual mode of life of the inhabitants j becaufe their perfpiration is always free and unchecked ; -while among us there are perfons who devote the \vho]e of their attention to the cure of that trou-' blefome diforder. May we not infer, from, what I have thus ad^ vanced, that the ufe of baths is too much ne- glected, and ought to be univerfally introduced ? It is not fufficient, for the great purpofes here alluded to, that a few of the more wealthy families repair every feafon to watering-places, or that they even make ufe of other modes of bathing, either for their health or amufement. A very different me^ thod muft be purfued, if we ferioufly vv^ifh to re- ftore the vigour of a degenerated race, I mean here to inculcate the indifpenfable neceflity of do- me/lie hathSi fo well known among the ancients^ and lb univerfally eftablifhed all over Europe, a few centuries ago : thefe were eminently cal- culated to check the farther progrefs of the Ic" profy i"!— a difeafc which, though flower in its effefls. INTRODUCTION* 6g effects, is not lefs diftreffing than the plague itfelf. ^ Much has been fiiid and written upon the va-- rious methods, and the univerfal medicines, pro- pofed in different ages, by different adventurers, profefledly to diminifh the inherent difpofition ta difeafe, and to give a new and renovating principle to the human frame. At one time they expeded to find it in the philofophic and ajiralian /alts, at another in Magnetifm and Electricity i— fomc fa- natics pretended to have difcovered it in the light of the moon, others in cele Rial beds i — but, if I may venture to deliver my opinion, we may fearch for it mod Mdy and fuccefsfully in every clear fountain— in the bofom of ever young, ever ani- mating nature* Bathing may be alfo confidered as an excellent fpecific for alleviacing both mental and bodily af- fections. It is not merely a cleanfer of the fkin, en- livening and rendering it more fit for performing its offices i but it alfo rcfredies the mind, and fp reads over the whole fyftem a fenGtion of eafe, adivityy and pleafantnefs. Itlikewife removes ftagnatiocin - ithc larger, as well as in the capillary velTcJs, gives an uniform, free circulation to the blood, and prefervcs that wonderful harmony in our interior: organs, on the difpofition of which our health and comfort fo much depend. A perfon fatigued, or diftrelTcd in body and mind, will derive more re- ^rclhmen: from the luxury of a lukewarm bath, and 70 INTRODUCTION. ' and may drown his difquietude in it more effe61:ualfyj, than by indulging in copious libations to Bacchus. 'The bath may be equally recommended as an ad- mirable retiring place, to evade, for a time, the influence of the atmofphere ; and perfons that have the misfortune to be too fufceptible of external imprefTions, would find no fmall benefit, were they to repair in thick and fultry weather to the bath, where they may breathe in an element lefs loaded with noxious particles. The wifh to enjoys perpetual youth, is one of the moft predominant and pardonable. Though it cannot be rationally aflerted, that bathing will confer continual youth, yet I will hazard an opi- nion, that it has a very uncommon and luperior tendency to prolong that happy ftate -, it preferves all the folid parts foft and pliable, and renders the joints flexible. Hence it powerfully counterafls, what I prefume to call an infidious difeafe, viz. agej which operates by gradually exhaufling the humours, and depriving the conftituent parts of the human frame of their elaflicity. It is no lefs certain, that bathing is one of the befl: prefervatives of beauty ; and that thofe nations among whom it is a prevailing pra6lice, are ufually the mofl: dif- tinguiflied for elegance of form, and frelhnefs of complexion. A moderate defire to improve and beautify the furface of the body, is far from being a frivolous purfuic. It excites as much intereft, and is pro- ' duclive INTRODUCTION. Jl duflive of as beneficial confequences, as the ex- ertions of many a pfeudo-philofopher, who devotes the toil of years, to arrange his notions in a certaia fyftematic form, and who yet is not fortunate enough to attain the great object of his wiih. I have had frequent opportunities to obferve, that iht defire of beauty when not inordinate, may prove the fource of many virtuous and laudable purfuits, and that it may be greatly inftrumental to the prefervation of heakh. I am alfo perfuaded, that this defire is often purfued by methods not the moft proper, and that from not having a juft knowledge of beauty, females make many valuable facrifices, not only of things eflential to health, but fometimes of life itfelf. Inftances are not uncom- mon, of young perfons attempting to bleach their Ikins, and beautify their perfons, by avoiding the open air, ufing a mild and weakening diet, or even abftinence from food, (Iceping too long, warming their beds, &c. &c. but alas ! the event does noc anfwer their expeiftation,— they lofe both health and bloom ! — Eating chalk, drinking vinegar, wearing camphorated charms, and fimilar deftruc- tive means have been reforted to, by other more daring adventurers, but with no better fuccefs, Thofe I have laft enumerated, may be called the mijior cojmetics : others of a more formidable na- ture, I almoft hefitate to mendon, as they are un- queftionably the molt deleterious fubftances with which we ariQ acquainted. Mercury and leadj ma- nufactured 7^ I^TRODUCTidrf. ftufa6lured in various forms, are unhappily ingfe-* dients too common in many of our modern cof- metics, whether they confift of lotions, creams^ powders, paints, or ointments. That thefe fub- ftances can be communicated to the circulating fkiids, through the f^in as well as by the ftomach, requires, I fliould fuppofe, no further proof, after the doflrines already advanced on this fubje61:^ Leady if once introduced into the fyftem, though in the fmallelt proporcionsj cannot be removed by art, and never fails to produce the mod deplorable cffe(5ls ; fuch as palfy, contradlion and convulfion of the limbs, total lamenefs, weaknefs, and the moft excruciating colics. Befides thefe mort obvious effects, the frequent external ufe of lead and mercury, in cofmetics, occafions cramps in »very part of the body, faintings, nervous weak- nefs, catarrhsi tubercles in the lungs and intef- tines, which occur either feparately or together, according to the different circumftances, till at length a confumption, either pulmonary or heC" tic, Ciofes the dreadful fcene, ** The fecret venom, circling in her veins, V.^orks through her fkin, and bu'rfts in bloating ftains j Her cheeks their freflmefs lofe, and wonted grace, And an vinufual palenefs fpreads her face." Granvill£. Beauty of complexion, the fubje6l under confi- deration at prefent, is but another term for a found and healthy Ikin j — a pure mirror of the harmony of the internal parts with their , furface, or, if 9 I may INTRODUCTION*. 73 I may be allowed the expreflion, " // is 'vifthk healthr There fubfifts fo intimate a relation between our interior and exterior vefiels, that almoft every error or irregularity in the organs within, fhows itfclf firft on the furface of the body, particularly on the face.— How often are we flruck with the countenance of a perfon, who thinks himfelf in perfedt health, but whofe illnefs, the refult of fome morbid caufe concealed in the body, juftifies in a few days the ferious apprehenfions we entertained at our laft interview. Nature has wifely ordained, that the firft appearance of internal irregularities ihould be indicated by the countenance \ but to what ufe do we generally apply this index ? — We refufe to avail ourfelves of her beneficent intima- tion J and the continued ufe of pernicious fub- llances, inftead of promoting the obje6l we have in view, ultimately tarnifhes and impairs that beauty, which we meant to adorn and preferve. We im- agine it in our power to improve the (kin, without attending to the purity of the fluids, though it is indebted to then:i for its very exiftence j and yet we fhould fmile at a perfon, who attempted to cteanfe an impure tongue, by conftantly fcraping it, when a difordered ftomach was the real caufe of that im- purity. From the tenor of the preceding obfervations, I hope for indulgence, when I venture to pronounce every cofmetic, the compofition of which is kept a % . fecret y r 74 iNTRo&trcTiOKr. fecret from the public, to be falfe and fraudufefirf ware. The three great and really efFedtual Sub- stitutes FOR Cosmetics*, which I would re- commend,- are the following : Firfi > due attention xoinfenftble perfpiration; — an important procefs, by which Nature, ifduly affifted, will not fail to expel all acrimonious or ufelefs particles. By this, too, the furface of the body will be kept in a conftant atmo- iphere of foftening exhalations,-*- a fpecies of vola- tile vapor-bath, which is the moft efficacious mean of preferving it foft and pliant, and of animating it with the colour of life. The next circumftance to be attended to^ is the purity of the fluids -, this de- * To fuch readers, whether male or female, as are deter- mined to make ufe of cofmeticsy inftead of attending to the more effedlual mean* to preferve the bloom of the Ikin, it may be of fervice to point out one or two external applications^ in order to prevent them from ufing the dangerous and de- ftrudive preparations of Quacks. — According to the late Dr. Withering, an infufion of horfe-radifh in miJk makes one of the fafeft and beft cofmetics. Another preparation for clear- ing the fkin of pimples and recent eruptions f if affifted by gentle ■aperient medicines, is the frefh exprefled juice of houfe-leek, mixed with an equal quantity of fweet milk or cream. — Yei all contrivances wh.atever, to anAver this purpofe, are ab- furd and nugatory, if the inward ftate of the body be ne- glefted, or if they be looked upon as fpecifics of ihemfehes. Such things do not exift in nature j and we might as well try to bleach the face of a Negro, as to remove any fcorbu- tic ©r other eruptions from the face, without beftowing pro- per attention on the whole ftate of the body, and particu- larly the fluids, whence t^^fe irregulaa-itiea derive their origin. ^ pcnds INTRODUCTIOIJ. «7^ jjends equally on a free -perfpration and a vigorous ilatc of digejiion. The third requifite to a fair, healthful complexion, is an uniform diftribution of the fluids ; or in other words, afree andunrejlrained circulation of the hlood-, as the very pureft fluids, when profufely propelled to the face, are produc- tive of difagreeable confequences, fuch as unna- tural rednefs, flulhirigs, tumid appearances, Sec, of which ladies who lead a fedentary life are fo apt to complain. To thefe three general obfcrvations, I think, ic may be ufeful to fubjoin a few particular injunctions, • 1-elative to the tefinement of the Ikin, as conneflcd with a ftatfe of good health* — Carefully avoid all imnioderate and violent dancing, as the fudden alter- nations of heat and cold, not only impair the general date of the Ikin, blit are likewifc very detrimental to beauty.— Abftain from the too frequent and too copious ufe of heating liquors of every kind, par- ticularly punch and ftrong wines. There is fcarceljr any thing which is, in my opinion, iriore deftruftive to the bloom of youth arid manhood, than this liquid frcj which fills the blood with inflanlmable particles, propels it towards the face, parches the flcin, renders it fpotted, and lays the foundation of that incur- able difeafe, which is fometimes figuratively called copper in the face. Neither fugar, nor any ad- ditional ingredient to gratify thfc palate, can de- prive thefe liquors of their noxious qualities, info- E a much y6 INTRODUCTION. much that even the moft agreeable of thefe feduc* tive drinks is attended with confiderable danger. Avoid, like wile, the exceflive ufe of hot drinksj fuch as coffee, chocolate, and tea, particularly the lad, in which the inhabitants of this country indulge, more than in any other beverage. I fcarcely dare venture to impeach this fnvontG folace of our morn- ing and evening hours ; but with all due deference to the happinefs of the domeftic circle, I confider it as my duty to denounce the too liberal ufe of this liquor, as not a Htde prejudicial to the fairnefs and purity of the fkin. Tea taken hot, and in immode- rate quantities, not only has a tendency to weaken the organs of digeftion, but caufes flufluations and congeftions in the humours of the face, and fre- quently brings on a degree of debilitating perfpira- tion. Let us conceive the (lomach inundated with a quantity of warm water, juft at the time of digeftion ; its concoflive powers are literally drowned, at the very inftant when their affiftance is molt required; and, hiftead of a pure balfamic cbjle^ or alimentary fluid, it prepares crude, and acrimonious humours, which can only generate an impure mafs of blood. Here I cannot imprefs upon the attentive reader, in terms fufficiently ftrong, the following truth: thai a healthy Jiomach only can p'oduce healthy and uncontaminatcd fluids -, and that two thirds of what we call acrimony, or fliarpnefs of humours in the fvftem, proceed from a languid (lomach, and irre- ^ gular INTRODUCTION. 77 gular digeftion. — If therefore the tea be made too weak, it will operate merely as warm water, and as fuch relax the coat and membranes of the fto- mach; — if made too ftrong, it will give an unnatural heat to the body, prove a dangerous ftimulus to the nerves, occafion palpitations of the heart, a general tremor, cramps, and a number of other complaints, which it is needlefs to enumerate. That thefe effefls do not take place, during the firfl: months or years of indulging ourfelves in the intemperate ufe of hot and ftrong tea, is no argument to contro- vert this pofition ; they will, either fooner or later, unavoidably follow. I (ball but nightly touch, here, on another fub- je£b, fcarccly of lefs importance than the former ; namely, the various compofitions prepared by the paftry-cook and confedioner. Thefe dainties would be lefs objeflionable, if any method could be devifed to bake them without the pernicious ingredients of yeaft and fat, fubftances which load the ftomach v/ith a glutinous flime and rancid mat- ter, which obftrud the glands of the abdomen, par- ticularly thofe of the mefentery, and have a ftrong tendency to produce the cutaneous difeafes before mentioned. B 3 On 7S INTRODUCTION, r On the Phyjical Education of Children, The phyfical education ^ of infants unqueftion- ably forms an objeft of the firfl: importance. The great difproportion fubfifting between healthy and difeafed children;, together wish the deplorable mor- tality which occurs among the latter, too plainly evince, that their l>odily welfar? \s not fufficicntly attended to. There is little room to doubt, that by more rational management during the firft years of in- fancy, many fubfequent difeafes may cither b^ wholly prevented, or at leaft greatly mitigated. Nothing perhaps would contribute more to melio- rate education in general, than,, what has been long and much wanted, a ferious and minute a,ttention of the Faculty to this particular branch of medicaj ftudy ; which at prefent I am concerned to fay, is almoft totally negletfled. The few books extant on this fubjed are neither written on fcientific principles, nor calcu- lated, by their manner and ftyle, to afford plain and familiar inftruflion. It is not enough for profeffional men, to plan fyftems of education in their ftudicsj— let |hem alfo dcmonftrate in prac- • To fome readers it may be neceffary to explain, that by phyfical education is meant the bodily treatment of children ; ^|ie term /i^^y/ty;/ being applied in oppofition to moral. tice^ INTRODUCTION. 79r tke, that they are familiarly acquainted with the true method of educating children; — a method which, in my opinion, implies fomewhat more than merely prefcribing and adminiftering medicines. So long as the nurfing of children remains cxclu- fively in the hands of common midwives and nurfes, it is rather a matter of furprife, that fo many infants fhould furvive the age of childhood.— We ought therefore, above all things, to inquire into the monftrous prejudices prevailing in this cfTential part of domeftic management, and thus make the firft ftep towards their eradication. How great would be my fatisfaftion, if, by the following ftridlures, I fhould be able to prevail upon feme intelligent mothers, who poflefs fufficient for- titude, to throw off the bondage of old cuftoms or modern falhions, and to return to the path, of fimple nature ! — In a fyftem of praftical education, it is a judicious precept, which cannot be too much inculcated, to omit rather than to undertake^ or be too officious^ in the phyjical treatment of infants. From the difficulty of difcovering the true caufe and feat of the complaints of children, efpeclally if accompanied with any particular fymptoms in the excretory velTcls, it is very ufual to adminifter a gentle laxative or emetic, upon the llighteft oc- cafion. — It would lead me too far to examine, in detail, the many bad confequences refulting from fo abfurd and detrimental a praflice, I cannot, however, forbear to remark, that by dealing E 4 conftantly So INTRODUCTION." conftantly in aperient medicines (a ftrange infatua- tion among the vulgar!) the future difeafes of the child affume a particular charafter of the gaftric kindi for the juice of the ftomach, which ferves to conco(fl the food, is thus vitiated. As the opera- tion of laxatives is in a manner mechanical, by impelling the fluids, and particularly thofe of the mucous kind, towards the flomach and bowels, and caufing them to accumulate in a greater degree than ufual, it will be cafily underftood, that by the frequent repetition of this flimulus, the gaftric juice will be rendered unfit to efFedt the proper folution of food in the ftomach. For the lame reafon, perfons fubjed to frequent coftivenefs loon begin to complain of indigeftion, when they once habituate themfelves to take Anderson's, or any other aperient pills: for by them the ftomach is converted, as it were, into a field of battle, where all the irregularities, that take place in the fyftem, are left to fight their ways where the limits of difcafe and health, nay the alternative of life and death, are to be finally determined. That this however is not the moft proper place for fuch a conflifl, requires no demonftration. The ftomach is appointed by Nature for very different purpofesj it is the only organ of nourifhment and digeftionj the fource of reftoration and health. But how can it effedluaily anfwer this end, if it ferves, at the fame time, as the conftant laboratory of difeafes? When it is in a ftate of impurity, it cannot ad with INTRODUCTION. Si with uniform energy and a fufEcient degree of elafticky, fo as to prevent frequent irregularities in digeftion ; — hence arife bad humours, hypochon- driac afFe(ftions, and nervous debility ; all of which, I have reafon to fear, are, more or lefs, the confe- quences of tampering with medicines, efpecially in the period of infancy. I am further induced to think, though it may to fome appear rather a bold idea, that more children are deftroyed by the abfurd praflice of loading their tender ftomachs with every fort of trafli, and afterwards relieving them by repeated dofes of phyfic, than by any natural procefs. This like wife accounts for the great number of children who die in townsy at an early age, before they become inured to fuch fevere attacks on their digeftive organs. In order to check, and, if poffible, to prevent, this general tendency to difeafe ; to meliorate the conftitution of children, by producing a regular circulation of the fluids; and to diredl the exuding morbid matter more univerfally and uniformly through the pores of the flvin, a more effeflual remedy cannot be fuggefted, than that o( frequent bathings and a very limited ufe of aperient medi- cines. Thefe obfervations are not conje(-lural, but founded on experience, and it gives me plea- fure to add, that they are confirmed by many phyficians of eminent abilities, and extenfive pradlice. ' Frequent .84 INTRODUCTION. ■ Frequent bathing in infancy is a powerful mean of counterafting and fupprefling the difpofition to ftomachic and bilious complaints, which at prefent are uncommonly prevalent among children and adults, and are frequently accompanied with di- verfified nervous fymptoms. By a proper ufe of the bath, many infantile difeafes may be fafely prevented, catarrhs fupprcffed, or greatly miti- gated, teething rendered eafy, and the whole phyfical condition of the child confiderably im- proved, from the efforts of Nature, to throw ofF malignant humours by the pores. It becomes here a queftion, which is the moft proper degree of heat in the bath for children.— I fhaU venture to pronounce, upon the authority of the beft modern authors, confirmed by my own experience and obfervation, that the lukewarm ^atbf between 84 and 969 of Fahrenheit's ther- mometer, rather warmer than newrmilk, is, upon an average, the moft fuitable temperature, An erroneous notion too much prevails, that the good efFe(5ls of bathing are principally to be afcribed to the cold hath* The ufe of any bath, indeed, whether cold or warm, that is, the ftimulating impreflion excited by the water, is, of itfejf, aa excellent tonic, ferving tp b^ace and invigorate the whole fyftem. Not to mention the comfort- able fenfations, that muft neceflarily attend the fleanfing and opening fo many millions of pores, with INTRODUCTION. %^ with which the fkin is provided, it is farther remarkable, that water, formerly confidered as a fimfle element, is now pretty generally underfl:oo4 to be a compound body, confifting of oxygen and hydrogen^ or vital and inflammable air, the former of which, it is well known, promotes the proccls of refpiratiorii and literally nourifhes the vital prin- ciple in the human body. Although this affertion rcfts chiefly on an hypothetical foundation, fo much is certain, that a lukewarm bath, ufed for the legs alone, is found by experience to communicate new fpirits to the weary traveller, almofl: inftantly to remove the fenfe of languor, and to re-animate all his faculties. Bruce, the Abyflinian traveller, re- marks, that in the intenfe heat of that country^ a luke\yarm bath afforded him more refrefhmenr and vigour, than a cold one. We ought farther Co confider, that infants are accuftomed fcarcely to any other than a warm temperature. The cold bath belongs to the clafs of heroic remedies^ and in its fudden and powerful efFcds nearly rcfembles cledricity. It is moreover an axiom in medicine^ that the means of ftimulating and corroborating the fyftem^ ftiould be in proportion to the degree of vital power in the individual j that a faint fpark may be extinguilhed rather than kindled by too violent a concuflion of air j and that a degree pf ftinfKrfiis and invigoration, which agrees with a firm and robuft body, may prove deftruflivc to one that is weak and delicate. It might therefore 84 INTRODUCtlON. be extremely hazardous to employ a remedy in tl)e delicate frame of infants, which even adults Ihould'not refort to, v/ithout the greateft precaution. I prefume to go a ftep farther, and do not hefitate to fay, that the ufe of the cold bath, as far as relates to the treatment of children, is even dan- gerous. Its principal mode of operation is by contracting the whole furface of the body, and caufing a general repulfion of the fluids towards the internal parts. Hence in a young and delicate body, which has very little internal re-a£fion, the neceffary confequence of cold bathing will be an unequal diftribution of the fluids, a partial or local flagnation of them j and, what is worft: of all, an accumulation of humours in the head, by which infants are frequently injured, before it is in their power to complain. — The lukewarm bath, on the contrary, produces an uniform revolution and falu- tary purification of all the fluids. For thefe rea- fons, I confider the tepid bath as in every refpefl preferable, fince it may be ufed fomewhat cooler for thriving children, or warmer for thofeofaweakly conftitution, and the requifite degrees of heat be regulated according to the increafing age and llrength of the child. In fummer, the water of the bath ought to be cxpofed the whole day to the rays of the fun, which will impart to it an agreeable and congenial warmth. Rain, or' river-water, is the moft proper for this purpofe ; but if' it be neceffary to ufe fpring or well- 4 ' '' waterj J INTRODUCTION. 85 water, it (hould be previoufly foftened with a fmall quantity of boiled water, in which a quarter of an ounce of foa'p has been diflblved, with the addition of a little bran or oatmeal ; or if milk can be obtained, it will be a ftill more ufeful ingredient^ I would particularly recommend not to boil the ivhole quantity of the water to be ufed for bath- ing ; as it would in that cafe be deprived of its aerial conftituents, which are not without their importance in the bath. — During the firft weeks and months, the child fhould not be fuiFered to remain in the bath longer than five minutes, and the time may be gradually increafed to a quarter of an hour. During the whole procefs of bathing, the body fhould not remain inaflive, but be gently rubbed with the hand, and afterwards with a fofc fpunge. It is of confequence to attend to the point of time, when the child is taken out of the bath i for in almoft every inftance where warm bathing difagrees with the child, it will be found to ariie from negleft in not wiping and drying the body, with fufficient expedition, at this particu- lar period. Hence it is highly neceffary to keep warm cloths in readinefs, in which the child fhould be wrapped up, and dried, the very moment it is taken out of the bath. Every one in the habit of bathing muft have obferved, that the evaporation of water on the fkin, excites penetrating and un- comfortable fenfations of cold ; and there is an aftonilhing difference of temperature between aflually i6 iJJTROdirCTIOM. adually being in the water, and having water 6'A the (kin, after quitting the bath. If, therefore, i child, from want of due precaution, be kept for fevet-al minutes with a naked, wet body, it will be liable to contrad a cold^ the more dangerous in its confequences, as it immediately fucceeds a ftate in which the body has been warmj and the pores open. It fhould be farther obferved, that bathing, im- tncdiately after a meal^ or with a full flomach, i^ highly improper, if not dangerous, both in children and adults ; nor is it advifeable, in rough weather^ to carry a child into the open airj too fobn after bathing. The mod proper time for ufing the bath is the evening, when the child can be removed to bed, as foon as it is completely dried. There is another fpecies of bath, equally indif- penfable, which I will call the Air^hath i or the daily enjoyment of frefli air. This is ufually con- fidered 2S a promenadej or walk of pleafbre j and as children cannot judge of its great utility, and the weather is not always favourable for excurfions^ jDarents are fometimes guilty of unpardonable ne- gledj in confining infants for whole days and weeks together within their rooms. But if air be eflen- tially requifite to animate the rhoft fubtle powers of man, it follows, that it is as neceffary to the organs of life as food and drink j and that its falu- tarv influence on the conflitution does not fo much depend on the ft ate of it, with refped to pleafant- nefs tNTRODUCTfdtJ, 87 ftefs and ferenlty, as on its freflmefs and conftanC renewal. Hence I would imprefs it on the reader, as a rule not to be violated, to let no day ehpfei without affording the child an opportunity of imbib- ing the Jalubrious qualities offrejh air. — In the firft months great precaution is neceflary, and chil- dren born in fpring or fummer have in this re- fpe and all internal motions, particularly of the lungs and inteftines, together with the ufual evacuations, are beneficially promoted. Of no kfs advantage is the bath to thofe children, who are fubjed to habi- tual coftivenefs j a diftemper which cannot be too much guarded againft, not only during the age of childhood, but alfo throughout life :— while infants accuHomed to the bath, and freOi air, are fcarcely ever known to fuffer from this complaint. 5. The texture of their mufcular flefh becomes folid, the colour blooming, and the body neither appears tumid and fpungy, nor parched and meagre. The complexion is lively and frefh j— the head and lower belly are in jufl proportion to the reft of the body, and the difpofuion to rickets, fo common in children, is in them imperceptible. 6. Neither are fuch children as enjoy the benefit of the bath affeded by that excelTive fenfibility and difeafed irritation of the nervous fyftem, which in many inftances fo fatally degenerates into fpafnis, fits, and convulfions. Thefe irregularities, in early life, are chiefiy inftrumental in bringing on that piuable ftatc, in which fome unhappy pcrfonS;, through the whole of their lives, are Hctle better than lQ€G-?mHvey nervous machines^ or pafTive bc- INTRODUCTION. ^t ingSf that exift apparently for the fake of feeli'ttg xinly, not for a^fing, 7. Difeafes of the fkin, eruptions, catarrhs, coughs, obftrudions of the firfl: pafiages, &c. fel- dom attack a child when properly treated ; and if they do, their duration will be fnortj- and the crifes cafy and natural. 8. Thofe difcaies In children, which are com- monly called dangerous, as the fmall-pox, mealies, fcarlet fever, &c. and which are ultimately difeafes of the fkin, are grcady alleviated in their fymp- toms, and more eafily overcome, when the fkin is in full health and vigour; — but as the ufual manage- ment of children deprives the fkin of thofe pro- perties, we need not be at all furprifed at the dan- ger and fubfequent m.ortality of children, in the above-mentioned difeafes; 9. The early pradlice of wadiing and bathing may be alfo recommended, as tending to ftrengthsrt that habit of cleanlinefs, which is fo praifevvorthy and ufcfiil in itfelf i and which is not fufficiently cultivated among thofe nations, where the bath is in difufe*i tf * The Ruffians, nDttvithftandmg their ignorance, and rufticity of manners, excel the more refined French and Germans, both in a delicate fenfibility of cleanlinefs, and in the pradtical ufe of the bath. I lately read of a foreign gentleman, who, during his travels in Ruffia, had hired one of the natives as his groom or poililliorr. After having tra- T z - yelled ^ rNTRODUCTION." If the means above ftated are expecled to- produce their full effe6l, it (hould not be forgottenj that the whole management of the child ought to correfpond and keep pace vvith the preceding prac- tice. Without due attention to this circumftance, eonilant wafning and bathing may not only prove of little fervice^ but may in Ibme inftances be pro- du(5live of mifchief. Plence it is abfolutely necef- fary to prohibit the ufc of feather-beds, burthen- fome dreffes, &c. and to avoid the fuffocating air of clofe rooms, whether occafioned by too greal heat,- or a vitiated atmofphere» There is no pradice mere detrimental to the powers and energy of man, in the jfirft period of his evolution, than that of immediately finking the tender infant in a foft feather-bed. In this fitua- tion, all the organs become extremely relaxed, and we lay the foundation of a very ferious malady, zjweatingjkin ; the fource of conftant colds, tooth- achsj head-achs, catarrhs; and innumerable other complaints. travelled for feveral days in very faltry vi^eather, the fc mi-barbarian upon his knees requefted his employer to grant him leave of abfcnce for two or three hours, to refrefh himfelf with the luxury of a bath, which to him was indif^ penfable, and the want of ..which he had long felt. The peqfants in that country po/Tefs a refinement of fenfe, with refpeifl to the furface of the body, with which the moft ele- gant ladies in other countries feem totally unacquainted. For INrfRODUCTION. pj For thefe and fimilar reafons, I would advife parents to lay their children from the very hour of their birth, on fofc and cooling mattrefiesj under thin blankets, or cotton quilts, which do not incommode the body, leave the hands and arms at liberty, and are not liable to excite too .great a degree of hear. In the intenfe cold of winter, an additional blanket may be ufed, which, however, fhould be removed when the weather becomes milder, and the child grows ftronger. But •the greateft mifchicf arifes from bolilers or pillows filled with feathers J which mufl, after a certain time, produce uncleanlinefs and a difagreeable fmell. Such a pillow is calculated to colled and retain mephitic vapours; and fo-r this obvious reafon it cannot but be unfafe to fleep for a whole twelve- month with one's head repofed on fuch a mafs of acrid exhalations. This inconvenience may be eafily avoided, by furnifhing children with cufliions filled with horfe-hair, or with the foftefl bran, pre- vioufly well beaten ; the beft for this purpofe is the bran of oats. The great advantage of theic pillows is, that they adm.it moiflure to pafs through them, confequently they will always remain dry ; and may from time to time be renewed, while they preferve a moderate and regular degree of warmth. Cleanlinefs^ in domeftic life, is one of the cardinal virtues, and an eiTential requifite to the proper phy- fical education of children. Indeed, I cannot help remarking, that this is perhaps the only province F 3 of 94 INTRODUCTION. of parental care, in which we neijer can do tui^ much. For this end, we ought not to neglect the article of linen, as the frequent change of it is of more confequence than many parents may fuppofe. A child is much more liable to perfpire than an adult i the natural effed of which is, that its linen is more readily foiled, and rendered unfit for wearing. I would therefore advife al! parents, who can afford it, to give their children clean, dry linen every day. An undoubted proof of the utility of this pradlice is, that inflances have occurred of children being cured of the rickets, when, from the firft appearance of that complaint, they have been 4aily furniflied with clean linen, well dried, and occafionally fmoked with juniper- berries, frank- incenfe, or other fragrant fubflances, in order to expel the moifture, vvhich is abforbed by linen. But if a clean change cannot be conveniently pro- cured every day, the night-fhirt, as well as that of the day, ought to be regularly dried, and per- fumed if neceffary. Laftly, let the drefs of children be lights the head and breaft during the firft months may be covered, though very flightly j but as foon as the hair is fufficiently flrong to afi'ord prote<5lion, there is no particular ncceffity for hats or caps ; unlcfs in rainy or cold weather. The breaft and neck acquire more firmnefs, and are rendered hardier, by keeping them uncovered i as our fre- quent colds and fore throats chiefly originate from INTROQUCTION. 95 the abfurd habit of wearing bofom-frlends and ftiffened cravats. I Ihall conclude thefe obfervatlons with an hif- torical account from Herodotus, which clearly illuftrates the advantage attending the cool regimen of the head. This judicious and learned writer informs us, that after the battle between the Perfians, under Cambyses, and the Egyptians^ the flain of both nations were feparated : and upon examining the heads of the Perfians, their fkulls were found to be fo thin, that a fmall ftone would eafily perforate them: while, on the other hand, the heads of the Egyptians v/ere fo firm, that they could fcarcely be frac5bured by the largeft ftones. The caufe of this remarkable difference Herodotus afcribes to a cuflom the Egyptians had cf (having their heads from the earlieft infancy, and going uncovered in all dates of the weather j whereas the Perfians always kept their heads v/arm, by wearing heavy turbans. I fmcerely wifn, that the rules and obfcr7ations> here fubmitted to the candid reader, were more generally underftood and praclifed, fo far at leail as they arc found to accord with reafon and exper- rience. I am not however difpofed to imagine, that plans oi Jiidden improvement are the moft likely to fucceed j and I am well aware of the difficulties we mufl expeft to encounter, when we attack old and rooted prejudices, with the hope of vanquifhing them all at once. For though I Ihould F 4. be $6 INTRODUCTION. be fortunate enough to fubftitute founder opinions and better pradiccs, in lieu of tliofe already efta- blifhed, yet, unlcfs the mind be prepared for fuch changes, by a proper philofophic culture, nothing is more probable, than that a fpeedy relapfe into former errors will be the necefiary confequence. The hiftory of our own time has, in fome recent inftances, evidently confirmed the truth of this ob- lervation. We find even the mandates of arbitrary power infufHcient to produce a thorough reform in the manners and cuftoms of a fuperftitious people. The philanthropic but weak Emperor, Jofeph IL, was obliged to yield to the torrent of popular prejudice; and, in fpite of his better reafon, fre- quently to repeal micafures didated by the enlight- ened genius of philofophy. His obfiinate and in- fatuated fubjecls were not yet ripe for fuch falu- tary innovations. Our age is fcarcely docile enough to purfue thofe improvements, which a rapid and conftant progrefs in the fciences daily fuggefts. Upon this ground alone we can explain the fre- quent and obvious contrail between the prevailing theories and pradices, both in the higher and lower walks of life. A great majority of the com- mon people, from their habitual indifference to literature, and their averficn to ferious refledion, ftill manifeft their ancient prejudices to every thing which comes under the dcfcripdon of novelty or improvement. More than one generation will pro- bably elapfe, before even a part of the ufeful hints can INTRODUCTION. ^^ can be reallfed, which lie difperfed in the modem writings on fubjeifls of .health and domeftic ceco- nomy. — V\^hatever benefits can be attained by po- pular inflruclion, both with regard to the treat- ment of children and adults, muH be introduced in a gradual manner. The ancient treatment of children, being confecrated by time, muil not be rudely and precipitately rejefted s but old cuflioms may be changed by prudent and moderate ma- nagement; and thus we may proceed from one ftep to another, in extending the boundaries of truth and reafon. A gradual tranfition from a faulty to a better (late of things, is commonly the moft permanent. Let us combat, at firil, the moft dangerous notions and prejudices : the con- queft over a fingle prejudice, if completely cf- fefted, is a triumph of no little moment \ inafmuch as it will ihake the foundation of many others, more or lefs connected with it. In my earnefl: endeavours to caution the reader againft inveterate prejudices, I do not mean to infinuate, that a perfed and permanent ftate of health is compatible with the delicate organization and complex functions of the human body : I am well aware, that its moft healthy condition clofcly borders on difeafe, and that the feeds of diftempers are planted in the very fulnefs or luxuriance of our fluids. — Hence no ahjolute perfection is to be found among mortals, whether we confider them in a phyficial or moral ftate. Cicero illuftrates 8 this o3 INTRODUCTION. this propofitlon, when fpeaking of man as a mo« ral agent, with equal truth and energy, in the following words : " He is not," fays this philo- fophical orator, " the moft virtuous man, who " commits no faults ; but I confider him as the " moft virtuous, whofe confcience reproaches « him >^ith the feweji:' [ 99 ] C H A P. I. ^ tragical Inquiry into the tneans and -plans adopted among different nations ^ with a view to prohng human life. — An hijlorical furvey of this inter efi-. ing Jubje^f, in different ages ; together with the Juccefs which has attended the refpe^ive efforts ^ made by nations and individuals* — A brief Jlate- ment of the conditions requifite to the attainment of a long and healthy life, — ObJervationSy rules ^ and cautions deduced from the experience of ages.^"^ Sympoms of a5lual difolution. — Summary account of a dietetic J;:Jtem ; explanation of its defign, and (he vaji diverfity of objects comprehended under this popular fcience. A s the enjoyment of * a found mind in a found body' is one of the greateftof terreftial bleil- ings, it is incumbent on every rational inquirer, to devote fome portion of his time and induftry to the refearch of fuch ufeful and pradtical objeds, as may contribute to improve and infure fo defirable a ftate. As long as the various functions of the human body, the voluntary as well as the involuntary motions, are performed with eafe, and fufFer no interruption, we ufually pronounce it in a ftate of iOO MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, health ; in the contrary cafe we call it dlfeafed, I fhall advance a fiep farther, and aiTert, that when we do not feel ourfelves encumbered with the weight of our own frame, and when v/e arc not dirpof nothing farther was required, than that he fliould remove to a dwelling ruled by an oppofite planer, and confine himfclf exclufively to fuch articles of food and drink as were under the influence of a different flar. In this artificial manner they con- trived to form a fyftera, or peculiar claffification of plan/ts, namely, lunar, folar, mercurial, and the like — and hence arofe a confufed mafs of dietetic rules, which, when confidered with refer- ence to the purpofes of health, cleanlinefs, exer- cife, &c. form a remarkable contraft to thofe of the Greeks. Neither was this preventive and repulfive me- thod confined merely to perfons who fuffercd under fome bodily diforder ; even individuals who en- joyed a good ftate of health, if an unlucky con- H 2 ftellation 124 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, ftellation happened to forebode a fevere dlf- eafe, or any other misfortune, were direfted to choofe a place of refidence influenced by a more friendly liar 3 — or to make ufe of fuch aliment only as, being under the aufpices of a propitious ftar, might counterad the malignant influence of its adverfary. /ii.-^t^^^^ It was alfo pretty generally believed and main- tained, that a fort of intimate relation or fympathy fubfifted between metals and plants 5 hence the names of the latter were given to the former, in order to denote this fuppofed connexion and affi- nity. The correfponding metals were melted into a common mafs, under a certain planet, and were formed into fmall medals or coins, with the firm perfuafion, that he who carried fuch a piece about his perfon, might confidently expeft the whole favour and protection of the planet, thus reprefented. The tranfition from one degree of folly to an- other is eafy j and this may help us to account for the ihocking delufions praclifed in the manufac- turing and wearing of metallic amulets of a pe- culiar mould, to which were attributed, by a fort of magic influence, the power and protedion of the rcfpeftive planet : thefe charms w^rc thought to poflTcfs virtue fufficient to over-rule the bad efFeds prefaged by an unlucky hour of birth, to promote to places of honour and profit, •and to be of potent efficacy in matters of com- 7 mercc AND PROLONGING LIFE.' 12^ merce and matrimony. The German foldiers, in the dark and fuperftitious ages, believed, that if the figure of Mars, caft and engraved in the fign of the Scorpion, were worn about the neck as an amulet, it would render them invulnerable, and infure fuccefs to their military enterprifes : hence amulets were then found upon every foldier, either killed in battle or taken prifoner. But let us quit a fubjeft which excites difgull, by exhibiting fuch glaring deviations from truth and reafon. It is much more pleafant to dwell upon examples, which afford fatisfaflory proof, that the human mind has never been entirely and unherfally debafed, and that there have always exided fome individuals, though few in number, who would not fubmit their neck to the yoke of popular prejudice, and whofe fuperior talents and virtues refcued them from the impofitions of general folly or depravity. A memorable inftance of this rare merit is to be found in the Noble Ve- netian Lewis Corn arc. whofe hiftorv illuftrates this agreeable and inftruflive truth, that Nature, left to herfelf, or, in other words, a mode of life and diet properly adapted and regularly perfifted in, will atchieve great things j and that a frame difordered and even reduced to the brink of the grave, may yet be re-eftablifhed, and preferve its health and vigour for a great number of years. Cornaro had been a profefTed epicure and liber- tine, till he entered into the fortieth year of his H 3 age. 126 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, • age. His conftitudon was fo far reduced by the colic, rheumatic pains, fevers, &c. that his phy- ficians at length affured him that he could not fur- vive much longer than two months -, that no medi- cines whatever could avert this cataftrophe, and that the only pofTible means of preferving his life would be a regulir adherence to a frugal diet. He punctually followed this advice, perceived fymptoms ofconvalefcence within a few days, from the comm.encement of his plan of reformation, and, after the lapfe of twelve months, was not only com-pletely reftored, but found himfelf in a better ftate of health than he had ever been during any period of his life. He refolved there- fore to confine himfelf to a fiili more parfimonious regimen, and to take nothing but what he judged to be abfolutely requifite for his fup- pcrt. Thus, during y/A/y years, he confined him- felf to exadly twelve ounces of food a-day, (bread and other nourifhment included) with thirteen ounces of beverage. It fliould be alfo obferved, that during this long period he care- fully avoided violent heat, cold, paffions, and extremes of every kind -, and by rigidly and uniformly adhering to this moderate diet, not only his body, but his mind alfo acqu.red fo deter- mined a tone, that no common incidents could affc6l them. At a very advanced age he loft a law-fuit, which involved pecuniary concerns of great importance, and on account of which two of AND PROLONGING LIFE. 127 of his brothers died of broken hearts ; — buc he ftill retained his ufual health and tranquillity. His carriage was accidentally overturned, and dragged along by the horles, in confequsnce of which his arms and less were diflocated. He caufed them, hov^ever, to be reduced again, and> with- out taking any medicines, was in a fhort time re- ftored. ' The following is a ftriking inftance of the dan- gerous effecls attending the flighted deviation from long cuftom and habit : When Cornaro had reached his eightieth yc-ar, his friends prevailed upon him to add a fmall portion to his daily quantum of food ; alleging that his advanced age necefiarily called for additional fupport. Although he was not convinced by this argument, being of opinion, that, with the gradual decreafe of ftrength, our powers of di- geftion are likewife impaired, and that we ought to diminifh rather than to increafe our food, in proportion to the decay of Nature ; yet he yielded to the felicitations of his friends, and increafed his food from twelve to fourteen, and his drink from thirteen to fixtcen ounces> " Scarcely," to quote the words of our dietetic veteran, " had I proceeded in this new mode " of living for ten days, before I found my fpirits " vifibly affefbed ; a fretful, peevidi temper fuc- " ceeded to my former cheerfulnefs and gaiety, " fo that I became a burden to myfelf and others. H 4 «c xhis cc I2S MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, " This change of temper was followed by fymptoms flill more alarming. On the twelfth day, I was attacked with a pain in my fide, ** which condnued for twenty-four hours together, " and foon after found myfelf opprefTed by a fever " that raged with unabating fury for thirty- five " days, fo that my life was at times defpaired of. " By the blefllng of God, however, on returning «' to my former regimen, I recovered from this '^* fhock, and now enjoy, in my eighty-third year, " perfed health of body and ferenity of mind. I " can mount my horfe without afllftance ; I can *' climb fteep precipices, and but lately I wrote a ** comedy abounding with traits of innocent mirth " and raillery. When I return home, after being *' engaged in my private aff^airs, or from attending " the councils of fi:ate, I feel inexprefllble fatis- ** faflion in the company of my grandchildren, " eleven in number, whofe education, amufement, " and fongs, are the comfort of my age. I fre- " quently join them in finging, as my voice is now " flronger and clearer than I ever knew it to be in •' my youth, and as my happinefs is not difturbed *' by the complaints, the morofenefs, and me- *< lancholy humours, fo frequendy the lot of intem- ** perate old age." In this happy frame of body and mind, Cornaro attained to his hundredth yearj his virtuous and memorable example, however, has hitherto had but few imitators. He found by a^ual ohfervation and AND PROLONGING LIFE. 12() and experience^ that a ftridl and uniform regimen, or a regular daily allowance of food and drink afcertained by weight, was the beR method he could purfue, for the purpofe of prolonging his life. He did not wifh however to be underftood, nor does in follow in general, that this or any other precife portion of nutriment is to be held out as a proper ftandard, by which all per/ons are to regulate their diet. His advice, that we Ihould take no more food than what is abfolutely necef- fary to our fubfiftence, may be thus explained » namely, that the reftoration of ftrength derived from fupplies of nutriment, ought to bear an exa6t proportion to the loffes fuftained by the body. He, for inftance, who fpends little of his time in bed, and much in the open air, takes frequent exercife, is conftantly employed in fome laborious occupation, makes long journies on foot or horfcr back, or the like, will feel himfelf refrefhed and ftrengthened after partaking of a plentiful meal, and cheering beverage; and fuch a repaft is even indifpenfable to him, to recruit the fources of his mufcular flrength and adivity. If, on the other hand, a perfon who lounges away half of his time in bed, or upon the fofa, were to con- fume a quantity of food equal to the former, he would no doubt feel himfelf heavy and uncom- fortable. Yet here too, the confequent lofs of ftrength may vary in degree^ in different fedentary perfonsj and this circumftance will afford me an oppor- 130 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, opportunity, in the fequel, to apply to individual cafes the doflrines fuggefted by the experience of Cornaro. There was another period, during which bkod- Jetting came into general ufe, and obtained great credit, as one of the moft efFedual means of pro- longing life: while the fuperfluity and vitiated ftate of the blood, or what phyTicians term a plethoric habit, was fuppofed co be a principal caufe ot early diflblution. Through the veins thus re- gularly opened, at certain fcafons, the fupcrfluous or vitiated blood was fuppofed to be emitted, while that of a more falubrious quality was left behind. Confidered as a remedy, phlebotomy muft certainly be allowed to pofiefs its ufcs, and ic is fometimes a neceflary expedient, to produce an immediate diminution in the fulnefs of the blood, particularly when the time is too fhorr, and the danger tooprelTing, to admit of any other method for efFcding that purpofe. As there can be no doubt, that blood-letting is an invaluable remedy in many diforders, it is the m.ore peculiarly incumbent on the practical phyfician, to diftinguifli with care thofe cafes, in which eminent danger may be averted, and health reftored by the ufe of it. I am of opi- nion, that there are two cafes, and only two, in which venefedion is likely to be attended with real advantage J ift. When it is required to pre- vent the fluids from gaining accefs to the parts more elTential to life; and 2dly, Where means muft AND PROLONGING LIFE. I3I muft be fpeedily ufed to counteraf^ a threatened inflammation in the intcftines. But, even in thefe two cafes, the intelligent phyfician is at no lofs for other remedies, which may be frequently ad- miniftered with greater probability of fuccefs. In the treatment of every dilbrder, it is neceffary to fcricCl that remedy, which is found mofl: fuit- able to the ftage of the complaint. And here we have no occafion to Hart the queftion. Whether the method and the means, by which the difeafe is checked and health reftored, are, in the end, beft calculated to prolong the life of the patient? Phyficians proFefllonaily look upon every difcafe as an evil, which cannot be too fpeedily removed; and it would be to hazard the recovery of their patients, in many cafes, were they to wafte time in refleding upon the confequences of the remedy, with refped to its influence on the duration of life. Hence the art of prolonging life, ftridly fpeaking, is not a diftind branch of medicine, but rather forms a feparate art, and as fuch is the commoa property of all : it fliould therefore conflitute a part of the education and fludies of every rational individual, whatever be his other engagements and occupations. — The abfurd notion, that blood- letting is ufeful and ncceffary to the prolongation of human life, is dill pretty generally received among the common people of all countries. Nei- ther the good nor the bad days, fuperilitioufly marked in the almanacks for amufing the vulgar, can 132 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, can palliate or juftify the mifchiefs, with which this dangerous error is pregnant. Bleeding can be offer- vice only, when it is performed at a proper time ; and to exprefs my opinion of it, in a few words, it is aliaays noxious to the healthy. The blood contains and affords to the bones, ligaments, tendons, membranes, mufcles, nerves, vefTelsi in Ihort, to the whole organized body, all the parts which form the bones, ligaments, ten- dons, &c. Each of thefe parts is evolved from the blood, and adapted to its proper place, in fo artificial a manner, that the human mind is totally at a lofs to comprehend, how this operation is per- formed 5 neither have the refearches of the moft acute and attentive obferver been able to account for ir. And as the blood fervcs to fupply the "wafte, and to make up the loffes, which thofe parts occafionally fuftain, it may be confidered as the original fource of our whole organization. By its ftimulating powers it alfo caufes the heart and the arteries to contract ; and by that means preferves the circulating motion, by which it is propelled through all the parts of the body, for the purpofes defigned by Nature. Now it requires little reflexion to perceive, that he who waftes this vital fluid, thereby obftrufts and, as it were, cuts ofFrhe fources of his fupport and regeneration. And though it be true, that the blood evacuated by periodical bleedings is foon reproduced by the adivity of the vital powers, yet this AND PROLONGING LIFE. I^J this reftoration is not effected without confiderable efforts, and at the expence of the whole machine. As this exertion, therefore, is a gr^at preflure upon the vital powers, it muft of courfe be at- tended with a proportionate degree of their con- fumption. It is too well known, that the cor- rupted part of the blood cannot be feparated from the mafs, fo that the found and uncorrupted par- ticles alone may remain behind. If the quality of the blood ever become vitiated and difeafedj if ic be too thick and vifcous, or too acrid, and dif- folved, the whole mafs participates in the infedtious taint J neither is it in the po'.ver of art, to contrive any method, by which the corrupted part may be kept afunder, from that which is in a found ftate. — It would be equally unreafonable to expedt that a fpoiled cafk of wine could be cured of its tartnefs, by drawing or tapping the acid and im- pure portion from the top, and leaving the fweet and wholefome part behind. — Laftly, experience has fbewn in numberlefs inftances, that perfons accuftomed to frequent blood-letting are not only rendered more delicate in their conftitutions, and thereby more fubjed: to difeafes, but alfo that they die, in general, at an earlier age than others j and though cafes have occurred of fome perfons who, having been bled twice or four times a-year, have neverthelefs arrived at a confiderable age, thefe inftances only prove, that venefe(5tion was to 134 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, to them a proper medical remedy,perhaps adapted to their peculiar habit of body ; or that the aftivity of their vital powers, their mode of life, and other favourable circumflances, internal and external, may have been fufficient to counterbalance the dangerous confequences, refulting from the fre- quent lofs of this efiential fluid. O'd the 'Do5irine of 'Transfufion, At a time v/hen the fhortnefs of life was im- puted to a diftempered (late of the blood; when all difeafes were afcribcd to this caufe, without at- tending to the whole of what relates to the moral and phyfical nature of man, a conclufion was eafily formed, that a radical removal of the corrupted blood, and a complete renovation of the entire mafs, by fubftitution, was both practicable and effedlual. The fpeculative mind of man was not at a lofs to devifc expedients, or rather attempts, to cfFeifl this defirable purpofe; and this un- doubtedly was one of the boldeft, moft extraordi- nary, and moft ingenious attempts ever made to lengthen the period of human life. I allude here to the famous fcheme of transftifion^ or of intro- ducing the blood of one animal body into that of an- other , a curious difcoverv, attributed to Andreas LiBAVius, Profeflbr of Medicine and Chemiftry in the Univerfity of Halle, who, in the year 1615, publicljr AND PROLONGING LIFE. I35 publicly recommended experimental eflays to afcer- tain the fact. Libavius was an honed and fpirited oppofcr of the Theofophic Syftem, founded by the bombafiic Paracelfus, and fupported by a nu- merous tribe of credulous and frantic followers. Although Libavius was not totally exempt from the fafhionable follies of that age, fince he believed in the tranfmutation of metals, and fiiggelled to his pupils the wonderful powers o^ potable gold i yet he diftinguiflitrd rational Alchemy from the fanatical fyftems then in repute, and zealoirfly de- fended the former againfl: the difciples of Galen, as well as thofe of Paracelfus. He made a number of important difcoveries in Chemiflry, and was un- queftionably the nrft profelTor in Germany, v;ho read Chemical Ledlures, upon pure principles of afEnity, unconnedled with the extravagant notions of the Theofophifts*. The * As this remarkable feci was founded upon the dofiirmes of Paracelfus, during the latter part of the fixteenth and the beginning of the feventeeth centuries ; and as the fociety known by the name of Rofecrucians, or Rofencrucians, has not been without its followers and propagators, in different fhapes, even to the prefent time, I fhall here prefent the reader with a concife account of the origin and tenets of that fanatical feft. We find this order firil publicly announced to the world, in a book publifhed in the German language, at Regenf- burg, in the year 1614, with the following title : ''^ The Univ^rfal and Gsmral Reformation of the Worlds together v^ith an J^6 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, The firfl: experiments relative to the transfufion of the blood, appear to have been made, and that with ** an Account of the famous Fraternity of the Rojencrucians.^* In the work is an intimation, that the members of the fociety. had been fecretly at work, for a century preceding, and that they had come to the knowledge of many great and important feci-ets, which, if communicated to the world, would promote the happinefs of man. An Adventurer of the name of Christian Rosenkreuz isfaid to have founded this order, in the fouiteenth century, after having been pre- vioufly initiated in the fublime wifdom of the Eall, during his travels in Egypt and Fez. According to what we can learn from this work, the intention of the founder, and the final aim of the fociety, appear to have been the accumulation of wealth and treafures, by means of fecrets known only to the members ; and by a proper diftribution of thefe treafures among Princes and Potentates, to promote the grand fcheme of the fociety, by producing *' a general revolution of all things." In their " ConfelTiO]! of Faith" there are many bold and fingular dogmas; among others, that the end of the world is at hand ; that a general reformation of men and man- ners will fpeedily take place ; that the wicked fliall be expelled or fubdued, the Jews converted, and the dodrlne of Chrifl: propagated over the whole earth. The Rofcncrucians not only believed that thefe events muft happen, but they alfo endeavoured to accelerate them by unremitted exer- tions. To their faithful votaries and followers they pro- mifed abundance of celeftial wifdom, nnfpeakable riches, exemption from difeafe, an immortal ftate of ever-blooming youth, and above all, the Philo/opher''s Stone. Learning and improvement of the mind were, by this order, confulered as fuperfluous, and defpifed. They found all knowledge in the Bible ; this, however, has been fuppofed rather a pretext to obviate a charge, which Avas brought againft them AND PROLONGING LIFE. I37 with great propriety, on the lower animals. The blood of the young, healthy, and vigorous was transfufed into the old and infirm, by means of a delicate tube, placed in a vein opened for that pur- pofe. The effe6l of this operation was furprifmg and important t aged and decrepit animals were foon obferved to become more lively, and to move with greater cafe and rapidity. By the inde- them, of not believing in the ClirlHIan Religion. The truth IS, they irhagined themfelves fuperlor to Divine Revela- tion, and fuppofed every ufeful acquifitlon, every virtue to be derived from the influence of the Deity on the foul of man. In this, as v/ell as many other refpefts, they appear to be followers of Paracelfus, whom they profefs to revere as a meflenger of the Divinity. Like him, they pretend to cure all difeafes, through Faiib and the power of imagina- tion ; -to heal the moft mortal diforders by a touch, or even by fimply looking at the patient. The Univerfal Remedy was hkewife a grand fecret of the order, the difcovery of which was promifed to all Its faithful members. I think it unneceffary to enumerate any more of fuch im« pious fancies, if the Founder of this ftill lurking feft, now partly revived, had not aiferted with aftoniftiing effrontery, that human life was capable of prolongation, like a fire kept up by combuftible matter, and that he was in the pof- feffion of a fecret, which could verify his affertlon. It is evident, however, from the teRimomy of the above men- tioned Libavius, a man of unqueftionable veracity, that this doughty champion in Medical Chemiflry, or rather Al- chemy, Paracelfus, notwithilanding his bold affertions, died at Salzburg in Germany, in the Hofpital of St. Ste- phen's, in 1541 ; and that his death was principally brought on by the irregular and diflblute mode of life, which he had for a long time purfued. I fatigable •I^S MEANS OF PRESERTING HEALTH, fatigable exertions of Lower, in England, of Dennis^ in France, and of Morftz HgpFMAN, and others, in Germany, this artificial mode of reno- vating the life and fpirits was fuccefsfully conti- nued, and even brought to fopie degree of perfce- tidn. — The vein ufually opened in the arm of a- patient was rcforted to for the purpofe of tranf- fufion ; into this a fmalU tube was placed' in a per- pendicular direction J the fame vein was then open- ed in a healthy individual, but more frequently in an animal, into which another tube was forced in a reclining diredlion ; both the fmall tubes were then Hidden into one another -, and in that pofition the delicate afl of transfufion was fafely performed. When the operation was completed, the vein was tied up in the fame manner as in blood-letting.— Sometimes a quantity of blood was drawn from the patient, previous to the experiment taking place. As few perfons however were to be found, that would agree to.partwith their blood to others, recourfe was generally had to animals, and moft frequently to the calf, the lamb, and the flag. Thefe being laid upon a table, and tied fo as to- be unable to move, the operation was perr'brmed in the manner before defcribed. In fome inltances, the good efFeds of thefe experiments were evident and promifing, while they excited the greateft hopes of the future im -- provement and progrefs of this new art. But the ■ increafing abufcs pradifcd by bold and inex- 5 perc AND PROLONGING LIFE, jjrt jjer: adventurers, together with the great number bf cafes, wherein it proved unfuccefsful, induced the difFcrent governments of Europe to put an entire flop to the practice, by the ftrideft prohi- bitions. And, indeed, while the conftitutions of men differ from each other (o materially as they hov/ do, this is, and ever will be, a hazardous, if not a defperate remedy. — The blood of every indi- vidual is fui generis i or of a peculiar nature, and congenial with that body only^ to which it belongs, and in which it is generated. Hence our hope of prolonging human life, by artificial evacuations and injeflions, mud necefTarily be dif- appointed. We are not however to fuppofe, that thefe and fimihr purfuits^ during the ages of which we treat, as well as thofe which fucceeded, were folely or chiefly followed by mere adventurers and fanatics. No, the greateft wits and geniufes of thofe times, together with the mofl learned and eminent men, deemed them obje6ls v/orthy of their fedulous at- tention I Lord Bacon, that fagacious explorer of the arcana of Nature, that luminary of icitnce. and talents, reprefents life as a fiame, which is continually v.afted by the furrounding atmofphere, and afferts that all the fluids of the body may from time to time be renovated, and that fuch renoyation is neccfiary. The remedies, which he prefers and prefcribes, are conformable to this hypothefis. To prevent the eiiisrnal confumption produced by the I 2 circum- 140 MEAXS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, circumambient air, he recommends the bath and, after it, friiflion with oils and falves, with a view to fortify the poresj and exclude the influ- ence of the external air. To counteract the internal wafte of the body, he inculcates the propriety of a cooling moderate diet, and, above all, extols the narcotic or foporific remedies, as the true balm of life, and bell adapted to attain the de- fired effect. — Tranquillity of mind, and a cool- ing diet, may no doubt be very neceffary in fome cafes, v/here there is too great an irritability of temperament, and where the circulation of the blood is too rapid. But to a phlegmatic habit, they will rather be injurious than ferviceable. Nar- cotic remedies, too, are but ill qualified to cool and. moderate the body, fince they never fail to act as a certain fcimulus, are attended with heat and relaxation, and therefore muft accelerate the con- fumption of. the vital powers : that fleep, alfo, ■which is artificial, and which they have a tendency to induce, cannot upon the whole be falutary. It is no lefs evident, that the vital power fupplied by heat or caloric (which is principally evolved from the air*, and introduced into the body by * We {hall have occafion to inftitute a particular inquiry into the properties of air, in the next Chapter, from which it will appear, that one fpecies of air is rhore noxious to the vital power than another, and that there is a greater con* fiimption of it in one, than in the other. • - - means AND PROLONGING LIFE. I4I means of rcfpiration) mud be much lefs confider- able during deep, than while we arc awake. For improving the fluids of the aged, and reno- vating the dry and corrupted part of them, Lord Bacon thinks, nothing can be put in competition with po^v-^rful laxatives, and advifcs the ufc of a full courfe of them, every two or three years at leaft. Thefe remedies are, in his opinion, the beft qualified to evacuate vitiated humours, and after- wards to produce, in lieu of them, milder and more healthy juices. The exhaufted and, as it were, thirfty vellels may be replenifned and ftrengthened, according to his ideas, by a refrefh- ing and nourifhing diet. However plaufible this theory rruy appear, the execution of it is impracticable, and the bafis on which it refls, merely conjedural. If it were pof- fible to withdraw the impure part of the fiujds from the body, by means of evacuants, and at the fame time to remove the caujes, which produce ~ the tendency to corruption, then the doftrine laid down by Lord Bacon would dcfcrvc every praife, and the mofl minute attention to its merits. But it ouc^ht to be obfcrved, that the aftivity and energy of the whole organifed fyftem is indifpenf- ably necefiary m the procefs of feparating the noxious or ufelefs particles. As, therefore, laxa- tives remove only the more watery fluids ; as they have a bad efi^ed on the tlomach and inteftines, by- rendering them too irritable, and confcquently lefs I 3 tonic ?42 MEANS OF Fxll'SERVING HEALTH^ tonic or vigorous j as iht bile, a fluid fo effential to the con'codion of food and affimilation of ali- mentary ma:terj is thereby ufelcfsly wafted ; as the balance between the folid and fluid parts of the body is in this manner deftroyedi and as the vital powers muft fuftain a confiderable degree of dimi- nution in affording fupplies, to repair what is loft j —the precarious nature of evacuantSi as the means of prolonging human life, appears too evident to require farther illuftration. It is not, therefore, in fuch remedies as thefc which can only be employed with fafety, where a judicious attention is paid to the cafe and circum^ ftances of the padent, that we ought to confide, as the moft proper to prolong the period of our exiftence : we muft fearch for means lefs dan- gerous, and more effedual. There is a pretty numerous clafs of men, who profefs to calculite the length of their lives, not fo much by the number of years or days they have lived, as by the ufe they have made of them, or, to fpeak more plainly, by the quantum of fenfua^ pleafure they have enjoyed. Perfons of this caft^- thou a Count Thun, at Leipzig, pretended to perform miraculous cures on gouty, hypochon- driac, and hyfterical patients, merely by the impo- fition of his facred hands. He could not, however, raife many difciples in a place, that abounds with Sceptics and Unbelievers. It would be trefpafTing too much on the limits I have propofed to myfelf, were I to enumerate the various remedies advertifed in the daily papers* both Britifli and Foreign, under the fiditious and fraudulent pretence of prolonging life, I fhall therefore only remark, in general, . that all thefc celebrated fpecifics arc obvioufly compofed upon wrong principles; inafmuch as their inventors pro- ceed on the hypothetical idea, that difeaje is the 07ily cauje of Jhortemng life i and, being thus miftaken, it is no wonder that they carry the firengthening or bracing fyflem to an extravagant degree. The higheft point of bodily vigour and health may of itfelf contribute to fliortcn lifej although K 4 na l6o MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, no external caufes fhould appear to co-operte in haftening the confumptive procefs. Nay, theVety remedies we ufe, and the regimen we attend to, for the prevention or cure of difeafes, may be of fuch (i nature as to promote that confumption. On the ahfurdity ofS-pecific Remedies. From the dodrines now laid before the reader, I hope I fhall not be thought unreafonable, in drawing this conclufion : — That the plans for prolonging human life are generally erroneous and injudicious; that all artificial means have ra- ther a tendency to fhorten than to prolong it ; and that we can never fafely expe£l the accomplifh- ment of this great objeft, unlefs we purfue me- thods more confonant to nature, and more verified by experience. The truthdf this inference will be m.ore evident, when we come to inquire into the conditions^ which ire effentially requifite to the attainment of a long life. Thtfirfi of thefe, is a certain bodily and mental difpofition to longevity, noteafily defined, yet fuf- •ficfently known and underftood. Iri whatever this difpofidon may confift, it is matter of aftonifhment, and inexplicable by the lavv's of animal ceconomy, 'that m?ny individuals, frequently under the moft ynfavourable circumftances, and in the moft un- wholefome AND PROLONGING LIFE. l6l wholefome climates, have attained to a preat and comfortable age. It may indeed be confidently af- firmed, that, without this principal requifite, all other advantages are often of no avail ; — the moil; falubrious country-air, a diftrid abounding with aged inhabitants, a rigid adherence to the diet of Cornaro, a regular courfe of exercife and recrea- tions, with the bed art of the phyfician, are noc fufEcient to infure the felicitous profpedl of a long and healthy life*. Secondly: It is certain that there is, in mofl; cafes, a fort of hereditary difpofition to lo,ngevity; an innate principle, or quality, which, like many family difeafes, is propagated from one generation to another. Perhaps nine out of ten old perfons could make it appear, that their parents and an- celiors aifo lived to a great age j a reafon which * If thefe rational means be unavailing to. infure longevity, ftill more fo are thofe miraculous remedies introduced by fuperiTition. The Ancients conceived the idea of a principle ef life, which they compared to a radical fluid ; — the Alche- mifts expected to find this original entity in gold, by the ufe of which they pretended, that the human body m.ight acquire the folidity and durability of that metal. Others traced the germ of hfe in bodies of confiderable duration ; in plants and animals ; in the wood of the Cedar, and in the flefh of the Stag. — BoERHAAVE has made a facetious remark upon the fubject : " This notion," fays he, ^' isjuft as ridiculous as *' that of the man, who, in order to prepare himfelf for " the bufmefs of a running footman, is faid to have lived ** for fome time entirely on the flefti of hares j hoping thus '* to furpafs all his fellows in agility." may l62 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTHj may be admitted, without having recourfe to any material fubftance, as the caufe or effccft of this in- herent virtue. The third requifite to longevity is 2l psrfeSf birth .of the child, and a proper fubfeqiient conduft in the mother; — upon which fubjecl it is not my defign to expatiate in this place. That acute phyfiologifl. Lord Bacon, fomewhere remarks, ** that children partake more of the nature of the ** mother, the longer time fhe has nurfed them ; ** and that thofe children which moft referable the " mother, will be generally found to have a greater ** claim to longevity." Fourthly : A gradual, and not too precipitate, culture of the phyfical and mental faculties may be properly confidered as an excellent preliminary ftep towards prolonging life. The age of man bears a certain proportion to the growth of his various powers i and the longer we can protrafl the differ- ent ftages of life, the more extended will be the whole compafs of our exiftence. As it is evidently the defign of Nature, that man fhould live longer than moft of the lower animals, he of courfe re- quires a greater fpace of time, to develope the faculties both of mind and body. Animals, which arrive foon at the perfeflion of their nature and form, live but a fhort time. Man requires up- wards of twenty; and according to fome, twenty- five years, before he attains to full maturity ; and if it be a rule of Nature, that animals in ge- neral AND PROLONGING LIFE. 163 neral live eight times the number of years, which is requifite to the attainment of their perfedl growth, a ftrong prefumption arifes, that the age of man might be extended to nearly two hundred years. In the works of the iiluftrious Bacon, and particu- larly in his " Hiftorical View of Life and Death," are given many (Irong arguments to confirm this affertion. Surprifing as it may appear to fome, there is a poffibiJity at leafi:, if not a probability, that the term of human life might be ftill farther extended, if mankind could by any means be per- fuaded to return to that primeval ftate of nature, from which hiftory and tradition have furnifhed us with fuch allonilhing and almoft incredible inftances of longevity. It is not my intention here to inquire into the degree of credit, which may be due to the accounts of fome extraordinary facts of individual longevity recorded by the facred hiftorian j as the learned vary much in their opinion, relative to the mode of computation, and whether the Solar, the Arabic, or the Lunar year, or a dill fhorcer mea- fure of time, is alluded to. This, at leafl, feems to be generally admitted, that the antediluvians enjoyed an enviable, uninterrupted ftate of health ; that their vegetable aliment, and general mode of living, were extremely fimple and nowife prejudi- cial : that the conftitution and temperature of the globe itfelf muft have been greatly affected and deteriorated, in confequence of the Flood, or other caufes of which we are ignorant i and, laftly, that 164 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, that thofe impetuous and inordinate appetites and paffions, which, like flames, may now be faid to confume the powers of life, were then either lefs violent, or exerted their baneful influence at a much later period of life. Nature refents every outrage committed on her treafures, and feldom fails to punifh the tranf- greflfors with lingering difeafc, or early diffolution. This obfervation may be applied to the moral as well as the phyfical faculties of man. It is commonly faid, and not without fome degree of truth, that very forward children feldom live to the age of adults ; and that too early an exertion of mental powers is in mofl: cafes defl:rudive. The fame remark holds good in what relates to the body. The inhabitants of hot climates, who frequently marry at the age of ten or twelve, or twelve and fourteen, begin to be old at thirty, and rarely fur- vive the fixtieth year. Every expedient which haf- tens the evolution of the natural powers, every ex- ertion of fhrength difproportionate to the ability of the individual, fliould be carefully avoided, as fuch cxcefl^es are of a dangerous tendency. Hence the great art of education, the great art of living, con- fifts in following the path of Nature. Fifthly : We fliould conftantly inure ourfelves to the habits of fupporting and refifting the various impreflTions of external agency. — Some perfons, who have paid a very rigid attention to diet, have notwithfl:anding been unable to reach even a middling AND PROLONGING XIFE. 165 middling age ; while others, who have been ad- dicled to the moft irregular and extravagant courfes, have been obferved to attain one very- advanced. Hence arife contradidory maxims in dietetics, which can only be reconciled by deciding chemically between the two extremes^ and afcer- taining as nearly as poflible the abfolute and relative falubrity of things. All deviations from the rules of diet are in a certain deoiree hurtful ; although thefe may, in inofl cafes, be attended only with a li- mited advantage. Many epicures have been known to reach their feventicth and eightieth year, if they have once furvived a certain critical period of their lives*. As foon as the body becomes accuftomed to the ufe of certain things, at firfb difagreeable and perhaps hurtful, the noxious tendency will not only be removed, but we fhall find our frame hardened * Experience ftiows, that tliere is a particular term of life which, if we can pafs in the fulnefs of health and vigour, leaves the greatefl: probabiht}- of living to'a confiderable age. In the female fex, this period generally arrives at, or before the fiftieth year ; in the male, it is about the fiftieth year. Gellius, a medical author of credit, afferts, from obferv- ations founded on long experience, that the fixty-third year is, to moft conftitutions, a critical and dangerous one. The Egyptians called this Q-pocha. j^ndroclos, becaufe man begins from that time to experience a rapid decay of ftrength and energy. Others, rather more fuperftitioufly, maintained that, about this period, many individuals die, or at leaft are fubjed to fevere attacks of difeafe. — The Emperor Au- •GusTUs received the congratulations of his friends, on having furvived this trying period, and 1 66 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, and ftrengthened by ufing them. Nature muft withftand rriany a fhock, if (lie would fami- liarize hcrfclf to the viciffitudes of climate and oppofite modes of life, but every vi<5lory fhe gains in thefe encounterSj will be a means of ren- dering her more vigorous and unconquerable. — How could the fublime mind of Frederic the Great have remained fo long in its earthly ve- hicle, if he had not improved, by conftant culture and difcipline, his original difpofition to a long life ? Numbers of other men, who have endured as much exercife of body and exertion of mind in their younger years, have yet not attained to any remarkable age. — Severe and obftinate difeafeshave alfo been thought, in many inftanccs, to contribute to the prolongation of life : this is at beft, how- ever, but a doubtful point; although it cannot be denied, that many fick perfons have, to all appearance, acquired additional ftrength and fpi- rits, after having recovered from a diftrefling quartan 2gue, or Ibm.c threatening pulmonary difbrder. Sixthly; We may take notice of a certain fteady and uniform frogrejs thrcugh life, as highly condu- cive to the great objc6l in view ; whether it flows in the manner of a gentle fiream, or rcfembles the more adlive courfe of a rapid river. The mind, v/hen accuflomed to certain (ituations and purfuits, which almcft conftantly aftecl it in an uniform manner, is moil likely to preferve its reafoning powers unim- paired. AND PROLONGING LIFE.' 167 paired and ftrong. He whom neither violent joy convulfes, nor deep melancholy corrodes, and whofe career of live is not checquered by too fudden viciffitudes, may, with fome probability, expe(5t a long enjoyment of that life, to which he has become fo liabituated. — There are many whofe days quietly glide away, like thofe of a fimple ruftic, in continual famenefs : fuch perfons, it is obferved, generally live to a great age. Se'venthly : A very neceffary caufe of the attain- ment to an advanced age, is a found flate of digeflion. In very old perfons, we generally find the digeftive organs in excellent condition ; nor is there a furcr fymptom of approaching difib- lution, than complaints in the ftomach, or fre- quent returns of indigeflion. The Swifs are indebted, it is thought, to the vigorous tone; of their digeilive organs, for the long prefervation of their lives, in general, and for the great number of aged perfons among them. Milk and ve- getable food fcem remarkably well adapted to invigorate the ftomach. To eftcdl the fame pur- pofc. Lord Bacon advifes old people to have recourfe to flrengthening baths, fomentations, and fimilar external remedies, which operate upon the abforbent f;{lem. At the fame time, a thin but nourilhing and moderate diet ihould be obferved, in order to fpare the organs of digeflion. Eighthlvy and laftly : We may recommend equa- nimity, or that ftate of the mind, when, from the happy i68 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTrf, happy nature of its purfults, it is not difquieted by too violent exertions. In the literary profeffions, and particularly among fuch individuals as are placed in eafy circumftances, we difcover as many inftances of longevity, as in the more laborious occupations. It was remarked by the Ancients, that grammarians and rhetoricians commonly at- tained to a great age» The mind being engaged in fcientlfic purfuits, and other objeds in which it finds pleafure, fuch as converfation on literary and mi}:ed topics, colletfling the productions of Nature, a continual feries of mental refearches, diverfifying the purfuits or amufements, yet gra- dually and conftantly perfevering in exertions towards the attainment of fome principal objed— all fupply the vital power, as it were, with mate- rials, like the crufc of oil, which proved a never- failing fupport to the widow of Sarepta. On the other hand, it is a general remark, that deep, thinkers, fpeculative philofophers, and thofe whofe powers are continually abforbed in abflrufe inquiry, foon feel the effeds of age, from the ereat exertions of their mental faculties. This muft be underftood, however, with exceptions, as in the cafes of Sir Isaac Newton, Haller, EuLER, and the pride of his nation and age, the profound and venerable Kant, ft ill living at Koe- niajfber?. I venture to fay thus much on the various rules and precautions requifite to attain a long and health- 14 ful AND PROLONGING LIFE. l6g ful life. Some of the particulars are, no doubt, found united in a certain proportion of the indivi- duals, who arrive at a rcfpeftable age. It is com- monly remarked alfo, that the inhabitants of moun- tainous countries, for the mofl: part, live to a greater age than thofe of low, and particularly, marlhy dif- tricls. Thi? is partly true ; yet we are not to con- fider the lofty regions in the Alps and Pyrenees as poflelTing thefe falubrious qualities ; for it is only upon moderate heights, and in hilly rather than mountainous countries, that we fo frequently meet with people of an unufual age. Perfons, who are conftantly travelling, are likewife faid to enjoy a long and healthful life ; and Lord Bacon farther includes in the lift of long livers, fuch as are of a melancho!;; teiP.perament. It is a quefiionable point, whether the great age of many Turks is to be afcribed to the ferenity of their climate, their daily ufe of the bath, or their uncommon temperance, in eating and drinking. For, as to their copious ufe of opium, which is confidered by them almoft as neceilary as food, we have already Ihov»m the noxious tendency of fuch prafUcei for opium generates, in a remarkable degree, a difpofition of the fluids, in many refpeds refembling that of hypochondriafis. There is fcarcely an intlance of any perfon, that has attained to uncommon longevity, who has not been particular in his diet and manner of living. But in this refpeft we cannot hope to derive L> advantage 170 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, advantage from excefiive folicitude : — for, as when in want of fleep, the more we think of it, the A. more it Ihuns us j fo thofe who are moft anxious for longevity, are the leaft likely to attain it. Age is a gift, which Heaven frequently and gra- dually beftows upon mortals, when they are fcarcely fenfible ofit ! On the Symptcms of a5fual Diffolution, That many unfortunate individuals are con- figned to the grave, before they are actually dead, is a truth too well attefted to require demonftration. If this were not, or never had been the cafe, it could not have excited that degree of attention on the Continent, and particularly in Germany, which of late years has been beftowed on this important fubjed. The moft refpeftable Phyficians have proved by incontrovertible fafts, that fick perfons have often been haftily buried, or to fpeak more properly, fmothered in their coffins, either from accidental miftake, or from the moft dcteftable motives. But, as many falfe and fcandalous reports are generally circulated, in addition to thofe founded on truth, we need not wonder, that this bufinefs has not been conducled, hitherto, with that degree of calm and patient attention, to which it is juftly entitled. Houfes for the reception of perfons apparently dead have been, at lengtb, creeled' in various AND PROLONGING LIFE. lyi various parts of Germany, in Berlin, Jena, Coburg, &c. This idea, at the firll view of it, may to feme appear whimfical j but thofe who know the extent of the power of vitality, and the almoft infinite modifications of which that power is fufceptible, will not ridicule a propofal, which originated in motives of prudence and humanity. Into thefe' houfes every inhabitant of the town, or diftrift, has a right to fend the body of a deceafed perfon, on paying a trifling fum per night, towards the expences of the inftitution. Here the body is depofited on a couch, lightly covered, and provided with a firing fattened to the hand, which pulls a bell on the top of the houfe. A watchman is appointed to receive and regifter the bodies brought into the houfe, and to give the alarm, if necelTary. This, to fay the Icaft of it, is no fmall convenience to families in a large city, crowded into narrow apartments, with a num- ber of children, who muft neceflarily fuffcr from the peftiferous exhalations of dead bodies. But this is not the principal advantage attending fuch efta- blifhments : it is unqueftionably a great fatisfaflion to the relatives of the deceafed, to be alTurcd that every means have been ufed to prefcrve from the moft dreadful of all deaths, a friend whofe memory they revere. The cafes in which death can be clearly afcer- tained, are nearly the following; t 2 1. When 172 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, I. When putrefaction has adually taken place over the whole animal frame j as inftances are common, in which a partial mortification of an arm or a leg is by no means mortal. -2. In the nervous apoplexy of the aged j as fuch perfons generally die in confequence of flowly waft- ing diforders, various fpecies of palfy, &c. . 3. If the patient expires after a long (landing confumption, heiflic fever, or ulcerations of the brealT: and lungs, difeafes now very common. 4. If any of the larger blood-vefTcls, or other parts efifential to life, have received external injury, by violent blows, bruifes, or cuts, attended with great lofs of blood, which could not be ftopped by artificial means. If we are unable to fupply the •lofs of this vital fluid, and to reftore the organiza- tion of the parts thus deftroyedj particularly if the brain, the lungs, the heart, the ftomach, or any of the inteftines, have fufFered from a fevere wound, a fpeedy diflblution may be confidered as inevitable. 5. After chronic diforders of the inteftines, ob- ftruflions of the abdominal veffels, and dropfy ■' thence arifing — or if an incurable weaknefs in the breaft has occafioned the organic deftruflion, or oftlfication of the peroral veffels, there is little profpedt of the recovery of fuch a perfon j as thefe complaints of afthmatic fufferers, in general, are not in a juft- proportion to the whole ft ate of the body ; AND PROLONGING LIFE. 173 body i for inftance, if their appetite and digeftion have been unimpaired previous to their difeafe, or if their mufcular ftrcngth has not fufFered from the like affedions. 6. In perfons of tender and debilitated nerves, who have been long fubjed to fpafms or epileptic fits, particularly if they die in child-bed, in confe- quence of violent hemorrhages, or after repeated and oppreffive agitations of mind ; — in fuch cafes there is no hope left, as it is too late to think of changing or improving the conftitution of the nervous fyflem. Laftly, 7. If a perfon gradually waftes away in a ma- lignant nervous or putrid fever, or after long faft- ing from want of food. In thefe inftances it is not in the power of the medical art to reftore the fhrivelled veflels to their proper tenfion and energy; confequently all our attempts to reanimate the body will be unavailing. There remains now to be ftated alfo, in what cafes and fituations the fymptoms of apparent death are lefs certain, fo that fome hope of recovery is ftill left to the difconfolate friend and relative* Thefe are principally the following : after faintings, fudden lofs of blood from difeafed inteftincs,— in certain cafes of repelled morbid matter, for in- ftance, in the fmall-pox, meafles, poifons, and the like, which frequently produce a fpurious kind of apoplexy j — after hyfteric and hypochondriac fpafms and colics of a tranfitory kind, which have not too L 3 often 174- MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, often recurred j after mental anxiety, perturbation, terror, and other oppreflive paflions, where every thing depends on a fpeedy removal of the caufes* To this lift we may likewife add the cafes of drowned, hanged, and otherwife fufFocated perfons, or thofe who appear to be dead, in confequence of a fall from high fcafFoldings, without any external injury. In fuch accidents, an internal prefTure or (loppage of the vital funflions, as breathing, and the circulation of the blood, often produces a ftate of apparent death. — Even the fupprefled pulfe in the arteries, imperceptible refpiration, the coldnefs and rigidity of the limbs, the want of contra<5t- ibility in the pupil of the eye, the involuntary lofs of excrementitious fubftances, — all thefe fymptoms of approaching diflblution Ihould not difcourage us from trying the proper means of recovering the p'atient's life. In children and young perfons, in particular, we muft not too hafliiy decide, whether they be abfolutely dead or not i — teething is fre- quently attended with diverfified convulfive fymp- toms, and the tap-worm is capable of producing the moft alarming efFedls, which the inexperienced by-ftanders may unwarily afcribe to very different caufes. Hence every pofTible degree of precau- tion is requifite in managing the bodies of infants apparently deadj and they ought not to be re- moved from the warm teipperature of the fick- room, before the laft lingering fpark of life is extinguifhed. Indeed^ it muft ftrike even fuper- liciai AND PROLONGING LIFE. ly^ ficial obfervers, that the hafty removal of a body from a warm to a colder temperature is highly im- proper and dangerous. And here the excellent rules, publifhed by the Royal Humane Society of London, for the recovery of perfons apparently dead, cannot be recommended in too ftrong terms ; although fome of the more violent methods de- tailed in their plan, fuch as inflation of the bowels with the fumes of tobacco^ clyfiers prepared of that herb, violent agitatioriy and too early and indif- criminate application of the ele^ric JJiockj might well bear a few modifications and improvements. Summary of Dietetics, The knowledge of thofe objefls which relate to the prcfervation of the human body, in its natural ftate, may be called the Doctrine of Health, Life and Health are, therefore, the proper objefls of this doftrine j as the fecond department of Medi- cine folely relates to the preternatural ftatcs of man, viz. Difeafe and Death, and forms that branch of profefTional ftudy, which we call * Pathology^ The compafs of the former fcience, or an in- veftigation of the obje(5l:s included in the dodrinc of health, muft be very extenfive. It furnifhes us with rules and cautions as to every thing we ought to do, or to avoid, in order to remain healthy. This ufeful fcience is properly denominated Diet- etics, or a fyftematic view of all ohje^fs relative L4 to J']6 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, io health in general ^ and to food and drink in particular. The following Chapters will, therefore, be exclu- fively devoted to Dietetics. My principal object will be, to lay a folid foundation for that important fcience, by invefligating and combating the chief prejudices^ which have hitherta retarded the pro- grefs of this branch of knowledge. Hence, a Syfiem of 'Dietetics ihould not only contain all thofe rules, ■which are requjfue to guide us in the prefervation of health, together with fuch as relate to the choice of a proper mode of life, but (hould likewife inform us with recard to the beneficial or hurtful influ- ence, which external obje&s produce on the health and life of man, and teach us the jufl application, or praflical ufe, of thefe objeds. Dietetics include the whole of what the An- cients underftood by the fingular name of the Sij^ NoN-NATVRALS ; nam^ely, yf/V, Aliment j Exercife^ and Refti the Pajp.ons and Jffe£lions of the Mind^ Wakefulnejs and Sleeps and Repletion and Evacuation, Although thefc general heads do not comprife, ftridtly fpeaking, every thing that relates to the different funiflions of the human body; yet they contain all fuch conditions of life, as are abfo- lutely neceflary, and the greuttft part of thofe cir- cumffances, which are connected with the health and v;ell-bcirg of the individual. In each of thefe particulars we are liable to commit errors, either by intemperate ufe, or improper applica> tion. AND PROLONGING LIFE. I77 cion. I propofe, therefore, to lay down a Syftem of Rules, by which we may be afllfted to choofe, according to parLicular circumftances, the beft and mod rational means of infuring health, and of avoiding whatever may have a contrary ten- dency. Our mode of life is no longer that natural and fimple one, which prevailed in the primitive ages of mankind ; as in the prefenc date of fociety fuch habits are fcarcely conceivable. Man in a (late of nature had litde occafion to attend to his he?lth ; he wanted no rules for its preicrvation ; for, as the feeds of difeafes are rarely fCatcered in fuch z, flate, inftinft would be to him in mofl cafes a fufEcient guide. It now fcems zv be impofiible to return to that primeval flate, without r^:Lurning, at the fame time, from our prefent degree of men- tal improvement to that of phlline barbarity. We have, apparently, purchafcd our improved ftate of mental culture, by facrificing to it a confi- derable fhare of our bodijy welfare:: — ^^appy, however, we may ftill confider ourfelves, if we have really gained in moral and intelledual im- provement. Innumerable are the caufes, which have con- fpired to render the true knowledge of the means conducive to health, difficult in the acquifuion, and uncertain in its application. The chief of thefe are probably the following, which include moft of the fubordinate pardculars : — the prefent very 178 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, very artificial method of living -, the prodigious number of the employments of mankind; the dif- ferent modes of dwelling and drefling ; the endlefs variety of fubftances ufed as food and drink j the great diverfity of national cuftoms and manners j and the difference of climate and fituation : — all thefe circumftances have a greater or lefs influence, conjointly or feparately, not only on the pafTions, inclinations, and inftinflive defires of individuals, but alfo on the general ftate of the health and phy- fical welfare of a people. By the prefent mode , of living we are expofed to difcafes wholly un- known in the firft ages of the world, and we fuffer from a variety of complaints, originating either in artificial habits, or the conflraint under which we labour, in confequence of blindly complying with the caprices of cuRom, or fafhion, without perhaps apprehending any ill confcquences from fuch pernicious practices. Many ingenious writers have lately endeavoured to point out the difadvantages arifing from caufes apparently trivial. Thus the fafnion of ufing paint, hair-powder, and pomatum j of wearing ill-(haped jflioes, laced flays, &c. have defervedly incurred fevere ridicule and pointed cenfure. The cuftom of applying lead to earthen vefTels has not efcaped their attention : the danger, however, refulting from the ufe of that fubftance, has been greatly exaggerated. Writers, with the beft intention, have fometimes, from an excefs of zeal, defcanted II on AND PROLONGING LIFE. ^79 on the word fide of the queftion only, by attribut- ing to certain things many dangerous qualities, which in fadl are owing to a great diverfity of cir- cumftances. This partial method of inquiring into the fources of the evil, is, generally fpeaking, a ferious error; as it not only leads to falfe conclufions, but alfo draws our attention from other prefTing injuries, to which, in a more difpaflionate ftate of mind, our care might be diredted. Perhaps the greater number of dietetic wri- ters have fallen into another error of an equally bad tendency. They judge of every thing, ac- cording to the agreeable or difagreeable cfFe6t it produces on their own palate and conftitution, and hence recommend their favourite difhes to others ; though what Is falutary in particular cafes, may have a pernicious tendency, if prefcribed in- difcriminately. The multiplicity of our wants, which all deferve attention in a Dietetic Syftem, has alfo confidcrably multiplied the rules of health. Of all animated beings, indeed, none require fuch rules more than thofe who fervily fubmit to the arbitrary mandates of luxury and fafhion. Many, indeed, are the open and fecret enemies to the health and proiperity of man. Even the mod healthy, and thofe who rigidly adhere to the rules of Diet and Regimen, cannot altogether evade their l80 MEANS OF PRESERVING HZALTH, their attacks. Hence we fhould make it our (ludy, to inform ourfelves minutely of every thing, fo as to be enabled to judge of its good or bad qualities. Whatever we are obliged to have more immediately around us, ranks in this clafs : the arrangement of our dwelling places, beds, clothes, furniture, &c. j in the choice of which we are Icfs accuftomed to confult what Nature requires, or to contrive what may be mod likely to promote tlie welfare of the body, than to follow fafhion, vanity, or improper habits. Some of our organs of fcnfation, and other facul- ties of the body, muft unavoidably fufFer from in- 2ttention to a proper mode of living in general. From the great exertions, to which we often fub- jetSl them (che eyes, for inftance, in reading) they are liable to a variety of accidents, and fre- quently become debihtated and impaired. It appears, therefore, perfe6tly confident with the plan of this work, to treat of the management of the eyes, teeth, and other parts of the body. In a complete Syftem of Rules for prefcrving the heakh of man, attention mull be paid to the feparate wants of individual conflicutions ; pro- vided they be not too minute and trivial. Such a Syilem muft contain more than what relates to the fird and mod fimple rules of living j — its prc"- cepts mud not apply to the heahhy alone, or thofe AND PROLONGING LIFE. l3l thofc! whofe life is regulated by the fimplicity of Nature, — it fliould alfo lay down inftrudions, how, in all contingent circumftances, we may be fecured from danger and bodily injuries. It is not, however, propofcd to treat of difeafes after they have taken place, if the removal of them requires any thing more than a ilridl adherence to temperance, and the other rules laid down in thefe Ledures. — But to prevent any mifapplica- tion of thofe rules which are eftablifned by the accumulated obfervations of ages, it may not be improper to introduce here fome previous ge- neral remarks^ relative to the individual ufe and advantage to be derived from a connefted view of "Dietetics, It ought to be remembered as a preliminary ob- fervaticn, that the rules contained in this work are not to be confidered as (lri6lly applicable, in every inftance, to the particular fituation of any individual, or as eflentially nccefTary to the pre- fervatio!! of his health. It is not fo much the healthy, as the valetudinary and infirm, who ftand in need of minute precepts for their con- dudl ; and even the latter ought not to engage too folicitoufly in compliance with them ; fince it is only a very limited number that require fuch ac- curate attention. A vigorous and perfevering method of inuring ourfelves to the unavoidable difficulties and di- verfified l82 MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, verfified accidents of life, is of greater importance to the prefcrvation of health, than any dietetical precepts whatever. Man is capable of undergoing ail the viciflitudes and inconveniences of air, weather, and climate i he can digeft any kind of food, if his ftomach has not been wantonly indulged -, and he can fuftain the fevereft bodily cxcrcifc and labour, without paying too minute attention to time or regularity, when his employ- ment or duty renders exertion neceffary. But he who from his infancy has been treated with ex- treme tendernefs, or who, after having been pre- vioufly accuftomed to a hardy mode of life, is feized with the whim of bellowing too much care on his health, will fufFer from the moft trivial hardfliips, and catch cold at every change of the air; every heavy or high-feafoned difh will be oppreflive, and the fmalleft deviation from the rules of temperance will Indifpofe him. Yet, by the fame rules, every healthy perfon will learn, that the grand fecret of prefer ving himfelf in that flate, confifls principally in the art of moderating his defires and enjoyments. We may thus arrive at the knowledge of fuch things, as are generally conducive to the v/elfare of the body ; and more than this ought not to be expefled. Rules of health, univerjally applicable to the flate of every individual, are not difcoverable in nature -, nor can they be derived from any experimental know- ledge AND PROLONGING LIFE. 1 83 ledge we pofTefs of corporeal objecls. — The beft general precept is, that every one ftudy himfclf, and his own particular conftitution ; that he choofe and regulate his mode of life accord- ingly J and that he make his own experience his guide, in whatever he finds moil fuitable and convenient. [ »84 ] CHAP. II. Of Air and Weather ; their influence on the Human Body ; the ineans of improving the fonner, and diminijbing the pernicious effects of the latter. Of Air in general, A s foon as an infant enters the world, the air ■^*' of the atmofphere penetrates into his lungs filled up till then with aqueous mucus, and renders them fit for the circulation of the blood, which immediately commences. From that moment the alternate extenfion and contradion of the breaft and lungs, the infpiration and expiration of the air, or in other words, t'.ie fundlion of re/piration, becomxs indifpenfably necefl>'-y to the prefervation of animal life. While r.Le child remained in the womb, it required no external air. As foon, however, as it has drawn breath, as foon as the lungs are opened, the act of rcfpiration begins, is inceflantly repeated tlirough life, and can never abfolutely ceafe, but with death. As, therefore, air is the principal medium, by which animal life is fupported, it becomes highly important to ac- quire corred ideas of this invifible fubftance, that pervades all the parts of animate and inanimate 4 matter. of AIR AND WEATHER. 1^5 inatter, and is fo edendal to man, for the pre- fervation of both his life and health. yfzV is that colourlefs, tranfparent, compr^fllble, heavy, and elaftic fluid, which every where fur- rounds our globe, and which generally receives the name of Atmojphere* , This ambient matter, in its * "Our bodies are equally preffed tipoir by tlie incum- bent atmofphere, and the weight they fuftain is equal to a cylinder of the mr, the bafe of v/hich is equal to the fuper- ficies of our bodies. — Every fquare foot of this fuperficies fuftains a quantity of air equal to 266olb. ; fo that if the fu- perficies of a man's body were to contain i^ fquare feet, which is pretty near the ti'uth, he would fupport a weight equal to 39,9001b. The difference of the weight of the air, which our bodies fuftain at one time more tha,n at another* is alfo very great ; that between the greateft and the leall prefTure of air upon our bodies has been proved to be equal to 39021b. Hence it is fo far from being matter of aftonifh- ment, that we fometimes fuffer in Our health by a change of weather, that it is the greateft miracle we do not always do fo. For when we confider, that our bodies are fome- times preffed upon by nearly a ton and a half weight more than at another, and that this variation is often very fud- den, it is furprifing that every fuch change fhould not en- tirely break the frame of our bodies to pieces. And the vefTels of our bodies, being fo much ftrained by an increafed preffure, v/ould ftagnate the blood up to the very heart, and the circulation would entirely ceafe, if Nature had not wifely contrived, that when the refiftance to the circulating blood is greateft, the wipetusy by which the heart contrafts, fhould be fo too. For, upon increafe of the v/eigLt of the air^ the lungs will be more forcibly expanded, and thereby the blood more intimately broken and divided ; fo that it be- comes fitter for the more fluid fecretions, fuch as that of the (fuppofed) nervous fluid, by which the heart will be more M ftrongly lS6 OF AIR AND WEATHER. its common (late, is combined with a great variet)'' of foreign ingredients. It contains zvater in a ftate of folutionj by means of v/ater it combines with faltsj in many places we find it impregnated with fulphury with putrid exhalations, and the like j nay, frequently we even meet with earthy particles float- ing in this element. — When all foreign ingredients are feparated from it, the fubtiie aerial body flill remains of a compound nature, and is by no means a fimple elementary fubttance, as was formerly believed. According to the late difcoveries in chemiftry, the aerial bafis of the" atmofphere confifts oi three different fpccics of air, namely, of pure, refpirable, or dephlogifticated air j of azotic, or phlogifticated airi and of fixed, aerial, or carbonic acid air. — The proportion of the firft, namely, pure or viral air, confifts, according to the French Chemifts, who have given it the name of Oxygen^ of 27 or 28 in the hundred parts; the fecond, viz, the Azote of the French, of 72 or 73 in the hundred ; ftrongly contraded, and the motion of the blood towards the furface of the body being obftruded, it will pafs in greater quantity to the brain, where the prefTure of the air is taken off by the cranium^ upon which account alfo more fplrits will be feparated, and thus the heart, too, more enabled to carry on the circulation through all paifable canals, while fomc others towards the furfice are obftrudted." ^uiftcy's '\ruj Medic* D;^.— Article, Jir. and OF AIR AND WEATHER. tS/ 2nd the third, namely the Carbonic acid air, -of about one part only in the hundred*. O-fcygen * The accurate experiments made by the late Scheele and Bergman, in Sweden, do not much differ from thofe of the French Chemifts, v/ith refped to thefe proportions. For, according to Scheele and Bergman, the common pro- portion of vital air, or oxygen, in the atmofphere, is about |; that of azote about I-; and that of carbonic acid nearly tVj the laft of which, by the French, is computed only at x'^ part, that is, five parts in the hundred lefs than the Swedifh philofophers maintain. The following is a concife hiftory of Oxygen : — In Auguft, *774» I^r. PRitsTLEY, and much about the fame time Mr. Scheele, in Sweden, difcovered this refpirable part of at- mofpheric air, or rather they exhibited it, for the firft time, in a pure ftate. This elaftic fubftance was firft called de- phlogijiicated air^ agreeably to the hypothefis oi phlogiJlQti \ — afterwards it went under d;:7erent namesj as pure air, fire- air, vital air, until the late hypothefis of Oxygen, or the acidi- fying principle, has procured it the denomination of Oxygen gas. — But ftill more diverfified than thefe namesj are the theories v.'hich have been propofed on the nature and pro- perties of this fpecies of air, during the laft twenty years. With Prieflley^ it is the pureft air freed of all phlogifton ; with Scheele, it is the nitrous acid deprived of its water; ac- cording to Bergman, it is one of the unknown conftituents of nitrous acid ; with Fontana, it is the dephiogiftlcated nitrous acid ; Forjlsr confiders it as air united with fire ; Mr. Watt, of Birmingliam, thinks to find in it elementary fire combined with hydrogen or inflammable gas ; Achard and Gren for- merly believed it to be water combined with niuch Caloric, or the principle of Heat ; but Gren latterly maintained, in his Syftem of Chemiftry, that it is the unknown bafis of vital air combined with Caloric ; — if we believe IVeJirumb, it is elementary air in a ftate of combination with Caloric, but M 2 the l88 OF AIR AND WEATHER, Oxygen Is much better adapted to the refpli'ation of animals, than common atmofpheric air. If two animals be enclofed in velTcIs, one of which con- tains pure oxygen, and the other common atmo- fpheric air, in proportions equal to the fize of the animals, the former in the oxygen will be found to live fix or feven times longer, than the latter in common air. It is properly this oxygen which we infpire, and which is the grand fupport of animal life. Perfons apparently dead, or in a (late of fuffocation, have been inftantly reftored to life by its influence, and from the correfponding teflimony of feveral refpe6lable phyficians, it ap- pears to have been employed with advantage in many obftinate difeafes. The celebrated Ingen- Houz therefore gave it the name of viial air. It promotes combuftion in a very high degree. A candle will burn in it from fix to feven times longer than in common air, with a much greater degree of heat, and a more brilliant flame. Bo- dies, in a glowing ftate, are immediately inflamed, when put into oxygen gas; and even metals. the bafis of the former cannot be difcovered ; according to Fourcroyy it is an unknown elementary matter united with iaSammable air ; in the opinion of Lavoifier it contains the acidifying principle, Oxygek, and the principle of Heat, Caloric; Mr. Cavendiji) maintains that it is dephlogifti- cated water ; and according to De la Metherie, it is an un- known fubftairce combined with water and fire ; &c. &c. which OF AIR AND WEATHER. 189 which are not very fufible, are melted in it, and converted into oxyds, or calces, with the greateft facility. Azote^ by others called phlogifticated, mephitie, corrupted, or fufFocative air, is abfolutely irre- fpirable, and not mifcible with water. It arifes from the change which atmofpherical air under- goes in every procefs of combuftion, putrefaftion, and refpiration, whether produced by nature or art. Azote enters into no combination with water, but may be rendered Icfs hurtful by fhaking it with that fluid : this accounts in fome meafure for the falubrity of the fea-air. It greatly pro- motes the growth of plants, and readily accumu- lates in apartments filled with people, or contain- ing articles frefh-painted with oil-colours, or in which ftrongly fragrant flowers are kept, without having any accefs of frefii air. We fliould be extremely cautious in entering fuch places; as difeafes of the bread and lungs are too frequently the confequcnces of negleft, obftinacy, or igno- rance. The Carbonic acid of the French is the fixed air of Dr. Black, and the Aerial acid of Bergman. This fpeeies of air is mifcible with water; but in its pure flate is equally irrefpirable as the Azote. It derives its origin, partly from the vinous fermenta- tion of vegetables, and fome animal fubftances, and partly from the mild alkaline falts and earths M 3 combined I 190 OF AIR AND WEATHER. combined with acids. Much of this air abounds in mines, where it frequently diftrefies the work- men by its fuffocating effd -may be corre<5led and reflored to its former briik- nefs, by the addition of fixed air evolved from chalk and vitriolic acid j or by mixing ir with new beer or wine in a (late of fermentation. This fpecies of air quickly exdnguifiies fire, and flrongly atracls the fumes arifing from candles. As it is unfit for refpiration, animals cannot live in it. The warm-blooded animals die in it much fooner than others 5 thofe of an amphibious kind fomewhat later; infei^s are not irrecoverably killed by it; irritability is fuddenly dedroyed, and the heart of an animal fo deprived of life, though Hill warm, no longer exhibits any figns of motion. There is another fpecies of mephidc air, which is hot mifcible with water, which burns with a flame, and if mixed either with atmofpheric air, or oxy- gen gas, inaantly catches fire, and is exploded : this has received the name of inflammable air*, and * This air may be obtained in a great variety of ways, from all fubftances liable to Inflammation, or containing . combuHible OF AIR AND WEATHER. Ipl and deferves to be mentioned here, although it cannot be confidered as a conftituent part of the atmofphere. With refpedt to the Jpecific gravity of the dif- ferent airs before enumerated, it is in this place only neceflary to obferve, that the heavieft is the fixed air, or carbonic acid gas ; next to this comes the azote and oxygen, both of which are heavier than the common air of the atmofphere j and laftly, hydrogen, or imfiammable gas, which is the lighted of all ; for it is even lighter than the pureft atmo- fpheric air. When the atmofphere is too much impregnated with any of the mephinc gafes, its influence on the human body is extremely noxious. From this caufe combuftible matter, by means of heat, fermentation, acids and the Hke ; nay even from metals, by directing the fleam of boiling water through a red-hot metallic tube. — It is the Ipontaneous produdtion of Nature, throughout her three kingdoms. In mines, in fubterraneous caverns, and par - ticularlyin coal-pits, it is know^n by the name oi choak-damp. It is copioufly generated in the inteftines of living animals, and is frequently mot with in common fewers, burying grounds, and places where dead animal bodies are expofed to putrefadion. The white Dittany, [Di^amnus alhus^ Lin.) when in flower, generates fo great a quantity of inflammable air, that the atmofphere around it has been obferved to catch fire. ' In fwamps, pools, and other ftagnant waters, where a num- ber of plants, particularly fage, calamus, and the like, are putrifying, we find a fpecies of inflammable gas, which i9 known by the name of marjh-ah\ or mox*e commonly, the i(^n!s fatuusy or TFill-o'the-Wifp. M 4 ^^^y 192 OF AIR AND WEATHER. many of the workmen in lead-mines die in the prime of life, of an obftinate and incurable colic, which is attended with the mofl: painful obftruc- tions.— Painters, glaziers, potters, and manufac- turers of glazed earthen ware, are from a fimilar caule expofed to the fame dreadful difeafe 5 being obliged to make ufe of great quantities of lead* in different forms. . It is almoft unnecelTary to mention the frequent and fudden deaths that have taken place from the explofion of inflammable air in mines, or from the opening of pits, deep wells, and other con- fined places. Neither is any thing fo much cal- * Whether this infidious, and deleterious metal be com- municated by inhaling its vapours through the lungs, or by abforbing them through the pores of the ilcin, the efFedls of it are equally dangerous and fatal. The internal ufe of fulphur, and both the internal and external ufe of vegetable oils, or animal fats, are the only antidotes hitherto dif- covered againft this virulent b;ine of the manufadurer and the artift. Mofl: trades and occupations are fubjcifl to peculiar dif- eafes ; in fome the materials of the manufadlure have a pernicious influence on the body, and in others the nature of the employment is hurtful, either from requiring a fedentary life, a reclined, (looping, or Handing pofture, or from being performed in a confined air, or at a great fire, and the like. Hence millers, hair-dreffers ^Lnd Jlone-mafons, frequently die of a confumption of the lungs, in confequence of the mJnute particles of dufl; which they are continually obliged t,o inhale. —Manufadlurers of wool, and particularly hatters, are much troubled with obftinate cutaneous dif- eafes ; and all thofe whofe bufmefs is attended with greaie -and duft, fuffer more or lefs from the confequences of nnclcanlinefs. culated OF AIR AND WEATHER. I93 filiated to vitiate and empoifon the air, to fill it with noxious vapours, and to generate difeafes, as the burying' grounds eftabliihed within the walls of populous cities, where human bodies are depofited, as if with an apparent defign to produce an atmo- fphere, which is particularly fatal to the tender lungs of children, and in no fmall degree hurtful to adults. As the mafs of atmofpheric air is inceflantly cor- rupted by the refpiration of men and animals, by the burning of fo many natural and artificial fires, by the diUblution and putrefadion of innumerable fubftances, and by various other phlogiftic or dif- oxygenating procefles, it would at length become altogether incompetent for its original dcfignation, if Nature had not provided efFcftual means for its improvement and renovation. Among the moft powerful of thefe, we may place the growth and vegetation of plants. — For this very important dif. covery we are indebted to Dr. Priestley, who w'as fo fortunate as to make it, after he had long employed himfelf in fruitlefs attempts, to improve and reftore impure air, by arcificial means. He found, that air, rendered mortal by the breathing of animals which had expired in it, was again i^o completely reilored by the vegetation of plants, that, after the lapfe of fome days, an animal could live in it with equal eafe, and for the fame length of time, as in a fimilar quantity of common atmo- fpheric air. Thefe S(j^ OF AIR ANTD WEATHER. Thele experiments, indeed, did not facceed with fome Naturalifts ; and Prieftley himfelf, upon re- peating them with difivrent: plants, found the refult rath::r varying and doubtful: but Dr. Ingenhouz removed the greater part of thefe difficulties, by his book entitled, " Experiments upon Vegetables, 8vo. London, 1779." This ingenious philofo- pher remarked, ifl, That mod plants have the pro- perty of corredling bad air within a few hours-, when they are expofcd to the light of the fun ; but that, on the contrary, during the nighty or in the Jhade, they corrupt the common air of the atmo- fphere ; — 2d, That plants, from their own fub- ftance, afford a very pure dephlogiilicated air, or Oxygen, when expoled to the rays of the fun ; but a very impure air, or Azote, at night, or in the fliade ; — 3d, That not all the parts of plants, but only the green ftalks of leaves, particularly through the fides oppofite to the foil, produce this' bene- ficial effe6t ; — 4th, Tiiat the difengagement of pure or vital air does not commence until the fun has been fome time above the horizon ; that it ceafes altogether vvith the termination of day- light ; and that the dir:idvantage arifing from the impure exhalation of plants, during the night, is far exceeded by the great ady.snt^ge they afford during the day; infomuch, that iwt impure air, generated by a plant during the whole night, fcarcely amounts to a hundredth part of the pure vital air, or Oxygen, exhaled from the fame plant in OF AIR AND WEATHER. 195 in two hours of a ferene day. — Thus we dif- cover a mod ftriking phenomenon in the c£co- nomy of Nature ] fince the vegetation of plants continually counterads the noxious effedls of re- fpiration, combuftion, and putrefadion*. In this manner, the atmofphere is conftantly preferved in that neceflary flate of purity and temperature, which is the mod fakuary both to animals and vegetables. We have learnt the effeds produced on the human body by the atmofphere and the changes of the weather, partly from obfervations made by ourfelves and others, and partly from their in- fluence on inanimate matter, by which we can judge in fome meafure of its analogous effecls on the human frame ; but we fiiould not thence conclude that our knowledge, in this refpecl, is cither com.plete or infallible. Obfervations may frequently deceive us, fince the human body *-It fhould be recolleded here, that when the growth of plants is interrupted by the cold of winter, fo that they no longer generate a beneficial air to purify the atmofphere. Nature has ordained it, that this very cold of the winter itfeif contains the moft efFeflual virtues to check the progrefs of putrefadion. We farther find, that in the moft unwhole- fome, and particularly in marfliy countries, thofe very plants appear to be profufely diftributed, which moll emi- nently poifefs the property of purifying the air. And as the pure air, or oxygen, is of greater fpecific gravity than the common air of the atmofphere, it is pei'feitly confident with the operations of Nature, that the okygen fiiould fettle towards the lower fide of the leaves of plants. 15 is JijS OF AIR AND WEATHER. is inceflantly expofed to the cffed.s of other exter- nal agents, as wdl as the weather, which may eafily dude our attention. Farther, the atmofphere fur- rounding us, befides the properties perceptible by our fenfes, or difcoverable by the affiftance of particular inftruments, may alfo be impregnated with fubilances which have hitherto efcaped our refearches, and which neverthelefs may have the power to effed important changes. Laftly, we ought not to confider the arguments deduced from analogy as ftridiy conclufive; we fhould remem- ber, that the effeds of external objeds on the living animal fibre are, in many inftances, totally different from thofc which they produce on lifelefs or inanimate bodies. Recommending thefe general remarks to the confideration of the reader, I proceed to confider thofe particular and pofitive effefts, which the differ- ent Hates of the atmofphere produce on our frame, and in what manner they influence our health. Warm air relaxes the folid parts of the body^ and occafions a quicker circulation of the fiuids. Heat is chiefly oppreffive to the Nerves ; hence the tender and infirm fuffer feverely in hot weather j hence arife hyfteric and hypochondriac complaints, convulfions, and diarrhoeas. Cold renders bodies more compafl, particularly the folid parts of the animal (Iruflure, fuch as the mufcles, nerves, bones, &c. They become more elaftic in winterj the appetite for food is fl:ronger, and digeftion eafier O^ AfR A"ND WEATHER. t^J eafier and quicker. On the contrary, the refift- ance of the fluid parts becomes fo great, that even the increafed powers of the folids cannot overcome it, if the cold be too violent. In winter the blood is much difpofed to inflammations j hence ditches in the fide, inflammatory fore throats, rheumatifms, Sec, In perfons who take little exer- cifc, the fluids are apt to flagnate, and the folids to chill during the winter; — ^upon the whole, how* ever, the effedbs of cold weather may be rendered lefs hurtful, and even falutary to the body, if proper exercife be not negleded. Damp or moifi air fuddenly relaxes and debili- tates ; it occafions a flownefs in the circulation of the fluids, which gives rife to obfl:ruclions, and impedes both the circulation of the blood and the fecretion of humours, by checking infenfible per- fpiration. If the molfture of the air increafes, we experience an unaccountable torpor and ennui i with the lofs of energy we lofe our gaiety, and the mind is deprefl'ed as Vv'ell as the body. Damp places and difl:ri6i:s are ahvays unwholefome, but more particularly fo in cold weather. Moiflure, by diminifliing perfpiration, produces diforders of the throat, the breaft, and the abdomen. But the moft dangerous and fatal cff^c(5ls on the human body have been obferved to arife from moift air accompanied with hot weather ; for, when moifture has impaired our energy, heat increafes the evil in a great degree^ by opening the pores through which l^S OF AIR AND WEATHER. which the moifture penetrates into the body, and predifpofing every part of it to putrefadion anddif- folution. This accounts for the great mortality prevalent during the hot fcafon at Batavia, and lome of the Weft India iflands. Dry and cool airy from poffeffing a due degree of elafticicy, promotes in an extraordinary manner the ferenity and alercnefs of mind and body ; hence it is found uncommonly falubrious to hypochon- driacs. But a dry and very cold air generates in- flammatory difeafes ; becaufe it infpifTates the blood. Dry and hot air affefts us like heat, and enervates the body. But a dry air, which is not too warm, is both agreeable and falubrious. Great and Jiidden changes from a warm to a cold, or from a light to a heavy air, are highly injurious to valetudinarians, and even to the healthy. Sol- diers in camp, and, fometimes, travellers, feel very feverely the bad efFefts of cold and moid night- air, after long marches and journies. Weakly and infirm perfons have frequently ominous fenfations, previous to any remarkable change of the air. A moderately heavy and elaftic air is the moft agreeable and falutary to the human body ; hence Nature has not afligned us our conftant refidence on the fummits of mountains. Yet a light and rarefied air, fuch as is felt on the higheft mountains, is not fo unfit for refpiration, nor does it manifeft (o noxious an influence on the human body, as waa formerly believed. The latell travellers aflure us of OF AIR AND WEATHER. 1^9 of the contrary, and fpeak in decifive terms of the falutary effcds of the air, during a fhort flay in thofe elevated regions. Among the different winds — which are only ftrong commotions of the air — the long continued North wind is comparatively the moft wholefomc; as it purifies the atmofphere of noxious vapours, renders the air ferene and dry, and thqs imparts to the human body elafticity, vigour, aflivityj and a lively colour. It is, hov^ever, trouble- fome toperfonsof delicate habits, and occafions in them coughs, inflammation of the throat, pains in the fide, obrtrudions, and febrile difcafes. The South wind weakens and relaxes the body, and is very apt to produce catarrhal affedions. The Morning wind is very drying j but Evening winds are cool and moid, being frequently accompanied with rain and changeable weather. All thefe winds differ materially in their qualities, from local cir- cumftances, and accordingly as they blow over a Continent, over the Ocean, or over high mountains and icy regions, from which they carry along with them more or iefs of cold and humid particles. But, upon the whole, too dry weather is always ir:ore healthy than that which is too moifl. Of the four Seasons of the year, the Autumn is the mofl -unhealthy y becaufe then the particles of perfplration not only remain on the body, but are in a (late inclining to putrefaflion. This difadvantage, however, may be eafily obviated by guarding ilOO OF AIR AND \<^EATHER. guarding ourfelves with proper drefs and choofing a fuitable diet. Too light a drefs, and too thirl flockings, are not advifable at this feafon. The Spring Jeajon is, in general, the mf5ft healthful. Spring, and the beginning of Summer^ are mod falutary to children and young perfons j while the Summer and the beginning of Autumn, agree beft with the aged. The latter end of Autumn, and the beginning of Winter, are conlmonly the moft wholefome feafons to perfons of a middle age. It has been remarked by medical men, that cer- tain difeafes appear and difappear .according to the different feafons. Thus, putrid and bilious dif- orders prevail in Summer ; inflammatory difeafes in Winter, and the catarrhal, mucous, and gaftric or ftomachic affedlions, in Spring and Autumn. It has been farther obferved, that in Spring the blood circulates more freely -, hence probably arofe the ancient practice of blood-letting, and taking lax- atives at certain regular periods \ both of which I have already pointed out, in the preceding Chap- ter, as dangerous in their tendency, and always hurtful to the healthy. As the vegetable kingdom is renewed in Spring, and as vegetation, in general, is moft lively in that feafon, there can be little doubt, that the pure vital air is then moft copioufty evolved, h"^ means of the folar light and heat. Hence it fol- lows, that the vernal air is more wholefome than that of Autumn, which is faturatcd with impure 7 ^"^ OF AIR AND WEATHER. 20J arid putrlfying particles. The cold of autumn, however, and the frequent winds then prevalent, prove extremely efficacious in countera6ling the baneful efFecls of corruption and putrefadlion. If the temperature of the air correfpond with the natural conftituri;^ of the feafon, we may expeft what is called a healthful year, and that the preva- lent difeafes will be of a mild nature j but if the v/eather does not agree with the general laws of the feafon j if, for inftance, the Winter prove warm-, or at leaft moderate, or the Spring cold and fevere, with fudden alternations of heat, we may expecft to find the year pretty generally marked with alarming and obftinate difeafes. The temperature of the air depends not a little on the natural fituation of the country, whether it lie high or iow ; whether its mountains oppofe or give a free paiTage to the winds ] whether it con- tain flowing or ftagnant waters or moralTes, and whether it be open or covered with woods.— -Coun- try air is, upon the whole, always purer than that of towns, narrow ftreets, and crowded buildings. All Jlrongly-Jcented bodies are more or lefs per- nicious ; as well thofe of a .difagreeable fmell, as rhe greater number of fragrant perfumes. The latter, if too ftrong, are more particularly dan- gerous, as a fenfe of difguft does not naturally incline us to avoid them. Among rhefe may be comprehended all vegetable odours ftrongly vola- tile and pungent, and which thereby ftimulate and N flupify 202 OP ATR AND WEATHER, (lupify the nerves. Hence people, who carry large noiegays in the hot days of fummer, are apt to feel themfelves varioufly and Itrongly affedted, par- ticularly with drowfinefs. From this apparently innocent caufe, head-achs, vertigoes, fainting-fits, and apoplexies have frequently been produced in perfons of a plethoric habit. Such perfons as well as thofe of a delicate conftitution, are liable to in- difpofition from the fragrance of many balfamic plants, but particularly from the ll:rong fcent of lilies, roles, pinks, the bloflbms of oranges, hya- cinths, and the like. — Many flowers emit a more powerful fragrance in the night than in the day- time, and the exhalations of feveral trees and other vegetable bodies, are peculiarly dangerous, and fometimes mortal. Of this nature are the wal- nut and yew trees, under whofe fhades perfons have adlually died, who had fallen afleep ; and like wife the deadly Upas of Surinam, and the no lefs poifonous Manchineel tree of the Weft Indies. Aromatics of every kind taint the air in a fimilar manner, introducing into the human body particles foreign to its nature, all exciting in a greater or lefs degree an inclination to fleep. Saffron and hops have fometimes proved fatal; the former efpecially has often produced a fleep terminating in death, in thofe incautious individuals, who had lain down in the warehoufes or upon the bags, in which it was packed. Ambergris and mufk are alfo, on acco'jnt 5 of CF AIR AND WEATHER. aOJ of their powerful fragrance, very hurtful to per- fons of an irritable and nervcjs temperament. Dwellings in the vicinity of lakes, fens, and marfhes, are expofed to all the noxious effefts of a moid atmofphere, namely, to the various fpecies of intermittent fevers or agues ; — on the other hand, it has been obferved, that perfons living on the banks of rivers, though at times fubjecl to thefe, are not very liable to other difeafes^ and that running water has a tendency to purify the air, when it is faturated with inflammable particles. Too fudden a tranfition from warm to cold air, or the reverfe, is pernicious; but to exchange, however fuddenly, an unhealthy atmofphere for a healthier, is at all times fafe and highly advifable. Numberlefs inftances have proved, that fuch per- fons as were conftantly indifpofed in the corrupted air of a town, very foon recovered their health, on removing to the purer atmofphere of the country. Yet the queftion. Which air is the moji wholejome to live in ? will admit only of a conditional anfwer. We mud attend not only to the particular confti- tution of the air, but alfo to the nature and habits of the individual. Neither fliould we too haftily pronounce every air unwholefome, that does not appear to agree with us. The air of every cli- mate, v/hether hot, cold, or temperate, may be called falubrlous, provided it be pure and clear, and occafionally agitated by wind : but a grofs atmo- fphere, and one loaded with animal or vcgeublc N 2 cxhala- 204 OP AIR AND WEATHER. exhalations, is certainly deleterious. After all'i perhaps the longevity of the inhabitants may ht confidered as the bed evidence of a whole feme di~ flrlifl. Thus we find uncommonly long-lived per- fons in hieh countries, or fuch as are vifited by frc- quent winds, and au^o in fmall fea^ports j while in villages and places thinly inhabited, the propor- 'tion of aged people is likewife confiderably greater than in cities or populous towns. This may be afcribed partly to a purer air, and partly to a more fimple mode of life prevailing in fuch places : for wealth and riches, the concomitant efFeds of which are greater luxury and extravagance in fiving, ufually keep pace ^" With the Increafe of pbpulatio.n j , and if the numerous chimneys of Our popul6iis cities did not ferve as fo many well- contrived machines for rarefying the atmofphere, incalculable mifchiefs mufl: inevitably enfuc. Of the Improikment of Air in DwelUng-houfes, A HOUSE built on a rifing ground, on a chalky foil, in an open, dry country, and neither expofed to the greatefl degree of cold in winter, nor to the higheft point of heat in fummer, may be faid to ftand in a wholefome fituation. Hence thofc apartments are the mod heakhful, as well as com- fortable to the individual, which enjoy a pure and OF AIR AND WEATHER,' 205 and free circulation of air In fummer, and the cheer- ing rays of the fun in winter : the heat of fummer being confiderably tempered by the former, and the feverity of winter much abated by the latter. Farther, a proper fise and height are requifitc to conftitute a healthful apartment j for low rooms are detrimental to health, efpecially when inhabited by large families, and fcldom aired, ,or rather, which is frequently the cafe, when all air is carefully excluded by clofe doors, fhutters, curtains, &c. The mod proper place of refi- dence in winter is one with a fouthern afped, not only as being more dry, but alfo more cheer- ful, and therefore attended with a favourable influence on the fpirits. In fummer, the fitua- tion of a room may be chofen either to the North or to the Eaft, tlie latter of which is prefer- able, becaufe it admits the firft enlivening rays of the Sun. Although it is not in every perfon's power to choofe his habitation agreeably to the laws of health ; yet this choice of a pure and healthy air is not fufficiently attended to, and it certainly de- ferves as much confideration in purchafing an eftate or country- houfe, as the quality of the foil or other lucrative advantages. The local conftitution of the air depends not merely on the exhalations of the foil itfelf, but likewife on the different vapours, conduced to and blended with it by the winds, from adjoining N 3 . places. 2o6 OF AIR AND WEATHER. , places. Thus in a dry and fandy country, con- fidered of itfelf as healthy, the air may be ren- dered extremely unwholelbme from the vicinity of piarlhes or other ftagnant waters. The better to judge of the falubrlty of the air in any diflrid:, we (hould examine the properties of the wells and fprings -, for both air and water ab- forb the faline and mineral particlss of the foil. We may conclude, with tolerable accuracy, that a country producing good water, enjoys likewife a falubrious air j and as the befl water is taftelcfs, fo the purefl: air is free from any fmell whatever. The moft certain marks, by which to diftinguifii whether the air in rooms be damp or not, are the following: the walls or tapeftry change their colourj bread in clofets acquires a mouldy furfacc \ fpunges in the rooms retain their moifture j loaf-fugar turns foftj iron rud's ; brafs and copper acquire a green colour, orvr;digrisi and wooden furniture moul- ders and crumbles to pieces. The fitting-room ought, if poffible, to be above the ground floor, or in the fecond (lory i it fhould be fo conflruded as to admit a free current of air J but if this cannot be done, it fhould be frequently aired by opening the windows in dry weather, or by fumigating the room, either with vinegar dropped upon warmi ftoncs, or evaporated in a bafon over a lamp, or with fugar, juniper* berrieS; and the like» Every OP AIR AND V/EATHER, 20/ Every room is filled with three different Jirata of air : i. the lower part of the room contains the heavieft fpecies of air, namely, fixed or car- bonic acid gas, efpecially in apartments fituated on the ground-floor, or thofe under ground j i. the middle part of the room is filled with the lighter atmofpheric air; and 3. the iippermoft ftratum contains the lighted or inflammable air, which is the mofl: impure of the three, in confequence of the pro- cefles it has undergone by refpiration and com- buftion. In lofty apartments this contaminated fpecies of air is not infpired by the lungs j becaufc the middle ftratum, or the mod wholefome of th-c three, extends to a height above that of a man. A continual change of the air, by opening the doors and occafionally the windows, however advifable, is yet not iufficient to preferve afalubri- oiis atmofphere in an apartment. For this import- £,nt purpofe the following improvements may be fuggefted as ufeful : ift, fmall apertures in the ceiling of the room, or through the walls clofe to the ceiling, in an oblique diredion, fo that the rain and fnow cannot penetrate j 2d, Ventilators, that is, fmall moveable wheels, made of brafs or {lieet-iron, which are applied to fome part of the window-panes, and fct in motion by the prefTurc of the external air. There is an excellent contn- vance to introduce frefh atmofpheric air into a roomj namely, by occafionally opening and fhutting the -door. The mod proper height for placing thcfe N 4 venti- 208 OF AIR AND V/ZATHER. ventilators is about feven feet from the floors 3d, Air-tubes running in a ftraight direftion from the door to the fire-place, or rather to the wail of ^he chimney, and concealed under the floor of the room. As fuch tubes, however, are very cxpen- five, and appear better calculated to convty the fmoke up the chimney, after all means have been tried in vain, than to conduct the impure air from the upper part of a room, I (hall mention a better and much eafier method of effecting this purpofe. It is a late difcovery of a phyfician in France, who contrived it with a view to fave the great expence of ventilating or airing Lirge wardb in hofpitals, filled with patients who laboured under putrid diflempers, particularly in the height of fum- mer. He caufed a number of fmall holes to be made in the uppermoft part of the window- frames; into thefe holes he placed from v»'ithout an equal number of funnels, prcfenting an aperture of nine or tv/elve inches diameter, and terminating in the infide almoft in a point, or at lead in an opening not exceeding the fize of a fmall quill. By this fimple contri- vance, the air in the fick- rooms was fo cffcclually renewed, by the great and conftant preflure of atmofpheric air from without, that any other arti- ficial procefs for correcting the putrid air in a large hofpital was judged to be unneccfiary. Above all things, the windows and doors of fitting and bed-rooms, when it can be done con- veniently, ought to be left open for a certain fpace of OF AIR AND WEATHER. 2O9 of time, every day. This, however, requires to be done at the proper time, neither too early in the morning, nor when it grows dark in the evening, during the vernal and autumnal months ; nor at the time when the horizon is overfpread with a thick fog. The windows fhould be opened, when the air is pure and ferene j or, in general, when there is lefs danger to be apprehended from the external air than from that within. Sometimes it may be proper to make ufe of what is called j)ump-' ing the room, or moving the door backward and forward for fome minutes together: but in fpring and autumn, our fitting-rooms, and even in winter, bed-rooms, ought to be ventilated every clear day, by currents of frefh air, for a confiderable time. In the hot- days of fummer, the windows may be opened early in the morning and in the evening, in order to cool and refrefh the heated air of the room by that from without. It is however not fafe (and has fometimes proved fatal) to leave tho. windows of a bed-room open at night during the fummer- months, as there is no fmall hazard of checking perfpiration by the cool night-air j the fufceptibility of the pores being then very much increafed by the heat of the day, and the warmth of the bed. Rooms which we inhabit in the day- time may be fafcly left open during the night. — In fummer-houfes, or fuch as are furrounded with plants and trees, it will be proper not to open the windows of bed or other rooms, till fome time after fun-rife, and to fhut them at fun-fet: they require alfo 2IO or AIR AND WEATHER, alio to be opened and fhut fooner in hazy than in ferene weather. The airing of apartments Ihould not be ne- glected even in winter, as coal-fires alone are not iufficicnt to carry off the corrupted particles of air, unlefs they be afTifted bv ventilators. — Here I muft oppofe and contradift a prevailiog, yet mif- taken notion, that fire, in a room where the win- dows are open, introduces moift air. On the con- trary, the mod proper time for opening the win- dows is after lighting up a brilk fire j as the warmer air of the room will then be powerfully attracted by the colder atmofpheric air, and the corrupt particles of the air within moll fpeedily dilTi- pated. In incift and cold air, the drefs Iliould be fome- what warmer than ufual : Flannel may then be worn with double advantage next the fkin, and the rooms we inhabit fliould be fumigated, with the berries of Juniper or fimilar flirubs. — Fumigation is likewifc attended with this advan- tage, that it contributes to dry and in fome degree to warm the air. In moift and 'H'arm cir the explofion of a little gunpowder will be of ufc, or vinegar m.ay be eva- porated with greater fafety, and the floor and walls fprinkled over with this excellent antifeptic. Hct and dry air may be tempered by placing . veiTels filled with cold water in oifl^crent parts of a room ; or as is often praflifed in hot climates, by fprinkling water over the fioor. — ^The greater or Jefs OF AIR AND WEATHER. 211 lefs degree of corruption of the air, in an apartment, depends verv much on the kind of labour or exer- cife performed in it : Six watchmakers will not render the air nearly fo impure as two carpenters would do in the iame fpace and time ; hence ap- pears the neceflicy of appropriating lofty rooms, inftead of low garrets, for the workfhops of me- chanics. Plants and flowers placed before the windows are both an agreeable and ufeful ornament, if not of 'too ftrong i fragrance. In ferene weather, it may be expedient to ftrew frcfh plants (not flowers) in a dwelling-njom, ^xpofed to the rays of the fun, taking care, however, to remove them- as foon as the fun withdraws. This method of expofing plants, or even the branches of trees with green leaves, in apartments, may have a be- neficial influence on valetudinarians, and particu- larly on afthmatic perfons, as vital air, or oxygen^ is thereby generated, and introduced very gradually into the lungs. Large trees with thick foliage fhould not be fuff'ered near the windows of a houfej for, be- fides that they obftrucl the accefs of day-light and frelh air, and have thus a tendency to make the rooms damp, their exhalations in the evening, and during the night, are by no means whole- fome. Trees planted at the diftance of eight or ten yards from the houfe, do not prevent the free accefs of air j they prefcnt an agreeable objefl to die eye, and cannot be tpo mufh recommended, both 212 OF AIR AND WEATHER. both for their cooling fhades in fummer, and the falutary exhalations they emit during the day. It has been already mentioned, that the flame of candles contaminates the air ; for which reafon the cuflom of illuminating aflembly or other large Tooms, with a Juperfiuous number of candles, mud be very detrimental. This extravagance becomes flill more dangerous in places where, befide the crowd of people, great quantities of provifions, drefTed with the richeft fpicesof the Eaft and Weft, contribute to faturate the air with the moft hetero- geneous particles. And as peribns of weak lungs muft fuffer extremely in fuch an atmofphere, it would be proper to provide all public rooms with a competent number of conic ventilators, of the defcription before mentioned. Strictly fpeaking, we ought not to fit in the room where we dine, or take viifluals, till it be aired again : thole who can afford this Tuxury, fhould be careful not to ftay for hours together over their bottle in the dining-room : the bad effedts of fuch contaminated air are not perceived by the pcrfons continuing their libations after dinner, but are very fenfibly fek by any one coming in from the frefh air. It is no lefs unhealthy to fleep in a room where a quantity of green fruit is kept j a circumftance not attended to in country places, particularly by thofe v/ho deal in fruit. From its fragrance a portion of infiammable m.attcr exhales, which foon impregnates OF AIR AND WEATHER. 2IJ impregnates the air. Hence females of delicate habits have been known to faint, in approaching" places where a few quinces were kept. For the fame reafon, ftore-rooms and pantries are extremely iinwhoiefome, if provifions of ail kinds, animal as well as vegetable, be kept in them ; efpecially oil, candles, fat, flefn meat, whether raw, boiled, or roafted, paftry, and the like. As foul linen readily imbibes the perfpiraible matter of the Ikin, it fnould never be fuffered to remain Ions; in a bed chamber, or fittiner room. If pofllbie, we fhould not fit through the day in a room in which we have Hep: j as ths bed-clothes, and particularly feather beds, very flowly part with the exhalations they have imbibed during the night: neither is it fufficient for purifying the air of the room, that it has been ever fo well aired in the morninsr. The vapour of charcoal produces, efpecially in clofe apartments, dangerous and frequently fatal effe<5ls. It fills the atmofphere with fulphuric par- ticles which may be infpired, but cannot be ex- pired : — they retard the motion of the blood- vefiels, ftagnate the blood itfelf, penetrate into the head, and produce an acute pain, vertigo, and torpor — hence the greateft precaution is neceflary where charcoal is ufed, as innumerable fatal acci- dents have happened from this fource. Dyers, who employ it for drying their cloth upon frames, feldom fail to experience great injury to their health. All 214- OF AIR AND WEATHER. All employments, in which perfons work among impure wool, oil, colours, and the like, are to a certain degree detrimental to health. Wafhing, ironing, drcfling the hair with greafy curling irons> burning lamp-oil, frequent painting of the walls, all faturate the air of a room with pernicious, damp, and fulphuric vapours. From the change, which oil and candles in a ftate of combuftion produce in the colour of a white wall and white curtains, we may infer, that this fetid fteam muft alfo pe- netrate into the human body, and if fo, mud materially afFefl it. It farther deferves to be remarked, that all damp vapours are prejudicial, although they fhould noc in themfelves have a tendency to contaminate the air. Hence the keeping of wet linen, or even wet clothes, umbrellas, and the like, in dwelling- rooms, fliould by all means be carefully avoided. Mechanics and others who are obliged to dry wet things in their ftrongly-heated apartments — joiners, turners, potters, bookbinders, &c. are particularly liable to fwellings, and other difagreeable afFe(5lions in the relaxed vefTels of abforption. Of Heat and Cold. As obfervation and experience inform us, that immoderate heat relaxes the body, overheats the blood, and exficcates or confumes the other fluids; and that the people who live in temperate regions are more hardy and vigorous, and attain to a greater age. OF AIR AND weather; 21^ age, than the inhabitants of warmer climates, ic follows from thefe premifes, chat we ought not to enervate the human body by keeping it immo- derately warm, by covering it with a fuperfluity of clothes, by plunging it unnecclTarily into hot baths, by ufmg ftrong fires in temperate weather, or by deeping in warm rooms, and perhaps on feather beds, the moil heating of all fubftances. The temperature of a fitting-room fhould not exceed 60" of Fahrenheit's thermometer; that of a bed-room may be about 50'', as the medium temperature of our climate is between 50 and Although man is, no doubt, capable of inuring himfelf to a very great degree of hear, as well as of cold, yet fudden tranfitiono can be fupported only by the few, who pofiefs very firm conftitutions. The gradual changes of the feafons prepare us in the fafeft manner to fuftain the viciffitudes of cold and hot weather. Ic is therefore an error, and of no fmall confequence, in the modern fyf- tem of education, that we generally endeavour to habituate our children to the fupporc of cold wea- ther only. Perfons who cannot bear the heat of the fun, or flrongly-heated rooms, are, from their exceffive delicacy, frequently expofed to the moft: violent, nay to mortal accidents. Hence children ought to be gradually accuftomed to thefe incon- venience?, which indeed occur frequently, and are more dangerous, than thofe arifing from flidden tranfitions 2l6 Of AIR AND WEATHER. tranficions to a colder temperature : for the efFe6ls of the latter may, in a great meafure, be obviated by exercife and mufcular adion. In the fukry days of fummer, we (hould be par- ticularly on our guard againft violently overheating the body ; — in autumn, we fhould not drefs too lightly, and in the mornings and evenings always fomewhat warmer ; — in (hort, we ought to avoid every thing that appears likely to check and repel perfpiration. The baneful cuftom of accommo- dating our drcfs to the almanack and the fafhion, rather than to the viciffitudes of the weather, in this inconftant climate, muH: neccffarily be pro- du«5live of many difagreeable confequences. Above all things, we ought to change our fummer-drefs rather early in autumn, and to clothe ourfelves gradually warmer, according to the variations of the weather. Yet after all, perhaps it would be moft advifable to accuftom ourfelves to one kind of drefs only, for all feafons. The propriety of this cuftom, I fhall more particularly confider in the fourth Chapter. With refpe6t to the proper time for heating rooms in autumn, it has been fuppofed, that early fires are unwholefome and produflive of frequent catarrhs. This afTertion is certainly ill founded ; for in warming a room, as well as in clothing the body, we fhould not fo much be regulated by the particular time of the year, as the ftate of the weather, and the degrees of aflual heat and cold; 15 for. OF AIR AND WEATHER. 217 in attending to thefe circumftances, we cannot eafily miftake. If, in the temperate days of autumn, the room fhould feel colder than the external air, it is time to make a moderate fire : in damp and cold weather this is an ufeful precaution, even in fum- mer. Thofe who from caprice, parfimony, or pre- judice, would rather fhiver for fome weeks longer, than confult their fenfations, often feel the confe- quence of a violent cold. The Dutch and German ftoves certainly afford more uniform heat in a room, though they may not be confidered cheer- ful enough for an Englifli company. As we can neither breathe nor live without frefli air, we ought not to withdraw our bodies too much from the bracing effects of cold. In this refpeft, we fhould aft conformably to Nature, that is, in the fame degree as the warmer weather changes to a colder ftate, we fliould gradually ex- pofe ourfelves to the various changes of temperature. The cold will then neither feel unpleafant, nor im- pede the neceflary perfpiration ; efpecially if we oppofe it \vith vigorous bodily exercife. We ought alfo to take more folid fuftenance in winter than in fummer ; bccaufe, by the longer continued motion or digeftive procefs of the ftomach, the circulation of the blood is accelerated, from which the natural heat of the body is produced. Nature herfelf diftates a compliance with this precept, as (he has provided us with more fubftantial kinds of food during the former feafon than the latter. o Lailly 2lS OF AIR AND WEATHER.^ Laftly, as every fudden change of the weather, from heat to cold, and the reverfe, is prejudicial to the body, we ought to guard againft every circum- ftance, by which perjpiration may be fuddenly checked. Hence we never fhould remove from a ftrongly heated apartment into a frefli and cold air, unlcfs we are provided with a warmer drefs ; — in hot days, or after violent exercife, we fhould not frequent vaults, cellars, or ice-houfes, undrefs immediately after over-heating the body, take reft upon a damp foil or upon ftones, nor bathe in cold water. Such bold tranfgreffors have often been punillied with inftant death, or, what is ftill worfe, have brought on a painful and lingering fpecies of confumption, which has hitherto baffled the united efforts of the Faculty, and which an- nually makes dreadful havoc among people of a middle age*. It is devoudy to be wiflied, that the * According to the ftatement given in the Bills of Mor- tality, the total number of deaths in London, during the three fpring months of 1799, amounted to 5271. Among thefe, nolefs than 1353, ot upwards of one-fourth, were car- ried off by confurnption ! — Although confumption and decline are terms often ufed to exprefs many other chronic difeafes, as well as pulmonary confumption, fo that the above ftated number probably includes various fpecies of decline, yet, even with thefe allowances, the number of viftims to general ■confanption is truly terrific. Let the reader refleft for a moment, on the following melancholy inference : — If the population of this country confift of between nine and ten millions, of whom the 30th or the 33d part, that is about 300,000, die annually, it follows that this mercllefs difeafe, Con- OF AIR AND WEATHER. 2I9 the experiments, now purfued with faclitious airs or gafes, and with the fox-glove, may afford fome remedy againft this formidable deftroyer of the human fpecies, which cuts off incredible numbers in the bloom of life, and fpares neither age, rank, nor fex.— And, as there is fo much reafon to be- lieve, that a great proportion of confumptive cafes originate from the fudden tranfitions above men- tioned, no language can be ftrong enough to deprecate practices, as injudicious as they are deflruftive. Consumption, cuts ofF about 80,000 perfons every year, in Great Britain alone, and thefe generally in the prime of life, when Society ought to be benefited by their mental and bodily exertions ! ! The following ftatement will afford a more confpicuous view of this important fubjedt : It appears from the London Bills of Mortality, that there died of pulmonic diforders 5910, out of 18,238, in the year 1796 5439. 16,714, 1797 6210, 17,285, 1799' Computing the average of the three years, we fhall find that this uncontroulable diforder deftroys annually 5853, out of 17,412 individuals, tr upwards £/" ONE-THiRD.of the inhabitants of London. [ 220 ] CHAP. III. Of Cleanlinefs, and its various modifications^ fo far as it is immediately connected with Health •y'^the management of the Teeth j— /^^ ufe of Baths^ Of Cleanlinefs in general. 'T'HIS domeftic virtue ought to extend Its influ- ence to every objefl connefled with the human frame J to the preparation and confumption of food and drink, to drefs, habitation, houfehold furniture, and all our phyfical wants j in a word, cleanlinefs Ihould not be confined merely to the interior domefl:ic ceconomy s for it claims our atten- tion in every place which we occupy, and wherein we breathe. ^. Let our clothes, linen, beds, covers, blankets and iheets be clean and dry ; as all thcfe fubftances ab- forb perfpirable matter, and check the proccfs of perfpiration. Articles of drefs which are foiled, and come into contad with the fkin, being placed immediately over the pores, reimbibe the humours already perfpired, and return them to the body by the abforbents. Dirty linen will never attrad the ufelefs or noxious matter, which is fecreted from the ON CLEANLINESS. 221 the blood, and ejefted by the body ; it remains on the pores of the flcin, and is either again ab- forbed by the veffels, or clogs thofe emundlories which require always to be kept open. For a fimilar reafon, it is highly improper and dangerous to wear the clothes of fick perfons, efpecially in contagious diftempers. Let the body, and particularly the joints, be fre- quently wafhed with pure water, efpecially in fum- mer, when the perfpirable matter, being of an unc- tuous, clammy nature, obflru£ls the excretion by the pores. — The face, neck, and hands, being mofl: expofed to the air, dud, and the like, ought to be daily wafhed, both morning and evening. Attention fhould alfo be paid to the ears, by clean- ing them occafionally, that the fenfe of hearing may not be impaired by the accumulation of wax, which, from its acrid nature, may prove unpleafant, as well as injurious. The whole head ought to be frequently waihed and cleaned, even though no hair-powder be ufed j as it perfpires very much, and is befides expofed to dud and other par- ticles in the atmofphere. Walhing opens the pores, while the comb, by its clofe application to the fkin, dilTolves the vifcid humours, and renders them fluid. The mouth fhould be rinfed every morning, after dinner, and at night, with cold water j but in winter the chill fhould be taken off. The frequent wafliing of the mouth is otherwife ncceflary, bc- 03 caufc 222 ON CLEANLINESS. caufe the vifcid flime, and fmall particles of food which fettle about the interftices of the teeth, are very apt to putrify, and, if not removed, v/ill infecft the breath, and gradually injure the teeth them- felves. Befides, this (lime fettles on the tongue, covers the papillae by which food is tailed, and ren- ders the palate lefs fenfible. It is fcarcely neceflary to obferve, that the nofe alfo fhould not be overlooked, as by neglefting to renipve the fecreted moifture in time, the ef- fefts may become troublefome and detrimental to the organs of fmell. In children, the nofe ought to be occafionally waihed ; it having been found that the unpleafant fmell, peculiar to fome infants, is owing to the habitual negled of cleaning that organ. The tongue {hould be cleaned every morning, either with a fraall piece of whalebone, or with a fage leaf. This leaf is likewife ufeful for poliHiing the teeth. To clean the throat, we (hould gargle it with frefh water, and fwallow a mouthful of -water every morning — the latter, however, muft not be attempted too haftily ; but, when we once accuftom ourfelves to the praflice, we Ihall find it attended with advantage. It is necefiary, .efpecially in hot weather, to wafli the feet frequently ; as they perfpire much, and are m.ore expofed to dull than any other part of the body. The water fhould be warm, but not too much fo, becaufe hot water thus ufed relaxes the ON CLEANLINESS. 22^ the fibres, drives the blood upwards, and occafions head-achs. The proper degree of heat for young perfons to wafh in, is between 96 and 98" of Fahrenheit, and for the aged between 98 and 100'', or fomewhat more than milk- warm. The removing of the beard and nails is no in- fignificant matter in the care of health. By fhaving, we promote perfpiration. Long nails, efpecially as they were in fafhion fome years ago, disfigure the hands, and prevent the feet from expanding freely j but the nails ought not to be cut too clofe, otherwife the toes will be obftruded in their prefTure on the ground, and the fingers in feeling. They may alfo be eafily injured ; and wounds under the nails are generally attended with dif- agreeable confequences, on account of the many nerves running in that diredion. When the nails on the toes are fufFered to become too long, they are apt to grow into the flefh, to become an obftacle in walking, and fometimes to occafion confider- abls pain. In the veffels ufed for preparing food and drink, we ought likewife to pay proper attention to clean- linefs. Every particle of filth introduced into the ftomach may prove hurtful to it, to the tender intef- tines, to the blood, and confequently to the whole body. For the fame reafon, iiis not only indelicate, but alfo unwholefome, to dine or take any food in places where an ofi^enHve fmell prevails. 04 Ofi 224 ON CLEANLINESS, On the management of the 'Teeth. The principal requifite for the prefervation of the teeth is, never to retire to reft without having cleaned them: for this prevents the vifcoiis particles of food, collecled during the day, from corrupting them in the night. The tooth-ach, now fo com- mon, is frequently owing to a hollow ftate of the teeth, but ftill more frequently originates in a want of cleanlinefs. The cleaning of the teeth, however, requires precaution. What is called the Tartar of the Teeth, is of a corrofive nature, and fliould be removed with the greateft care. The manner in which moft Dcntifts treat the teeth, as well as their powders, tHi(5lures, and other dentifrices, however ingenioufly puffed off, and (trongly recom- mended, are pernicious ; becaufc they deprive the teeth of their enamel, m.;ke them loofe, and fpoil the gums. The various dentifrices, whe- ther Royal or Imperial^ advertifcd in the public papers, are at lead of doubtful, if not injurious effect J — it is an aftonifhing inftance of credulity and infatuation, that people will take external and internal medicines upon trujly when they would hefi- tate to take any foody with which they are unac- quainted. U there be too much tartar, fo that it adheresT like a cement between twc teeth, its being in- c;iutioufly removed will deprive the teeth of the tartarous ON CLEANLINESS. 225 tartarous cohefion, and confequently of their fup- port 5 thus, from the conftant contaft of the tongue, lips, and food, they will be fhaken and loofened. The fame will happen, Ihould the tartar be allowed to eat away the gum from the root of the tooth. If in this cafe the bafis of the tooth be injured, it will neceflarily be rendered loofej the gums being no longer able to retain a tooth, which is deprived of its intermediate cement. The tartar therefore mud not be broken fud- denly, with iron or glafs inftruments; but may be gradually fcraped away with a blunt or broad cut quill, or fome fimilar fubftance, from which the enamel of the teeth can fufFer no injury. Moft kinds of diffolvent drops, efpecially thole fold as fpecifics for whitening the teeth, are made up of vitriolic acid, diluted with fome diftilled waters — They are of no fervice, but, on the contrary, re- move the enamel with the tartar, and thus fpoil the teeth for ever. The common tooth-bruflies are liable to the fame objeclion. To prevent the 'tartar from fettling on the teeth, they ought to be kept chan, by wafhing them every morning and evening. Certain kinds of food and drink Ihould likewife be mentioned, as having a tendency to produce and accumulate the tartar — fuch are all vifcous and faline fubftances, as faked and fmoaked meat, cheefe, roafted eggs, the flefh of tame and wild animals, kept too long for the fake of making it more tender and palatable, truffles, and «26 ON CLEANLINESS. and all fpecles of mufhrooms ; beanSj peas, chef- nuts, vinegar, tart wines, and all kinds of acid fruit. An expedient- equally fafe and efFeflual, for removing the tartar, is, to cover the teeth with a fine powder of Gum Tragacanthy or with foft wax, and by that means to extra^ft the tartar at once, together with this adhefive covering. Although it does not enter into the plan of thefe Lectures to treat of the various difeafes to which the teeth are fubjcdl, or to defcribe the different me- thods purfued in curing them, yet 1 judge it ne- eeffary to point out fome of the mod fimple and approved remedies in that very painful affeftion, the tooth-ach. If the complaint proceed from a hol- low and carious tooth, fome foft extradl of the Peruvian Bark may be placed in the cavity; if this fhould not remove the pain, a few drops of Cajeput oil upon cotton may be applied to the hollow tooth, or rubbed externally upon the painful fide of the cheek. Thunberg, the Swedifli Traveller, introduced the ufe of Caje- put oil into Europe, having often witnefled its powerful and almcfl inftantaneous effefts in the Eaft Indies, where it is the laft expedient of gouty and rheumatic fufferers. Dr. Richter, an eminent Phyfician of Gottin- gen, informs us that he has frequently relieved the mofl violent tooth-ach, by applying externally the efience of pimpinellai or Burnet-faxifrage, with an equal ON CLEANLINESS. 22^ equal quantity of laudanum, adding to it a drop or two of the effential oil of cloves. Though external remedies arc not likely to efFed a radical cure of this malady, yet in urgent cafes they may be fafely reforted to, efpecially if applied fo as not to injure the fkin of the face 3 for they will often produce a temporary relief. If, however, the tooth-ach proceed from no local caufe ; if, for inftance, it be owing to an impure ftomach, to catarrhal, rheu- matic, hyfteric, venereal, or other affe6bions j all the fpecifics ever difcovered cannot relieve from pain, until the caufe be either in part or entirely removed. In my own pradice, I have found the oil of Savin, or Juniper oil, preferable to laudanum, in its effcds on a hollow tooth i the latter is at beft an uncertain remedy. In fcorbutic difcafes of the teeth and gums, a vegetable diet, confiding chiefly of ripe fruit, and mucilaginous vegetables, will be found the beft corredive. Befide thefe, a fine powder, made of three parts of double-refined fugar, and one part of burnt alum, may be employed with advantage for- the purpofe of rubbing them. Sugar is an excel- lent antifeptic j and Imbert de Lonnes, a French Phyfician, reports, that a whole (hip's company was once cured of an alarming fcurvy, by living for fome time, from necefllty, upon fugar alone. — We fhould alfo confider the connexion fubfifting be- tween the teeth and the ftomach j if the former be unequal to the purpofes of maftication, the digeftive powers 22S ON CLFANLINESS. powers will be gradually impaired, and the Ibundcft ftomach vitiated. To negleft the teeth, there- fore, is to negleft the ftomach ; and if the ftomach be weakened, the whole mafs of the fluids, and par- ticularly the blood, will ultimately be tainted with crude, iinafllmilated, and acrimonious humours. To diftblve and wafti away the fuperfluous, flimy, and unftuous particles which produce the tartar, frefh water is fufficicnt j or it may be ren- dered a little more acrid by the admixture of a fmall quantity of common fait. Acids and alkalies, fo frequently employed as dentifrices, are of too corrofive a nature ; and alkalies in particular in- jure the gums, perhaps the teeth themfelves, while acids deprive them of their enamel, and thus occa- iion a fpeedy external corruption, and inevitable gangrene within. The moft fimple dentifrice is a cruft of bread hard toafted, and reduced to a fine powder. This is fully calculated to abforb the vifcid, oleaginous particles, and to remove the ftony or tartarous matter. The bread, however, fhould not be toafted too black, as in that cafe it would evolve an acrid, alkaline fait, which might prove hurtful. A ftill better dentifrice is a moderately fine powder of the Peruvian Bark, particularly of the genuine red fpecies, which ftrengthens the gums, without inflaming them. In cleaning the teeth we ought not to make ufe of bruflics or fponges, but of the finger, which being ON CLEANLINESS. 229 being provided with the fineft papillary veflels, is a much better and more proper inftrument, and precludes the neceffity of reforting to artificial means. Befides, the finger has the advantage of being foft and pliable, and of feeling any immo- derate preffure too fcnfibly, to permit us to do in- jury to the teeth or gums: — hence, it is an inju- dicious delicacy alone, which can prevent us from .. making ufe of it, in preference to even the befl tooth- brufhes. For cleaning the interftices between the teeth, we (hould not employ pins or needles, whether made of gold, filver, or fteelj for all metallic fub- ftances are apt to canker the teeth. If toothpicks be at all advifable, they fhould be made of fofc wood, or quills cut in a blunt point. In my own opinion, none fliould be ufed j for, of whatever materials they are made, they open, loofen, and injure the teeth, by making room for the tartar and other fubftances, to prey upon them and the gums. To anfwer every purpofe of toothpicks, a thick and foft cotton cloth fhould be ufed, to rub the teeth over gently after every meal : but if people have once accuftomed themfelves to re- gularly picking their teeth, then indeed the cotton fridlions may perhaps come too late^ Laftly, the cleaning and brufhing of the teeth, however ufcful and neceffary, is infufficient to pre- vent the fettling of the tartar, and the confequent injury to the teeth j for the fource of both evils 1 1 does ^^O ON CLEANLINESS, does not exift in the mouth, but really proceeds from the flomach, and an impure ftate of the fluids. For this reafon, the medical treatment of the teeth requires a particular regimen and diet, according to the individual cafe of every patient. Of the Ufe of Baths. This important branch of dietetic regimen is of excellent ufe and efficacy, both in the prevention and cure of difeafes. Though the ancients could lefs difpcnfe with the ufe of the bath, on account of the frequency of their athledc exercifes, as well as from the want of linen, which was then much lefs in ufe than at prefent, yet in our times, it would be of great fervice, if the ufe of baths were more general and frequent, and this beneficial pradice not confined to particular places or feafons, as a mere matter ox fafhion. Confidered as a ipecies of univerfal domeftic remedy, as one which forms the balls of cleanlinefs, bathing, in its different forms, may be pronounced pne of the moft extenfive and beneficial reftorers of health and vigour. I am not fo fanguine, however, in my cxpedations, as to think that the cure of all maladies and difeafes may be efFe<5led by the bath, as was lately proinifed by a noted empiric in this country, who moft fagacioufly impregnated his vapour baths with the colledive produce of the vegetable ON CLEANLINESS. 231 vegetable kingdom. Such a general remedy is juft as chimerical as the moft famous panaceas, the tindure of gold not excepted. Bathing, whether in warm or cold water, pro- duces the moft falutary effe6t on the abforbent veflels; which would otherwife reconduct the impurities of the flcin through the pores, to the no fmall injury of health. To perfons in a perfe6l date of vigour, the frequent ufe of the bath is lefs necelTary than to the infirm ; as the healthy pofTefs a greater power to refift impurities, by means of their unimpared perfpiration, the elafticity of their minute veflels, and the due confiftence of their circulating fluids, The cafe is very different with the infirm, the delicate, and the aged. In thefe, the flownefs of circulation, the vifcidity or clamminefs of the fluids, the conftant efibrts of Nature to propel the impurities towards the fkin, combine to render the frequent wafliing of their bodies an efiential requifite to their phyfical exifl:ence. Baths, confidered as the means of curing difeafcs and reftoring health, if judicioufly applied, are likewife of peculiar advantage ; and though, in this refpe6t, they do not properly make part of a regular fyfl:em of dietetics, yet I fiiall requeft the indulgence of the reader, while I make a few neceflfary remarks relative to the proper application of the bath, it being fo frequently ufed as a mere dietetic remedy. Much depends on a clear 7 and 232 ON CLEANLINESS* and accurate knowledge of the properties and cfFefts of the different baths. I (hall therefore divide them into two principal clalTes, the warm and the cold bath. The warmy that is, the tepid or lukewarm bath being about the temperature of the blood, between 96 and 98° of Fahrenheit, has ufually been con- fidered as apt to weaken and relax the body ; but this is certainly an ill-founded notion. It is only when its heat exceeds that of the human body, (as in the Hoi Bath and Kin^s Bath at Bath, both of which are from 18 to 20 degrees higher than blood-heat,) that the warm bath can produce a debilitating effeft. Indeed, baths of the above immoderate heat ought not to be ufed in their natural ftate, that is, without reducing their tem- perature by cold water, except in particular cafes, and under the immediate advice of a phyfician. On the contrary, the lukewarm or tepid bath, from 85 to (/6% is always fafe ; and is fo far from relaxing the tone of the folids, that it may juftly be confidered as one of the mod power- ful and univerfal reftoratives with which we are acquainted. Inftead of heating the body, it has a cooling effecli it diminifhes the quicknefs of the pulfe, and reduces it in a greater proportion, according as the pulfe has been more quick and unnatural, and according to the length of time the bath is continued. Hence tepid baths are of eminent fervice, where the body has been over- heated. ON CLEANLINESS. 2^3 heated, from whatever caiife, whether after fatigue from travelling, fevere bodily exercife, or after violent exertion and perturbation of mind j as they allay the tempeftuous and irregular move- ments of the body, and confequently, in the ftricteft fenfe, invigorate the fyftem. By their fofcening and moiflening power, they greatly contribute to the formation and growth of the body of young perfons, and are of fingular benefit to thofe, in whom we perceive a tendency to arrive too early at the confidence of a fettled age ; fo that the warm bath is particularly adapted to prolong the ftate of youth, and retard for fome time the ap- proach of full manhood. This effed the tepid baths produce in a manner exa6lly alike, in the coldeft as well as in the hotteft climates. From what has been advanced, it will not be difficult to difcover, in what particular diforders the tepid bath may be of the greateft fervice, and the reafon why it proves fo eminently ufeful (particularly in a parched and rough ftate of the fkin) in paralytic, fpafmodic, bilious, confumptive, hypochondriac, hyfteric, and infane cafes, as well as in an acrimonious and impure ftate of the fluids, fuch as fcorbutic and leprous eruptions, lues, &c. One obvious effect of the habitual ufe of the bath, particularly the tepid, is, that it foftens and renews the external integuments of the body. It confide rably increafes the prefture on the body from without i hence breathing, particularly oa p entering. 234 ON CLEANLINESS, entering the bath, is frequently loniewhat diffi- cult, till' the mufcles have by praftice become inured to a e;reater decree of refiftance. Yet this effe(51:, which in moft inftances is of fmall importance, requires the greateft precaution in ,fome particular cafes, fo far as to prevent the life of the bath altogether j for inftance, in perfbns of a full habit, who are in danger of breaking fome of- the internal blood-velTels, by the preci- pitate ufe of the bath, whether warm or cold. Thefe few hints will be fufficient to determine the cafes, in which the lukewarm bath may be reforted to with fafcty and advantage, as a dietetical remedy. Its application in the treatment of difeafes is foreign to the object of this Chapter, and demands the moft minute inquiry into the nature of the cafes which indicate the ufe of it ; as it is of itfelf a potent remedy, which, if improperly ufed, may produce a contrary effed. Bathing in rivers, as well as in the fea, is effe6lual for every purpofe of cleaning the body j it wafhes away impurities from the fur face, opens the cuta- neous vefTels for a due perfpiration, and increafes the circulation of the blood. For thefe reafons, it cannot be too much recommended, not only > to the infirm and debilitated, under certain reftric- tions, but likewife to the healthy. The appre- henfion of bad confequences from the coldnefs of the water, is in reality ill-founded ; for, befides that it produces a ftrengthening effcfSt, by , its * I , ' aftringent ON CLEANLINESS. O-?-? aftringent property, the cold fenfatlon is not of itfelf hurtful. The lame precaution, however, is requifite in the ufe of the cold as in that of the tepid bath; for, after having overheated the body, efpecially in the hot days of fummer, it may 'prove inftantly fatal, by inducing a ftate of apoplexy. Hence the ple- thoric, the afthmatic, and all thofe who perceive a great determination of blood to the head, iliould be very circumfpecl in its ufe. ' For, although the confcquence may not prove immediately fatal, yet, from the fudden force and preilure of the water, fome of the fmallcr blood-veiTei^ of the head and bread may cafily burfl, and thus lay the found- ation of an incurable diforder. To fuch as are of a found and robufc conftiLUtion, bathing may be rendered an agreeable exercife, by fwimming againll the ftream ; for the fibres and veffcls being obliged to refift the power of the undulating waves, the nerves are thereby excited into adlion. Before I proceed to lay down dictetical rules for the ufe of the bath, I (hail premife a brief hiftorical narrative of this excellent pra6lice, and generally explain it fenfible elteds. Among the Greeks, and particularly the Spar- tans, bathing v/as not entrufted to the caprice of individuals, but confidered as a public inftitution, which was governed and arranged agreeably to the exprefs laws of the State. — We learn alfo from facred hiftory, that among the Jews, at a much, p 2 earlier ^1^6 ON CLEANLINESS. earlier period, perfons under certain circumitances were pronounced unclean, and confequently unfit to hold any incercourfe or communion with others, tiU they had performed the appointed ablutions. The Greeks, according to their own hiftorians, learnt this prailice from the Egyptians, and the Romans from the Greeks. With thofe celebrated nations, public and private baths formed an import- ant branch of ufeful and ornamental architedure : many opulent individuals courted the favour of the people, by lavifhing their treafures in the eftablifhment and decoration of public baths ; and to this day we frequently difcover the valuable remains of thefe national edifices. Among the Romans, the baths were in time converted into regular and luxurious dwelling-places, in which the fons of the patricians and of the wealthy were educated ; a circumfiance fufRciently afcertained in the hillory of Charles the Great. The change, which the contad of cold water produces on the body, naturally leads us to inquire into the phyfical nature and properties of the cold bath. The lighteft water is at lead 800 times- heavier than air ; from v/hieh it has been concluded, that the former preiTes upon the human body with a force proportionally great. If therefore the column of air, which prefTes upon our body with a force equal to 39,9001b. could be converted into water, the whole weight of that prelTure would amount to 31,920,0001b. Yet, as our health is » • affcdcd ON CLEAPfLINESS, 237 affeded by a difference in the preffure of the air, occafionally varying from 3 to 40colb., we may eafily underftand, that the human body is not calculated to fuftain, for any length of time, the great prelTure of water. For this reafon, the moft experienced negro divers dare not venture beyond a certain depth of the fea j well knowing it would be impofiible to rife up againft the addi- tional weight of water incumbent upon their bodies. The fenfible^ro^^rZ/Vj' of the Cold Bath^ in gene- ral, confiil in its power of contrading the folid parts, and of infpiffating the fluids. Any part of the body, which is expofcd to the fudden concaft of cold water, experiences at the fame inilant a degree of tenfion and contra6tion, and becomes narrower and fmaller. Not only the blood- vefTels, but likewife the fmall capillary tubes, are liable to this contraflion and fubfequent relaxation. What is vulgarly called gooje-jkin is an effort of the cutaneous fibres, a contraftion of the orifices of the abforbent and exhalant vefTels, occafioned by mental perturbation, fpafms, or the effefl of cold, —Hence it happens, that by the cold bath all the blood-vefTels of the fkin, and of the mufcles in immediate contact with it, are fo conftrided and diminifhed, that at the time of this violent exertion they are unable to receive the ufual quantity of blood. The fmaller vefTels of the fkin are like- wife clofed, and prefs upon the humours contained p 3 in ajS OxV CLEANLINESS. in them, Co as to prevent all perfpiration during this preiTure. Thus all the fibres of the fkin and mufclfs are brought into clofe contaft ; and if the humours contained in thefe tubes had no other cutlets, by vvhich tot difcharge themfelves, they would become thick or infpifiated, and iofe their natural warmth. Were this infpilTation of the . fluids really to take place, it would be attended with dangerous ftagnations and obftrudlions. That it does not, however, produce thefe fatal effeds, may be afcribed to the following caufe. As foon as the pi-effure is made againfl the external veflels, the blood retreats from thcra, in fearch of places where it finds Icfs refinance. All the great veficls widiin the body afford receptacles, into which it now flows, till the principal arteries, and the veins of the inteftines, being filled, extended, and enlarged, it rifes to the heart. Though the effccfi confequent on the cold bath may be confi- dcred as altogether mechanical, yet this fimple operation is frequently produdive of the mod important and beneficial effedls. All other ftrengthening remedies, operating, in general, only on the fluid parts of the body, require to be previoufly diflblved by the fluids, blended with the mafs of blood, and thereby con- duced to the folid parts. The cold bath, on the contrary, acts almofl: inflantaneoufly on the folid parts themfelves, and produces its bracing efl^edf, before a fmgle drop of blood has been commuted. From ON CLEANLINESS.! 239 From which remedy, therefore, is it more likely we fliould derive the defired effedl, that which immediately anfwers the purpofe, or that which muft pafs through fo many canals, and undergo fo many changes, before it arrives at the place where it is to exert its efficacy ?— The fuddeii changes arifing from the application of the. cold bath contribute in various ways to brace the human body. The relaxed fibres of the fl<:in and'^ the mufcles acquire more folidity and compdftnefs from contraflion. Their elafticity is increafed, and thus a confiderable defe6l removed : the nerves are ftimulated and incited to thofe powerful exer- tions, on which the eafe, vigour, '^'nd habitual fprighdinefs of the body fo much deperldi' From that degree of irricabiUty v/hich the neT^^^s'pofTefs,- when in a debilitated ftate, arife all hyftcric, fpaf- modic, and convulfive fymptoms and affections. Thefe may be mitigated or removed by the cold bath i becaufe it powerfully affefts and alters the ftate of the nerves j it Ihakes and animates them, an'd' by its forcible operation, overcomes their tendency to preternatural rigidity and other ' difagrecable fenfations. Here then we ^have two caufes, which illujilrate the excellent effefts of this remedy 3— there remains, however, to be explained a third" caufe, vv'hich is ft ill more important. The blood, which by external preflure is driven into the internal vclfels, extends and enlarstes them, without diminifliing that contradtile force Qr ,£ep: P4 •^,.4,M i^ 240 ON CLEANLINESS. dency which is peculiar ro every artery. At the moment when the external prefTure ccafes, all the internal veflcls exert their inherent power of contrafling more forcibly than uftia], as they are more flrongly extended, and confequently enabled to exercife a greater force. The blood, returned to the cutaneous and mufcular veflels, finds its refer- voirs contraded and invigorated j it flows through mufcles, the fibres of which have acquired greater elafticity and power of refiftance. It is accelerated in its new motion by thefe improved fibres and veins, and the refult of the colledive powers is a frefh impulfe and rapidity given to its circulation. Although, at the firfl immerfion, the uniform courfe of it is fomewhat interrupted, this tem- porary ftoppage ferves afterwards to re-eftabliOi and promote it. The blood can now penetrate with eafe into the fmalleil capillary velTels ; and alfo circulate freely through every part of the animal machine, without afFecfting or relaxing thefolids*. The * Such are the advantages which the theory of bathing holds out. I fhall, however, quote a refpedable authority, which may be of ufe to remove feme erroneous notions hitherto very prevalent, in the praflice of cold-bathing. *' In the earlier ftages of exercife, (fays Dr. Currie, of Liverpool,) before profufe perfpiration has diffipated the ** heat, and fatigue debilitated the living power, nothing " Is more £afe, according to my experience, than the cold *' bath. This is fo true, that I have for fome years con- ** ftautly directed infirm perfons to ufe fuch a degree of ex- " ercife, ON CLEANLINESS. 24I The healthy and the vigorous, who refort to the cold bath, on account of its clcanfino; and bracin"^ cfFeds, *' ercife, before inimerfion, as may produce fonie increafeJ *' action of the vafcular fyftem, with fome increafe of heat, *' and thus fecure a force of reaction under the lliock, which " otherwife might not always take place. The popular " opinion, that it is fafer to go perfectly cool into the water, *' is founded on erroneous notions, and fometimes produc- " tive of injurious confequences. Thus, perfons heated and " beginning to pcrfpire often think it neceifary to wait on " the edge of the bath, until they are perfedly cooled, and '^ then plunging into the v/ater, feel a fudden chiilinefs that " is alarming and dangerous. In fuch cafes the injury is *' generally imputed to going into tlie water too warm, *' whereas in truth it arifes from going in too cold. " But though it be pcrfeftly fafe to go into the cold bath " in the earlier ilages of exercife, nothing is more dangerous *< than this practice, after exercife has produced profufe " perfpiration, and terminated in languor and fatigue ; " becaufe in fuch circumftances the heat is not only finking *' rapidly, but the fyftem parts more eafily with the portion ** that remains. " In his Effay on Swimming, Franklin makes the fol- " lowing obfervation: — *Z).vr/«or the great heats of Jammer^ ' there Is no danger hi bathings however tvarrn lue may be., in * rivers which have been thoroughly tvarmedby the fun. But to ' throw ourfelves into cold fpring water, vjhen the body has been * heated by exercife in the fun, is an imprude^ice which may prove ''fatal. I once knezv an inf lance cf four young 7nen who, having ' worked at harveji in the heat of the day, with a view cf refrejh- ' ing themf elves, plunged into a fpring of cold water ; two died on * thefpot, a third the next morning, and the fourth recovered with * great difficulty.* The authority of the American Bacon *' is of great weight in Medicine, as in every branch of <' fcience, and particularly in what refpefls immerfion In " water; 242 ON CLEANLINESS, cffe6ls, may continue in ic, with fafety, for a confi- derable time. But, to {lrcno;then and o-jve elaf- ticity to tlie folid parts, every thing depends upon the fudden imprefiion of the cold, - This primary efiect will be weakened or frufcrated by remaining in the bath till the water feels warm, fo that the preffing or vibrating aftion on the nerves at length ceafes. The mod proper time of bathing is, when the fliomach is not employed in digeftion ; as m the morning or forenoon, or from three to four hpurs afier dinner. The cold bath, between 6^ and 32° of Fahrenheit, is not, ftricbly fpeaking, a dietetic remedy j nor are its *' water ; for doubtlefs he fpeut more time in this element, *' than any philofopher of modern days. It may, however, " be ealily fuppofed, that he adopted the commonly- "^ received opinion, that the injury arofe from theperfons *' in queflion going in when hot, inflead of from going in when *' coolings after having been heated; to which lad circumflance *' it can hardly be doubted, that the fatal accident he relates ** was to be imputed." Thefe remarks are worthy of the learned Dr. Currie ; — at the fame time, inftead of advifmg any perfon to ufe the £o/d bath after exercife, I would certainly prefer the tepid or Jukewann bath) both on account of the greater fafet)' attending the ufe of it, and becaufe it poffeffes nearly all the advan- tages of the cold bath, without being liable to fo many ftrong objections. Befides, the cold bath is altogether im- proper in a v/eak ftate of the lungs, irl all complaints of the bread, in dropfies, in plethoric habits, . and for very corpu- lent individuals ; in all which cafes the lukewarm bath may, if duly modified, prodtice elfefts highly beneficial. cffc(?.s ON CLEANLINESS. 243 effects fo much calculated for the healthy and robuii, as for the ir.ftrm and difeafed, under pe- culiar circumfcances. The external ufe of cold water is of fingular benefit, when applied to par- ticular parts of the body, where its ufe may be much longer continued without danger, and where we may, in a manner, by compulfion and perfeve- rance, accomplifii the intended effects. Of all the parts of the body, the head receives moft benefit from the affufion of cold water ; this is a fimple and effectual remedy againft too great an impulfe of the blood towards the head, where perfbns are threatened with apoplexy ; in -difordfers of the brain and cranium ; as well as in wounds and other complaints, to which the head is fubje<5l:. In thefe inftances, its effedls may be ilill farther improved by frigorific or cooling falts. The affu- fion of cold water upon the abdomen has likewife been employed with great advantage, in cafes of obftinate coftiv-enefs^ as it affords almod iniran- taneous relief, V/hen internal remedies have pro- duced no effed. This Iliould not, however, in- duce perfons to try that remedy indifcriminately, or without proper a.dvice. On the contrary, in all thofe cafes where the cold bath might repel certain eruptive humours, which Nature determines towards the furface of the body, it cannot be reforted to without danger. Apoplexies have been the frequent confequences of an unwary ufe of the coid bathi more frequent, indeed,, 244 ON CLEANLINESS. indeed, than is generally fufpededs and yet the popular opinion ftill prevalent, is, that there can be no better praiflice, than to plunge into the cold bath at all times, and in all dates of the body, in order to flrengthen the nerves. Children, efpecially, are indifcriminately accuftomed to it from their infancy, to reftore them to^hat degree of bodily vigour, for which our anceftors were fo famed. That many children, by the daily prac- tice of bathing them in cold water, grov/ and continue healthy and ftrong, proves as little, as that many infants become vigorous and robuft in the moft unwholefome climates, and under the mod unfavourable management. — Some think to fortify the body, by the ufe of the cold bath, againfl: the viciflitudes of the weather i but it can be proved that children, who from their infancy have been bathed in cold water, are as much expofed to coughs and catarrhs, as thofe who have not been habituated to this erroneous pradlice* provided they have not been mifmanaged by effe- minating indulgence. In general, all artificial plans of hardening and bracing the bodies of chil- dren, are commendable only, when the child iliows no ftrong and lading averfion to them. It fhould be confidered that, as the cold bath powerfully contrails the fibres by its frequent ufe, it imparts to the juvenile body an unnatural degree of folidity and compaflnefs, whereby it too early acquires the properties of an adult. Th^ fkin of fuch ON CLEANLINESS. 245 fuch children as have bden too frequently bathed, is generally much drier and harder than it ought to be at their age. It is a remark of Galen, that the cold bath does not agree with a growing perfon, and he advifes young people not to bathe at all, till the body be completely formed. Is it not inconfiftenr, that by cold- bathing we expei^ to bring the body of youth to the vigour of age, and that afcerwards, when age approaches, we fhould- wifh to render it fofter, and reftore its energy, by lukev.'arm bathing ? Hence the cold bath, for the purpofe of ftrengthening children, mult ever be confidered as a doubtful remedy. We now proceed to lay down fome rules for the ufe of the cold bath, in the cafes where it may be of fervice. ifl:, Every cold bath applied to the whole body ought to be of fhort duration ; all depends upon the firil impreinon the cold makes on the fkin and nerves, it being this impreffion which hardens us againil the effcds of rough and cold weather : — 2d, The head (hould be always firfl wetted, either by immerfion, by pouring water upon it, or the application of .v.et cJotiis, and then plunging over head into the bath :— 3d, The immerfion ought always to be fudden, not only becaufe it is lefs felt than when we enter the bath flovviy and timoroufiy, but likewife be- caufe the tued: of the lirfi: impreffion is uni- form all over the body, and the blood in this manner is not projxUed from the lov^'cr to the upper part?. 2.^6 ON CLEANLINESS. parts. Hence the Shower Bath pofTciTcs great advantages, as it pours the water fuddenly upon. the whole body, and thus in the mod perfect manner fulfils the three rules above fpecified : — 4th, The due temperature of the cold bath can be afcertained only in relation to individual cafes: as it extends from 23 ^^ 5^° of Fahrenheit, except in partial bathings, where, as has been already obferved, the degree of cold may, and often ought to be, increafed by ice, nitre, alum, falt^ fal am- moniac, or other artificial means : — 5th, Gentle exercife ought to precede the cold bath, to pro- duce fome readion of the vafcular fyftcm on enter- ing into it; for neither complete reft nor violent exercife are proper, previous to the ufe of this remedy: — 6th, The morning or forenoon is the moft proper time for cold-bathing, unlefs it be in a river, — then the afternoon or towards the evening, when the water has been warmed by the fun, and the dinner has been digefted, are the mofb eligible periods of the day : a light breakfaft v/ill not be detrimental before ufing the bath : — 7th, While in the water, we Ihouid not remain inadive, but mdve about, in order to promote the circula- tion of the blood from the centre of the body to the extremities: — 3th, After immerfion, the whole body ought to be yviped, as quickly as poffible, with a dry and fomewhat rough cloth. Moderate exercife out of doors, if convenient, is proper, and indeed neceiTary. To ON CLEANLINESS. 247 To fpecify the \'^arious fituations, in which the cold bath may be ufed with perfefl fafety and advantage, would lead me too far, and does not belong, ftriclly fpeaking, to the fubjeft of this book, I (hall, however, briefly enumerate certain cafes, in which we mull abfoiutely refrain from the cold bath. I. In a general plethora, or full habit of body, and in the febrile difpofition which attends it; in hemorrhages or fluxes of blood, and in every kind of inflammation. 2. In conftipations, or ob- ftrudions of the abdominal intefcines. 3. In dif- cafes of the bread, difficult breathing, and fhort and dry coughs. 4. In an acrimonious (late of the fluids, bad colour of the face, difficult healing of the flefh, and the fcurvy, properly fo called. 5. fn gouty and rheumatic paroxyfms. 6. In cuta- neous difeafes. 7. In a ft:ate of pregnancy. And laftly, 8. In a deformed or diftorted fl:ate of the body, except in fome particular cafes to be deter- mined by a phyfician. The beft method of cold bathing is in the fea or a river. Where, from neceflity, it is reforted to in the houfe, I recommend the Shower Bath, for ■which a proper apparatus is to be had at the tin- fliops. Where the faving of expence is aA obje(5t, it may be efl^eftually fupplied by the following eafy expedient: Fill a common watering-pot with cold water, let the patient flt down undrefled upon a ilool, which may be placed in a large tub i and let the hair^ if not cut fhort, be fpread over the llioulders 648 On cleanliness. flioulders as loofely as pofTible ; then pour the water from the pot over the patient's head, face, neck, fhoiilders, and all parts of the body progrefllvely down to the feet^ till the whole has been thoroughly bathed. Let him next be rubbed dry, and take gentle exercife, as has been already recommended, till the fenfacion of cold be fucceeded by a gentle glow all over him. When we firfl; rrfort to this kind of bath, it may be ufed gently, and with water having fome degree of warmth, fo as not to make the fnock too great ; but, as the patient becomes accuilomed to it, the degree of cold may be increaf- ed, the water may be allowed to fall from a greater height, and the holes in the pan may be made larger, fo as to make the (hower heavier. A large fponge may, in fome meafure, be fubftituted for a watering-pot. Although the Shower Bath does not cover the furface of the body fo univerfally as the ufual cold barhs, this circumftance is rather favourable than otherwife : for thofe parts, which the water has not touched, feel the impreflion by fympathy, as much as thofe in actual conta6l with it. Every drop of water becomes a partial cold bath in miniature, and thus a ftronger impreffion is excited than by any other m.ode of bathing. The Shower Bath, for the following reafons, poOelTes advantages fuperior to all others, i. The fudden contact of the water, v.-hich in the common bath is only momentary, may here be prolonged^ repeated, and modified at plea- fure. ON CLEANLINESS. 249 fure» 2. The head and breaft, which are expofed to fome inconvenience and danger in the common bath, are here effe6lually fecured, by receiving the firfl: lliock of the water j the blood is confequently impelled to the lower parts of the body j and the patient feels no obflruftion in breathing, or undu- lations of blood towards the head. 3. The heavy preffbre on the body occafioned by the weight of the water, and the free circulation of the blood in the parts touched by it, being, for fome time at Icaft, interrupted, make the ufual manner of bath- ing often more detrimental than ufeful. The Shower Bath, on the contrary, defcends in fingle drops, which are at once more ftimulating and pleafant than the immerfion into cold water, and it can be more readily procured, and more eafily modified and adapted to the circumftances of the patient. I (hall conclude this Chapter with fome account of what is called the Aerial or Air Bath, This is a late invention, the effeds of which have not yet been fufficiently afcertained. Experience informs us, that by expofing the naked body for a fhort time to an agreeably cool, or even a cold air, we perceive effedts fomewhat fimilar to thofe produced by the cold bath ; particularly that of a pleafant fen- fation of heat diffufcd over the whole body, afcer having again drefled. There is litde danger of catching cold upon this occafion ; for in a place Q^ where fi^O ON CLEANLINESS^ where we already feel a certain degree of cold in our ufual drefs, the fenfation of it will not be much increafed, if we undrefs altogether. It may alfo be remarked, that with the whole body naked, we have much lefs to apprehend from the effects of cold, than by expofing or keeping one part of it lefs covered than another *. This fpecies of bath certainly deferves farther trials.' A fpacious apartment, with open win- dows, may lerve every purpofe of moving in the free air. And here I would recommend to all who are engaged in fedentary and literary purfuits, to walk with their heads uncovered in an open, and even in the coldeft air, as being a fimple and ex- cellent means of ftrengthening the head, and re- moving thofe complaints which arife from intenfc thought and clofe mental application. To rub the body with woollen cloths, or with foft brufnes, is very falutary, as it gently fti- * Lord Monhoddo, the author of " Jnc'tent Metaphyftcs^* who died in May 1799, in his 90th year, till very lately accuftomed himfelf to take violent exercife, when quite imdreffed, in the open air. He alfo anointed his body, like the ancients, with aromatic oils, efpecially in certain ftates of the atmofphere: in the feverefl: weather he never would enter a caiTiage, which he looked upon as an unjuftifiable effeminacy; but annually rode from Edinburgh to London, and took other long journies on horfeback. And this vene- rable judge and amiable man found himfelf, long after the age of 70, as hale, and in many refpe^s, as vigorous, as he had been at 30 or 40, . muiates ON CLEANLINESS. -25X mulates the fibres, increafes the circulation of the fluids to the external parts, and promotes a free perfpiration, together with all the other evacua- tions. Perfons of a delicate habit, or of a fedentary life, and thofe who are liable to fudden twitches of the tendons, cramps, and lamenefs, may efFe(5lually relieve, or rather prevent thefe complaints, by caufing the whole body, particularly the limbs, to be rubbed every morning and evening, for about half an hour, with rough cloths or fofc brufhes, till the fKin becomes red. This fridion is ftill more beneficial to the aged than to the young j and it may in a great meafure produce the falutary cffefls of bodily exercife. Frequent cutting the hair is of advantage to the eyes, the cars, and indeed the whole body. In like manner the daily walhing of the head with cold water, is an excellent remedy againft periodical head-achs. In coryzas, or defluxions of the hu- mours from the head, and in weak eyes, the fiiav- ing of the head often afibrds immediate relief; while at the fame time it opens the pores, and promoies perfpiration. It is altogether a mifiaken idea, that there is a danger of catching cold from the pradice of wafhing the head, or leaving it ex- pofed to the free air^ after having been waftied. The more frequently the furfacc is cleanfed of fcor- butic and fcaly impurities, the more eafy and com- fortable we feel. The oftener the hair is cut, the Q.2 mQr« 252 ON CLEANLINESS, more quickly it grows again j and this eafy ope- ration fupplies the place of a conftant bliftcr or artificial iffue*. Friflion of the foles of the feet is very advan- tageous; but, on account of the great number of highly fenfible nerves in them, fuch pradice muft not be carried to excefs. A proper degree of warmth and perfpiration in the feet is always a favourable fymptom of health. Befides, they fhould often be bathed in cold, or which is ftill bet- ter, in lukewarm water, well rubbed, and the nails cautioufly cut. There vvill then be no danger of the nails growing into the flefh, or of corns or other callolitles arifing in tlie feet. All the methods hitherto difcovered of extrading corns, afford only temporary eafe ; and it is very dan- gerous to cut them too deep, on account of the * All fecret compofitions or' pomatums for making the iiair grow long and thick, are little better than fraud and impofition, and generally confift of noxious ingredients. In the place of them I reccommend a fimple mixture of olive- oil and fpirlts of rofemary ; to which may be added a few drops of oil of nutmeg. With this mixture let the hair be anointed every night ; but fparingly at firft. To change the hair to a darker colour, the liquid reme- dies fold by the perfumers are generally dangerous, as they confift of lead, antimony, and other metallic folutions. The only method to be purfued with fafety is, to cut the hair pretty dole to the head, and comb it morning and evening vrith a leaden comb,, which fimple procefs cannot injure- or check the perfpiration of the head. Eiany ON CLEANLINESS. 253 Kiany nerves running in every dlreflion of the toes. Eafy (hoes, frequent bathing the feet in lukewarm water, with a little fait and pot-afhes diflblved in it, and a plafter made of equal parts 6^ Gum Galbanum, Saffron, and Camphor, are the only remedies I can recommend againftthis troubk- feme complaint. ■ <^3 [ 254- I CHAP. IV. Of Dress i — the advantages and dijadv ant ages of the ufual mode of Clothing confidered, together vnth propofals for remedying its defers, TN confiderlng the various articles of Drefsj attention muft be paid both to xhtiv fubjiance d,T\6, form. Our mode of clothing may occafion inconve- nience, difcafe, and death. — i. When we attempt by it to improve fome fuppofed defeds of the body, which cannot be done without injury 3 and, a.. When it confifts of improper fubftances, whether ufed from necefTity, or in compliance with falhioa and caprice. To avoid ridicule, we comply with the prevail- ing falhions of the day j but, if this compliance be prejudicial to health, it fnows great weaknefs to allow ourfclves to be carried away with the ilream; and though a deviation from the prevailing mode may, for the moir.ent, excite ridicule in the thought- lefs, yet thofe who have the boldnefs to oppofe the Tyrant, when his dictatorial mandates are inju- rious to health, will in the end triumph, and they may themfclves have the fatisfa<5tion to introduce dreflesj-at once healthful and elegant, Happily, in ON DRESS, ^ 255 in this refpefl, people begin in fome degree to think for themfelves; and that rigid adherence to the mode, which heretofore dreflcd both men and women, as much in uniform fuits as a regiment of •ibldiers, does not now difguft us. The general properties of a good drefs arc the three following : — 1. That it be not fo hard and unpliable, as to obftrud the free and eafy motion of the joints, and be uncomfortable, either from its weight or tightnefs. — 2. That it preferve the body in that degree of temperature which is mod agree* able, as well as moft fuitable to the different functions and motions in a healthy (latCj — and, 3. That it produce no detrimental efieds, cither by increafing perfpiration in an unnecefTary degree, or too much abforbing the vapours of the atmo- fphere. On the Materials ufed for Drefs, The property of receiving, repelling, and emit- ting heat and cold, depends not only on the fubftance from which our drefs is made, and its Ihape or form, but alfo on the colour. Clothes of a light colour have the lead attraflion for heat, and therefore are the moft proper in hot weather, Sub- ftances of a very fmooth and Ihining furface ftrongly refleft the rays of the fun, which cannot penetrate through them j hence the advantage, in hot cli- EQates, of hats covered with oil-fkin, particularly <^4 of 2^6 ON DRESS. of a green or white colour, of fmooth and lliining fhoes, glazed gowns, and the like. Dazzling colours are offenfive, and a perfon v;ho fuffers from weak eyes will injure them ftill more by wearing crimfon or fcarlet, or being much in company with others thus dreffed. For a fimilar reafon, fplendid white drefles, fleel buttons, gold and filver lace, and all ornaments of this fort, are detrimental to vincn. Animal Wool produces a moderate warmth, on account of the ftimulus and gentle fricSlion it oc- cafions on the Ikin. By its ufe, animal eledlricity is elicited, perfpiration prom.oted, the perfpired humours are abforbed, and again eafily evaporated, on account of the porous nature of this fubftance. Linen Clothy by diminifliing the elafticity of the {kin, increafes the internal warmth, and at the fame time, from its compaflnefs, too readily retains the pcrrpirable humours, and does not part with them fo eafily as wool. Soiled fhirts therefore produce adifagreeable cooling fenfation, and obftrufl perfpir- ation, efpecially if made of thick ftrong cloth, and not regularly changed every day. Silk occafions a gende ftimulus, but does not fufficiently promote perfpiration, though it artrads lefs humidity from the atmofphere than linen, Oil-jkifii or wax-cloth, increafes perfpiration in an uncommion degree, but does not admit it to evaporate again, and is therefore applicable only in certain difeafts, Cotton ON DRESS. 257 Cotton may be confidered as an intermediate fub- ftance between animal wool and linen ; it increales warmth and perfpiration, imbibes and retains the perfpired humours, to the injury of the wearer, and, like wool, readily attracts infediiious matter. All kinds of Fur are more noxious than ufeful, both with refpedt to their flruclure and conftituent parts. They contain many alkaline and oily- particles s are geaerally too compadt and unequal on the furface ; too much ftimulate and increafc perfpiration, by promoting the accefs of humours to the fkin i do not allow the perfpirable mat- ter to efcape ; foon acquire an intolerable fmell, and more than any other fubftance atcra6l and retain contagious effluvia. Experience informs us, that nations who drefs in fur, particularly in hot climates, are frequently expofed to difeafes, owing to a want of cleanlinefs and free perfpiration; fuch are the putrid fevers of Plungary, the plague among the Turks, and the fingular difcafe of the hair in Poland, called plica polonica, which curls the whole hair into a number of twifts, that have the appearance of fo many greafy firings, and pre- fent a ghaftly fpeflacle. We ought, therefore, to choofe a drefs agreeable to the feafon and weather, as well as to the confti- ' tution of the body. Woollen clothes are the molt proper in fpring, autumn, and vvfinterj becaule they moderately warm the body, do not weaken it by the abftraclion of too m.any exhalations, and have 25S ON DRESS. have the feweft points of contafV, or, in fhort, do not attach fo clofe to the body, as any other materials of drefs. In fummer, moft people are accuftomed to wear thin clothes, which are fcarcely proper in our changeable climate. It is not ad^nfable, in that Tea- fon, to take much exercife in thin drelTes, particu- larly in the heat of the day. Nor fhould we venture to wear fuch clothes early in the morning, when the air is cool, and the pores of the fkin have been dilated by the warmth of the bed -, — but ftill lefs in the evening, when the heat of the day has fo much opened them, that perfpiration may be eafily checked, and health materially injured. In our variable climate, it would be preferable to adopt a fpecies of drefs, which is nearly uniform in all feafons j for as thin clothes are more imme- diately pervaded by heat, during the lead exercife. It certainly would be more prudent and rational to wear a drefs that is calculated to withfiand the efFedls both of cold and heat. That there is no danger in adopting a general drefs for all feafons j and that, on the contrary, it is the moft beneficial plan of managing the body, with regard to the mofi: important funflion, namely that of perfpiration, I fliall endeavour to prove in the next Seflion, On ON DRESS. S5P On the immediate Covering of the Skin, - The firil and principal rule with refped to this fubje£tis, xhzt. the covering of the Jkin ought to he always the Jayne^ and not he changed according to the Jeajon and the weather. The ufual confequence of this change is, in the firft place, an iineafy and painful ienfation. A fkin accuftomed to fine linen only, cannot endure the fenfation occafioned by a coarfer kind] and cotton is ftill more difagree- able, but, moft of all, animal wool or flannel. In the next place, to change the drefs according to the weather, requires more expence, and time, than is convenient to the great mafs of the people. Neverthclefs, there are many who, from mif- taken maxims of health, accommodate the cover- ing of their fkins to the feafons : they drefs them* felves in winter in flannel, towards fpring and au- tumn they wear cotton, and in fummer, linen ; changes as abfurd as they are dangerous. Not- withftanding the difficulties, which each of thefe va- riations muft produce, while we undergo this new experiment on our fkin, we expofe ourfelves at the fame time, in every fuch change, to all poffible dangers arifing from cold and repelled perfpiration. This cuilom is the more dangerous, as it is ufually praftifed by the infirm, the tender aad the aged, who a6o ON DRESS, who regulate themfelves, in the periodical modes of drefs, lefs by the temperature of the wea- ther, than by the days of the almanack. The queftion then, which is the m^ojl proper co- vering of the Jkittj is eafily anfwered. Animal wool feems to recommend itfelf to us by the very cir- cumftance, that hair is the general covering of thofe animals which mofl: refemble man in their flruclure. If men vvere habituaied to go naked in the colder climates, the human body would, no doubt, alfo be better covered with hair. Animals, in winter as well as in fummer, have the fame 'coat, except that in the coldeft feafon their hair is uniformly fomewhat thicker and longer, confe- quently alfo warmer than in fummer, efpecially in the northern countries. X Not only analogy, but-experience alfo proves, that wool worn next the fkin has indifputable ad- vantages over all other fubftances. For, i. Flan- nel is but a flow condiK^lor of external heat to the body, and it the more eafily attrafts internal heat, and allows it to evaporate the more readily, as it is more porous than any other texture. 2. A fukry atmofphere is extremely troublefome, particularly where great heat is combined with moifture, the humidity checking perfpiration, and at the fame time conducing too many aqueous particles to the abforbent veflels from without. Here thtn aaanel is of incomparable fervice, fmce It ON DRESS. 2$I h keeps the veflels of the Ik'm condantl/ open, caufes them to perfpire freely, and admits but a very fmall degree of external moifturc. The principal good effc6t of flannel, however, confifts in i:s gentle and beneficial ftimulus, or that friflion \vhich it occafions on the flcin, and by which it opens the pores. We mufk not ima- gine, that flannel of itjelf heats more than linen, or cotton ; for it is not the heat vvhich occafions inconvenience, but the circumstance of the per- fpirable matter adhering to the fkin. In flannel, we may perfpire without danger, and undertake any exercife of the body, without difagreeable fenfatior>s ; but not ^io^ when linen remains wet ofi the fkin. If we take violent exercife in flannel, per- fpiration is necelTarily increafed, but the perfpired matter is communicated through the flannel to the atmofphere, and the Ikin rem.ains dry, warm, and comfortable. If we take the fame exercife in linen Ihirts, perfpiration is indeed alfo increafed, but the perfpired matter is not imparted to the atmo- fphere, but is infpiflated in a fluid fl:ate, clogs the linen, and remains in contact with the flcin. Another advantage which flannel poflcfl"es over linen and cotton is, that people perfpiring pro- fufely in flannel fhirts, may fafely venture into the open air, and will not eafily catch cold, becaufe flannel does not retain the perfpired humours. If we do the fame in linen fiiirts, the flcin will loon* be wetted by perfpiration, which wiii cccafion a 5 fenfatioa i62 ON DRESS. fenfation of chilUncfs and fhivering ; in moft cafes a violent cold, and very frequently an inflammation of the lungs, will be the confequence. This dan- ger arifes from the fluid matter fetding on the fkin; and we may be ftill more feverely injured, if we at the fame time expofe ourfelves to the aflion of the wind, or a current of air. Numberlefs writers, both ancient and modern, confirm the good efl'ecfls of flannel next the fldn : of thefe I fliall only quote Count Rumfjrd, who fays, in one of his earlier Eflfays, that he is con- vinced of the utility of flannel fliirts in all feafons ; that he has worn them in all climates, in the warm- cfl: apartments, and during the moft fatiguing exercife^ without the leaft difficulty ; that he was relieved, by the ufe of flannel, from a pain in his breaft which he had been frequendy fubjeft to, and never flnce knew an hour's illnefs : and that nothing exceeds the agreeable fenfation of this drefs, when we are once accuftomed to it. Indeed after the praifes befl:owed upon flannel, by fo many refpedable authorities, and by men who from long experience have afcertained its bene- ficial effeds, it is furprifing, that any individual, however great his reputation, fhould be whimfical or hardy enough to difpute its general falubrity, merely with a view to eftablifli a favourite hypo- thefis. It has been objefled, that flannel worn next the fkin is debilitating, becaufe it too much increafes . 8 perfpiration j ON DRESS, 263 perfpiratlon ; but this is not founded on truth, ilnce perfpiration, as long as the Jkin remains dry^ never can be hurtful, nor immoderate. Such miftaken notions have been propagated, from the circumftance. that flannel is frequently ordered by phyficians, to increafe perfpiration in fome difeafes, where it is neceflary to the recovery of the patient : hut the copious perfpiration is then the effe^ of the dijeaje^ and not of the flannel. The uneafy fenfation occafioned by fiannel is of very fhort duration. That it may make the Ikin red and inflamed, if it be too much rubbed and fcratched, cannot be denied , but it is a pal- pable error that it produces cutaneous eruptions. It has quite a contrary effed ; as it .preferves the pores open, increail^s perfpiration, and thus re- moves the caufe of cutaneous difeafes, which arife chiefly from a checked .and irregular flate of ex- cretion by the pores. In anfwer to another objedion againfi: the wear- ing of flannel, it is certain, that a flannel fliirt or waiflicoat may preferve the body as clean, and much cleaner, than linen, if as frequently changed^. Wool, * This preliminary condition, I prefuxne, fufHcIently anfwers the objeiTtion of a learned writer, according to whom a flannel drefs requires a more frequent change than liaen, to proinote cleanlinefs^ and confequently would produce a contrary effect among the lower clafTes of people. Yet, in other refpeds, I fully agree with the celebrated Hufe- JLAND, who lays down the following conditions and limit- ations fi64 OM DRESS. Wool, on account of its rough furface, is more calculated to abforb infedious morbid matter. atlons in what relates to the ufe of flannel : — " Upon the whole, * fays he,' I am of opinion that it would not be advifable, at leafl to children and young perfons, umverjally to adopt a woollen texture for the covering of the fkin. It is, however, -a. faliitary dvtis to thofe who, in all proba- bility, have commenced the fecond half of their life ; to all cold or phlegmatic temperaments ; to all who lead a fe- dentary life ; to individuals fubje6l to catarrhs, or frequent tolds, gout, diarrhoea, and partial congeftions of the blood ; to all nervous patients and convalefcents from fevere chro- nic diforders ; to perfons who are too fufceptible of the impreflions of the atmofphere ; and laftly, in fuch climates and purfuitis of life as are expofed to frequent and fudden changes of air. — It is, on the contrary, hurtful to all thofe, without exception, who are already fubjedl to violent per- fpiration, or troubled with cutaneous eruptions, and who canot afford to change their under-drefs as often as is confiftent with cleanlinefs." ProfefTor Hufeland, doubtlefs, meant to fay that the wearing of flannel next the flcin is then only huriful^ if none of the conditions before fpecified reconcile its ufe; for, even in cafes apparently doubtful, the temporary wearing ' of flannel is not attended with fuch danger as might per- haps refult from negleding its application. But though it be obvioufly conducive to health, the Profeifor recom- mends only fuch a texture of wool, as is fufficiently porous, and neither too rough nor too thick. — Coarfe woollen {lock- ings in winter, and thin ones in fummer, ought in his opi- nion to be more generally worn. Thofe perfons, laftly, who are in a good ftate of health, and have no particular reafon for wearing flannel, or whofe fl<.in is .too irritable, may find it, he thinks, beneficial to wear a cloth fabricated of a mixed texture of cotton and linea. than ON DRESS. 265 than a more fmooth fubftance ; but we have no- thing to apprehend from flannel next the fkin. I am rather of opinion, that it is a better pre- ventive againft contagion than any other; be- caufe, while it encourages perfpiration, it at the fame time removes the inhaled poifonous par- ticles, particularly if, in cafes of danger, perfpi- ration be increafed by other fuitable means. Hence people wearing flannel on their fkin, never fufl'er from cold. I have been informed, that the manu- fadurers in the diff^erent founderies of Birmingham, as well as at the iron-works of Colebrook-Dale and Kettley, in the moil intenfe heat, wear no other but flannel (hirts; and that without thefe it would be impofTible to prevent continual colds, and the mofl: fatal difeafes. With this beneficent , intention the Britifli foldiers upon the Continent, fome years ago, were furnifiied with flannel waiftcoats, by the liberal fubfcriptions of indi- viduals, which, I am convinced, faved many brave fellows that muft otherwife have fallen vidims t;o the effedls of a cold and moifl: climate. Thefe advantages fl:rongly recoijimend the ufe -^ - of flannel to every one anxious to preferve his health, but particularly to thofe who are expofed to all kinds of weather, as hulbandmen, fifhermen, ^ mariners, foldiers, and travellers. As flannel is fuitable to all feafons ; as it requires no great changes in the under-drefs ; and as it is a tolerable fubflitute for a deficiency ofupper-drefsi it deferves R every '^^^ ON DRE3S. . every attention among thole who provide for orphan and poor-houfes, as well as for the indigent of every defcription. Many defperate difeafes in the legs of the common people, many inflammations of the throat, bread, and lungs, might be prevented, and numbers of lives faved, both of children and adults, if flannel were more generally worn. Thole who complain of cold legs and feet, are never comfortable nor healthy : but if they could be prevailed upon to wear worfl:ed ftockings and flannel drawers, they would acquire a quicker circulation of the blood in the lower extremities, and prevent many troubles and indifpofitions, from which, without this precaution, they cannot efcape. Moll valetudinarians and patients pay no attention to this advice, becaufe they imagine that the wearing of flannel is attended with uneafyTenfations. This idea, however, ought not to prevent them from giving it a fair triah for the uncomfortable fenfation continues only a few days, as I have myfelf ex- perienced ; and this trifling facrifice cannot be com- - •pared with the falutary efl^ccls, which flannel next . the fkin almoft uniformly produces. By continuing it a fufficient length of time, and changing it fre- quently, the mofl: obfl:inate gouty and rheumatic complaints have often been removed, and many other imminent dangers averted. Children afflidcd with rickets, cannot be better- relieved than by a proper diet, and flannel fhirts, which may be daily fumigated with amber, petroleum, or other fra- grant ON DRESS. 267 grant fubftancesi a procefs, which has been fre- quently produflive of the mod beneficial efFefts. Of Stockings. Cotton ftockings, which are fo generally worn at prefent, are highly objeftionable. There is no part of the human frame, which perfpires fo much. as the feet. The difagreeable fenfation cold feet produce, is well known j for the conne<5tion be- tween the feet and head, the ftomach, the uterus, and many other important parts of the human fyftem, is fo intimate, that gout, fiippreffion of the critical evacuations, pain in the excretory organs^ nay cancer, inflammation of the uterus, and abor- tion, may be the confequence of cold feet and legs, which are the neceffary efFeds of wearing cotton and fik ftockings. Cotton and linen worn next the fkln^ if once filled with perfpirable matter, do not admit any more to pafs through themj a glu- tinous and cooling moifture accumulates, and it is not eafy to keep the feet thoroughly clean in this drefs. Thofe who alternately wear cotton and worfted ftockings, muft foon obferve the difference in the exhalation and moifture peculiar to each. Cotton, though fomewhat better than linen, is ftill much inferior to wool, which is alone calculated to abforb and exhale the noxious humours emitted by the pores. R 2 The, ft63 ON DRESS. The reciprocal efTc6t of the perfpiration of the feet, and of the leather of the fhoes, is greater than is commonly believed. Hence tbofe, who wear cotton {lockings, ought, from refpeft to cleanlinefs, as well as health, to change them according as their exercife increafes perfpiration. Although the feet are the principal fources or condudors of exhalation from the body, little attention has been paid to them, with the view of promoting this fakitary fccretion. Inftead of profiting by this hint of Nature, mankind have been imprudently and unaccountably ftudious to flop that canal; imagining this to be the fafeft way of preferving the feet dry, and free from all difagreeable fmell. Dry feet are certainly pre- ferable to moid : but the means of promoting perfpiration, are al-fo the only means capable of keeping the feet dry, and free from any unplea- fant fetor. — It is alfo improper and unhealthy to wear any other but woollen gloves, which ought to be worn by all females, who wifh to improve the fl<:in of their hands and arms ; no cofmetics or waflies are fo certain and fo power- ful in their efFc6ls : on the contrary, all external applications, unlels afiifted by internal remedies, are attended with the pofitive ruin of the Ikin, bloom, and health. Perfons who perfpire freely in their feet, and who increafe this exudation by much walking or dancing, will no doubt be fenfible, that cot- ton, ON DRESS, 2iS9 ton, thread, or filk {lockings, inftead of remov- ing the tranfpired matter, a(ftual]y retain itj bring it in contact with the fkin j preferve it in a ftate of heat favourable to putiefadlions and check all farther perfpiration. That the feet are more expofed to the effetfts of cold, and to ftagnations of the fluids, than any other part of the body, is unqueftionable: ift, be- caufe they are the moft remote parts from .the heart, and the quicknefs of the circulation of the blood decreafes in proportion to that diftance ; .and 2d, the blood circulating downwards makes its way to the heart fomewhat flower, on account of its relative gravity. By this flownels in the cir- culation, more watery particles are depofited by the blood. It is therefore necefl^ary to keep the feet fomewhat warmer than ttie refl: of the body, in order to encourage the motion of the fluids to the upper parts. Woollen ftockings arc ■excellently adapted for this purpofe, and they ought to be chofen rather thicker than thofe flan- nels ufed for (hirts and drawers. For the fame reafon, it is proper to prevent all moifture from "without, by means of water-proof flioes provided with thick cork foles for the winter, or with elaftic focks of horfe-hair. The moft difagreeable fenfation produced by the feet in perfpiring, is between the toes: this can only be prevented by wearing ftockings made with toes, like the fingers of gloves , becaufe thefe R 3 alone 270 ON DRESS. alone can abforb and prevent the vifcid and fetid particles from fettling there. But as this propofal is not likely to meet with the approbation of the votaries of fafliion, I fhall fubftitutc an eafier me- thod of remedying the unpleafant efFeds of violent perfpiration in the feet. A powder of burnt alum will overcome this fetor, by neutralifing the acrid particles; and, at the fame time, will not ob- Itrud the neceflary perfpiration. Of Drejsy as to its Form, All coverings for the head, of whatever kind, produce more mifchief than benefit. The well- known and excellent rule, of keeping the head cool, and the feet warm, is too much negle, as was for- merly the cafe with fhort fhoes, we now fqueeze them together, and often lay them crofs-ways over one another, fo as to carry them about without motion, like a mere infenfible mafs of matter. Upon ftriking the foot againft a (lone, we feel the punidiment due to fuch folly. Shoes of this kind may be aptly compared to the wooden boxes worn by the Dutch and French peafants, from nece(rity, in wet fealbns, and which admit of quite as much motion as the long and narrow machines, in which our votaries of fafhion cramp their feet from choice. A convenient (hoe, therefore, ought to be fomewhat round ac the toes, fufHcicndy long, with thick foles, and the upper leather foft and pliable. If It be deficient in any of thefe requifites, the fkin ■will be rendered callous ; the perfpiration indifpenf- able to thefe parts will be flopped ; warts and corns ■will be formed in numbers j the nails will grow into the flefh, and various complicated maladies be produced, which not only afFed the feet, but the whole body. Befide thefe more ferious conle- quences, a perfon walking with narrow flioes vvill be much fooner, and more fenfibly fatigued, s 4 than 288 ON DRESS." than he whofe fhoes are fufficiendy wide and eafy. , The poor, as well as country- people, who wear fhoes fufficiently large, have not only a much fafer ftep, but their feet are lefs fubjeft to the mul- tiplicity of complaints, with which ours are annoyed, Thofe who, either from inclination or frugality, go barefooted in fummer, have not even to plead the reafon of the Ancients, who confidered it as a token of chaftity ; and I cannot help remarking, that it is both indecorous and unwholefome, as well as an injudicious fpecies of oeconomy, efpecially in the northern parts of Britain. The flioe, in our climate and mode of life, is a neceffary defence againft: many accidental injuries, to which the foot is liable; and it is likewife a crime againft cleanlinefs, to expofe any part of the human body to duft and mire. With rcfpc(5l to the Juhfiance of which fhoes fhould be made, no other general rule can be given, than that it ought to be fufficiently compa(fl, to prevent the water from penetradng it ; fo elaftic and foft, as to admit an eafy motion of the whole foot; and accommodated to the weather, exercife, and foil in which it is ufed. To thofe who have not the means or opportunity of procuring the patent water-proof leather, I (hall fugged a method of preparing this fpecies of leather, at a very fmall ex- pence. One pine of drying oily two ounces of yellovj waXf two ounces of /pirit of turpentinej and half ON DRESS, 285 half an ounce of Burgundy -pitchy Ihould be carefully melted together, over a flow fire. Thofe to whom the fmell of pitch and turpentine is unpleafant, may add a few drachms of fome cheap cfTential oil, as of lavender^ thyme, and the like. With this compofition new fhoes and boots are rubbed, either in the fun, or at fome diftance from a fire, with a fponge or foft brufli : this operation is to be re- peated as often as they become dry, until they be fully faturated *. In this manner, the leather at length becomes impervious to wet ; the fhoes or boots made of it laft much longer than thofe made of common leather, acquire 'fuch fofinefs and pliability, that they never flirivel nor grow hard and inflexibile, and, thus prepared, are the moft effedual prefcrvatives againft cold and chilblains. To conclude, I (hall only remark, that it is not advifable to change the fhoes from one foot to the other. Let us rather tread one of the fhoes fome- what crooked, than injure our {'ttt and health, by an adherence to a cuflom, which has nothing but cuftom to recommend it. If it be our ferious wifh to avoid corns and other painful inconvcnien- cies, to which the rage of fafliion fubjects the feet of its votaries, we ihould perfuade the fhoe-maker * It deferves to be remarked, that the fhoes or boots thus prepared, ought not to be worn till they have become perfedly dry and elaftic ; as, in the contrary cafe, the lea- ther will be too foft, and wear out much fooner than €ven the common kind, without this preparation. to 290 ON DRESS. to provide us with a particular fhoe for each foot; and this can be done only by keeping Jeparate double lajts, for every wearer. — Is iL not injudici- cious and abfurd, to have both flioes made of the fame fize and form, when Nature has not formed both (tttt. alike, or at lead not in the fame diredion ? It gives me great fatisfa(5i:ion to add that, fince the firft edition of thefe Leftures was publifhed, the rational ^^raftice of having feparate Ihoes pur- pofciy made for each foot, has already been adopted among the more enlightened clalTcs of fociety. From a full convidion of its great utility, I fmcerely wilh that it may foon become uni- verfal ! [ 291 ] CHAP. V. Of Food i its ^lantity, ^ality, Propcrtion^ lative Salubrity^ 1'ime of taking it, i^c. 're- A LTHOUGH it be certain, that animal life could not be fupported without food and drink, few individuals give themfelves the trouble of refledting, how the very important fundlion of aflimilating our aliment is accomplifhed. That office of the ftomach, by which a!I living creatures are fupported, deferves the attention of every in- quifidve mind. Were I not confined in my pbn to the relative falubrity of Food and Drink, with- out entering into phyfiological difquifitions, how the digeftive organs prepare and condu6l the food from one (lage to another, till it is converted into chyle, and from that into blood, I might amufe my readers with a variety of fpeculations and theories, none of which are fully eftablifhed ; but fuch digreffions, however entertaining or gratify- ing to curiofity, would be of little fcrvice, either in making the proper choice of aliment, or in alcer- taining its wholefome or pernicio'us qualities. If, in the early periods of fociety, when men fubfifted upon roots, plants, and animal food, as they Sg2 OF FOOD. they were promifcuouriy found, people did not refie6b upon the relative falubrity of things, we have no right to cenfure them ; as they often might have been flarved before they could have difco- vered their qualities. But if we^ in our prefent ilate of knowledge, neglefb fuch inquiries^i if we indifcriminately feed on whatever is prefented to our palate j fuch condu61: deferves fevere animad- verfion. For, as man affumes the right of calling himfelf Lord of the Creation, it is a duty in- cumbent on him, to make himfelf acquainted with the nature and properties of thofe fubftances, which fo effentially contribute to animal ex- iftcnce. Hence it may be juftly afked, what are the conftituent parts of aliment—- how. are they to be diftinguifhed — are they of different kinds, or do they, with all the difference of foriii and tafte, ftill manifeft the fame properties, powers, and effects — do they promifcuoufly fupply all the parts of the human body, or are particular kinds of food more or lefs adapted to fupply the wants of different parts of the body — and laftly, have all fubltances, we make ufe of as food, an equal fhare in this nutritive priitciple ? Such are the queftions, which muff arife in every refleding mind ; and as the prefervation of the body depends fo much on the manner, in which the continual wafte is fup- plied, it is a matter of the firfl: confequence, to choofft OF FOOD. 25IJ choofe the fubitances which are mod congenial to the different ftates and (Conditions of the body. An eaftern Dervife was once afked by a wealthy Mahometan, " Of what fervice to fociety is an *' order of men, who employ themfelves in fpecu- '* lative notions of divinity and medicine ?" — " if *' you were more cautious and temperate in your " meals" anfwered the Dervife ; " if you would *' learn to govern your pafTions and defires, by a " due attention to abftinence, you all might be " fages, and have no occafion for Dervifes among ** you. But your appetite and aliment impair " your underftanding !" In the confumption of food we are liable to commit errors, both as to their quantity and quality. The error in the quantity, however, is generally the moft detrimental. A fmall portion of food can be better digefted and more eafily changed into chyle, or that a-limentary fluid, from which the blood derives its origin, than a large portion, which injures the coats of the fto- mach, and prevents them from exerting their force. Hence every fatiety, or fuperfluity, is noxious. It is in infancy, and early age, that the founda- tion is laid for the many difeafes arifing from indigeftion, which are now found in almoft every family. If children are fed immoderately, and beyond the real wants of Nature, the firft pafTages become 294 Oti" FOOD. become too much diftended, and their flomach by degrees acquires an unnatural craving for food, which muft be fatisfied, whatever be the confequence. Thefe exceffive fupplies not only are unneceffary, but produce the moll ferious and fatal diforders. There is a certain relation fubfifting between what is taken in> and what is loft by the body : if we eat and drink much, we likewife lofe much, without gaining any more by it, than we might do by moderate meals.— For that which yields the alimentary particles^ is, as it were, drowned by the current; and muf- cular energy is not only decreafed, but in a great meafure deftroyed. Yet eating too little would' be going to rhe oppofite extreme, retard the growth to bodily perfeflion, and eventually diminifli the digeftive power of the ftomach, by depriving it of its due fliare of exercifc and fupport. Nature is eafily fatisfied, and is always beft pro- vided, if we do not intrude upon her more than fhe is accuftomed to. If we have, for fome time, taken little nouriftiment. Nature becomes fo ha- bituated to it, that we feel indifpofed, as foon as the ufual meafure is tranfgreflcd j and both the ftomach and its digeftive powers are thereby im- paired. The hardy countryman digefts the crude and folid food, at which the ftomach of the luxurious citizen recoils. In order to ftrengthen that or- 15 gan. OF FOOD. 295 gan, we ought not to withhold from it what keeps it in proper exercife. But for this purpofe, we fhould rather improve the quality, than in- creafe the quantity of alimentary fubftances. It is with this organ as with all other parts of the body : the more exercife we give it, the more ftrength and vigour it acquires. Hence, it is highly improper to leave off eating food of dif- ficult digeflion, as fome people are apt to do ; for this is not the way of improving the energy of the body. It would be a fruitlefs and impra<5licable at- tempt, to lay down fixed rules, by which the re- fpedive falubrity or pernicioufnefs of every fpecies of aliment might be determined, in its application to the individual. It has been before obferved, that fuch rules do not exift in Nature ; and that the relative ftate and condition of the perfon, time, and circumftances, muft ferve as , our guide.— Hence it may be confidered 2s a general rule, that all incongruous mixtures and compofitions, for inftance milk and vinegar, or other acids, or milk and fpirits, are hurtful, by generating an acid and acrid whey in the (lomach, and at the fame time producing an indigeftible coagulated mafs. Having premifed thefe lntrodu and in fome people of a weak and flow di- gefl:ion much later, is always attended with fome increafe of irritability, which in perfons of great fenfibility, may degenerate into a painful^ fenfation or illnefs. At this time, therefore, nervous and hypochondriac perfons are frequently troubled with their ufual paroxyfms -, they are fcized with anguifli, opprefllon, and an inclination to faint, without any external caufe. Perfons in this condition of body, as well as all febrile patients, and efpecially thofe who are troubled with ftomachic complaints, would ai5t extremely wrong and imprudent, to undertake any exercife whatever, before their victuals be com- pletely digeflred j as during digefl:ion all the fluids coiled towards the fl:omach. In violent exercife, or an increafed ftate of perfpiration, the fluids are propelled to the external parts, and withdrawn from the fl.onnach, where they are indifpenfable to afUft the proper concoftion. As to the propriety q{ Jleeping after dinner ^ we may learn from thofe animals, which fleep after feeding, that a little indulgence of' this kind cannot be 30S OF FOOD. be hurtful. Yet this again cannot be eftabliihed as a general rule among men. For the animals which fleep after food, are for the moft part fup- piied with fubftances of fo very difHcult digeftion, and fohard in their nature, that great digeftive powers are required to convert them into aliment- ary matter. Hence this pratlice can be recom- mended only to the nervous and debilitated, and to delicate perfons in general, v/ho are much em- ployed in mental exercife, and are pafb the middle age—- "Cfpecially after a heavy meal, in hot weather, and warm climates. Experience, however, teaches us, that, in this refpe6t, a Ihort fleep, of a few minutes only, is fufEcient and preferable to one of longer duration; for, in the latter cafe, we lofe more by an increafe of infenfible perfpiration, than is conducive to ■ digeftion. — But the pofidon of the body is far from being a matter of indifference. The beft is a re- clined and not a horizontal pofture, from which head-ach may eafily arife, when the (lomach prelTes upon the fubjacent inteftines, and the blood is con- fequently impelled to the head. The old pradice of {landing or walking after dinner is fo far im- proper, as it is hurtful to take exercife, while the ftomach is diftended by food, the fenfation of which lafts at leaft for one hour. In the primitive ages, people fubfifted chiefly upon plants and fruits. Even to this day, many feds and whole nations, the Bramins for inftance, abftain OF FOOD. ^OO abftain from animal food. The ancient Ger- mans, alfo, who were much renowned for their bodily ftrength, lived upon acorns, wood apples, four milk, and other produ6tions of their then uncultivated foil. In the prefent mode of life, here as well as on the Continent, a great propor- tion of the poorer clafs of country- people fubfill chiefly on vegetables ; but although they duly digeft their vegetable aliment, and become vigor- ous, yet it is certain, that animal food would anfwer thefe purpofes much better. Hence in countries where the labouring clafs of people live principally upon animal food, they far excel in bodily ftrength and duration of life. A popular writer obferves, that " animal food ." is lefs adapted to the fedentary than the labo- " rious, whofe diet ought to. confift chiefly of " vegetables. Indulging in animal food renders "men dull and unfit for the purfuits of fcience, " efpecially when it is accompanied with the free " ufe of ftrong liquors." This is partly true, but Dr. Buchan ought to have added, that the infirm, and thofe who labour under complaints of indi- geftion, will fufFer ftill more from the uCc of vege- table fubftances, which by their peculiar nature, produce too much acid, and require ftronger di- geftive organs, in order to be changed into a good alimentary fluid. Dr. Buchan farther obferves, that "confump- " tions, fo common in England, are in part owing "to '-^^-^ OF THE %^^ JlVPptrr 3IO OF FOOD, \ " to the great ufe of animal food." To this af- fertion no one will give his affent, who is acquainted with the clafs of men carrying on the bufinefs of butchers, among whom it is as rare to hear of z confumptive perfon, as it is to find a failor- troubled with the hypochondriafis. I mufl: quote another obfervation of this gentleman, to which I cannot implicitly fubfcribe. Having remarked, that the mod common difeafe in this country is the fcurvy; that we find a tindlure of it in almoft every family, and in fome a very deep taint, he fays, — '« that a difeafe fo general muft have a *'. general caujCy and there is none Jo obvious^ as the " great quantity of animal food devoured by the " natives. As a proof, that fcurvy arifes from "^ this caufe, we are in poffcffion of no remedy " for that difeafe equal to the free ufe of frefh - " vef^etables." He likewifc remarks, " that the " choleric difpofition of the Englifh is almoft pro- *' verbial, and if he were to aflign a caufe of it, « it would be their living fo much on animal « foodj" and finally, that "there is no doubt ' " but this induces a ferocity of temper unknown «' to men, whofe food is chiefly taken from the " vegetable kingdom." There is fome truth mingled with much fallacy in thefe alTertions. I will allow, that animal food predifpofes people to fcorbutic complaints, and that it renders men more bold and fanguinary in their temper i but there are a variety of other 6 caufes OF FOOD. JII caufes which produce a fimilar efFc6t. Nor are the Englilh fo choleric :a people as the Italians and Turks, both of whom, though Iparing in the ufe of animal food, are uncommonly vindidlive. It is farther not to be imputed to the confum.ption of fiefh-meat,' or the want of vegetables alone, that the fcurvy is fo frequent in this country, both on land and at fea. There appears to me to exifl: a powerful caufe, to which people pay very little attention, and from which the fcurvy more fre- quendy derives its origin than from any other; the difference of food being in faft only a concur- rent caufe. If we confider the very fudden and frequent changes of temperature in our climate ; if we compare the prefent mode of living with that of our anceflors, who did not interrupt the digeftion of one meal by another, fuch as our rich luncheons in the forenoon, and our tea and coffee in the afternoon, when the digeftive crgans are, as it were, drowned in thefc favourite liquids; — if^ farther, we reflefl upon the irregular manner in which our time of repofe is arranged, fo that we fpend a great part of our life in the unwhole- fome night air, partly at late fuppers, and pardy in the modern pradice of travelling at night ;— if all thefe circumftances be duly weighed, we cannot be at a lofs to difcover a more general caufe of fcorbutic complaints, than that of eating too much animal food. After 312 OF FOOD. Afcer theie reflexions, it will not be difficult to comprehend, that the moft important of the human fimdions is materially injured, by thefe habitual irregularities. I allude to injenfihle ferjfirationy which is fo far from being encouraged and fup- ported by fuch conduil, that the noxious particles> •which ought to be evaporated, are daily and hourly repelled, again abforbed by the la(fleals, and re- condufted to the mafs of the circulating fluids. Here they can produce no other efft:(5l than that of tainting the humours with acrimonious particles, and difpofing them to a ftate of putrefcency and diflfolution, which is the leading fymptom of fcurvy. After the minuteft inquiries among fea-faring peo- ple, as well as the inhabitants of the country, I have been informed, that thofe individuals, who pay due attention to the ftate of their fkin, by wearing flannel fhirts and worfted (lockings, and do not expofe themfelves too often to night-air, or other irregularities, are feldom, if ever, troubled with fcurvy. To return to the fubjefl of animal food and its efi'efts, it deferves to be remarked, that a too frequent and exceffive ufe of it difpofes the fluids to putrefadion, and, I believe in fome fanguine temperaments, communicates to the mind a degree of ferocity. Nations fubfifting chiefly upon the flefli of animals, like the Tartars, are in general more fierce than others ; and the fame efFeft is manifeft in carnivorous animals : they emit a very difagrce- 14 able in a much greater quantity than vegetable aliment. The a<5livity and courage of carnivorous animals prove, that the feeding upon flefii gives fpirit and ftriengtb,- heats the body, and preferves the mufcles in a vigor- ous ftate. For thefe reafons, much animal food -iis-' improper for thofe of a full habit and abundance of blood, for febrile patients, and thofe who are difpofed to hemorrhages or lodes of blood. The- phlegmatic, on the contrary, and thofe, o£ thia:' watery fluids, and avveak digeftion, may wirii: fafety eat more animal than vegetable food.-^jQfi the different kinds of flefh, Rame Ja,mofl: heatine:, that of young domeftic animals leafli^./o^Jnftanc^P^ of calves and chickens, particularly when; they are, eaten with vegetable fubftances containing an ,acid>. fuch as forrel, afpara^^us, &c. That animal food difpofes to putrefcency, I have before remarkcdi hence it ought to be fparlngly ufed in fummer, and in hot climates. Perfons, whofe fluids already evince a putrid tendency, and who are rem,i,-nded.of it by frequent eruptions of the flvin, pr who have a difpofition to corpulency, fhould abftain from au too copious ule or animal food. , . I have alfo obferved, that the fllefn o^ carnivd-.' itoiis animals has' an extraordinary tendency to pu- trefaiflion^ OF FOOD. 321 trcfaflion, as is obvious from their fetid perfpir- ationj that it contains an acrimony and alkalef- cency foreign to our nature j and that it does not afford mild nutriment. The fiefh of granivorc-us animals, partaking more of the vegetable prin- ciple, is lefs fubjedt to putrefadlion ; and though it be lefs nourifliing, and kfb abounding in fpi- rituo'us particles than that of the former, yet it fupplies us with a milder and more congenial aliment. The meat of fiih being, like the element iti'r which they live, moft diftincl fromt-he nature of man, is of all others the leaR wholcfome ^nd ^ nutritive. The tame quadrupeds that fuck .the mother's milk, if they reft too much and are quickly fed, do not afford a good and well-prepared food. In animals, which have tender mufcies and little exer-^q cife, thofe parts are probably the raoft wholefomeri which are more in motion than others, fuch as theu legs and head. ^ . "i :^Poultry furniflies us with the moil valuable' ^ aliment, as it has excellent and well-digefted fluids, from its more frequent exergile. and con- -. ftant refidence in the open and pure air. Some animals, whtn young, have tough and fpongy flefh, which is mollified and improved by age, and can be eaten only after a certain nme, fuch as eels and carp. Others are hard when young, and muft be ufed early, becaufe that hardnefs • increafcs J2a OF FOOD. increafes with their age ; as the haddock, and many other fpecies of filh. The fleih of old animals, that have lefs mufcular patts than the young ones of the fame fpecies, is indigeftible ; and wc may lay it down as a general rule, that the more the flcfh of an animal is difpofed to putre- fadion, the more it is unwholcfome. Vedl^ although affording lefs nutriment than the flefh of the fame animal i£i a ftate of maturity, contains many nourifliing an(5 earthy particles, and produces little or no difpofition to flatulency : it ought, however, not to be brought to marker, till the calf is at kaft fix weeks old, and fed, if pof- fible, on the mother's milk. Veal is not of a heating nature, and m,ay therefore be allowed to febrile patients in a very weak flate, efpecially with the addition of fome acid ; — it is alio the rnoft proper food for perfons who have a difpofition to hemorrhages. On account of the great propor- tion of vifcidity it contains, perfons difpofed to phlegm and complaints of the abdomen, ought to abftain from its ufe. For thefe reafons, we recommend veal-broth, efpecially in pedoral and inflammatory difeafes. The lungs, the liver, and the tongue of calves, are lefs vifcous than the flefli ; and being foft, mild, and eafily digefted, they are very proper for fick perfons and convalefcents. No animal fat is lighter than this -, it fhows the leaft difpofition to putrefcency j and it may therefore be ufed, in preference to any other, .by perfons of 15 afcdrbutic OF FOOD. 323 a fcorbutic taint. The fat of veal fhould not bfc boiled J as that operation foftens its fibres too much, diffolves the jelly, and renders it unfit for digeftion. But, by roafting, it becomes drier, and fomevvhat more folid ; both the ferous and thick parts of the blood are incrafiated in the external vclTels, the fibres are dried up, and a cruft is formed, beneath which the fluids are moved, and changed into vapour, by the continued application of heat. In this operation all the fibres lie, as it were, in a vapour-bath, and are perfectly ibftened without lofing any of the jelly. Roafting, therefore, may be confidered as the beft mode of preparing this meat. Baking alio forms a crull over it like roafting, but the fat incralfated by heat may occafion inconvenience, as it polTeffes an oily acrimony, and is with difficulty digefted. For the fame reafon, it is improper to eac the burnt crufl of any meat, of which fome perfons are particularly fond, though it contains an empyreumatic oil, highly pernicious, and altogether indigeftible. For roafting, the mellow and juicy kidney-piece, or the breaft of veal, deferves the preference: the leg is too dry and fibrous ; it requires good teeth to be well chewed, renders the ufe of tooth- picks more necelTary than any other dilb, and is frequently troublefome to the ftomach. In ihort, veal does not agree well with weak and indolent ftomachs, which require to be exercifed with a firmer fpecies of meat. When boiled, it is but 324 OF FOOD. but nightly nourifliing, and when we make a meal upon veal alone, we foon feel a renewal of the cravings of the appctice. For removing the acid from the ftomach, veal is the moll improper article of diet. But to patients recovering from indifpo- fition, firft may be given veal-broth, then roafted veal, and lafily beef; the properties of v/hich we fhall now confider *. Beef affords much good, animating, and ftrong nouriibment; and no other food is equal to the flefh of a bullock of a middle age. On account of its heating nature, it ougtit not to be ufed where there is already an abundance of heat; and perfons of a violent temper fliould eatit in moderation. It is peculiarly ferviceable to hard-working men; and its fat is almoft as eafily digefted as that of veal. It deferves, however, to be remarked, that the tongue, the intfeflines or tripe, and the fau- fages made of beef are more difficult of digcftion th'ih the milfcular part; and that it would be ex- tremely improper to give them to nurfes, children, or lying'-in womeh. •A horrid cuiloni.has been introduced by luxury, of feeding, calves^ cooped up in boxesfo fmall as to prevent all motion, and from which light is totally excluded : by this cruel refinement their fieih is, by epicures, thought to be rendered more white and delicate; but if humanity does not revolt at this practice, tbofe vyho have any regard for health fhonld avoid eating the flelh of an animal reared in this unnatural and putrefcent ftate. The OF POOD. 325 The meat of old bullocks, fed and kept in cbe ftall, when unfit for labour, is fcarcely digeftible; it is burthenfome to the {lon:iach, and as well as that of old cows (which is ftill worfe) contains no whole- fome fluids. Though beef be more frequently eaten boiled, yet it is more nourifhing and digefti- ble when roafted. Finally, beef is almoft the only fpecies of animal food, with which the ftomach is not eafily furfeited, and which is in proper feafon throughout the year. Pork yields a copious and permanent nourifh- ment, which does not difagree with the robuft and laborious, but which, from its abundance of acrid fat, is not wholefome to perfons of a weak flomach or fedentary life ; as thefe animals live and are fed in fties without exercife, and in an impure air. From the want of clean water, tjieir fl^fii acquires a tough and ftrong confidence, and is indigeftible but by a healthy bile. Perfons who have impure fluids, and a tendency to erup- tions, as well as thofe who have wounds qr ulcers, fhould refrain from the ufe of pork ; for this food will difpofe them to inflammation and gangrene: it is equally improper in a catarrhal ftate of the breaft, in weak ftomachs, coughs, and confumptions. The ancient phyficians confidered pork as the beft and moft nutritious meat, if afllfted by pro- per digeftive powers. But they were certainly miftaken in this fuppofitioni for, although its qua- lity J26 OF FOOD. Hty Is fuch as requires a fmaller quantity to fatisfy the cravings of the ftomach, yet veal and beef^ taken in increafed proportions, afford equal, if not more nourilhment, and doubtlefs a more whole- fome fupply of animal jelly, than pork, under fimilar circumftances of the individual, would produce. By allowing thefe animals clean food* and the enjoyment of pure air and exercife, their flcfh might be much improved in falubrity; but the farmer is not felicitous about the quality of the meat, if he can produce it in great quantities, in which he is certain to fucceed from the prefent unnatural mode of feeding fwine. People of deli- cate habits may fometimes eat pork fparingly ; but it is an erroneous notion that a dram is neceffary to affift its digeftion ; for fpirituous liquors may indeed prevent, but cannot promote its folution in the ftomach. It would be more advifable not to drink for a fhort time after eating pork, as it is ufu- ally very far, and this fat is more fubtle and folublc than any other, and has nothing in it of the nature of tallow. Pork, when eaten in moderation, is eafily di- gefted. With thofe whofe digeflive organs are weak, no other fpecies of meat agrees in general fo well, as a fmall quantity of this. Hence the objedions made againft it relate more to the quan- tity than to the quality, or fubftance -, for if too much of it be eaten, it is apt to corrupt the fluids, and to produce acrimony. We ought therefore to eat it OF FOOD. 327 it feldom and fparingly, and the inclination which ^ many have for this food fhould be kept with- in moderate bounds. The mod proper additions to pork, are the acidulated vegetables, fuch as goofeberry or apple-fauce ; which not only gra- tify the palate, but corredl its properLies, neu- tralize, in a manner, its great proportion of fat, and thus operate beneficially on the alimentary canal *. The flefh of wild hogSj as they have more exer- cife than the tame, and do not live upon fubftances fo impure and corrupted, is more palatable, more cafily digefted, lefs tough, not fo fat, and on ac- count of their refidcnce in the open air, is, like ail game, purer, but more liable to putrefaflion. Smoked hams are a very ftrong food. If eaten at a proper time, they are a wholefome ftimulus to the (lomach ; but boilino; them renders their *o * There is little to be apprehended from the worms in fwine, which, according to a late difcovery of the celebrated Naturalift G6t2 e, in Germany, are natural to thefe animals* They refide in the cartilaginous veficles of the liver, and ■when thefe veficles burft in very hot weather, while the worms are yet extremely fmall, they pafs into the blood with other fluids, and gradually increafe in fize. But there is no inftance, that they have produced difeafes, unlefs ariftng from difguft. Should it, however, be found, that thefe anlmalculae become vifible externally, and in great quantities, the butchers ought not to ,be permitted to kill fuch hogs, as the flefh eafily acquires an uncommou acri- mony, . is much difpof^d to putrify, and confequently im- proper to be ufed as food. digeftion 328 OF FOOD. digeftion flill more difficult. — In Jalting any kind of meat, much of its jelly is wafhed away, the fibres become ftiff, and thus heavier for the flo- mach. The fait penetrates into the jelly itfelf, prevents its foliition in the alimentary canal, and confequently makes it lefs conducive to nutrition — - 'hy Jmokingi the fibres of meat are covered with an incruftation, the jelly is iialf burnt, the heat of" the chimney occafions the fait to concentrate, and the fat between the mufcles to become rancid ; fo that fuch meat, although it may ftimulate the palate of the epicure, cannot be wholefome. Sail/ages, whether fried or boiled, are a fubftan- tial kind of nourifliment j they require, therefore, a fcrong bile to diilolve, and a good ftomach to digeft them. They are not of an acrid nature, provided they have not too much pepper in their compofition, and be clofely filled, fo as to contain no air. Blood Sanjagesy ufually called Black Pud- dings, confiding of bacon and coagulated blood, which is totally indigefi:ible, are a bad and ill-con- trived ardcle of food; and ftill more fo, if they have been ftrongly fmoked, by which procefs the blood becomes indurated, and the bacon more rancid: thus prepared, nothing can be more per- nicious and deftruftive to the bed fortified ftomach. The fpices ufually added to faufages, cprrect, in fome degree, their hurtful properties, but are infufficient to counteradl the bad and highly dif- agreeable eftedls of rancid fubftances. Bacon OF FOOD. 329 ^acon is indurated flit, accumulated In the Cellular texture under the flcin, and is of all meat the moft unwholeforae ; it eafily turns rancid on the ftomach, or it is fo already by long hanging, and is particularly pernicious to thofe v/ho are fubjefc to the heartburn. Lard, a fofter fat collected from the entrails and the mefentcry of hogs, becomes eafily rancid, and is otherwife relaxing to the digeftive organs: for which reafons, it is feldom ufed in Englilh cookery. The ?nutton of flieep fed on dry paftures Is a better and more nourifhing food than that of others reared in moift places. Thofe alfo fed near the fea-(hore are excellent meat, the fallne particles which they imbibe giving at once conflftency and purity to their fleili. The meat of rams is tough and unpleafant, but that of ewes, and fbill more that of wethers, Is of a rich, vifcous nature. Young mutton is juicy and eafily digefted, but is rather toughj and has not that balfamic aliment- ary juice peculiar to fhcep above a certain age. The beft mutton is that of Iheep not lels than three, and not above fix years old. Under three years of age, it has not attaine-d its perfection and flavour. ; A roafting piece of mutton ought to be expofcd to the open air for feveral days, according to the weather and feafon j it then affords a palatable dilh, which is eafily digefted, and agrees with every X conftitution. 33© OF FOOD. conftitution. But the fat of mutton is almoft indigeftible j for it eafily coagulates in the ftomach, and opprcfTcs that organ : hence the lean part of mutton is more nourifhing and conducive to health. — The feet of this animal are nourifhing, on account of their jelly, and are of great fervice for injedions, in thofe difeafes which originate from acrimony in the inteftincs. Lamb is a light and' wholefome food, not io nutritious as mutton, but uncommonly ufeful to delicate ftomachs. The vegetables mod proper to be eaten with lamb are thofe of an acidulated nature, as goofcberries, forrel, and the like. It is cuftomary to eat this meat when very young j but a lamb that has been allowed to fuck fix months, is fatter and more mufcular, and in every refped better, than one which has been killed when two months old, and before it has had time to attain its proper confiftency. Houfe-Lamb\% a difh, efteemed merely becaufe it is unfeafonable. Like all animals reared in an unnatural manner, its flefh is infipid and detrimental to health. The flefh of Goats is hard, indigeftible, and un- wholefome ; hence the meat of kids only is efcu- lent, being more eafily digefted, and yielding a good nourilhment. The flelh of Deer {Venijoti), and that of Haresy contain much good nucriment ; bur, ■ to the injury of health, thcfc animals are generally eaten OF FOOD. 23t eaten when half putrified, though they are natu- rally much difpofed to putrefcency. When pro- perly dreflcd, they afford a mellow food, and are readily afTimilitared to our fluids. But as wild animals, from their conftant motion and exercife, acquire a drier fort of fiefh than that of the tame, it (hould never be boiled, but always ought to be roafted or ftewed. From the fame caufe, the fluids of wild animals are more heating, and mbrc apt to putrify, than thofe of the domefl:ic kind. Perfons, therefore, who have a predifpofl- tion to fcurvy or other putrid difeafes, Ihould not eaC much game, efpecially in fummer. This per- nicious tendency of game may be correfled by the addition of vinegar, acid of lemons, or wine ; falad alfo is very proper to be eaten with it. Thofe parts of wild animals, which have the lead motion, are the mofl: juicy and palatable : the back, for infl:ance, is the beft part of a hare. The lungs of animals contain nothing but air and blood-veflels, which are very tough, folid, difficult to be digefted, and aflx)rd little nourifhmento Befides, on account of the encyfted breath, and the mucus contained in them, they are in reality difgufi:ing. The liver, from its dry and earthy confiftence, produces a vitiated chyle, and obfliruds the vefl^els j hence it requires a great quantity of drink, and ought never to be ufcd by the plethoric: the blood-vefl:e]s and biliary parts adhering to ir, are particularly difagreeable. The heart is dry, X 3 fcarccly 33 i OF FOOD. Icarcely digeftible, and not very nourlfhing. The . kidneys alfo are acrid, hard, tough, and not eafily digeited by the delicate. Thefe intedines, how- ever, of young animals, fuch as calves and lambs, produce aliment fufficiently vvholefome. The f^t and jnarrozv of animals afford, indeed^, folid and elaftic alimentary juice, increafe the blood and fluids, but are difficult to be digefhed ; they require a powerful ftomach, perfect maftication, fufficient faliva and bile, and agree beft with per- fons who take much bodily exercife. If not duly digefted, they occafion diarrhoea, weaken the llomach and the bowels, ftimulate too much by their uncommon acrimony, and eafily turn rancid^ cfpecially when eaten with meat much difpofed to putrefa6lion. They are apt to deftroy the elaftic power of the firft pafTages, as well as of the whole body, to produce the heart-burn, cramp of the ftomach, and hcad-ach, particularly in irri- table habits, and, at length, to generate an impure and acrimonious blood. The blood of animals is completely infoluble^ and confequentiy in no degree nourlfhing. The milk is of very different confiftence and properties, not only according to the various kinds and fpecies of animals, but alfo in the fame fpecies, in confequence of the difference in feeding, con- ftitution of body, age, time of milking, and other cir- cumftances. Milk takes the lead among the articles ofnourin^.ment. It affords the bell: nutriment toper- fcns OF FOOD. 333. fons vvhofe lafleals and blood-vefTels are too weak for deriving nourifhment from other provifionsj be- eaufe it is already converted into an alimentary fluid in the inteftines of an animal. Nature has appointed milk for the food of child- ren ', becaufe infants, on account of their growth, require much nouridiment. From this circum- ftance, we may alio conclude, that milk is eafily digefled by healthy flomachs, fince at the early age of children the digeftive powers are but feeble. —Milk-porridge, as well as thofe diflies in the compofition of which milk and flour are ufed, have a manifefl: tendency to obftrufi the lacleals or milk-veffcls of the inteflines and the mefentery; a circumftance which renders them extremely un whole fome, particularly to children. Milk, although an animal produflion, does not readily become putrid ; as it is poflefled of the properties of vegetable aliment, and fooner turns four than putrid. It affords a fubfl:antial aliment- ary fluid i and hence it is of fervice to perfons enfeebled by diflipation, or difeafe. As the milk ofanimals contains more cream than that of the human breafl:, it ought to be diluted with water, when given to infants. It combines both faccharine and oily particles, and is a verv fervice- able article of diet, in a putrcfcenc fate of the blood, in inveterate ulcers, and in the fcurvy. It is well calculated to afiTuage rigidity, cramps, and pains, being a diluent and attenuating re- ^ 3 ■ ^ rncdy, 334 o^ FOOD, medy, ejpecially in the fiate of whey j It promotes perfpiration and evacuation in general, and is highly beneficial in fpitting of blood, hyfterics, hypochondriafis, dyfentery, inveterate coughs, con- vulfive affeflions, the putrid fore throat, and in complaints arifing from worms. Milk is alfo ufed for fomentations, baths, emollient injedions, and v/afhes for inflamed and fore parts. If intended as a medicine, it Ihould be drunk im- mediately or foon after it comes from the cow; becaufe through boiling, and even by long (land- ing, the beft and moft nutritious balfamic particles evaporate. The milk to be employed for diet in difeafes ought to be taken from healthy and well-nourifhed animals i for we fee in children how much de- pends on the health of the mother, and how fuddenly they fuffcr from an unhealthy or paf- fionate nurfe. In Spring and Summer, the milk is peculiarly good and wholefome, on account of the falubrious nourilhment of the herbs. In Winter it is much inferior. It is farther neceflary, that the animal furnilhing the milk fliould be kept in the free air, and have daily exercife. In order to obtain good milk, it would be advifable, for pri- vate families who have the opportunity, to keep a cow J for, befides the adulteration of that which is fold, cows are frequently milked at an improper time, by which the milk is much injured, and can- not be wholefome. The OF FOOD. 335 The bed milk is obtained from the cow at three or four years of age, about three months after producing the calf, and in a fcrene Spring morn- ing. Good cow's milk ought to be white, without any fmell -, and fo fat, that a drop being allowed to fall on the nail will not run down in divifions. It is lighter, but contains more watery parts than the milk of Iheep and goats j while, on the other hand, it is more thick and heavy than the milk of afles and mares, which come neareft the confidence of human milk. Ewe's milk is rich and nourifhing ; it yields much butter, which however is fo unfa- voury, that it cannot be eaten. Both this and goat's milk produce much cheefe, which is tough, ftrong, pungent, and difficult to be digefted. As goats are fond of aftringent herbs, their milk is fuperior in ftrength to that of other animals ; hence it has been fometimes ufed with the moft happy fuccefs in hyfteric cafes. — Goat's whey and afs's milk are chiefly ufed in pulmonary confump- tions J and where afs's milk cannot be got, that of mares may be ufed as a fubftitute*. Milk confifts of cafeous, butyraceous, and watery parts j that which contains a wcll-propor- * Artificial afs's milk^ not inferior in its properties to the natural, may be made by the following procefs : — Take of eryngo-root or fea-holly, and pearl barley, each half an ounce ; liquorice-root three omaces ; water two pounds, or one quart ; boil it down over a gentle fire to one pint, then ftrain it, and add an equal quantity of new cow's milk. X 4 tioned 33^ , OF FOOD. tioned mixture of the three, is the moft wholefome. But this mixture is not always met with in due proportion —- frequently the two firfl-, namely, cheefe and butter, predominate j and in this cafe it affords indeed a flrong food, but is difficult of digeftion. If the water forms thq greateft propor- tion, it is then eafily digefted, but lefs nourifhing. This is pardcularly the cafe with afs's milk, which, more than any other, afFeCls the urine and ftool, while it has a tendency to purify the blood. On account of the warmth, and the mechanical procefs of the digeftive organ, joined to the chemi- cal properties of the acid generated in it, milk necef- farily coagulates in every flomach. The cafeous part is diffolved, and diluted by the admixture of the digeftive liquors, and thus prepared for being changed into a pure chyle or milky fluid. Indeed, it makes no difference, whether we take cream, cheefe, and whey in fucceffion, or whether we confume them united in the mafs of the milk : in the former cafe, the feparation takes places without, and in the latter, within the flomach. It is however improper to eat acid fubflances together with milk, as iliis mafs would occafion fermentation and corruption : while, on the con- trary, the natural coagulation is only a fepara- tion of the confkitutnt parts, not a tranfidon of this mild fluid into ihe ftage of acid fermentation j for this is prevented by the faponaceous digeftive liquors, though the milk itfclf be coagulated. ^5 Yet OF FOOD. 337 Yet milk is not a proper food for the debilitated, in all calcs; nay, under certain circumftances, it may even be hurtful. It does not, for inftance, agree with hypochondriacs j as it occafions cramp of the ftomnch, cholic, heartburn, and diarrhoea. Febrile patienti;, whofe weak organs ofdigellion do not admit of nutritive food, and whofe preterna- tural heat would too eafily change the milk into a rancid mafs, muft abitain from it altogether. It difagrees alfo with, the plethoric, the phlegmatic, and the corpulentj but particularly with tipplers, or thofe addicfled to (trong fpirits. Its butyrous and cheefy parts may obll:ru6t: digeftion and opprefs the ftomach. " Laltly, y^z/r milk is unfit for ufe, on account of the chemical decompoficion Vv'hich has taken place in its conftituent parts, and becaufe it can hardly be digefted by the mod powerful ftomach : even Ivveet milk ought not to be eaten together with flefn, and in moft cafes the whey is preferable to the milk. With thefe exceptions, milk is an excellent fpe- cies of diet, which does not require ftrong digeftive organs, unlefs a variety of other fubftances be eaten with it. On the contrary, perfons much reduced in bodily vigour have received benefit, and in a great meafure been cured, by eating milk only. We daily obfervc that children at the breaft, with the natural inclination to acidity and yifcofity, feel its bad effeits only, when, together • with 2S^ OF FOOD. with milk, they are fed upon cakes, paftry, gin- gerbread, and other tralh. Milk being free from all acrimony, produces wholefome, light, and fweet blood. Sugar and fait are almoft the only proper fpices to be added to it. Cream is exceedingly nourifhing, but too fat and difficult to be digeftcd in a fedentary life. Butter pofleffes at once all the good and bad properties of exprefied vegetable oilsj it is the fooner tainted with a rancid bitter tafte, if it be not fufficiently freed from the butter-milk, after churning. — Bread and butter require ftrong and ^vell-exercifed powers of digeftion. — It is a mofl pernicious food to hot-tempered and bilious per- ions, as well as thofe of an impure (lomach. The good quality of butter is marked by a very fat fliin- ing furface, yellow colour, agreeable flavour, and fweet tafte *. Butter-milk is a fpecies of whey, but contains a great number of butyrous particles. If we drink it while new and fweet, it is refrelhing and cooling. * I am inclined to think, it would be beneficial to fociety, if the making of butter were ftridly prohibited, as well as the importation of falt-butter into every civilized .ountry, ■where the hurtful properties of it are fufficiently iinder- ftood. — Melted fat, or the drippings of baked and roafted meat, are equally, if not more pernicious to the ftomach, than even ftale butter, and both ought to be ufed only for gfeafmg cart-wheels, and not for injuring human organs. Before OF FOOD. 239 Before I quit the fubjed of milk, I cannot omit remarking, that this fluid, befides the qualities be- fore enumerated, contains fome fpirituous parts, in a latent ftate, with which our chemifts are little acquainted. And although thefe parts cannot be dilengaged from the millc, and exhibited in a fepar- ate form, yet it is certain, that the Perfians, and other inhabitants of the Eaft, prepare a kind of wine from milk, which poffeffes all the properties of intoxicating liquors. Such is the report of refpeflable travellers; but I am inclined to fuped, that thefe Orientals make fome addition to the fweet whey, after the cafeous parts are feparated from it, by which they induce a vinous fermenta- tion. Whether they add honey, fugar, or any mucilaginous vegetable, containing the faccharine principle, I (hall not attempt to decide : but it is ■well known, that the Chinefe ferment and diftil a liquor from a mixture of rice and veal, which is not unpleafant when new. Cheeje is obtained from the tough part of the milk, which fubfides in coagulation, and which mud be completely freed from the whey. All cheefe is difficult to be digefted, being the coarfeft and moft glutinous part of the milk, which the healthy and laborious only can concoft. To others, it is too heavy \ it imparts a thick and acrid chyle to the blood -, it hardens in a weak ftomach, and accumulates in an indurated earthy lump. When eaten new, in any confider- ablc 34^ OF FOOD,; able quantity, it corrupts the fluids; and if oM, it becomes putrid. In fmall quantities after din- ner, it can do no great harm, but ic is abfurd to iuppofe that it affifts digeftion ; its effefts, at beft, being of a negative kind, that is by producing a temporary ftimulus on the (lomach : and even this is the cafe only with found old cheefe which is neither too fat, nor too far advanced in the procefs of putrefadion. Toafled cheefe, though more agreeable to fome palates than raw, is ftill more indigellible. Cheefe, if too much faked, like that of the Dutch, acquires, ■when old, a pernicious acrimony. The green Cheefe of Switzerland, which is mixed with a powder of the wild Mclilot, or the 'T'rifGlium McUlotuSy L., and the milder Sage-Cheefes prepared in England, are almoft the only kind which may be eaten ^vithout injury ; and even thefe Ibould be ufed in moderation*. Birdsy * To fhow the ftrongly vlfcid quality of cheefe, and what powers of digeftion it muft require to affimilate it to our finJds, I {hall mention a compcfition -which may be ufefuf, as the ftrongeft cement yet contrived, for mending china- cups, glaffes, and the like. A piece of Chelhire or Glou- cefter cheefe is boiled in three or four different waters, till it forms a foft and elaftic mafs, freed of the whey and other extraneous ingredients. After having exprefled all the wa- ter from this mafs, and while yet warm, it muft be gradu- ally rubbed upon a piece of marble, fuch as is ufed by colour- men ; and as much unllacked or quick-lime in powder muft be added, as will be abforbed by the cheefe, without making it OF FOOD, j4r Birds, as they move in the pureft and mod healthy atmofphere, "pofief? the beft prep:ired and mod wholefome alimentary fubfcance ; yet the flcfli of" birds, though more eafily digefled, is lefs nourilhing than that of quadrupeds ; for, on account of their almoft conftant exercife, the winged tribe have drier mufcles, confequently a lefs nutritious juice. Thofe birds particularly, which fubfift upon worms, infects, and fi(hes, are not wholefome ; and if they frequent fwampy and filthy places, their flefh will afford meagre and impure nourifli- ment. Some parts of fowls are lefs wholefome than others. The wings of thofe whofe principal exer- cife is flying, and the legs of thofe that generally run> are the dried parts of their bodies : hence the bread is, in all, the fofced and mod nutritive part. Young poultry is preferable to that of fome years old, which has very tough mufcles, and is heavier to the domach. Birds living upon grain and berries are in all refpedls the bed ; next, thofe which feed upon in- fects ; and ladly, that clafs of birds which preys and fubfifts upon fidies. Thefe indeed, like all other animals, whofe proper food is fledi, are eaten only by favage nations, wild and tame ducks and It too hard. This compound forms the ftrongeft poffible cement; if allowed lo dry flowly, it is able to withfland fire as well as water^ geefe 34^ OJ^ FOOD. geefe excepted ; which by their ftrong flefii, and the inclination of their fluids to putrefcency, are lefs wholefome than any other bird. Water-fowl afford the leaft beneficial food. In general we find winged animals out of feafon in Spring j partly becaufe moft of them are then pairing, and partly on account of the long journeys of thofe that are birds of pafTage, by which they become leaner than at any other time of the year j yet fome birds of pafTage do not arrive in this climate till towards Autumn. It is remarkable, that mofl birds, when taken from their wild ftate, and fed in captivity, fuch as partridges, larks, and others, lofe much of their peculiar flavour, which is alfo the cafe with wild quadrupeds. Yet thofe tame and domefticated fowls and animals, that are well fed in yards and flails, are generally more fat and mufcular, than thofe which are obliged to feek their own food. Old fowls are the mofl ferviceable for broth j or they may be boiled in clofe vefTels, where they can macerate for fome hours, till they are com- pletely foftened by the fleam. Fowls lofe much of their fine flavour, if boiled ; they are therefore befl roafled, except the fmaller kinds, which ought to be baked. All birds living upon grain and berries afford good nutriment, except geefe and ducks. The flefh of the goofe is unwholefome, efpecially when fed in fmall inclofures, without excrcife; which 7 praflicc OF FOOD. 343 practice is rometlmes carried (o far, as cruelly to nail the animal to a board through the feet, to prevent its motion. Its fat is almoft totally indi- o-eftible : its flefli produces a very obvious and bad effedl upon wounds and ulcers. It is alfo perni- cious to thofe who are difpofed to inflammatory difeafes, and frequent cutaneous eruptions, A young hen, or chicken is a very wholefomc diOi -, its ve- getable aliment produces a mild and fweet chyle ; and the whitenefs of its flefh is a proof of its excel- lent quality. As it is eafilydigefted, it is a difli to be recommended to the weak and debilitated ; and it agrees bell with individuals of an acrid and mu- cous tendency, or fuch as are troubled with biliary and ftomachic diforders. The Capon is one of the mofl delicate difhes ; if eaten when young, he yields a ftrong and good chyle ; his flefh is not of a heating nature, nor difpofed to putrefcency, and the fat itfelf is cafily "dicrefted. Turkeys, as well as Guinea or India fowls, yield a ftrong aliment, but arc more difficult of digeftion than the capon j particularly the legs> wings, and fat. Thefe birds, when roafted, are ufually filled with fome kind of heavy pudding, which is a favourite morfcl with many, but re- quires the ftrongeft digeftive powers. — The old prejudices, that the flefh of capons is produ6live of the gout, and that of fparrows brings on epi- leptic fits, are too abfurd to require refutation. Among 344 ' o^ FOOD. Among the birds fubfifting on infefls, there are few eaten, except the various kinds of fnipes and ftarlings. All of them, without exception, confift of hard, unfavoury, and fcarccly digeftible flefli. It would be ufelefs to enumerate the various birds living upon fifh, which are eaten in other countries. They ail have a fifhy tafte, and afford a poor aliment. Ducks and geefe only are eaten in Britain : of thefe the former afford the better noqriihment, as they are generally not fo abundant in fat as the latter, and are permitted to move about in the open air. But they ought not to be fuffcred to repair to ftagnant waters, which they fwallow, and which taint their fluids and flefh with qualities detrimental to health. Next to milk, no nutriment is fo fimple and falutary as that of birds' eggSy among which thofe of hens juftly deferve the preference, in refpeft of nourifhment, tafte, and digeftion. The albumen, or the white of eggs, correfponds to our ferum, or the water of the blood ; it is diffolved in a warm temperature, but coniiderable heat makes it hard, tough, dry, and infoluble. The yolk of eggs is more foluble, contains much oil, and is uncom- monly nourifhing, but has a ftrong tendency to putrefadtion ; hence eggs muft be eaten while frelh. People of a weak ftomach ought to eat no kind of food eafily putrefcible, confequently no eggs. To thofe, on the contrary, who digeft well, a frelh Of FOOD. 345 a frefh egg, belied fofr, (or rather dewed in hot water, from five to ten minutes, without allowing it to boil) is a very light, proper, and, at the fame time, nourifhing food. Hard-boiled and fried eggs, pan- cakes, and all artificial preparations of eggs, are heavy on the ftomach, corrupt our fluids, and are unwholefome. The eggs of ducks and geefe ought to be eaten only by perfons of the mod aflive and powerful ftomachs. All eggs require a fufficient quantity of fait, to promote th<"ir folution in the digeflive organ j yet butter renders them dill more difficult of digedion : hence it is equally abfurd and perni- cious to ufe much butter, with a view to (often hard boiled eggs. We cannot be too circumfpe(5t in the ufe of eggs, as to their fredinefsj for examples are not wanting of perfons, after having ufed cor- rupted, or only tainted eggs, being feized with putrid fevers *. * Various modes of preferving eggs have been contrived is domeftic life. To prevent tiie external air from per* vading the egg, is the principal rev-juifite. With this in- tention fome fmsar them with butter, others pack them in bran or common fait ; the farmers in Germany fufpend them in frefla river water, by means of a net ; but all thefe methods are troublefome and uncertain. The bcfl way of preferving them to any length of time, is to place them ia 3. very ftrong lime>-water, to leave fome lime at the bottom of the veiTcl, and if the v/ater fnould become turbid, to pour it off and fupply it with afrelh infufion. This may be done with boiling water, to difToIve more of the lime; but 346 OF F00&. Pijli afford upon the whole but a weak nouflfli- ment: they are more or lefs difficult to digeft, aC' cording to the different kinds of water in which they live. Being of all animal fubftances the mod putrefcible, they are much inferior in quality to birds and quadrupeds, on which account they ought not to be eaten by febrile patients or con- it mud be allowed to become perfeftly cold before the eggs arc placed in it. I fhall here take notice of a method lately contrived to preferve animal 'Irld vegetable fubftances, 10 alrrioft any length of time, without faking or pickling. A Mr. Donald- eon has obtained His Majefty's Letters Patent, for inventing a powder, which is fald to poffefs t?ie extraoMinary virtues of 'prefervingthe flefh of animals, as \tc11 as vegetable roots, to an indefinite length of time. If this be true, (though I am much inclined to doubt it) it is eafy to conceive how the Egyptian mummies could be preferved for feveral thoufand years. Our Eail and Weft, India veflels may now favc themfelves the trouble of taking live ftock on board. , In order to afford an opportunity of deciding on the merits of Mr. Donaldfon's powder, or of giving it a fair trial, L fhall briefly ftate its component parts, as recorded In the Patent. — Any quantity of vegetable gum, fuch as Gum Arabic, or that of cherry-trees, in fine powder, is mi::ed with an equal quantity of fine fiour of wheat or barley : this is made into a parte, and baked in an oven, contrived for that purpofe, with a very gentle heat, fo as to prevent it from forming a cruft. The dry mafs is^again reduced to a fine powder, and this is the great and aftonifning prefervatlve. — Either animal or vegetable fubftances furroundcd with this powder, and packed in clofe boxes in that ftate, according to the pro- feffions of the Patentee, keep frefn, and free from cor- i^rupuon, for almoft any length of lime— Relata refero, valefcents. OF FOOD* 247 ralcfcents. Their fat is ftill more infoluble and indigeftible than that of other animals, and readily turns rancid. Ori account of their indifferent qualities, no fatiety is more noxious than that of fifh. Acid fauces and pickles, calculated to refifl: pu- trefaflion, render fifli Ibmewhat better, and more wholefome for the ftomach, while butter has a tendency to prevent digeftion, and to promote the corruption of their fleQi. On the contrary, fpice and fait, ufed in moderate quantities, ftimulate the fibres of the ftomach to exert their action, and facilitate the digeftive procefs. ' Fifh dried in the open air, and afterwards boiled foft, are eafily digefted ; but all Jalted fea-fifh, as well as fmoked fifh, are injurious to the ftomach, and afford little nutrition. The fame remark, though in an inferior degree, applies to fifh pre- ferved in vinegar and fpice. In general, the heads and tails, which contain the leaft fat, arc the lighteft parts for digeftion, as on the contrary the belly, is the heavieft. Such as have .1 tender flefh are fooner digefted than thofe of a hard and tough confiftencc. The foft and mucilaginous fifh, like the eel, are partly compofed of an oily ftime, partly of tough fibres, and are therefore not eafily di- gefted. Thofe living in ponds, ditches, and other ftanding waters, are certainly lefs wholefome than river fifh, whofe exercife is greater, and whofc Y 2 natural 24^ OF FOOD. natural element is purer. For ftanding water eafily corrupts, and the fifh lodging in the mire of fuch refervoirs, continually feed upon the putrid parts. But the fame kind of river fifh are alfo of different qualities, according to their different nourilhment. Hence thofc caught in rivers conti- guous to great towns, are lefs falubrious than others; becaufe they neceffarily imbibe great quantities of the impuriiics thrown into fuch rivers. , ^alt-water fifh are perhaps the beft of any, as their flelh is more folid, more agreeable, and healthy, lefs expofed to putrefcency, and lefs vif- cid. They poffefs thefe excellent qualities, when freffi ; when faired, they have all the properties of falt-fiefh, and confequently its difadvantages. With refneft to herringSy it is certain, that of all the fea-fifh they are mod eafily digefted : and fait her- rings, in particular, if eaten in^^ fmall quantities, tiiffolve the flime in the- (tdrhach, ilimulatc the appetite, create thirff, and do nor eadily putrify by long keeping. ^. Among the am'phibicHS miimahy the legs of frogs are in fome countries efteemcd a delicate difh; yet, as they contain a large portion of fat, the ftomach cannot eafily digefl therr, without the addition of much fait. The fame obfervation ap- plies to the Turtle, as well as the We^-Indian Guana, a fpecies of Ijzard, two or three feet. long, of a moft forbidding appearance; but its fieih OF FOOD. 349 flefli is delicate and falubrious, much refembling that of a chicken. — We alfo eat lobflers and crabs, which are a fpecies of water-infe(fts: as both of them, however, generally arrive at a flage ap- proaching to putrefaflion, before they are fold in the inland towns, their confumption is attended with confiderable danger. Befides, the meat of lobfters, in particular, is not eafily digefted, as it pofleiTes a peculiar acrimony, which in fwallowing fometimes occafions pain in the throat. Some people, it is faid, have been afFcdted with eruptions of the (kin, pain in the flomach, and rheumatifms, arifing from the ufe of lobfters. Their jelly, however, is mild and nouriiliing*. Oyfters • The flefh of river lobflers is mere delicate than that of the fea-lobfter ; but it is at the fame time more fubjeft to putrefadtion, and ouj^ht therefore to be ufcd in a frelh ftate, with much fait or vinegar. In Germany and other parts of the Continent, lake and river lobfters are always boiled alive, and general''- 'n milk; a difh much efteemed in fami- lies, and of which c. Jdren are particularly fond. — The Germans cook irious fpecies of frefh-water-fifla in milk: and although palatable diihes may thus be prepared, yet, on account of the incongruous variety of fubftances,' I can- not approve of the mixture. There is, however, a method of obtaining from lobfters a very excellent and wholcfome jelly, the particulars of which I fhall here communicate to the reader, upon the authority of a refpecflable phyfician at Hamburgh. " Take the flefh of about thirty river-lobfters fufficiently boiled; cut it in fmall pieces, and place it in a capacious earrhen veflel, oyer a gentle fire, with one oiince of frefh "•♦•pr. After the butter is completely abforbed, add the CKa:i flefti and flvin of two calves' feet, and four y 3 quarts 350 OF FOOD. OyRers are eaten both rav^ and drefTed: wlien raw, they are in every refpej^l preferable ; for, by cooking, they are deprived of the falt-water which promotes their digeftion in the human flomach, as well as of a great proportion of their nourifhing jelly. Raw oydcrs are eafily digefted, and may be eaten, with great advantage, by the robuft, as well as by the weak and confumptive i as this fhell-fifli poflefTes tiiore nutritive animal jelly than almoft any other. They farther are generally attended with a laxative effed, if eaten in any quantity : hence they afford an excellent fupper to thofe liable to coftivenefs. Snails, though feldom eaten in this country, are ecjually nourifliing and wholefome. On account of their gelatinous nature, they have lately been much ufed in confumptionsj and as thcfe com- plaints are now very frequent in Britain, it were to be wifhed that fuch patients would give this quarts of pure foft water. Thefe ingredients mud be fim- mered over a moderate fire, till the vhole of the mafs amount to rather more than one quart. In that ftate, half a drachm of powdered nutmeg', and a handful of chervil, jmuft be added; and alter having allowed it to boil up again, the pureft part of this mafs is to be prefled through a ftrong linen cloth. When placed, for fome hours, in a cellar or other cool place, it forms a ftrong jelly, two or three fpopnfuls of which will impart uncommon riehnefs and favour to a bafonful of common veal or chicken broth." — I mi?.ke no doubt that a fimilar jelly may be prepared of jmali fea lobfters^ if they can be had alive. ^ remedy OP FOOD. 3^1 remedy a fair trial, by boiling a dozen of the red garden-fnails every evening in a quart of fwcet milk or whey, for half an hour, then draining the liquor through a coarfe cloth, and drinking it with fugar every morning gradually, upon an empty ftomach, and repeating thefe draughts for a month or two, if required. This red garden-fnail (or the Helix Pojnatia, L.) has alfo been ufed externally in the open hemorrhoids, where frefh fnails were ap- plied, every two or three hours, in a raw ftate, with remarkable fuccefs. Mufcles are of a more folid texture, and there- fore not fo cafily digefted as oyfters. The fea- mufcles afford a hard, indigefcible, and as fome imagine, poilbnous food. Although the examples of their deleterious nature are very rare, yet they ought not to be eaten without vinegar, or fome other vegetable acid, adling as a correftor of their bad qualities, or, in the opinion of others, as an antidote. Of Vegetable Jliment, The various articles of nourilhment we derive from the Vegetable Kingdom, may with propriety be divided into five orders : ^ I ft. The different fpecies of farina, or grain, fuch as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. 2d, The legumes, or pulfe, fuch as peas, beans, &c. Y4 ■ 3^j-The 35'^ OF food; 3d, The various kinds of falads and pot-herbs, 4th, All the different roots j and 5th, Fruit, or the produaion of trees and fhrubs. The firft of thefe, namely the farinaceous, are very nourifhing, on account of the copious mucilage they contain J but they are likewife difficult to di- geft. Bread itfelf, though juftly called the ftaff of llfey if eaten too freely, or to ferve as a meal, produces vifcidity or flime, obftrudls the inteftines, and lays the foundation of habitual coftivenefs. All difhes prepared of flour, are not only nourifhing, but are emollient, attenuating, and corre(5l acri- mony. Leavened bread, or fuch as has acquired an acidulated tafte by a flow fermentation of the dough, is cooling and antifeptici a circumftance well eflablifhed by experience. By this proccfs of preparing the dough, all the tough parts are in- timately mixed with the drier parts of the flour, and the fixed air is expelled in baking. New-baked bread always contains much of an indigeflible pafl:e, which is remedied, either by allowing it to dry for two or three days, or by toafting it. This ought to be conftantly done, particularly in times of itarcity, both on account of health and economy. Stale bread, in every refpccl:, deferves the prefer- ence :||id perfons troubled with flatulency, cramp of the ft-omach, and indigeftion, fhould not upon any account ear new bread, and ftill Icfs, hot rolls and butter. Indeed, all paflry whatever is un- wholefome, efpecially when hot. Thofe who devour OF rooD. ^^^ devour hot pies with avidity, fliould confider, that they contain an uncommon quantity of air, which diftends the ftomach, and produces the moil alarm- ing and dangerous colics, and incurable obftruc- tions, infomuch that the ftomach and bowels have been known to burft. The porous quality ofbread arifes from the fixed air having been expelled in baking i and the more fpongy the bread, ic is the more wholefome. But new- baked bread, and rolls in particular, require a found ftomach ; becaufe they contain much mucilage, not having parted with all their moifture ; and whcat-fiour is more vlfcid than that of rye, which is the bread-corn of moft nations on the Continent. Bread and butter, together with cheefe, as they are eaten in Holland and Germany, form a mafs fcarccly digeftiblc. The external furfacc ofbread, or the cruft, which has been more dried by the heat of the oven, is eafieft digcftcd ; it contains the empyreumatic part, expelled from the flour by fire ; it produces an emollient effect on the bowels J but, at the fame time, is more heating and lefs nouriftiing than the fofter part, or crumb. The great difference in bread is owing, partly to the various fpecies of grain from which itis made, and partly to the time the flour has been kept; for, when new, it is more difficult to deprive it of its tena- city; on account of its being more or lefs cleaned from the bran ; owing to the different methods of fermenting and baking itj to the difference in the water 354 O^ FQOD. water with which the flour has been kneaded -, and laflly, to the various ingredients of which the pafle has been compounded. The foftnefs of the mill- flones ufed in grinding the flour, may alfo vitiate tht bread, by introducing particles of fand and marble, fo as to make it equally noxious to the teeth, and oppreflive to the ftomach. Well- baked, and thoroughly dried bread,, is eafily dif- folved by v;ater, without rendering it vifcid or ge- latinous : hence it is adapted for the ufe of the debilitated, as well as for every age or temperament. Hafl:y- pudding, on account of its tenacity, and the quantity-of mucilage it contains, is not fo eafily digefted as people, who feed their infants upon this difli, are apt to imagine. Porridge made of oat- meal, the common food of children and the lower elafs of adults in Scotland, is not ^q heavy as that of wheat-flour j though both of them require vigor- ous digefl:ivc organs, robuft conftitutions, and fl:rong cxercife, in order to produce a proper nutriment. The vermicelli , and mac ar one of the Italians, as well as all the different diflies made of flour mixed up into pafte, and either boiled iji wafer or fl:ewed in butter, are ill calculated for patients and conva- lefccnts, to whom they are frequently adminiftered, A pafte, when it is fo elaftic that it can be formed into balls, is extremely difiicult to be digeft:ed. All unfermented paftry is exceflively trying to the ftomach; and inftead of being a fubjedl of furprile that the lovers of luch dainties are continually trou- bled OF FOOD. 355 bled with indigeflion and other ftomachic com- plaints, it would be againft the order of things if ir were othervvife. Bread ought not to be eaten with every difh i it is more ufcful and neceflary with thole articles that contain much nourilhment in a fmall bulk, ia order to give the ftomach a proper degree of expanfion. Befides, the addition of bread to animal food has another advantage, namely, that of prevennng the difguft attending a too copious ufe of flefli, and its ftrong tendency to putrefac- tion. But if wt? accuftom ourfclves to eat new- baked bread with provifions already indigeftible in thcmfelves, fuch as fat geefe, bacon, blood-faufages, and the like, we make them Oiil more infuport- able to our digeftive organs. Of the different kinds of grain, from which bread is prepared, that of rye is by far the moft wholefome for people of a fedentary life, as well as the delicate and nervous. For though it be Icfs nourifliing, it is likewife lefs tenacious, and more eafily digefted, than bread made of wheat*, Rice * A few years fince, when fenous apprehenfions of an approaching famine were entertained, in confequence of the fcarcity, or rather the high price of flour in this country, the minds of men were feduloufly employed in refearches tending to avert the impending calamity. Compofitions of yarious fubftances to ferve as fubftitutes for bread, fuch as g;-ey-peas, horfe-beans, potatoes, and many other farina- ceous vegetables, were repeatedly tried. And though a very nourifliing and palatable bread was formed of flour mixed -vvith rice and potatoes, yet the prejudices of the lower, as well 2S^ OF FOOD. , Rice contains a thin, unelaftic, and eafily folubic mucilage. It is one of the popular prejudices, that rice has a tendency to produce coftivenefs : this is only fo far true as the uft of it, by perfons of lan- guid and debilitated conftitutions, is fometimes attended with flatulency, which fufficiently accounts for its fecondary effefb. To avoid fuch unpleafant confequences, rice ought to be eaten with the addition offome fpice, fuch as cinnamon, fennel, carraway, annis-feed, and the like ; particularly by thofe of a phlegmatic habit, and flow digeftion. — In India, where this grain is almofl: the only food of the natives, it is regularly eaten with fuch quantities of pepper, and other ftrong fpices, that Europeans, on their firfi: arrival, cannot par- take of this high-fealbned difli. From a cuftom fo beneficial in its phyfical effeds, we may conclude, that the Indians, though direfted more by inftincl than fciencific induflion, are not altogether unac- quainted with the rules of diet. One of the befl: preparations of rice is the muci- lage, or jelly, which is obtained by boiling two ounces of it ground to fine powder, and a quarter we]l as the higher clailc&of the people, in favour of whcaten bread, were too gre^t and inveterate, to admit of fo ufcful and beneficial an iniiovation. It is therefore much to be la- mented that no attempts have fines been made to convince the vulgar and the ignorant, that fuch compofitions are not only proper in refpecl o^ public znd private feconojn]^ but that they are not in the lead detrimental to health. of OF FOOD. 2S7 of a pound of loaf-fugar in one pint of water, until it becomes a tranfparent thick broth : this, when cxprefTed through a cloth, and allowed to cool, is a palatable and wholefome jelly. Oats, when hulled or deprived of the huflc, and reduced to groats, are ufed as the common difti for the infirm and fick in England, France, and Germany. They impart to the water a thick mucilage, which, with the addition of a few cur- rants boiled in it, is of a nourilhing and flightly aperient quality. Barley, or rather pearl-barley, may be ufed with a fimilar intention, and is perhaps fiiil more nutri- tive ; but, after decodion, the groffer parts which remain ought not to be eaten. Millet, or hirfe, is inferior to either oats or bar- ley J it poflclTes too crude a mucilage for relaxed or inadive ftomachs. Manna-grajs (the fejluca fluitans) is fo called in Germany and Poland, becaufe its feeds have a remarkably Aveet and agreeable taile, particularly before the plant comes to its full growth. It excels in richnefs and nutriment all the other vegetable produdions of Europe; and, boiled in milk, it affords excellent foups as well as puddings. Two ounces of this manna, properly cooked in milk and water, would be a fufHcient meal for the mod robuft and laborious man. Boiled in water alone, in the proportion of one ounce to three pints of water evaporated to one quart, with the addition of lb mc 35^ OF FOOD* fome fugar and white wine^ it makes an agreeaWe and nourilhing difh for lying-in women and other patients for whom animal food is improper, and whofe fituation requires the occafional ftimulus of wine. They^^-^;;^ order of vegetable aliment includes all the leguminous produflions, as beans, peas, lentils, and the like ; thele contain a folid gluten of mucilage, and afford a rich and ftrong nutriment, which bed agrees with a vigorous (lomach. They alfo have a confidcrable proportion of crude par- ticles, which cannot be affimilated to our fluids, and muft therefore remain undigefted in the bowels, to the great detriment of the alimentary canal. The meal of the leguminous clafs is digefted with more difficulty than that of grain j befides, it contains much fixed air ; on which account it is extremely flatulent, is apttooccafion coftivenefs, and to coni- municate various kinds of acrimony to the blood. Thefe effe6ls, however, it produces only when it is eaten too frequently and copioufly. Flence bread, made of peafe or beans, either alone or mixed and ground together with v.'hear, is improper for daily ufe. We muft not however imagine, that even the mod wholefome articles of food are altogether free from air: this element is a neceffary and ufeful ingre- dient, to promote the digeftion ofalimentary fub- fiances. 6f food. 359 ftances. The proportion of fixed air varies ex- tremely in different vegetables: — all the legumi- nous plants particularly abound with it ; and even perfons with whom they agree wellj muft have experienced flatulency and torpor, after a copious ufe of peas or beans. Thofe who are fond of peas-foup, would better confult their health, by boiling the peas whole, than fplit and deprived of their hulks ; for thefe promote the grinding of the peas, and prevent them from turning acid in the ftomach, which fplit peas readily do; they are alfo apt to occafion oppreilion in the bowels, and a very troublefome heart-burn. Green ■peasy as well as French beans, boiled in their frefh (late, are equally agreeable and whole- fome ; for they are lefs flatulent, and more eafy of digeftion, than in their ripe ftate. It drferves to be renurked, in general, that all vegetables of the pulfe kind, as they advance in growth, become more opprelTjve to the ftomach, and confequently lefs falutary in their effeds. The third order of Vegetables comprifes the various kinds of falads and herbs ufed in cooking, fuch as greens, cabbage, fpinage, and the like. Thefe contain a great proportion of water, and little nourilhment : they ferve to fill the ftomach, icfift putrefa(^ion, and may therefore be eaten more 26o OF FOOD, more freely in fummer than in winter; being, befides, of a foftening, laxative, faponaceous, and confcquently folvenc nature, they are well cal- culated to relieve the bowels. On account of their watery confiftence, they are of peculiar fervice to lean people, to thofe who lofe much moifture by perfpiration, or who are troubled with flufhingsand undulations of the blood (in which cafe animal food is improper) — and as thefe vegetables con- tribute to promote infenfible perfpiration, they arc cooling, and affift all the emundories of the body. Their nourifhrnent is in proportion to the mu- cilage they contain ; but as this is in a very diluted flatc, the aliment they afford is incon- fiderable. They are farther diRinguifhed by their earthy, acrid, and aerial particles, both with refpeft to their nutriment, and their effetfls upon the firft pafTages. They become foft by boiling, many of the aerial particles are expelled, and are thus rendered more digeilible. But the pradlice of boiling them in large quantities of water, which is afterwards poured off, is extremely abfurd and injudicious ; for, vvith the water, their beil and mcft nutritious parrs are confrqnently thrown away : hence thefe vegetables ought to be tho- roughly wafned, and, cabbage excepted, dewed in a Imali quantity of water, which will fo far be* reduced by fiow boiling, that it may be brought to the table, together v^ich the fubftance drefled. To improve iheir rdifh, as well as to render thefe vegetables OF FOOD. 361 vegetables kfs flatulent, fpices are generally added with a view to afiift digeftion. And for the fame reafon, they are eaten in a raw ftate, with vinegar, fait, pepper, and the like. Salads y being in general eaten with oil and vine- gar, require all the powers of the ftomach, to digeft thefe liquids, together with the raw herbs. Baked vegetables, with palle and milk, as they are prepared in fome countries, lofe all their principal virtues, and readily acquire an empyreumatic oil upon the cruft, which is indigeftible, and taints the fluids with a dangerous acrimony. Afparagus is an excellent article of nutriment, although fomewhat flatulent and diuretic in its efFeds. The young (hoots of this plant are not only the mod palatable, but at the fame time the mod falutary — As a good fubllitute for it, I can from experience recommend the young huds of hopSj which arc more eafily procured, fcarcely inferior to the former in tafte, and, on account of their aromatic quality, are very grateful and wholefome. Artichokes affbrd a ligKp and tender food, per- haps fliil more nutritive but lefs diuretic than afparagus ; and, for this reafon, they are preferable for culinary ufes. Spnage^ a favourite difh with many, affords but Jittle nutriment, palfcs quickly through the ftomach and bowels, almoll undigelled ; and, being ufually dreiled with butter, it weakens the alimentary canal, z produces VERSITY ■ j62 OF FOOD. produces loofenefs, and confequently Is not proper food .for the weak and debilitated. — In languid ftomachs, fpinage is apt to produce acidity and the heart-burn. Sorrel poffefTes an acrid acidity, which deprives the teeth of their enamel, and ought to be avoided by thofe who are already troubled with an acid tafte in the mouth. Red Cabbage is one of the rooft indigeftible vegetables, particularly as the French and Germans eat ir, with ham and chefnuts ; it is thus rendered heating, flatulent, and laxative, and contains no nourilhment. — More digeftible, cooling, and lefs hurtful to the bowels, are the young fprigs of cau- liflower J but the mod indigeftible of all is the Colewort (Caulis rapicius). What has been faid with refpefl to cabbage, is applicable alfo to the Orach, or Atriplexy and the Lettuce, when eaten boiled or ftewed. '^White Cabbage is pofreflfed of excellent proper- ties ; it is Icfs flatulent than the common greens, and, being full of water, it is diuretic, and fome- \vhat laxative. — It is remarkable, that all herbs and plants, in general, are more or lefs flatulent, according to their digeftibility, and are difpofed to putrefcency, in proportion to the time they remain in the alimentary canal. Of White Cabbage fliced or cut in thin flireds, and afterwards feafoned and faked, the Germans make Saner Kraut j which is eafily digefted, on OF FOOD. 2^2 on account of th€ fait mixed with it, and the acetous fermentation it has undergone, before it is ufed, and by which procefs the greatefl: part of its fixed air is expelled. Sauer Kraut may be prefer ved for a long time j it operates powerfully on the fiift paflages, being a mofl: excellent an- tifeptic i it has proved of fingular fervice at fea, in refifting the ravages of the fcurvy, and curing it in the mofl: alarming ftages. We are indebted to Captain Cook, for introducing this falatury diih among the failors, in fpite of all prejudices, and thus preferving the health of many brave ma- riners. Laftly, Sauer Kraut has been found the beft preventative of epidemic diftempers, parti- cularly of the dyfentery, and the putrid and petechial fevers, which it has even frequently cured. Lettuce contains many nitrous particles, is very cooling, and ufeful in the evening to thofe who cannot fleep, from the too great heat and undula- tions of the blood. But the copious addition of oil and the yolk of eggs renders it lefs digeftible than when eaten in its fimple flate ; and if thefe mud be ufed, it is better to add fome fugar, which decompofes thefe fubftances. The mod fuitable ingredients of Salads, befides the Lettuce, are the various CrefTes, Chervil, ( Closer ophyllum hulhojum Linn,) and the fcurvy-grafs, which, together with' other cooling herbs, produce the efFed of cleanfing the humours, or, as fome fay, of purify- 2 2 mg 3^4 OF FOOD. ing the blood, and are at the fame time diuretic ; efpecially if eaten in Spring, and upon an empty ftomach. The /(7/^r//& order ofVegetables confifts of all the cfculcnt roots, or fuch as are ufed at our tables. They are either of the mild or of the aftringent and acrid kind. The former are much more nourifhing and lefs flatulent than the latter, which . however pofTefs fome medicinal properties, fuch as the various fpecies of radifhes, onions, garlic, and the like. Roots are neither fo nourifhing, nor fo eafily digefted, as animal food. Yet we may confider it as a certain rule, that any kind of aliment, for which we feel a natural and permanent appetite, is conformable to our nature. Of this kind is that beneficial root, the potato, which, in the mod fimple preparation, and without any addition, affords an agreeable and wholefome food to almoft: every perfon, and particularly to children. It is one of the lighted alimentary fubftances, occafion- ing neither vifcidity nor flatulence, and can be hurtful only, when immoderately ufed. Bur, be- ing a dry vegetable, and containing many earthy particles, it requires a proper quantity of drink to prevent obflrucftions. Its excellent nourishment i« fufficiently obvious in the healthinefs of thofe country OF FOOD. -j^^ country people, whofe principal food is potatoes, as well as in animals that are fattened upon thefe roots. The quicknefs with which the chyle made from potatoes is afTimilated to the blood, leaves no doubt that they are eafily digcfled : for it is a general remark, that labouring people fooner feel a renewal of their appetite, after potatoes, than any other fpecies of food. It is a groundlcfs affertion, that they generate a thick and crude chyle, and confequently a grofs and vifcou5 blood. A fup- pofuion equally unfounded and refuted by ex- perience is, that the potato is a narcotic root, and that it is apt to ftupify the powers of the mind, This effcd is produced only from a too copious nfe of it, together with want of exercife ; in which cafe any other food would be attended with fimilar confequences. The ftimulating powers afcribed to potatoes appear tome merely imaginary. Thofeofa farina- ceous confidence are much more cafily digefted, than the heavy and gelatinous ' kind. The flour made of potatoes is more wholefome for paftry, and for all thofe difhes prepared of meal, than any other. The French have lately contrived a method of preparing a granulated flour from this root, which is grateful to the palate,' and very nourifliing. It is performed by a machine of fimple coiirtruftion, a reprefcntation of which, together with a difcription, was given, fome time z 3 ago ^66 OF FOOD. ago, In the Repertory of Arts and Manufaflures ; and it has alio been ufed fuccefsfully, when mixed " with wheat flour, in making bread*. The Beet-root contains a large proportion of faccharine matter. By the latere experiments of M. Achard, of Berlin, it has been proved, that about fourteen pounds weight produced one pound of raw fugar, exceedingly fweet, and without an intermixture of any other tafte. Independent of this confideration, the beet is a valuable root, both in an oeconomical and culinary refpeft; it is pof- fefled of mild aperient qualities, and ought to be eaten more frequently, for fupper, by thofe who are of a coftive habit. Although it is not difficult of digeftion, yet fome lefs fiatulenc root, fuch as parfley, celery, or even potatoes, ought to be ufed together with the beetj which addition will render it not only more palatable, but alfo more fuitable to the ftomach and bowels. Carrots are extremely flatulent, and therefore an improper food for the weak, and thofe inclined to acidity J by fuch individuals they can fcarcely be digefted, unlcfs taken with the addition of fpice, and a proper quantity of laiti by which means * Whatever has been formerly faid againft the ufe of" por tatoes, it is now well underftood that they are wholefome, nourilhing, and light to the ftomach, even in the weakeii conftitutions. — M. Parmentier^ of Paris, liyed for feveral weeks on potatoes only, without experiencing any ill effeels on his health, their OF FOOD. 367 their fermentation and corruption in the (lomach will be in a great meafure prevented. In o,ther refpedls, they contain a good and copious aliment- ary fluid, at the fame time powerfully afFedl the kidneys, and are likewife anthelmintic, or deftruc- tive of worms. ParfnipSy be fides their fweet mucilage, contain fomewhat of the aromatic principle, being more nourifhing and lefs flatulent than carrots.- To deprive them entirely of the latter quality, they ought to be boiled in two different waters; but by this precaution they partly lofe their fweet tafte, and become lefs nourifhing. Turnips are nutrive, but flatulent, and not eafy of digeflion ; they become ilill more indigeflible when of a large fize and long preferved in cellars. — The lead flatulent and moft nourifhing of thefe roots are the long kind, or Swedifh Turnip, lately introduced into this country. Parjley, as well as Smallage, are of a fweet, ftimu- lating, and aromatic nature. The former, efpecially, was by the ancient phyflcians fuppofed to purify the blood] an eff'ect which modern medical obfervers would not only doubt, but even rjdicule. So much, however, is certain, that parfley is a mild aperient and diuretic. Yet, for thefe falutary purpofes, it ought not to be eaten in a raw but boiled fl:ate. Celery is one of the moft fragrant roots we pof* fefs in our climate, though its flioots and leaves are more commonly ufed for falads, t.han the root z 4 itfelf. < 368 OF FOOD. ' • ■ itfelf. There are two fpecies of celery known among gardeners, both of which are eftimable : ^ one produces thick knobby roots, not unlike the fize and figure of a fliort pine-apple j and the other has a variety of fmall white, tender, and odorous roots. The latter fpecies is more common in this country, while the former is m.uch efteemed in France and Germany, where it is eaten in thin flices, previoufly foaked in vinegar j a preparation which, in fummer, affords a cooling and wholefome dilh. In a raw ftate, celery is digefled with fom.e diffi- culty, which may be removed by boiling it in water, or foaking it, as before obferved, for a fhort time in vinegar. — The Germans prepare an arti- ficial coffee from this root, by cutting it into fmall fquare pieces, which are dried and roafted in the ufual manner. Dr. Unzer occafionally recom- mends this native coffee to his patients, parti- cularly to nnrfcs and lying-in- women, as a whole- fome fubftitute for either tea, or a real coffee. The Skirret-root, and the Scorzenera ofSpain^ pofTcfs more fpicy and flimulating than nutritive qualities. Both thefe roots, as well as the three preceding, are diuretic, and confequently in a flight degree (limulating. The fl<.irret, in particular, has an agreeably fweet and fpicy flavour, and is fo tender, that it can fcarcely bear to be boiled. For this reafon, it is moft properly eaten, when raw, like fruit, or may be ufcd as an excellent ingre- dient OF FOOD. 2^9 dient in foups and broths. — The fcorzenera, on the contrary, ought to be deprived of its black Ikin, and only eaten boiled : by foaking the raw root for half an hour in cold water, it Jofes its bitter tafte, and is likewife rendered lefs flatulent. The Sal/afy, or Goat's-beard, is a root containing ftill more of the faccharine principle, than the fcorzenera : being a good fubflitute for afparagus, and more eafily reared in this climate, it certainly deferves to be . more generally cultivated in our gardens. '---' ^^"^ c-ir-r- Onions, Garlic, Shallot, and Chives, are ftimu- lants : they aflift digellion, relieve the bowels, expel flatulency, difiblve flimc or mucus, and are therefore beneficial in difeafes which proceed from too much vifcidicy ; befides, they increafe the appetite, and ought to be ufed principally as fpices, or medicines. They are powerful expec- torants, but (hould be avoided by very hot, irritable, and choleric temperaments. Althouj^h thefe roots arc eaten in quantities by whole nations, yet from their penetrating and volatile fmell, which they communicate to the human breath, it is certain they agree btft with individuals of a cold and phlegm- atic habit, and thofe whofe ftomachs require fo powerful a ftimulus. Ail kinds ol Radijhes may be confidered as me- dicinal roots J they are peculiarly calculated to dif- folve flimy humours, to generate, and alfo to ex- pel flatulency ; moving rhe air inclofed in the in- teftines, 4 ^JO OF FOOD. teftines, and expelling it, by the copious air con- tained in themfelves. They are falubrious to ftrong and active ftomachs ; but in thofe which arc deficient in elafticity, radilhes increafe flatu- lency to the higheft and moft troublefonie degree. The fmall Talad-radiilies are more readily digcfted than the large root ; they propel all the alimentary fluids towards the ftomach, increafe the appetitCa jind are therefore proper to be eaten before a meal. Old radifiies are altogether indigcftible, and the whole genusj like onions and garlic, occafion a very offenfivc breath. The Arro''iZ>-root pcwde?-*, lately imported into this country from the Eaft Indies, appears to afford a larger proportion of nutritive mucilage than any vegetable hitherto difcovered. Thejlflb and lafc order of Vegetable fubfiances comprehends the Fruity or produdions of the dif- ferent trees and Qirubs. Fruit, in general, poiTcires ftrongly refolvent powers, and it is the more beneficial, as it comes to maturity at a time when the body is relaxed by * It gives me great plcafure to obferve, that the price of thisvaluablearticle has, fmce f he lafi: edition of thefe LeAures, been reduced from eight fnillings to the more reafonable value of tiuo Ihillings the pound weight : fo that no invaUds and convalefccnts Avill in future be precluded from ufmg this excellent root in broths and jellies. the OF FOOD. 371 the heat of fummer, and when the blood has a ftrong tendency to inflammation. It is bcfides of great fervice in attenuating the thick bilious impu- rities collefted during the fummer, and of evacuating them by its laxative virtues. The acid contained in mod kinds of fruit is as ufeful to quench thirft, as to refift pucrefaclion. In weak ftomachs, however, or fuch as are filled with impurities and flime, ic is apt to ferment, and occafion fome inconvenience i but this may be avoided by a temperate ufe, and efpeciaily by eating it boiled. The more fap or juice we meet with in fruir, it will prove the m.ore flitulent j and as the juicy, cooling, and watery fpecies of fruit require ftrong dio-eftive organs, to prevent them from producing fermentadon, flatulency, and diarrhoea, a glafs of old wine is very proper to promote their digeftion. A gentle diarrhcsa, brought on by eating ripe fruit in fummer, has frequently a falutary effed. Acrid and aftringent fruit, being rather a medi- cine than food, is lefs hurtful to the healthy, and to children, than is commonly imagined. Inftead of being noxious, as fome imagine, in inflamma- tory diforders, it is of the greateft fervice. Perfons of a thick and languid blood cannot eat any thing more conducive to health than fruit, as it pofl^efles the property of attenuating and putting fuch blood in motion ; but thofe of a watery and phlegmatie conftitution ought carefully to avoid ir. Fruit preferved with fugar is antifeptic and nou- rifhing, but at the fame time flatulent; and if pre- served with fugar and fpices, it is heating and dry- B ing 372 OF FOOD, ing. It is mofi: wholefome when eaten on an empty ftomach, which can exert all its power to expel the air difengaged from it, and to remove it, before it begins to ferment. Boiling, as well as drying, corrects the flatulent tendency. of frefh fruit, fo that, thus prepared, it will agree with every body. By either of thefe methods it is de- prived of its fuperfiuous humidity, as well as of its fixed air ; whence it becomes more nouridiing, but lefs cooling, than in the frefh ftate. Sago is the medullary part, or marrow, collccflrd from a fpecies of palm-tree growing in the Mu- lucca and other iflands of the Eaft- Indies. This fubftance, although not rtriclly the fruit of a tree, well deferves the firfl: place here ; for it is ufed as bread by the natives of India, who macerate it in water, and form it into cakes. The grains of fago, fold in the fi:iops, are obtained by a more artificial procefs: they produce a nouriQ-sing and agreeable jelly with water, milk, or broth -, but require to be previoufly cleaned of the duft, mould, and fea-water. To make a complete fo- lution of fago, the firft decocftion ought to be llrained, and afterwards boiled a fecond tim.e, for about half an hour. Prepared in this manner, it is a proper difli for the confumptive and conva- lefcent, as well as for thofe whofe digeftion is weak or impaired. Cherries produce the efFefls above ftated, in a very pre-eminent degree ; they are excellent in fcurvy, in putrid fevers, and in dyfentery i they y correct ^ OF FOOD. 373 correct the blood, when inclined to putrefcency,' and by their faponaceous and melliferous juice, they powerfully refolve obdruftions in the ia- teftines. Thofe who ufe them with this intention, may eat them at any time of the day, though they operate moft efFe6lually in the morning, on an empty ftomach. But even the fweet fpecies contain a Simulating acid, which, in proportion to their juicy confiltence, difagrees more or lefs with the weak and debilitated ; for this fap or juice eafily ferments in the ftomach, and produces flatulency, diarrhoea, and acidity. On account of thefe pe- culiar efFefts, perfons whofe ftomachs are bilious and vitiated, who are troubled with putrid eruc- tations, and an ofFenfive breath, ought to cat them freely, to counteract the difpofition to pu- tridity. Cherries are divided into the aqueous-fweet, the aqueous-acid, and the dry pulpous kinds. The Spanifh cherries are the moft difficult to digeil, but are alfo the moft nourilhing. The aqueous- fweet kind, as our early common cherries, are unwholefome ; becaufe their juice eafily ferments, and occafionS' colic and diarrhoea. The watery- acid fort are the bcft of any j their juice ftrcngth- ens the ftomach, purifies the blood, and is the leaft flatulent. — Dried cherries are in many dileafes an excellent article of diet, on account of their cooling and andfeptic properties. — To fwallow cherry-Rones, however, is highly pernicious, as thefe 374 O^ FOOD. thefe (lones have fometimes been found to ac- cumulate in the inteftines, to form lumps cemented together by vifcid phlegm, and thus to produce the mofl: violent and fatal fymptoms. Plums alfo pofTcfs medicinal virtues ; they are nourifning and attenuating. Prunes, or dried plums, are of peculiar fervice to coftive habits, affording an agreeable and nutritive food ; but, as they are apt to produce flatulency, it would be advifable to eat tliem either when the ftomach is empty, or for fupper, without mixing them with other aliment. Under this limitation, they are both aperient and cooling, and agree with almod every conftitution j but plums eaten^ freHi, and not quite ripe, efpecially in large quantities, are very apt to occafion loofenefs, colics, and other maladies of the ftomach and inteftines. The larger fort of plums are in general more dangerous, in this refpecfV, than the fmall ones, as they (parti- cularly, the green and yellow kind) •'are fcldom allowed to grow perfedlly ripe. Tamarinds are more frequently employed for medicinal purpofes, than as an article of diet. The pulp of this fruit is one of the m.oft grateful acids ; which, if taken in the quantity of from half an ounce to an ounce or more, proves gently purgative. By its acidity, it is well calculated to quench thirft and allay immoderate heat. Peaches abound with juice, and though not very nourilhing, they are not produdive of diarrhcea. This OF FOOD.v 275 This falutary fruit was formerly decried as un- wholefome ; but it is rather ferviceable in ob- ftruflions and bilious diforders. Sugar, wine, and the like, diminifh the good qualities of peaches; and even when preferved in brandy, they are not fo whole fome as when freih ; fince they become hard by all artifical preparations. The kernels likewife of peaches are a wholefome bitter, and are cleaniing, on account of their adringent pro- . perties. As there are various kinds of oeaches, of an inferior quality, it will be ufeful to point out the diftinguifhing marks of that fruit, in a mature flate. The beft foft of peaches have a delicate thin fkin, which is eafily feparated from the pul- pous part. Thofe which are not naturally fmooth ought to be covered with only a fmall quantity of down ; for too much down or wool on the furface is a fign of their inferior quality. They are like-^ wife not to be depended upon as wholefome, if they are of a fize either too fmall or preterna- turally large. Their pulp ought to be delicate, yet folid, fomewhat fibrous, and full of j.uice ; it Ihould not adhere to the flone or kernel, and ought readily to melt in the mouth. Apricots are more pulpy than peaches, but per- haps Icfs nutritfve : their juice readily ferments and turns acid in weak ftomachs ; yet, when ripe, and ufed with moderation, they are cooling and antifepdc. ^y6 OF Fooo. antifeptic, particularly for bilious and plethoric individuals. Of Pears, feme are extremely hard, aftringent, and difficult of digeftion ; but the more juicy pears have a faponaceous, nourifhing, and readily digeflible fluid ; in their efFeds they refemble the fweet kind of apples, except that they are lefs relaxing to the bowels. Pears are of a more flatu- lent tendency than any of the fruits before men- tioned, efpecially the hard winter pears, which arc eaten at a time when the fl:omach requires fl:imulat- ing more than cooling food. Apples are, in their general efFe(fls, fimilar to other fruit, and, befides their aromatic virtues, are pofleflTed of laxative properties. They are fer- viceable in difeafes of the bread, to remove fpaf- modic contradlions, to neutralize acrimony, and to attenuate vifcid phlegm. With this intention, apples are mod beneficial when eaten either roafted or boiled. The common people in Germany are fo fenfible of their excellent properties, in inflam- matory difeafes, that they boil even the wild ap- ples, and drink the water. This preparation de- fervcs to be imitated, efpecially when apples become fcarce in Spring. Apples may be divided into the fpicy, the acidu- latedj and the watery fpecies. The firft:, the va- rious kinds of rennet, for example, have the moft delicate flavour, and are certainly the befl: j they do OF FOOD, 377 do not contain a fuperfluity of water, and, rrom their vinous nature, are not apt to excite flatulency. Other kinds of apples, fuch as pippins, are too hard, confcquently heavy to the ftomach, though fomev/hat more nourifliing than the former. Stewed apples are eafily digefced and wholefome. The kernels or feeds of apples are bitter and aromatic ; Nature feems to have intended thefe pro- ductions for correding the watery and fermentable fluids of this and all other fruit, apricots excepted. Hence the kernels of apples and pears, as well as thofe of plums and cherries, ought to be eaten with the fruit, and not be thrown away as ufelef:. *— The butter in the paRe of apple-pies miy be confidered as an ufeful addition, on account of its tendency to prevent fermentation, though the paltry itfelf always difagree-s with weak and irrita- ble ftomaqhs. Of ^inces we have two fpecies, namely, the apple and pear-quince : the latter are the moft wholefome, particularly thofe of Portugal. They are an excellent antifeptic, and in this refpefl the bcft kind of fruit, as they contain an acid and much mucilage. They are not productive of obftruc- tions J but their pulp, like that of all other fruit, is digefted with fome diffjculty. They are gene- rally eaten boiled with fugar, and arc excellent in dyfentery, on account of their copious mucilage. In Le?mns^ Oranges, and other fruit of that kind, we meet with three different fubftances. A A The 37^ OF FOOD. The external rind contains an eiTentiil oil, (Irong- \y afliingent and heating ; the fccond or white rind is taftelefs ; the third part is a lalubrio'js, cooling, and acid pulp, highly efficacious in counterading the putrid tendency and difTolution of the blood. The juice of lemons and limes is one of the ftrongeft vegetable acids*; and that of oranges and ftaddocks, though milder, is not lefs fa- lutary. Thefe acids are of a very faponaceous con- fiftencc ; they attenuate the fluids, remove ob-* ftrufiions, encourage digeftlon^ ftimulate the ap- ''^ If the objedlicfts ftarted agaiafl the ufe of thefe acid?, by a late phyfician in Germany, Dr. Unzer, be well founded, -vve ought to guard againfl: their ufe. He main- rains that, although lemons and limes maybe wholefoms and refrelhing fruits iji their, native country, yet as they are packed up Lnd fent to us in an unripe ftate, they poffefs an acrid and unnatural acid, from not having undergone t]ie vinous and acetous fermentations, and -which corifc- quently cannot be wholefom^. The juice, efpecially, -(.vhich 3S obtained from die middle of thofe fruits, having acquired an highly aflringent though not nnpleafant tafle, fropi the itvptic {juality of the bitter kernels, is extremely imwhofe- fonie. It is, aecording to the obfervations of Dr. Unzer, very ?pC fo impair digedicn, and to occ^fion cither diarr- hoea or con ftipation of the bowels. — Such effe<5ts, however, jvill be produced only wheu thefe acids are i7nmoderately ufed J in which cafe the moll wholefome fubllances will be attended with bad confequcnces, and ever form exceptions from the general rule. Yet I muft agree with Dr. U. that the peel of lemons and oranges contains an inflammable and lieating oil which, if rubbed on fugar, for. making punch,. lemonade, &c. is apt to produce dangerous effects. *2 ' petite, OF FOOD. 379 pence, quench thirfl; cool the blood, connteraifl pu- rrefa6lion, are a principal remedy in peftoral, bilious, and inflammatory difeafcs, as like wife in jcurvy, in all affcftions of the kidneys, and are true antidotes againfl. the narcotic regecable pcifons. Hence the largcfl: dofe of opium may be checked in its narcotic cffcds, if a proper quantity of the acid of lemons be taken with, or immediately after it. Four grains of pure opium, for inftance, or one hun- dred drops of laudanum, are a very powerful and fometimcs fatal dofe ; yet if one ounce of the pure acid of lemons, or two ounces of orange juice, be added to every grain of opium, or to twenty-five drops of laudanum, it will produce a very different CiFccl. Inllead of ftupifying the perfon who takes it, and of being attended with painful coftivenefs, it will not only prove laxative, but induce firft a cheerfulnefs, not attainable by the ufe either of opium or ilrong liquors, and afterwards bring on. a gentle and rcfrelliing fleep. Of thefe effefls I can fpeak from my own expe- rience, as well as that of others. Opium, ufed with this addition, is one of the moft falutary and beneficial fubftances with which we are acquainted. I am farther inclined to believe, that the Turks, who eat very little animal food, could not bear the large quantities of opium they fwallow, were it not for the copious ufe of vegetable acids. And that thefe form a principal part of a Turkifb A A 2 fummer JSO OF FOOD. fummer diet, every traveller knov^, who h.>s vifited the eallern climates. For thefe reafons, I cannot fufficiently recom- mend the ufe t>f acids to perfons, who are either accullomed, or obliged, to o.ke opiates in large dofes. In choleric, bilious, and plethoric habits, in thofe liable to obftrudion?, whofe alimentaFy canal is unclean, and laftly, in thofe who feel a determination of the blood to the head, opium is an uncertain, and even dangerous medicine, with- out the addition of vegetable acids. The want of the acid of lemons may be cffecTtually fupplied by an indigenous production: — barberries afford an acid fuijy as ilrong, and nearly as agreeable, as that of lem.ons. The juice of the various fpecies o\ Rnifins. is not unlike that of ripe lemons in its properties, buE Jcfs efticacious. There are various kinds of that excellent fruit. Among the larger fort, thofe of a blueifh colour, imported from Marfeilles, are the belij while the Spanifli raifms, of a light brown colour, are inferior to thofe of any other fpecies. Both kinds, as Vv-eil as CwrantSj contain much, nutriment, but cannot be recommended for fre- quent ufe, as they all. tend to produce fiatulency^ particularly in individuals of relaxed habits and a fcdentary life. On this account, they ought to be eaten with other food, in which cafe they are emol- Jicnr, gently kxative, and in fome inftanccs anodyne. *3 ' Gocf^ OF FOOD. ogl CcofierricSy having lefs acid than cicher raifms or curranLs, are perhaps more wholefome, erpeciallv if their fKin and .other impurities are not fwallowed together with the juice. When ufed in a green (rate, for fauces and pies, they are cooling and re- freshing; and, when ripe, poiTcfs fimilar properties with cherries. Figs abound with faccharine matter, and are un- commonly nutritive, though at the fame time of a flatulent nature, unlefs eaten with bread or other inealy fubftances. — 0( fimllar effecls are mulberries and rafpbcrries : the former have a more mucilagin- ous and nourifhing juice, while that of the latter is of a vinous nature, and one of the beft cordials for allaying thirft and affording refrefhnient. Grapes and Strawberries are both excellent fruits. They arc uncommonly refolvent, laxative without debilitating, and promote all the natural evacua- tions; but at the fame lifne, grapes are in a high degree flatulent. The quality of grapes depends much on climate and foil. Only thofeof a fweet tafte, and aromatic flavour, ought to be ufed. They agree beft when eaten on an empty ftomach, with a fmall quantity of bread. Befides their (lightly nouriOiing quality, it is affirmed by fome writers, that they cool the blood and animate the nerves. Strawberries, if eaten plentifully, have been found a fafe preventive againft the ftone in the . A A 3 kidneys i 3 82 OF FOOD. kidneys; as is attefled by the experience of the €€•» Icbratcd Linn^us. Yet the fmall fiones con- tained in ilravvberiies, as well as in grapes, are faid to accumulate in tlie inteftines of Tome individuals, and to give rife to the moft obllinate conftipations, ray even to the iliac pafTion. The bed method -of eating flrawberries is with pure water, and fweet- cned with a little fugnr ; they are more heating v/ith wine, but lefs wholefome ; with milk or cream they are an agreeable but improper compo- fition. As a medicine the v/ild ftrawbcrry is far preferable to any other. Cucumbers are a wholefome, gently opening, and cooling fruit, which may be of confiderable fervice to the confumptive, as it has the property offvveetening acrid huiiiours. , They fliov/ a ten- dency to ferment, and produce diarrha.a ^ but this may be prevented by the addition of vinegar and pepper, which alfo counteraifts their natural coldncfs. Prepared with oil, vinegar, fair, and pepper, they are infupportable to fom.e weak flomachs, and occafion frequent eructations and flatulency. But properly pickled, they are an ex-, cellent antifeptic, though unfit to be given to chil- dren and wet-nurks. The nature of ?,'iehns is nearly fimilar to that of Cucumbers ; but the former are more aromatic, and. in this refpe<5l, more wholefome, fVater-me- Ions, OF FOOD. 383 loiiJ^ howcvTr, re q 'J ire more fpice and wine thjrn Muflc-mslons ; as chey partake dill more of the n.i- ture of Cucumbt^rs* Gourds are a fruit of the melon- kind, but lefs Iweet, and of a much larger fize : if boiled in milk, after the firft water has been poured off, and with the addition of fait and pepper, they afford fuffici- eiitly wholefome and nutritive food. Olives, in their natural (late, are bitter, acrid, and exceedinslv difacyreeable ; though their taile is much improved when pickled, as we receive them from abroad, particularly in the fmaller kind, or Lucca olives. — On account of the abund- ance of oil which they contain, they are unfit for delicate ftomachs, and are pernicious, efpecially when eaten for defert, after - a heavy dinner. Almonds. Walnuts, Hazleniits, and Nuts in gene- ral, are extremely difficult of digeftion, on ac- count of the oil they contain, which readily turns acrid and rancid on the ftomach, and occafions the heart-burn. Bilious individuals fliould by no means eat them ; and there is nothing fo abfurd as to adminifler cdmcnd-milk as a common diet-drink to febrile patients. This milk confifts altogether of oily and almoft infoluble parts, which heat and vitiate the ftomach, ftimulate the bile, and are eafily decompofed from the water with which they are mixed. It quickly fpoils ; frequently, indeed, before it is introduced into the ftomach : it is noc in the leaft degree cooling, and its nouriihing qua- A A 4 lity 1 384 OF FOOD. lity is very improperly employed in fevers, and b1\ thofe difeafes wliich are attended with debility of the alimentary canal. Nuts and almonds ought to be eaten only while freflij and when the fkin, which is extremely aflringent and unwholefome, can be removed. They fhould be well chewed, and eaten with fait j for every piece fwallowed entire is indigcftible, and the fait renders them mlfcible with our fluids as a faponaceous mafs. If eaten in large quantities, they remain in the ftomachj cannot be expelled by any medicine, and produce alarming and fometimes fatal diforders. In general, they occa- fion difficult breathing, vomiting, and complaints in the boweh, which have been obferved to be very common in thofe autumns that were prod'dCT tive of gr^-at quantities of nuts. Laft among the vegetable produdlions, we may clafs the various fpecies of Mujhrooms, They are all of a tough, leathery confidence j and being almoft indigefcible, they afford little nutriment, notwithftanding they, in a great meafure, refcmble animal food. Several kinds of mufhrooms are faid to contain a narcotic and acrimonious poifon. And as thofe of a -harmlefs kind cannot be eafily diftinguifhed from the bad ones, this might be a fuificient reafon to abftain from the ufe of them altogether. But if they muft appear at our tables, vegetable acids> OF FOOD. ^Z^ acids, or vinegar, are the belt antidotes, to coun- teract their pernicious effecSbs. Pickled with vine- gar, or faked, mufhrooms become ftiil more tough J and roafted with butter, they are an indi- geftible mafs, and extremely liable to turn ranci4 in the ftomach. N. [ 3«6 ] CHAP. VI. Of Drink and Spices — their rcjpeuhie iiafuyc^ p'opertieSj and ejj'ecls on the human body. \ I. With rejpett to the ^iajitity of Drirdz. Y^RiKKiNG is perhaps more necefTary to the iup[>orc of animal life than Eating -^ for drink is indifpenfable to the rolucionand digellion of food. ThiOfc who drink too little, people, for indance, of a fedentary life, and particularly womenj are fubjecl to complaints of indigeflion. Sufficient drink pre- vents the incralTation of the blood, and the ob- ilruiTtion of the fmialk'r veficlss it tends to clear the blood of the acrid particles generated in it] and jt promotes the necellary fecretjons, fuch as the bile and tlie gadric juice of the fiomach. We ought to d'ink only when we are thirfly, and to dcfift when third is quenched : but this is feldom the cafe, becaufe many of our liquors ilimulate the palate. Pure water, therefore, is an ineilimable beverage, as it will not induce us , to drink more than is necefiary. We fhould drink in a greater proportion than we eat ; for the quan- tity of our fluids by far exceeds that of the folid?, and confequcntly there mud be fecreted more fluids than folids. The general rule may be given, to take about double the proportion of liquid to the OE DRINK AND SPICES. 387 dry food ; but this cannot be accurately obfcrved,. nor is it applicable in all cafes. The feafori, the weather, cold, heat, the nature of our food, and the greater or lefs degree of our exercife, require more or lefs drink at one time than at anotl^r. Third, however, is as good, if riot a better guide than hunger j and he who is accuftomed to drink water only, will not eafily tranfgrefs the meafure, if he drink as often as nature calls upon him. With a proper choice of food every one v/ould drink conformably to his wants. Hence it is needlefs to recommend water as a beverage to perfons who will not be perfuaded to change their irregular mode of eaiing. The more we eat in quantity, and the drier our vi6luals are, the more we ought to drink. The phlegmatic have lefs inclination to drink than thofe of a fanguine and choleric temperament. The la- borious ought to drink more than the fedentary, and ftill more in fummer than in winter, to fupply the humours loft by infenfible perfpiration. In the morning v/hen we rife, we generally fed. an inclination for drink, which is gratified by tea, coifee or other warm liquors. Water would unqueftionably be a more proper beverage at this tims ; and I venture to fay, it would be difagree- able to thofe only, whofe ftomachs are fpoiled by the habitual ufe of warm liquors and hot rolls. A glafs of pure frefii water, and a while after it, a pifce cf bread v.ich fome frqir, pr everi butter, would 3^8 OF DRINK AND SPICES. v/ould afford a very v/holefome breakfafl:, by which the ftomach and inreRines might be cleared, the blood and humours refrefhed, and the whole body ftrengthened. Jf the flomach be not loaded with mucus, or relaxed by tippling, a bafon of fweet cow's milk, with a piece of ftale bread, is an excellent breakfall-in Spring and Summer. To drink immediately before a meal, is im.pro- per, becaufe the ftomach is thereby fwelled, and rendered lefb fit for the digePtion of food. Hence, to avoid the neccflity of drinking, it is advifable, not to take any violent exercife immediately before dinner. To drink much at night, previous to our going to bed, is hkewife hurtful. But the drink- ing before a meal is more noxious than at any other time 3 becaufe the ftomach is filled with the liquid we fwallowj the bile and the gaftric juice there colledled are too much diluted; and con fe- quently the important office of digeftion is checked. It is alfo objecliohable to drink much during the time of taking food ; as the ftom.ach is thus ren- dered incapable of receiving the due portion of aliment. Cold beer or water does not well agree with warm viflualsj and the teeth are injured by taking hot and cold fubftances in immediate fucceftion. In the hot weather of Summer, it is fcarcely poffible to delay drinking till the dinner be finiflied ; and it is the more neceflary, or rather lefs hurtful, at this time, as the bile which ferves tcx OF DRINK AND SPICES.. 389 ro diilolve the viduals, then requires greater dila- tion. In Winter, imleis we eat very dry and faked provifions, we feel lefs inclined to drink at table. Bu«' if we mua: drink in the intervals of eating, it would be mod conducive to digeition to drink water only, and in fluall quantities ; as pure water is more proper during the time of eating, - becaufe it agrees with all difhes v/ithout exception. Yet a glafs or two of wine, during dinner, particu- larly for the aged and debilitarcd, is proper and conducive to disieflion. Some obfervers advife us never to drink without eating fomethingj but he who drinks only when Nature requires it, has no occafion to eat every time he drPnks. Perfons, on the contrary, who are once accuftomed to drink more than is neceffary, or to make ufe of hot, (limuiating, and intoxicating liquors, would do well always to eat fome bread or other folid food along with them. Indeed we ought to begin to drink only after our appetite for food is fatisfied, and then it fliould be done gradu- ally during digeftion. This function may be dif- turbed by large draughts of liquor, which occafion fermentation and flatulency. — Glafs is the molt proper fubftance for drinlving-vefTcls : for no other ' but the fluoric acid will affedt it. — For the fake of delicacy, as well as health, every perfon^at tabic ought to be furniihed with a feparate glafs or other veffcl for his drink. • r BxcefTi/il^ 39*^ OF DRIMC AND SPICES* Excedive drink loads and oppreffes the flomach, by diftending it too much ; but it is not nearly fo hurtful as too much food. Every beverage relaxes the (lomach ; and perfons v^iiofe bowels are not fufnciently elaflic, fliould be careful in the quantity they drink j for an immoderate proportion of it may weaken digeflion, dilute the fluids too much, and conduiSl the food too quickly through the alimentary canal. An undue portion of drink renders the mafs of blood too thin and watery j from a tliin blood arifes alfo a weak alimentary fluid, confequently a general debility of the body, and relaxation of the urinary and other paflagcs. On the other hand, too little drink is equally improper; digeflion is weakened i miany parts of viduals remain undillolved, and are not conduced to the ladteals, bccaufe the proper means of dilut- ing them are wanting j the blood becomes thick and vifcid ■, and finally, the fecretions and excre- tions are not duly performed, becaufe the different canals are too dry and contraded. II. With refpe5i to the ^Laiity of Drink, There is almofl: as great a diverfity among the kinds of beverage, as there is among thofe of food : Water itfelf is of very different qualities, according to the pnrticles with which it is impregnated, and the places from which it is obtained. That of #• wells. OF DRINK AND SPICES. 39I Weils, fprings, rivers, lakes, fwamps, nnd the various mineral waters, all differ in their {enable properties. Even cold and warm water produce different efTeds. The former, when moderately ufed, ftrengthens the ftomach, and only proves de- bilitating, when it is drunk in too large quanti- ties. Warm water is always relaxing, and flill more fo when taken in copious draughts ; it re- mains longer in the li:omach than cold water, and confequently is more oppreiTive : cold liquor fti- mulates the flom&ch, but v;arm drink diminilhes its elafticity. If the ftomach be overfilled v.'ith drink, and its. elafticity weak-e.ied, a gbfs of ftrong wine, or * ether fpirituous liquor, may remedy this incon- venience. — Water can only fo far be called nou- rilhing, as it fupplies the aqueous parts we con- Mnually lofe. It is the bafis of all other liquids,* and the greater proportion of water they contain, the better is digeftion promoted. Spring-ivater originates partly from that of the fea, which has been changed into vapours by fub- terraneous heat, and partly from tlie atmofphcre. As it is difiblved, purified, and filtered in a variety of ways, before it becomes vifiblc to us> it is lighter and purer than other waters. W^U-ivatcr is more or lefs pure, according as it pafTes over beds of earth, which contain foluble, or minute particles. Wells opened in a fandy foil are the pureft, becaufe the water is there mo(t • completely 39^ OF rinr-NK and spices* completely filtered. The more frequently a well is ufcd, the better is its water, provided that no im- pure fubllances are inti-oduced into itj for, the longer water (lands unmoved, the fooner it turns putrid. Well-water, finally, may be mofi: effec- tually purified by filtering it through a quantity of fand and fmall pebbles; and fiill more conveniently by meansoffikering-flones*. River-'watsr is more pure and wholefonffe, if It flow over a fandy and (lony foil, than if it pafs over muddy beds, or through towns, villages and forefls, from which it receives many impure fub- ftances: water is rendered foul by filh, amphi- bious animals, and plants.. Lafcly, the more rapid the courfe of the river, the more eafily it clears itfelf of feculent particles, and the water becomes pure. Lake- water much refembles, river-water in its properties, but being lefs agitated, it is more impure, and better adapted to walhing thaa cooking. The water, which in cafes of necefiity is obtained from /"jjamps or ditches, is the worft of all j becaufc a great variety of impurities are there collefted, which in a ftagnant water and a foft foil readily pu- trify. And, as the mere exhalations of fuch waters produce a pcfiilential atmofphere, it may be eafily * The filtering machines lately invented by Mr. Jofiali Collier, of London, promife to be very ufcful for domeftic purpofes, as they are applicable to all fluids, but more parti- culiirly water. conceived. OF DRINK AND SPICES. 393 conceived, that the ufe of them muft be attended with putrid and other dangerous difcafes. Rain-ivater is alfo impure, as it contains many faline and oily particles, foon putrifies, and princi- pally confifts of the joint exhalations of animals> vegetables, and minerals, of an immenfe number and variety of fmall infcdls and their eggs, feeds of plantSj antl the like. — Rain-water is particularly impure in places filled with many noxious vapours, fuch as marfhy countries, and large manufafturing towns, where the fumes of metallic and other fubftances are mixed with the rain. In hi^h and elevated fituations, at a diftance from impure exha- lations, if no ftrong winds blow, and after a gentle fhower> rain-water is thenpureft; becaufe the vapours of the atmofphere have already fub- fided. In Summer, however, on account of the copious exhalations, rain-water is mod objedion- able. Snow-water poficfles the fame properties as rain- water, but is purer : both are fofc, that is, with- out fo many mineral and earthy particles as fpring, v.'ell, and river-waters. Hail-watsr being pro- duced in the higher regions of the atmofphere, is ftill purer from its congislation, a ftate in which it cannot eafily partake of impurities. Ladly, Dew, as it arlfes from the evaporation of various bodies of the vegetable and animal kingdoms is more or iefs' ift/pni-e, according to the different regions and f<=a-io"ns. ' ' "■ • "■ B B' ' As 394 ^^ DRINK AND SPTCES. As the health of man principally depends on the purity and falubrity of the water he ufes, we ought-v where neceffary, to deprive it of its pernicious qualities; and this can be done by boiling, and fil- tering, but mod eftcflualJy by diftillation. The putrid fubftances in the water may be corrected by the addition of an acid. Thus, half an ounce of alum in powder will make twelve gallons of cor- - rupted water pure and tranfparent In two hours, without imparting a fenfible degree of aftringency. By the addition of a very fmall qiuantity of quick- lime, water may be prefcrved from corruption in long voyages : or, to prevent water from putre- fcence at fea, add a fmall quantity ofalkaii and vitrio- lic acid to every cafk, which will prcfcrvc it pure a-nd wholefome for a twelve-month. Charcoal- powder has alfo been found to be excellently adapted to check the putrid tendency of water, and for this reafon the flaves of the cafks, ufed on fhipboard*. ought to be well burnt in the infide, to keep the water from corruption. Vinegar, or other ftrong acidsy are alfo well calculated to- corrc.- • • ' Some OF DRINK AND SPICES. 4OI Some of the adulterations of wine are rather harmlefs, others extremely dangerous. The com- mon red-wines are frequently made of new, tart, and half-fpoiled white v/ines, by tinging them with red fumach, or other woods and berries. In order to make wines ftronger and more pungent, a va- riety of fpices are employed, fuch as gaiangal, car- damom^ mace, and the like ; or an unfermented muft, wort, or the mp.lh for diftilling fpirits, are occafionally added, and allowed to ferment toge- ther with impure wines. To impart to wine the flavour of mufcade), the leaves of the Hot'minum, .a fpecies of Sage, (Salvia Horminiumy L.) are often ufed ; though it be a plant of a ftrong ilupifying fmell, and very pernicious efFefls. All adulterated wines, and what we call Britifh wines, if drunk in any quantity, are more or lefs detrimental to health. For, even by the mod in- nocent mode of preparing them in large quantities, the manufadurers are induced to feafon them with fpices of a heating and ftimulating nature. But the moft deleterious of all adulterations of wine, is that with the various preparations of lead, to give it a fweet taile. This infamous praflice was carried on, fome years ago, in Paris, to fuch an extent, that the Excife-Oifice could not account for the prodigious increafe of Vinegar entered at the city-gates. But it was at length difcovered, that this vinegar confided only of lart and ad41terat9d wines. 402 OF DRINK AND SPICtS. wines, iiTiportcd under the pretended charac^'tcr of vinegar, in order to avoid the high duty impoftd upon wines, on their entrance into Paris: and fugar of lead, joined to fome abforbent earths, was employed to change thcfe vinegirs into fweet wines, which deftroyed the lives of many thoufand perfons. This fecret, of the utmofi: importance to health and life, was confeffed by a rich old wine- merchant, on his death-bed, to relieve in fome degree his tortured confcience. > Such adulterated wines operate like fiow poifons; they firfl occafion head-ach, contraftion of the throat, pain of the ftomach, uneafinefs, cough, difficulty of breathing; afterwads colics, and par- ticularly the dry belly- ach, with continual obftipa- tions, and at length palfy, convulfions, confump- tion, and death. — The brafs cocks alfo, which are hy fome dealers. ufed to draw off wine or cyder, ^re of the moft dangerous tendency j as they cafily yield, and mix their verdigrifc with the liquor. To deted adulterated wines, wc mufl attend t& the following particulars: every white or ftraw- coloured wine of a fweetilh tafte, afterwards aftrin- gent, and at the fame time new j every wine that has an unufually high colour, not in proportion to its ftrcngth and age, or if it has the flavour of brandy; penetrates the tongue, or laftly, if it has an uncommonly ftrong flavour, may be jufl:Iy fufpeded of adi^teratioD. -^ Red wines, either of a very 9 deep. €F DRINK AND SPICES, 403 ^cep, or a very faint colour j of a woody or tart tafte i and thofe which cover the infide of the glafs, as well as the bottom of the bottles, with a red fediment, are generally tinged with fome colour- ing fubftances. If fuch a wine be pafled througn •filtering paper, the colouring particles will remain 'behind. By the following method, we may eafily dif- cover, whether wines be adulterated, or tinged, with burnt fugar, raifi ns, whorde-berries, and the like. A fmall phial muft be filled with the fuf- pedted wine ; the opening is flopped v/ith the finger, and the phial, being inverted, is plunged into a tumbler of water: the finger being with- drawn from the mouth of the phial, if the wine be adukerat-cd, the fubftance with which this is done, will vifibly efcape from the phial, and mix with the water: in fo far at lead, as the. addition is heavier than water, which is generally the cafe. Thefe adulterations, however, are of little detri- ment to health, if they contain no fnetallic particles- In order to difcover thcfe, we are poflelTed of an ex- cellent chemical teft, contrived by Prof. Hahne- mann, in Germany, and known by the name o( Li- quor viniprobatorius. It is prepared as follows : One drachm of the dry liver of fulphur, and two drachms of cream of ,t-artar, are fhaken in two ounces of diililled water, till \i be completely faturated with hepatic air : the liquor is then filtered through bioctLng paper, and kept in a clofe- Hopped phial. From .4P4 OF DRIxN'JC AND SPICES. From fixteen co twenty drops of this llquiJ are dropped into a fmall glafs, filled with wine that is fufpcded to have been adulterated. If the wine , turn only thick with white clouds, and depofit only a white fediment, we may be certain that it con- tains no metallic ingredients whatever; but if ic turn black, or even muddy, if its colour approach to that of a dark red, if ic have- firil: a fwcct, and then zn afiringent tafte, it is certainly impregnated vi'iih fugar of lead, or fome other pieparation of that metal, equally defirudive. If, however, the /dark colour be of a blue caft, not unlike that of pale ink, we may fufpedt the wine to contain iron .in its compofition. Laftly, if tiie wine be impreg- nated with copper or verdigrife, it Vv^ili depofit a fcdimentcfa blackilh grey colour'. This cxperi- mtnt ought ro be made with a frefn-p re pared teft, and in tJie ooen air. It farther merits attention, that white wines are . very frequently coloured with burnt fugar and other vegetable bodies j they acquire a darker colour by being kept in oak cafks, or by con- saining much tartar ; and in all thefe cafes they v/ill be made fomewhat darker by the teft above drfcribed ; but the fediment will not be of an iir.vform colour, and will confiit only of fome thrown llreak?. — It is well known, that all white ^i^incs muft be impregnated with a fmail quantity of i'ftji^hiir,-in order to prefcrve them : if this be done in nYodcration, it.is'>not detrimentiid co heakh ; but . - if OF DRINK AND SPICES. 4O5 •if COO great a proportion of fulphur be ufed, fuch wine occafions great heat and third, it foon intoxi- cates, produces eruptions of the fl firmed . OF DRINK AND SPICES. 4I9 firmed by experience, juftly make it a valuable medicine, which is eminently qualified to cure the mod trouble fome head-achs, provided tliey origi- nate from the ftomach. Coffee drunk after dinner promotes digeflion ; and agues, diarrhoeas, and giddinefs, have been frequently removed by it. Its fubtle oil ftimulates the * folids, rarefies the blood, and confequencly is of peculiar fcr'^ice to females of a fedentary life, and to thofe who fufFer from phlegmatic and catarrhal difeafes. If drunk too ftrong, it affecls the nerves, and by its pene- trating property often occafions tremor of the hands and fleepleffhefs, but, in fome phlegmatic and indo- lent individuals, it is apt to excite fleep. If coffee be not ufed merely as a diluent for relaxing the fibres, it ought to be made ftrong. The beft proportion is, one ounce of well-roafted and ground coffee to one pound or one pint of water, which ihould be juft allowed to boil up: for the longer it is boiled, it lofcs the more of its vola- tile and aromatic particles, and confequencly be- comes weak and infipid. — As coffee is poffeffed of excellent antifpafmodic virtues, it is a favourite beverage with the hypochondriac and the hyfteric; and according to early obfervation, it is alfo the befl and moft effeflual remedy in fpafmodic afthma. The fleam of boiled coffee has frequently been beneficial to weak eyes. If drunk in the morning and 420 OF DRINK AND SPICES. or immediately after dinner, of a proper firength, ars buck-wheat, millet, maize, or India corn, the chickling-vetch (Lathyrus tuberofus, L.), and the like. Order II. Gelatinous animal fubftances. Genus i. Of a Joft and juicy mujcular Juhjlance; viz. veal, lamb, young beef, mutton, pork, venifon, turtle, hare, rabbits, badgers, domeftic fowls, pheafants, partridges, the greater number of land-fowl, oyfters, fmall lobfters, and frefh eggs. Genus \\. Gf a hard and tough fonfijtence \ viz. al! the animals before mentioned, when old J as well as the buftard, the ftarling, the woodpecker, the fparrow, the goofe, the duck, the lapvving, mufcles, fnails, crabs, hard boiled eggs, &c. Order III. Fat or bucyro-oleaginous fubftances. Genus i. Ofthejweet kind; viz. cacao, fweet almonds, walnuts, hazle-nurs, water-cal- . trops, chefnuts, beech-nuts, cafliew-nuts (Anacardia), piftachio-nuts, wild pine- apples (Karatas), milk, and frefli cheefe. Genus ii. Of the bitterifli and tart kindly viz, bitter almonds, acorns, all the feeds of fruit, and olives. CLASS II. Slightly nutrimental fubftances. Order I. Thofe of a vifcous and watery confift- ence, or the vegetable mucilage of which is diluted with much water. Genus 43^ OF FOOD, DRINK, AND SPICES. Genus \. Of a f'joeet tajle ; viz. melons, and fcveral fpecies of pears and apples, fweet citrons, lemons, oranges, figs, mulberries, rafpberries, fweet grapes, cherries, and plums, jujube- berries, dates, &c. Genus ii. Of a fivestiJJi tafle\ viz. green peas and beans, white cabbage, cauliflower, fpinach, orach, blite, or ftrawberry-fpinach, cucumbers, and gourds. Genus iii. Of a compound fineet and hitter tajle-y viz. the fuccory, the rampion (Phy- teumay L.), the borage, the faw-worf (Serratuhy L.), the young flioots ofhop.s the fovv-thiille (Sonchus^ L.), the hedge- muftard, ardchokes, capers, the brook- lime, endive, and lettuce. Genus iv. Of a mildly fweet ifJi and Jf icy tafie ; viz. celery, angelica, fhepherd's-needJe (Scandix cerefoliuniy L.), fennel, and the common balm. (Melijfa cfficinalisy L.) Genus v. Of an acrid tafle ; viz, radillies, turnip- radifhes, horfe-radiflies, tarragon ( Arternifia DracunculuSy L.), fcurvy-grafs, and rue. Genus vi. Of an iacidtafle\ viz. forrel (Runiex acetofdy L.), purflane (Portulaca, L.), four citrons, lemons, limes, cherries, plums, &c. Genus OF FOOD DRINK, AND SPICES. 437 Genus vii. Of a vinous quality, viz. all fweet apples, particularly rennets, apples of Bor- ftorf, and Ibme few varieties from Ame- rica i the pine-apple (Ananas)^ the honey or paradife-apple, fhaddocks or fina- apples, bramble-berries, ftraw-berries, whortle-berries, goolberries, currants, grapes, apricots, peaches, and nedarines. Genus viii. Of a tart and ajiringent tajle \ viz. all the wild-growing apples and pears, quinces, cran- berries, red whortle-berries, bar-berries, the green fummer and winter pears, four apples, medlars, the fruit of the dog-rofe or hip-tree, and of the fervice- tree, floes, or the fruit of the black- thorn, and the green Brafilian plums. Order II. "-Thofe of a gelatinous zvatery con- fiflence^ To this order belong all the various fpecics of firn. Divifion Second. Alimentary fuhjlances, containing unwholejome fluids. Order I. Thofe of an acrid nature. 1. Coarfely vi/cous andjalinejubflances', viz. all faked and fmoked animal food, both of quadrupeds and fifh. 2. Putrejcent, or eafily pitrejclhk Juhfcances\ viz. the ram, the he- goat, the bull, the otter, 43^ OF FOOD DRINK, AND SpiCES. Otter, water-fowls, the blood of animals, roafted eggs, tainted eggs, and laftly all the flefh of wild and tame animals kept too long, to make it more tender and favoury. 3. Suhftances of a furry and leathery appear - ance^ or Juch as difcover a Jufpicious acri- mony ; viz. truffles, morels, and all kinds of mufiirooms. Order II. 'Thoje of grofs fluids ^ or a coarfe earthy confiflence\ namely, the various legu- minous feeds, fuch as dried peas, beans, lentils, and the like. 11. BRINK, (A) Watery Liquors. I. Simple or uncompcunded i namely, all kinds of common water. II. Mucous -1J0 at ery-Jpirituous. I. All fermented liquors known by the name of beer or ale. 1, Spicy-balfamic liquids : fuch as the vernal fap of the birch and maple, as well as the artificial preparations of tea, coffee, and chocolate.^ 3. Sweetly-acidulated; n2ircit\y,hmon2ide y or- geat, mead, muft, cyder, perry, dec. 7 (B)Spi- OF FOOD DRINK, AND SPICES. 439 (B) Spirituous Liquors. I. BiJiiUed : namely, all kinds of ardent fpirits, from whatever grain or vegetable fubllance they may be extra6led. II. Firmented : All kinds of Wine. 1. Sweet wines \ thofe of Hungary, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Cape; as like- wife all wines made of currants, raifins, &c. 2. Slightly acidulated wines; among which Champaign, Rhenifh wine, or old Hock, and that of the Mofelle, are the principal. 3. ^cid and tart wines j to which chiefly be- long the wines of Franconia and Saxony. 4. The acidulated fweet wines j fuch are moft of the French wines, and particularly Claret i and,- laftly, 5. T\\t/Iiarp and aftringent wines; the chief of which are the wines of Oporto and Burgundy. III. SPICES. 1. Of the/ze;^^/?/ kind } fuch as fugar, honey, ~- manna, and t;he infpifTated fap of the maple and beech-trees. 2. Of the acid kind; namely, the juice of citrons, lemons, unripe grapes, &c. 2^ Of 440 OF FOOD, DRINK, AND SPICES. 3. 0( the /aline kind; namely, common fait, whether obtained in a folid form, as rock- falt, or from the evaporation of the fea and ialt-fprings. Laftly, '4. Of the pungent and halfamic kind j fuch as garlic, fhalot, onions, chives, nutmeg, mace, pepper, pimento, cubebs, vanilla, cardamoms, bay-berries, juniper-berries, ginger, calamus, cloves, cinnamon, faffron, caraway, coriander, fennel, parfley, dill, fage, marjoram, thyme, penny-royal, mug- wort, hyflbp, peppermint, and rue. • [ 441 ] CHAP. VII. Of Exercise and Rest ; their occafional advan- tages and dijadv ant ages explained \ their manner and limits ajcertained \ together with direSf ions for the regulation of both, JV/JOTION, or bodily exercife, is necelTary to the prefervation of health, which is pro- moted, while the bounds of moderation are not exceeded. Too violent exercife, or a total want ^ of it, are attended with equal difadvantages. Much alfo depends on the kind of motion, and the vari- ous pofturcs of the body. The eflential advantages of exercife are the fol- lowing : bodily ftrengch is increafed j the circula- tion of the blood and all other fluids promoted j the neceflary fecretions and excretions are duly performed i the whole mafs of the blood is cleared and refined, fo that it cannot ftagnate in the mi- nuted capillary velTels j and if any obftru(5lion fliould begin to take place, it will thus be efl^^flually removed. That exercife is enjoined by Nature, we may learn from the whole ftru6lure of the human body, the number of mufcles formed for motion, an4 the mechanifm in the circulation of the £ £ blood 44^ OF EXERCISE AND RESfJ blood Itfelf. There are, indeed, no healthier people than thofe who take ftrong daily exercife. Man in a ftate of health is inftindively excited to mufcular exertion ; and children that are perfe6lly healthy, are conrtantly running about, and in almoft uninterrupted motion. But if exercife, either by its violence or dur- ation, exceed the proper limits, it naturally quickens both refpiration and the circulation of the blood, which may occafion the burlling of fmall blood- vefTels, mifcarriages, inflammations, and col- Ie6lions of blood towards certain parts of the body, fuch as the heart and the brain. The fa- line acrimony of the fluids is thus more difen- gaged i the fat is diflfolved ; and inflammatory fevers, hemorrhages, and palfles, may be the con- . fequence. Violent exercife is particularly hurtful to per- fons unaccuflomed to it, or who have committed excefl^es in drinking, and, what is ftill worfe, in eating more than is neceflary : and thofe whofe bodies have nut been fufficiently nouriflied by food -and drink, may alfo be injured by too much exercife. The fudden tranfition from a fl:ate of refi:, to violent .aftion, is likewife hurtful, and flill more .£b in hot than in cold weather. After flrong emotions of the mind, every fpecics of bodily exercife ou^ht to be avoided, till mental tranquil- lity return after bodily repofe i and we ought to cuard OF EXERCISE AND REST, 443 guard agalnft the efFeds of cold, sis it may prove extremely prejudicial in fuch a ftate. With refped to the manner of taking exercife, three principal points are to be attended to : 1. As to the -^^W of exercife, — the various fpecies of which may be aptly divided into a5live and pajftve. The aflive are of a verv diverfified nature j walkings running., leapmg^/wimming, ridmg^ fencings the military exercife^ different forts of athletic gameSy as well as every other kind chat requires mufcular exertion.— P^^t?^ exercife com- prifes ridijig in a carriage. Jailing^ friSlion^ Jiving" ingy &c. The more adive fpecies of exercife are beneficial to youth, to chofe of a middle age, to the robufl in general, and particularly to the corpulent, the plethoric, and thofe whofe evacuations are not ia due proportion to their fupplies. The pafTive kinds of exercife, on the contrary, are better jfuited to infants, to old, dry, and emaciated per- fons, to the delicate and debilitated, and efpecially the afthmatic and confumptive. 2. As to the time in which exercife is moil: proper— this depends on fo great a variety of con- current circumftances, that the rules by which it may be regulated, cannot be univerfal, and muft therefore be colleded from the preceding obfer- vacions on the properties and elfeds of Air, Food, E E 2 Drinkj 4-44 0^ EXERCISE AND REST. Drink, Sec. — Other particulars, fuch as relate to the greater or lefs degree of fatigue attending the different fpecies of exercife, and its utility in cer- tain dates of the mind and body, muft determine the time, as well as 3. The duration of it; — for it is almoft impcf- fible to laiy down pofitive rules, how long every individual, in every particular fituation, may con- tinue a certain fpecies of exercife, fo as to derive advantage. Thefe rules, as far as they can be eflablifhed, may be colleded from the fubfequent remarks, and then applied to the various kinds of exercife, by which we may be benefited in different cafes and fituations. It is neceflary firft to obferve, that any kind of exercife which we are accuftomed to take, with a view to ftrengthen the body, is far preferable to an unufual one, which may be attended with a con- trary effefl:. — We ought always to begin gently, and to finifh gradually, never abruptly. — Exercilc in the open air has great advantages over that in houfes and clofe apartments. — Befides, ftrong bo- dily exertions, fuch as dancing, fencing, turning, and the like, if pradlifed in fmall and confined places, on account of the increafed perfpiration, foon vitiate the air, and render it unfit for breathing. If we take exercife for the fake of health, we ought to employ ourfelves during the time with fome agreeable objefl, and not perform any labour, nor ferioufly occupy the mind. Hence certain 7 kinds OF EXERCISE AND REST. 445 kinds of exercife cannot be unconditionally recom- mended to every individual, as conducive to health j though they fhould of themfelves be proper, and in other refpecls agree with the confticution. He who forces hinnfelf to take any exercife, or performs it with reluctance, will thence recciye more injury than benefit: motions or tafl raife his arms, and drop them with the alternate motion backward on his heels. Thus the whole mufcular fyftem will be duly exercifcd, without confining the motion to one particular part. This is even preferable to the dumb- hells y which, like every other fpecies o^ partial exercife, if pe r levered. in, or EXERCISE AND REST; 455. in, are fo far objeftionable, as they require the uncommon exertion of certain mufcles, while the due and uniform circulation of the blood to thofc parts is difturbed, to the detriment of others which are at reft. To perfons who are deprived of the ufe of their limbs, and are weak and delicate, the motion of a fedan-chair is of great benefit, if it be continued for a fufficisnt time ; for it difpofes the body td-'s^ free perfpiration. Of the fame nature is the fail- ing in barges or boats, either on lakes or rivets. A much more adive kind of bodily motion is produced by fhort voyages. Thofe who are un- accuftomed to it, generally experience giddinefs of the head, naufea, and' vomiting: hence it is be- neficial to an impure ftomach. To confumptive patients, it frequently is the laft refource ; but it'is wrong to delay it, till all other remedies have'failed.' For it is not in the laft ftage of confumption, when- . the lungs are ulcerated, or when an abfcefs has burft in the thorax, and the ichorous matter has been communicated to the blood, that we can ex- pe6l any benefit from voyages. The changes of fcene and climate, indeed, powerfully co-operate in effefling changes in the human fyftem -, but; if the difeafe has preyed too much on the vitals of a patient, or if he is fpitting blood, the mo- tion of the vefTcl muft neceffarily prove inju- fious. On the other hand, the debilitated, the nervousi 45^ ®F EXERCISE AND REST.' nervous, and particularly the hypochondriac, cannot refort to a better remedy than a fhort voyage. Riding on horjehack is, in a certain refpeft, an excellent gymnaflic remedy, by which all the muf- cJes, from the toes to the head, are in reciprocal motion, and which manifefts its principal effefls on the inteftines of the abdomen. It clears the intef- tinal canal, promotes the evacuation of crude fub- llanccs, ftrengthens the ftomach and bowels, im- proves digeflion, prevents or refolves incipient ob- ftrudtions, and facilitates the perfpiration of the whole body. To the hypochondriac it is an inef- timablc remedy; but, if the obftrufbions fhould be . too far advanced, riding ought either not to be at- tempted at all, or pradifed in as flow a pace as the horfe can walk. In fhort, it is to be under- taken with the fame precaution as failing, in thofc ftages of confumption, which admit of thefe reme- dies. Farther, riding is not advifable in cafes of he- morrhoids, ruptures, and gravel. The feeble and relaxed ought to begin with a gentle pace, and to increafe it gradually; for a moderate trot is the proper medicinal mode of riding. And perfons who exped to derive real advantage from riding on horfcback, muft rieither trot too faft, nor make ufe of a heavy and jolting horfe. Such pa- tients as are unaccuftomed to this exercife, par- ticularly hypochondriacs, generally ride with great timidity. OF EXERCISE AND REST. 45*7 timidity. Their lives are, as it were, in continual danger i and by the aukward pofture of their bo- dies on horfeback, they are frequently hurt in places accefllble to injuries ; — Hitches in the fide, congeftions of blood in the head, and violent per- fpiration, counterbalance every advantage received from their excurfions. To mod of thefe patients, if they can afford it, the riding-fchool cannot fail to be extremely ufeful j for the regular manner of training the horfes there, their uniform and fteady motion, the attention paid to the proper pofture of the rider, by keeping his breaft and abdomen credl, and the legs properly extended, all are cir- cumftances very favourable to the patient and convalefcent. But, even here, it is the mode- rate kind of exercife only, that promifes real benefit in a medical fenfe ] — continued furious driving and hard trotting are always extremely dangerous. For nmilar reafons, riding on horfeback, as well as in carriages, immediately after a meal, is ftill more dangerous than walking. The mofl proper time for riding is the morning, when the ftomach is empty. It fliould, however, not be long con- tinued ; one hour, in general, is quite fufficient 5 and in this refped riding is preferable to any other exercife, as it can be pradtiled by perfons, whofe bufinefs does not permit them to devote much of their time to amufement. F F Swimming 458 Of EXERCrsir AND REST. Swimmirg is likewife an ufeful exercife, whicBf has the additional advantage of a cold bath. The motion and mufcular exertion, which it re- quires, increafe its utility : fome rules and pre- cautions, however, muft be attended to. They have been ftated at confiderable length in Chap. III. " On the ufe of Baths." I fhall, there- fore, at prefcnt only remark, that we Ihould not enter with the feet, but with the head,, into a cold bath i that the body (hould be neither too warm nor too cold > and that we fliould not choofe dan- gerous rivers, or ponds, nor enter the water be- fore the rays of the fun have in fome degree warmed ic, and rendered it more temperate. The fenfation produced by cold water is indeed lefs to- be apprehended, than the confequences arifing from imprudently plunging into it, when the body ift cither too much cooled or heated. Playing at Hand-ball^ Cricket, and the like, have a more powerful effedt on the mufcles than the ab- domen J and are therefore, in one refpedl, unavail- ing to fedentary people, and on the other hand unneceflarily fatiguing. — Carouffels^ or riding of^ machines in a circle, are movements which require too much mufcular exertion of the debilitated, whofe ftrenglh admits only of a moderate exercife, Thele, as well zs /winging machines y and the lately- contrived Jivinging cars, which move on a wheel with perpendicular pivots, are improper for thofe who arc inclined to giddinefs, and nervous fymp- . ^ 5 toms. 07 EXERCISE AN'd RES'?. 459 torils in general, on account of the fear they occa- fion and the dangerous accidents that may happen. But at the fame time, both fpecies of exercife are extremely favourable in fuch a ftate of health as requires an uniform and gentle motion of the whole body, in the pure and open air, particularly the high fwinging cars, which are well calculated for that purpofe* Speaking is one of the tnofl: healthful and necef- fary fpecies of exercife j and, without any ludicrous allufion, I may affertj that this practice is particularly lalutary to the female fex, who are more confined at home than men. Here, however, as in other cafes, excefs is prejudicial. Loud reading and fpeaking are of fingular advantage to literary men, and afford them good fubftitutes for other kinds of exercife, for which they feldom have fufHcient leifure or opportunities. It is to this caufe, we may juflly afcribc the longevity of many fchoolmafters, and teachers in univerfities, who, notwithftanding their fedentary employments, and the vitiated air which they daily breathe in fchool- rooms, attain to a long and healthy life. — To fpeak very loud, or exercife the voice immediately after a meal, is pernicious to the lungs, as well as to the organs of digeftion. Singing remarkably promotes the circulation of the blood through the lungs, and all parts of the body j the lungs, as well as the abdominal intef- cines, arc Ihakcn by the vibrating motion of the F F a air. 460 OF EXERCISE AND REST. air, in a manner very conducive to health. Thus the phlegm, and other noxious matter, colleded about the pulmonary veflels, are refolvcd and car- ried away, fo that they cannot mix with the blood, and the mofl: dangerous flagnations in the fmaller veflels are thus prevented : the blood uniformly circulates, while it is impelled to the larger veins and arteries. For the fame law of Nature, by which river-water is preferved fweet and frelh, while that of pools and ditches (lagnates and putrines, is alfo fully applicable here. — The air inhaled in fmging is of limilar fervice to us, as the current to the water. Thofe fedentary artificers or mechanics, who, from habit, almoft conftantly fing at their work, unintentionally contribute much to the pre- fervation of their health. All Wind Inftruments are more or lefs hurtful ^ for, as much air is thus introduced into the lungs, and as it is but gradually and partially emitted, that organ foon becomes debilitated. Hence per- ibns of weak lungs, who are very fond of playing the flute, hautboy, or French horn, are frequendy afliided with fpitting of blood, cough, fliortnefs of breath, and pulmonary confumption. Befides, blowing checks the circulation of the blood through the Kings, accumulates it towards the head, and difpofes fuch muficians to apoplexy. By the vio- lent expulfion of the air, the abdominal mufcles are contracted, all the parts of the abdomen arc com- prefled, the circulation of the fluids is retarded, ?.nd OF EXERCISE AND REST. 461 and many unpleafant, and frequently fatal confe- quences are induced. There are other kinds of mufical infiruments which, in a dietetical view, deferve to be con- demned. Such is the Harmonica^ which, by the rotation of the glafles on the fingers, (a kind of negative eledricity) induces a great degree of nervous weaknefs. And this effcft is much acce- lerated by the acute and vibrating founds of this inftrument, by which the organs of hearing are intenfely affeded. Perhaps all ftringed inftru- ments, which are played by the touch of the fingers, fuch as the harp, the guitar, and the vio- lin, produce a fimilar efFed on the nervous fyftem ; efpecially if it be true, that the papilU or points of the fingers, are the ftrongeft conductors of the fuppofed nervous fluid. It is at lead probable, that to be able to play on fuch inftruments, with expreffion, requires a more than common fenfibi- lity of the nerves, which indeed may be fometimes artificially acquired, but to the detriment of health* For it cannot be doubted, that a local excitement of irritability may be gradually propagated over the whole nervous fyftem ; and that, from raifing fome parts of the body to a preternatural ftate of fenfibility, the charader of thofe who are called Virtuofty is generally marked with nervous debility. The extraordinary influence of mufic is univerfally known ; by it the pafllons of perfons of fenfibility niay be mofl; efFedually roufed or allayed -, nay, in F F 3 fomc 45-2 OF EXERCISE AND REST. fqme individuals, every feeling of the mind c^n be afFefled, at pleafure, by the various modifica^*- tions of harmony. As grief, and other depref- fing pafiions, may be alleviated by appropriate mpfic, it is an exercife deferving every commend-r ation. Yet we mud neither exped to cure by it difeafes of the mind, nor their concomitant bodily diforders : this is beyond the power of nnu- fic, which afts as a palliative only, or as a nerv- ous ftimulus, the cffcd: of Vv^hich is inftantaneous, but of Ihort duration. For, as foon as the excit- ing caufe ce^fes, it is fucceeded by an uncomfort- able fenfation of debility and relaxation. It is even probable that mufic, like all other anodyne and Toothing remedies, may in the end increafe the diiV pofition to nervous weaknefs, by its too frequent repetition. Laftly, the pofture of the body, in praftifing mufic, alfo deferves attention ; as the breaft and abdomen may be comprefTed by Hooping, fo as to paufe very ferious complaints ; and as the eyes may be injured by reading the notes, at too gre2,t prfhort a di(lance, efptcially fprthc double keys of the harp and harpfichord : indeed, reading mufi^ is in general more fatiguing to the eyes, than any other kind of exertion. fri^icn of thq bcc^y, which can be performed either by the naked hand, a piece of flannel, or flill better by a flelh-brufh, is one of the moft gentle and ufeful fpecies of exercife. l^\it wha^e body OF EXERCISE AND REST. 463 body may be fubje*5led to this mild operation, but principally the abdomen, the fpine, the arms, and legs. It clears the fkin, refolves ftagnating hu- mours, promotes perfpiration, ftrengthens the fibres, and increafes the warmth and energy of the whole fyftem. In rheumatifm, gout, palfy, and green -ficknefs, it is an excellent remedy. Daily fri(5lion of the whole body was with the ancients, and is flili in the Eaft Indies, confidered one of the mod indifpenfable requisites of a people, who by their indolent manner of life feem to have adopted it, more with a view to indulge in fen- fual pleafures, than as a prefervative of health, Ix is, however, one of the moft falutary expe- dients, by which the whole body receives nearly as much benefit, as from a tepid bath, and which, as being in the power of every perfon, ought to be more frequently and more generally ufed. To the fedentary, the hypochondriac, and perfons troubled with indigeftion, who have not leifurc to take fufficient exercife, tlie daily fri<5lion of the belly, in particular, cannot be too much recommended as a fubftitute for other means, in order to diffolve pituitous ftagnations, which may be forming in the abdomen, and to re-invigorate the veflels. And though it be not attended with all the advantages enjoyed from exercife in the open air, it ftill produces a powerful effefl on the organs of digefiion j for the moderate ex- ercife of a v/hole day will fcarccly invigorate the F F 4 abdominal 464 ' OF EXERCISE AND REST. abdominal veflels, and particularly the ftomach, ib much as the friftion of thefe parts^ continued for half an hour. But, if it be intended for thefe beneficial purpofcs, it fhould be performed in the morning, on an empty ftomach, or in bed before we rife, gently and ftcadily in a circular direction, and at Icaft for five or ten minutes at a time. In a weak (late of the abdomen, and the nerves in general, we may derive ftill more falucary eff^edis from fridlion, if the ftomach and the whole abdomen be rubbed every morning, and at night, before going to bed, with a fponge, or a piece of flannel dipped in cold water. This poflefles ftill greater advantages over internal medicines, becaufe it can be fafely employed, even in cafes where the alimentary canal, from its obftru6tcd ftate, fcarcely admits of any other remedy, while fric- tion, and the affufion of cold water, generally relieve thefe obftru(5lions, and even habitual coftivenefs. Motion or excrcife ought to be continued only till we feel an agreeable laflitude, and a fenfible degree of perfpiration. If it be carried farther, it weakens, inftead of ftrengthening the body, and produces bad effefls by filling the lungs with heated blood. Even the robuft man will experience fome, though lefs unpleafant efFefts than the debilitated, if he has committed an excefs of this nature. After having taken exercife, we fhould not ven- ture to rtft in a cool place, nor upon a green plot 5 ftill OF EXERCISE AND REST. 465 ftill lefs fiiould we expofe onrfclves to a current of air; but rather .frequent a place warmed by the mild rays of the fun in fiimmer, or a moderately- warm apartment in winter, fo that the fudden change of temperature may not injure us, by fup- prefiing perfpiration. For the fame reafons, the third we generally feel after cxercife, ought not to be inftantly fatisfied by cooling drink. It is however allowable to drink fome warm or diluent liquors, if we cannot wait till the natural warmth be reftored. The late Dr. Fothergill very properly advifed that people in a ftate of perfpiration fhould, to avoid all danger, eat a mouthful of bread, with a little fait, and thus gain time, till the blood and the liquor to be drunk had acquired a more equal temperature* A fmall quantity of vinegar, or the juice of lemons in water, is well calculated to quench thirft, and at the fame time to promote perfpiration. Tra- vellers on foot ought to be upon their guard againft too much drink j for, the more liquids they take, the more they will perfpire, and the greater will be the fubfequent relaxation and dan- ger of catching cold, when their clothes are fatu- rated Vv^ith peifpirable matter. They fhould alfo abftain from drink produdive of a laxative efFe<5t- which would caufe debility, and even faintin^-s. The moft fuitable of all fubftances to mix with water, is the pure or effential acid of tartar, with a fmall quantity of fugar. This affords a cooling and 4^6 OF EXERCISE AND REST. and refrefliing beverage, without relaxing the bowels, like lemonade. Perfons with whom the vitriolic acid agrees, may take a tea-fpoonful of a mixture, conlifting of fix or eight parts of fpirits of wine and one part of vitriolic acicl, to a pint of water. A beverage made of weak acidulated wine and water is cooling and fcrengthening. In the very cold weather oi^ winter, people ought to avoid all heating liquors, fuch as ardent fpirits and ^rong wines. Warm diluents, fuch as tea and coffee, are equally improper, and a poor protedlion againft cold ; for their warming property is of fhort duration j they are produflive of debility, a more torpid circulation of the blood, and confe- quently of an increafe of cold. It is much better to eat previoufly fome folid meat, by which the digeflive organs may be exercifcd, fuch as cold animal food and bread, and to drink after it fomc bitter ale or beer. On the other hand, when we fuifer from intenfe cold, or have been expofed to the wind and weather, a few cups of ftrong tea, with plenty of cream and fugar, is then the bed and fafeft refrefhment : and it is equally invigo- rating in fummer after extreme heat and fatigue.-— Feeble individuals, whofe ftomachs generate much acid, and who are frequently troubled on their journies with a fuddcn voracious appetite, are Jiable to the moft painful attacks of weaknefs on the road, and on that account they ought always to be provided in their excurfions, with fome kind of OF EXERCISE AND REST. 467 of folid food. Such perfons fhould carefully flbftain from the ufe of wine, brandy, or other heating and ftimulating cordials, while traveHing, cfpecially in the morning : they might with more advantage eat feme bread and butter, warm or buttered ale, ftrong broth, gruel, or fimilar nou- rilhing lubftances. We are now to confider the confequences arifing from the want of exercije. This, indeed, is Hill more debilitating than too violent motion. The folid parts of the human frame are relaxed by it ; the circulation of the fluids is retarded ; they gra- dually ftagnate in the fmaller capillary veflels i the fecretions are diminiflied ; and abundance of moift- ure or fat is generated, which renders the body, as well as the mind, more indolent and lethargic j— relaxation of the mufcles, obllruftions of the in^- teftines, hemorrhoids, apoplectic fits, various fpe- cies of dropfy, and at length a premature death, are the fad confequences. Men of letters are the moft unhealthy of all human beings, becaufe their bodies have fcarcely any other exercife but the imperceptible motion of the arms. — Want of ap- petite, flatulency, anxiety, at one time obftruflions, at another diarrhcea, and the moft deverfified nervous fymptoms, arc their attendants. Sleep is beyond their reach j a thoufand tormenting in- conveniences, hypochondriafis, and at length a complete ftate of melancholy is too frequently iheir lot. Temperance alone will not remedy all thefe 4^8 OF EXERCISE AND REST. thefc evils j for, fince we cannot remain vigorous and healthy for two days together, with the fame mafs of blood, a new accefs of the pureft and moft fubtle parts of our fluids muft daily fupport the nervous fyftem, in order to preferve its regular fundions. If this be not continually reftored, weaknefs and relaxation of body and mind are the Inevitable confequences ; with this difference only, that in a (late of debility, from too much bodily cxercife, the thick and coarfe particles of the fluids are carried into circulation with the others, and the next meal, or the firft fleep after it, very foon fupplies the deficiency : in mental labour, on the contrary, digcftion is interrupted, the crude and vifcid parts of food remain unaflimilated, and the body is prevented from receiving proper nou- rifhment. In like manner, fcdentary mechanics and artificers are afil-fted j particularly flioe- makers, taylors, and weavers. They experience maladies fimilar to thofe, to which men of letters are fubjed ; and it has been frequently obferved, that they are very liable to difcafcs of the mind, and efpecially to religious fanaticifm. Siandingy though ufeful as a change after long fitting, is apt to occafion accumulations of blood, or rather of the ferous part of it, in the lower ex- tremities. Swelled legs are therefore common among printers. It is a pofl:ure little calculated to relieve the ftudious, and the body is at the fame time more fatigued by Handing than fitting* If OF EXERCISE AND REST. If we fit much, we niufl: attend to the two fol- lowing rules: i. that no part of the body be comprefled ; and 2. that fitting be not too long continued at one time. The common manner of fitting, with the head reclined, is extremely per- nicious ; for the circulation of the fluids in the abdomen is thus checked j the inteftines are com- prefixed, and the veflels of the breaft contradled. The head alfo fufFers by bending it too much for- ward j as the blood is thus impelled to circu- ' late towards it more copioufiy, than is confident with health. The ftudious, cfpecially, would do well, not to perform all their avocations in a fedentary poihire, but occafionally to relieve at once their body and mind, by Handing, or walk- ing about the room. The mode of fitting ought alfo to be made as convenient as pofiible, fo that both the body and head may be kept in an almoft perpendicular pofture ; that the bread and abdo- men may not be obfiruded in their alternate ex- panfion; and lalUy, that the arms and legs may not be held in a crooked and unnatural pofition ; all this fiiould be particularly attended to, by thofe who teach children to read and write. The preiTure of the abdominal mufcles may in a great meafure be prevented by high tables and defies, and by raifed ftools or chairs, upon which a per- fon rather (lands than firs. To lie or reft horizontally, is attended with a cefiution of all exercli^^ If the head be placed 6 low, /i^jCi CP EXERCISE AND REST. low, and this too long continued, head-ach may be the confequence from the increafed prefiiire of the blood on the brain. Here, likewife, a frequens change of poflure is necellary, in order to obftruft none of the bodily fundions, and to prevent the llagnation of humours. Finally, the faculties of the mind deferve no lefs attention than thofe of the body. Alternate ch'anges of tranquillity and adivlty are equally beneficial to the mind, as reft and exercife to the body. Too long continued, too frequent, and too profound refledlions, are alike injurious to both. The flune powers are diminifhed here as in bodily labour, and in a ftill greater proportion j for mufcular exertions, though fatiguing, are repro- ductive of new vigour. By ftudy the mind indeed improves in capacity, but the body is a fufFerer froin every unufual exertion of the intelleftual fa- culties, and they both gradually become difeafed. In profound meditations th*- vital fpirits are, as-ic were, withdravvrn from the organs of fcnfe ; the body is for the time almcft ^deprived of fenfation ; and we frequendy become in a manner abfent. Refiedtion always direded to one objeft, not only debilitates, but alfo fupprelfcs the other faculties of the mind, and does not permit it to deviate from its favourite purfuit. Thus, we fometimes fee me- lancholy, nay madnefs itfelf, overwhelm perfons devoted to the contemplation of one particular objed. Intenfe and abftrufe thought, in general, if OF EXERCISE AKU REST. 47I jf not checked in time> may be attended with Itupor or infanity. To enable us to refle6l fcriouny upon an im- portant fubjed, time and place ought to be fo chofen, that the mind may be diverted by no other obje^fli for two ideas cannot be conceived at one moment of time. Hence we fhould ftudy in an apartment which is not too light, and where we are undifturbed by noife j — the mufcles (hould not be adivel;/ employed during (ludy : it is there- fore improper and pernicious, immediately after meals, or before digeftion is completed. The morning, indeed, is the moft profitable time for (ludy ; though neceffity and cuftom make many exceptions j fo that fome perfons, from gradual praftice, are able to perform their mental tafks dur- ing the greatcft noife, and in a room full of children. Much and frequent inadivity of mind agrees, indeed, well with the body, whicl^ in that (late fully performs its fundlions, but it becomes un- wieldy, infomuch at length, as to ftupify the mental powers : the idsas become obfcure and confufed ; and a total lofs of memory, or oblivion of the paft^ is but too often the confequent effedl of fuch in- dolence. [ 472 ] CHAP. Vllt. . r Of Sleeping and Waking; their juji proportion with regard to age^ the conflituticn of the body, mode of life y and other circumjlances. CLEEP and wakefulnefs are nearly in the fame relation to each other as exercife and reft. Waking always pre-fuppofes a certain degree of a6livity -, all the natural funclions, digeftion, the preparation of the chyle and blood, affimilation, fecretion, and excretion, are then more vigoroufly performed, and would foon exhauft their powers, if fleep did not reftore to them the beneficial and indifpenfable fupplies. Sleep is therefore neceflary to exiftence and health, and it is an improper and fruitleft attempt, to deprive ourfelvcs, by an ill-diredled aftivity, of the requifite portion of this refrefhment ; for Nature will maintain her rights, in fpite of our efforts to fubvert them j and both body and mind will fuffer, without attaining any real advantage from an extravagant watchfulnefs. Before I proceed to inquire into the confe- quences of either too much or too little fleep, it will be ufeful to premife a concife theory, or the phyfiology, of this fufpenfion of the mental powers. When CF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 473 When the body is fatigued, and --'the fenfea. together with the voluntary motion of tlie< mufclesi have for fome time been aflive, we ftand in need I of the alternation of reft, which is obtained by fleep. During a found lleep, the fenfes; and thd voluntary mufcuiar motions, are not exercifedj but the vital functions, fuch as refpiration, and the circulation of the blood, as well as moft of the natural funftions aforementioned, are regularly though more flo.wly performed. While we are afleep, the- motion of the heart and the bloqd- ve0els, even the adion of the brain and the nery- ous fyftem, as likewife the periftaltic or verqiicujajT motion of the ftomach and the inteftines, and the fecretion of the fluids, are performed in an uni? form and fteady manner. Previous to fleep, .we perceive a languor of the fenfes, of the mufcles which are fubjeft to our will, and of thofe alfo which keep the body in an erecl pofl:ure ; the head inclines downwards, the upper eye-lid and the lower jaw-bone likewife fink, the venous blood accumulates towards the heart, and compels us to yawn, in order to facilitate the tranfition of thfe blood into the lungs, by the deep breathing which takes place : finally, the brain itfelf, as the organ of the mind, appears to be fatigued ^ hence cur ideas become irregular, and there arifes a flight im- becility of the underftanding. That the motions of the heart are ftronger during fleep, and that perfpiration is more aflive, mufl: be afcribed to G G the 474 <^f SLEEPING AND WAKINCT, the warmth of the bed-cloaths, by which the in^ fenfible perfpiration foftens and relaxes the fkin^ But a perfon, who lleeps in his ufual drefs, will feel chilly j and thofe animals that fleep long, as the hedge-hog, the murmur-deer (Marmota Alpnag L.), fuffer an extraordinary degree of cold. As the fenfes are inaftive. during fleep ; as the nervous energy is lefs exhaufted, and its fecretion continued, a new fupply of it is- colleded, and the organs of fenfe, as well as the mufcles, receive additional vigour. This occafions us to awake^ particularly if roufed by any fiimulus. While we arc afleep, the nutritive particles can more eafily attach themfelves to the fibres, and fat alfo is more readily generated, from the retarded circulation of the blood. After we have flept fufficiently, we are apt, on awaking, to (Iretch the limbs and joints, and fometimes to yawn : the latter, with an inftindive defire of promoting the circulation of blood through the lungs, which was retarded during fleep j the former, namely ftretching, in or- der to afiift the ejttcnfor mufcles, which, by the flexion of the limbs in fleep, had been more ex- tended, and in order to expand again the flexor mufcles, that had been moderately contrafled. The proximate caufe of fleep appears to be an impeded motion of the nervous fluid in the brain. This motion is produced by a kind of collapfe of the fubtle infertions of the nerves, as well as by a mechanical comprefllon of them. Hence we can 13 explain, OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 475 explain, how things fo totally oppofite are able to produce flecp, when they either cxhauft or com* prcfs the tubes of the nerves. Of the former kind is every violent and fatiguing fpecies of labour, a confiderablc lofs of blood> perfpiration increafed by external heat, and every thing that withdraws the blood from the head ; for inftance, warm bath- ing of the lower extremities, a ftomach filled with much food, &c. Of the latter kind of incitements to flecp, namely, thofe that a£l by comprefTion, is every mechanical preflfure on the brain, whether it proceed from water accumulated in its ventricles, from a local depreffion or fra6ture of the cranium, or from extravafated blood :— in like manner, the impeded regrefs of the blood from the brain, or the increafed accefs of it to that organ, may affefl fuch a prefliire, by diftending the blood-veflfels, as is the cafe in ufing narcotics, or wine and other fpirituous liquors j and, laftly, an intenfe de- gree of cold, as well as the ftate of an approach- ing apoplexy.— Sleep is promoted by tranquillity of mind j by the abfence of every ftimulus to the body J by filence and darkncfs around us ; by a Complete reft of the fenfes s by gently and uni- formly affefling one of the fenfes, for inftance, by rnufic or reading j and, laftly, by a gentle exter- nal motion of the whole body, as by rocking or failing. On the other hand, every painful fenfa- tion, a great noife, a bright light, ftrong exer- , tion of mental powers, and particularly violent G 2 pafllons. 47^ OF SLEEPING AND Vi^AKING. pafiions, are calculated to prevent fleep. TliuS- like wife fleep may be impeded ' by hot, fpicy, and other ftimulating drinks, which are faid to occafion' a more fpeedy fecretion of the nervous fiuid. Dreams are vagaries of the imagination, and in- moil: inftances proceed from external fenfations. They rake place only, when our fleep is unfbund;, in which cafe the brain and nervous fyftem are ca- pable of performing the motions before mentioned. We feldom dream during the firfl hours of fleep 5 perhaps, beeaufc the nervous fluid is then too much exhaufced ; but dreams moflly occur towards the morning,, when this fluid has been, in fome meafjre, reflored. Every thing capable of inter- rupting the tranquillity of mind and body, may produce dreams. Such are the various kinds of grief and forrow, exertions of the mind, afi^edions and paiTions, crude and undigefted food, a hard and inconvenient poliure of the body, Sec. Thofe idias v;hich have lately occupied our mind, or made a lively imprefllon upon us, generally conflitute the principal fubjed of a dream, and more or lefs cinploy our imagination, when we are afleep. 'Animals are likewife apt to dream, but feldom ;- and even men living temperately, and enjoying a perfed fl:ate of health, are feldom difturbed with this play of the fancy. Nay, there are examples of lively and fpirited perfons who never dream. The great phyfiologifl:, Haller, confiders dreaming as a fympton of difeafe, or as a ftimulating caufe, by which OF SLEEPING AND WAKING, . 477 ^ which the perfefl tranquillity of the Jenjorium is interrupted. Hence, that fleep is the mod refrefh- ing, which is undiflurbed by dreams, or, at lead, when we have no clear recoUedion of them. I have before obferved, that mod of our dreams are fports of fancy, and derive their origin chiefiy from external impreflions : almoft every thing wc fee and hear, when awake, leads our imagination to collateral notions or reprefentations^ which, in a manner fpontaneoufiy, and v/ithout the leaft ef- fort, aHbciate with external fenfarions. The place where a perfon whom v/e love formerly refided, a drefs fimilar to that which we have fcen her wear, or the objecls that employed her attention, no fooncr catch our eye, than ilie immediately occupies our mind. And, though thefe images, affociating Vv'ith external fenfations, do not arrive at com- plete confcioufnefs, within the power of imagina- tion, yet even in their latent (late they may become very ftrong and permanent. I have been informed, for inftance, of a young man, who was attacked with convulfions, every time he heard the name of Jejiis repeated ; owing, it feems, to the cir- cumftance of his mother having once invoked the . name of Jefus in a terrific voice and manner, when Ihe, as well as the boy, were much frightened by a tremendous peal of thunder. But this is only an indire6l demonftration of the exigence of a faculty, which is very adlive in dreams, and which may be aptly called t.he Juhreajoning faculty ^ or the power G G 3 ' of 478 OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. of abftrafting fimilantics. The conclufions, thus formed, are more frequent and adive, than in the waking ftate j becaufe they are feldom controlled by the reflexions of reafon, I fliall make ufe of one illuftration only. Very frequently we find, that in a dream a fcries of reprcfentations is fuddenly interrupted, and an- other feries of a very different kind occupies its place. This happens, as foon as an idea affociates itfelf J which, from whatever caufe, is more inte- refling than that immediately preceding. The laft then becomes the prevailing one, and determines the affociation. Yet by this, too, the imagination is frequently reconduifted to the former feries. The interruption in the courfe of the preceding occur- rences is remarked, and the power of abftradling fimilarities is in fearch of the caufe of this irregu- larity. Hence, in fuch cafes, there ufually hap- pens fome unfortunate event or other, which oc- canons the interruption of the ftory. The repre- fenting pbwer may again fuddenly condufl us to another feries of ideas, and thus the imagination may be led by the fubreafonin^ power before defined, from one fcene to another. Of this kind, for inftance, is the following remarkable dream, as related and explained in the words of Prof, Maass, of Halle : " I dreamed once," fays he, <* that the Pope vifited me. He commanded me to open my defk, and carefully examined all the papers it contained. While he was thus employed^ OF SLEEPING AMD WAKING; 479 employed, a very fparkling diamond fell out of his triple crown into my defk, of which, however, neither of us took any notice. As foon as the Pope had withdrawn, I retired to bed, but was foon obliged to rife, on account of a thick fmoke, the caufe of which I had yet to learn. Upon examination, I difcovered, that the diamond had fet fire to the papers in my defK, and burnt them to afhes." This dream deferves a fhort analyfis, on account of the peculiar circumftances which occafioned it, " On the preceding evening," fays Prof. Maafs, ** 1 was vifited by a friend, with whom I had a lively converfation, upon Jofeph II. 's fuppreflion of mo* nafteries and convents. With this idea, though I did not become confcious of it In the dream, was aflbciated the vifit which the Pope publicly paid tlj£ Emperor Jofeph at Vienna, in confequence of tlie meafures taken agalnfl; the clergy ; and with this again was combined, however faintly, the re- prefentation of the vifit, which had been paid me by my friend. Thefe two events were^ by the fiib^ reafoning faculty, compounded into one, according tp the eftablilhed ruler— that things which agree in their parts, alfo correfpond as to the wholes— hence the Pope's vifit was changed into a vifit made to me. The fubreafoning f^jcuhy, then, in order to account for this extraordinary vifit, fixed upon that which was the moft important objed in my fQpm, namely, the deik, or rather the papers it G G /J. contained 4^0 OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. contained. Thar a diamond fell out of the triple crown, was a collate ral afibciation, which was owing merely to the reprefentation of the defk. Some days before, when opening the defk, I had broken the glafs of my watch, which I held in my hand, and the fragments fell among the papers. Hence no farther attention was paid to the diamond, being a reprefentation of a collateral feries of things. But afterwards, the reprefentation of the fparkling ftone was again excited, and became the prevailing idea j hence it determined the fucceed- ing aflbclation. On account of its fimilarity, it excited the reprefentation of fire, with which ic was confounded -, hence arofe fire and fmoke. — But, in the event, the writings only were burnt, not the defk itfelf j to which, being of comparatively Icfs value, the attention was not at all directed. " • It is farther obfervable, that there are in the human mind certain obfcure reprefentations, and that it is neceflary to be convinced of the reality of thefe images, if we are defirous of perceiving the conneftion which fubfifts among the operations of the imagination. Of the numerous phenomena, founded on obfcure ideas, and v/hich confequcntly prove their exifterce, I fhall only remark the fol- lowing. It is a v, ell-known fafV, that many dreams originate in the imprefilons m>ade an the body during fleep j that they coniift of analogous image:* or fuch as are afibciated with fenfations that would arifc fronn thefc imprefiions, during a waking ftate; Hence, OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 48 I Hence, for inftance, if our legs are placed in a perpendicular pofture, we are often terrified by a dream, that implies the imminent danger of falling from a fteep rock or precipice". The mind mufb reprefent to itfelf thefe external impreflions in a lively manner, otherwife no ideal picture could be thus excited j but, as we do not become at all con- fcious of them, they are but faintly and obfcurely reprefented. If we make a refolution to rife earlier in the morning than ufual ; and if we imprefs this deter- mination on our mind, immediately before going to reO:, we are almoft certain to fucceed. Now it is felf-evident, that this fuccefs cannot be afcribed to the efforts of the body, but altogether to the mind j which, probably, during fleep perceives and computes the duration of time, fb that it makes an imprefiion on the body, v/hich enables us to awake at an appointed hour. Yet all this takes place, without our confcioufncfs, and the re- prefentatlons remain obfcure. Many produdions of art are fo complicated, that a variety of fimple conceptions are requifite to lay the foundation of them; yet the artift is almoft entirely unconfcious of thefe individual notions. Thus, a perfon performs a piece of mufic, without being obliged to refleft, in a confcious manner, on the Hgnification of 'notes, their value, and the order of the fingers he mud obferve j nay, even without clearly diftinguifhing the firings of the harp. 48a OF SLEEPING AND WAKING.' harp, or the keys of the harpfichord. We cannot attribute this to the mechanifm of the body, which might gradually accuftom itfelf to the accurate placing of the fingers. This could be applied only where we play a piece of mufic, frequently pracflifed ; but it is totally inapplicable to a new piece, which is played by the profefibr v^ith equal facility, though he has never feen it before. In the latter cafe, there muft neceflarily arifean ideal rcprefentation, or an z£t of judgment, previous to every motion of the fingers. Thefe arguments, I hope, fufficiently evince the occurrence of thofe obfcure notions and repre- fentations, from which all our dreams originate.— That amono; the thoufands and millions of fanciful and fuppofed ominous dreams, fome are occafionally realifed, is not an object of aftonifh- mentj but many people, particularly the vifcims of the lottery, too frequently find reafon to regret, that thefe omens are not always to be depended on i if thefe deluded vifionaries would permit themfelves to reafon, and to calculate, they would difcover, that there are as many chances againfl their dream being realifed, as there are againll their ticket turning up a prize of twenty thoufand pounds. Before I quit this fubjcfl, I fhall relate an ex- traordinary dream of the celebrated Italian, Ga- lileo. When this great man, at a very advanced age, had loit his fight, he was once condu(5ted OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 48J in his walks over a beautiful plain, by his pupil, ToRiCELLi. ^'Once," faid the venerable fage, " my eyes permitted me to enjoy the charms of thefe fields. But now, fmce their light is extin.' guiflied, thefe pleafures are loft to me for ever. Heaven juftly inflifts the puniflimcnt which was predicted to me many years ago. When In prifon, and impatiently languishing for liberty, I began to be difcontented with the ways of Providence ; Co- pernicus appeared to me in a dream j his celeftial fpirit condu6led me over luminous ftars, and, in 3 threatening voice, reprehended me for having murmured againft him, at v/hofe^at all thefe worlds had proceeded from nothing. "A time (hall some," faid he, "when thine eyes (hall refufe to aflift thee in contemplating thefe wonders." ' After this long, though I hope not uninterefting digrefllon, I proceed to ftate the confequences of too much or too little fieep. To continue awake, beyond a proper time, con- fumes the vital fpirits, diforganizes the nerves, and caufes fo many uneafy fenfations, that a con- fidcrable while muft elapfe, before we can fall afleep, namely, unt^l their greateft violence has abated. The fluids of the body become ^crid^ the fat is confumed, and there arifes at lengt^i an inclination to vertigo, violent head-ach, anxiety, adions without conne<5lion, without dcfign, and \yithout confiftency, Thofe who indulge them- fclvcs in much fleep, arc feldom liable to very (Irons 484 OF SLEEPING. AND WAKING, flrong paffions.; iPerfons, on the contniry, who fleep too little, frequently contradi: a yiojent and ■-vindidive temper. Long continued wakefulnefs is capable of changing the temper and mental difpofi- tiofi of :the molt mild and gentle 'j of efFc fling a complete alteration of their featttj^es, and, at length, of occafioni^ng the mod; fingular whims, the flrangeft deviations in the power of imagination, and, in the end,, abfolute infanity. Excefs of Oeep, however, is not lefs prejudicial. The whole body finks gradually into a complete ftate of inadivity, the folid parts become relaxed, the blood circulates (lowly, and remains particu- larly long in the head : perfpiration is difordered, the fluids arc incrafiated, the body increafes in fat and thick humours, and is rendered incapable of being the medium of mental exertion, the memory is enfeebled, and the unhappy Heeper falls into $ lethargic ftate, by which his fcnfibility is, in a great meafure, deftroyed. Perfons troubled with hypochondriafis and hyf- terics do themfclves much injury by fleeping too long, efpecially in the morning, when the body is enfeebled by its continuance in a heated and URwholefome atmofphere. To fuch individuals, it is alfo dangerous to remain for a confiderable length of time in a ft:ate of ioasflivity. Indeed cxcefiive fleeping is detrimental to the mufcular powers of every perfon ; to the phlegmatic, efpe- cially, whofe fluids will thus foon become vinatedj 5 and OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 485 and fanguiae temperaments thence acquire a fiiper- abundance of blood. The melancholy, whofe blood circulates flowly, muft fuffer inconveniences in their fecretions and excretions by this indulgence 5 and we generally find, that long (leepers are afflided with coftivenefs and obftructions. Early rifing, and timely going to bed, if perfevered in, will render them more healthy and vigor- V If it can be advantageous to any defcription of pcrfons, to ileep beyond the. ufual proportion of time,"it is to the choleric. — Sleep immediately after ilipper, is 'apt to occafion the night-mare, or a flagnation of the blood, which, by its prefTure, produces the fenfation or idea of this troublefome bed-fellow;^! It iis principally the nervous, the de- bilitated, and thofe of ah impaired digeftion, who are viHted by fuch terrific dreams. The proper (duration of fleep, in youth and adults, is ufually fettled at fix or fevcn hours i in children and the aged, from eight to nine hours. Yet the individual deviations in the conftitution of the body, and its various wants, fcarcely admit of any precife rtiles. The more bodily weaknefs v/e feel, the more we may indulge in fleep, provided it be re- frelhing. If people in a date of health are per- fedlly cheerful in mind and body, when they firft awake, this is the moft certain criterion, thar'they have flept fufr.ciently. We 486 OF SLEEPING AND WAKING^ Wc fhould, however, be on our guard, not 10 confound the natural wants of the body with a blameable cuitom* For mod perfons habitually fleep too much, or remain longer in bed than they ought. The origin of this deftrudive cuftom undoubtedly arifes in infancy, when children are permitted to fleep on very foft and warm beds> and encouraged to lie longer than is proper^ from a miftaken notion that they cannot fleep too much. By fuch injudicious treatment, they Cannot attain a Iblid texture of the body, and a foundation is laid for many fubfcquent difeafes. The rickets, fo very common in many families, in the prefent rgej often originate in ilich in- dulgences, flnce the general relaxation of the body, and the tendency to profule perfpiration, is thus in an extraordinary degree, promoted. At the age of puberty, this effeminacy of the body, and the inclination to fleep, together with the pleafant fenfacion, which a foft and warm bed affords in a waking (late, are certainly the firft and moft ficquent caufc^s of a vice, that might be effc6lua!ly prevented by early rifing. The cuRom of fleeping long, when continued to the {late of manhood, becomes fo habitual that it cannot be relinquiOied without great flruggles, and a firm refolution. Thofe, then, who are not pof- feffed of this firmnefs, inftcad of attaining a flrong ccnnitution, will acquire a phlegmatic, relaxed, and O? SLEEPING AND WAKING. 487 4hd cold temoerament, which will render them A. ' irrefolutc, and incapable of energetic efforts ; and from which the mind, by degrees, becomes as in- different towards every objed, as the body is unfic for mufcular exertion. — Hence, to liften to the voice of Nature, in this refpeft, will contribute more to our happinefs, than to fhorten our repofe by many of the ufual but violent means of excite- ment, when the body is in want of reft. To children, at a very early period of life, no limits of fleep can be prcfcribed \ but, after the fixth or feventh year of their age, fome regula- tions become neceffary, to habituate them to a certain regularity. The juft proportion of fleep can be afcertaincd only, by their more or lefs lively temperament, by their employments, exercife, and amufements through the day, and according to the ftate of their health. In purfuing this mea- fure, however, we mull not attempt x.o awaken children from tlieir fleep, in a violent or terrify- ing m.anner, which is frequently done, and is extremely pernicious. In great difquietude of mind, and after violent paflTions, fleep is the more neceflary, as thefe agitate and exhauft the frame, more than the moft fa- tiguing bQdily labour. Hence, many perfons never fleep fo found, as when they are afflided with grief and forrow. A fretful and peevi(h temper, as v/ell as a fit of the hypochontlriafis, cannot b?^ more efi^edtually relieved, than by a Ihort fleep. Frequently, 4S3 OF SLEEPING AND WAKING?. Frequently, after a fleep of a few minutes only^ we awake refrelhed, we can refleft on our diffi- culties with a calm mind, and again reconcile our- felves to the troubles of life. In fuch fituations, though we fhould not be able to deep, even a quiet pofture of the body, with the eyes clofed, is of fome advantage. There is fcarcely any misfortune fo great, that it cannot be relieved or alleviated by fleep ; as, on the contrary, we fhould inevitably fmk under the prelTure of affliclon, if this beneficent balm did not fupport us. Yet, frequently too^ uneafinefs of mind, by its continual (limulus on the Jenjorium, ►entirely prevents fleep : hence the unquiet repofe and even whole fleeplefs nights of thofe, whofe heads are filled v/ith cares or important fchemes. As mental labours exhauft our flrength more than thofe of tlie body, literary men, who employ them- felves in long and profound reflections, require more fleep than others. Though fome perfons, whofe body and mind are equally indolent, have a greater inclination to fleep, than the lively and laborious, yet it is not fo beneficial to them *, fmce they are deftitute of the cffential requifites to health, nam.ely, activity and vigour. The moft healthy, and thofe who lead the mofi; regular lives, frequenily have an uneafy and very Ihort Oeep : they alfo require lefs reft at one time |han another. He who digefts eafily, flands lefs in need of fleep than others. After taking aliment difficult OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 489 difficult of digeftion. Nature herfclf invites to the enjoyment of red, and to fleep in proportion to the time which is required for the concocftion and afllmilation of food. — Excefllve evacuations, of whatever kind, as wtll as intoxication by (Irong liquors, render additional fleep necefTary. In winter and fummer, we require fomewhat more time for fleep than in fpring and autumn ; becaufe the vital fpirits are Icfs exhaufl:ed in the latter feafons, atid the mafs of the blood circulates more uniformly, than in the cold of winter or heat of fummer, when it is either too much retarded, or accelerated. It is very improper to fit up too late in the long winter evenings, whether at the deflc or the bottle, either of which is then more hurtful than in fum- mer, becaufe the want of fleep is greater. Thofc who wifli to fpend the winter in good health, and ufeful labour, fliould retire to bed at eight o'clock in the evening, and rife at three or four o'clock in the morning. A winter morning, indeed, is not very charming, but the evening is naturally ftill Jefs fo j and there is no doubt, that we can per- form every kind of work, with more alacrity and fuccefs, in the early part of the day than at night ; and that our eyes would likewife be benefited by this regulation, after fleep has invigorated them to undertake any taflc in the morning; but they arc fatigued at night, from the excrtip^^s of a whole day. H H Every 49© OF SLEEPING AND WAKING,; Every ftimulus may interrupt fleep, or at leafl: ren- der it uneafy, and often occafion dreams, the caufc of which is generally owing to the irritation of the ftomach, • or inteftinal canal. Dreams are, as h were, a middle ftate between fleeping and waking, and generally indicate fomc defeft in the body, un- lefs they give reprefentations which originate in the occurrences of the preceding day. An uneafy fleep, accompanied with flartings, abrupt and incoherent fpeeches, and a frequent change of pofturc, is at no time a good fymptora j it is as frequently a forerunner, as it is the effect of difeafe, and may be owing to tlie following caufes : ~ _ I. Emotions of the mind anc} violent pafiTions always diforder the vital fpiritsj — at one time they increafe, at another diminifh, and fometimes altogether check their influence, the confequences of which extend to the whole circulation of the blood. Sorrows and cares produce a fimilar efi'ecft'. Hence the nodurnal couch is a very im- proper place to purfuc moral refearches» or to recollect what v/e have done, fpoken, and thought through the day. — To read Interefling letters, received late in the evening, ufually occafions an .unquiet fleep. a. A bad fl:ate of digeftion, and efpecially hard or corrupted food, on account of the connexion ©f the brain with the fl:pmach. "■■-■■■/■■'■ ■ .. OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. .4OI 3. A repcl!ed pcrfpiiratior, if we have not co- vered ourfelvcs conformably to the climate, feafon, and weather.— In this cafe, a current of air is fliU more hurtful than intenfe cold. 4. An apartment or bed to which we are net accuftomed m.y alfo occafion an uncomfortable fleep, as travellers frequently experience. It is therefore an effential part of a good and healthful education, to accuftom children to fleep alternately upon couches filled with materials of different de- grees of foftnefs and elafticity ; and to remove them occafionally to various parts of the houfe, more or lefs temperate : this change confequently enables them to fleep comfortably in a fimple but clean bed, in whatever place or fituation they may find it. Debilitated perfons injure themfelves much by fleeping in the day-time, againft the order of Nature, and keeping awake the greater part of the night. Day-light is beft adapted to aflive em- ployments ; and the gloom and ftillnefs of night to repofe. The evening air which we inhale foon af- ter fun-fet, and night-air in general, which is vi- tiated in the country by the exhalations of plants, is very detrimental to the delicate. The forced watchfulnefs of thofe who apply themfelves in the night to mental purfuits, is exceedingly prejudicial. A couple of hours fleep before midnight is, accord- ing to old experience, more refrcfliing than a much longer fleep after that period. H H 2 The 49^ OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. The queftjon, whether to Jleep after dinner be advifable, mud be decided by a variety of coiv- current circumftances j cuftom, bodily conftitution, age, climate, and the like. ' ^ In a weak and flow ftatc of digeftion, after hav- ing taken hard or folid food, we may indulge our- felves in a fhort fleep, rather than after a meal con- fiftingof fuch nourifhraent, as by its nature is eafily concoded. But debilitated young people cfpecially Ihould not fleep too much, though their weaknefs induce them to repofe ; for the more they indulge in it, the greater will be their fubfeqiient languor and relaxation. , > Individuals of a vigorous and quick concoclion may undertake gentle cxercife immediately after meals, if they have eaten food that is eafily digeftible, and which requires little aflillance, "but that of the ftomach and its fluids. And evea fuch perfons, -if they have made ufe of provi- fions difficult to be concodled, ought to remain quiet after dinner, and may occaflonally allow tl'KJmfelves half an hour's fleep, in order to fupport digeflion. To refl: a little after dinner, is farther ufeful to dry and emaciated perfons, to the aged, and indivi- duals of an irafcible difpofltion ; to thofe who have fpent the preceding night uneafily and flecplefs, or have been otherwife fatigued, in order to refl;orc regularity in the infcnfible perfpiration i but in this OF SLEEPING AND WAKING, 493 this cafe the body muft be well covered, that It may not be expofed to cold. Perfons who are fond of fleeping at any time of the day, are ufually more indolent and heavy after it than before. A fleep after dinner ought never to exceed one hour; and it is alfo much better fitting than lying horizon- tally ; for, in the latter cafe, we are more fubje(5l to flufluations of the blood towards the head, and confequently to head-ach. ,:* Much depends upon the manner of lying in bed, and on the pofture to which we accuftom our- felves. To lie on .the back, with the arms over the head, prevents the circulation of the blood to the upper extremities, and is not unfrequently pro- duflive of ferious confequences. It is equally per- nicious to lie in a crooked pofture, or with tlie breafl: very low and bent inwards ; by which the in- teftines are comprefled and obfl:ruded in their motions, and the blood cannot eafily circulate downwards; whence may arife giddinefs and even apoplexy. Lying on the back is equally improper, and productive of frightful dreams^ to- gether with many other inconveniencies ; the re- verfe pofture is likewife noxious, as the ftomach is thus violently opprefled, the free refpiration much impeded, and the whole circulation of the fluids in the cheft and abdomen prevented, to the great injury of health. The moft proper pofture, then, is on one fide, with the body ftraight, the limbs flightly H H 3 bent. 494 ^^ SLEEPING AND WAKING. i" bent, (not ftrctched, becaufe they ought to reft,) fo that the body may lie fomewhat higher than the legs. When the head is laid high, a fhort fleep is more lefrefhing than a longer one, when it is reclined too low. To healthy people it is a, matter of no confcquence on which fide they lie, and they may fafely, in this rtfpc£t, follow their own choice. Some dietetical obfervers allege, that it is better to lie in the evening on the right, and in the morning on the left fide j 'that in the evening the aliment may more readily leave the flomach, and that afterwards this organ may be better warmed by the liver. - In the evening we fhould eat light food only, and that fparingly, wait for its digeflion, and con- fequcntly not«*-retire to refl till two or three hours after fupper. The mind ought to be ferene and cheerful, previous to going to reft: we (hould then, as ii^uch as pofiTible, avoid gloomy thoughts, which require refleflion and exertion. It is therefore a pernicious and dangerous pradiice to read ourfelvcs afleep in bed. V/e would do much better, to take a little exerciie bcfor-e bed* time, by walking up and down theroom. Sleep without dreams, of whatever nature they may be, is more healthful than when attended with thcfc fancies. Yet dreams of an agreeable kind pron.ote the free circulation of the blood, the better concoction of food, and a due ftate of per^ fpiration. The contrary takes place in unpleafant dreams. OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. 495 dreams, which excite anxiety, terror, grief, fear, and other deprefTing pafTions. In the latter cafe, they are fymptoms of irregularity in the fydem, of an approaching diforder, or are occafioned by an irnproper pofture of the body. The fimflions of the body before alluded to are impeded by fuch dreams ; and the vital fpirits, which ought to be reftored and cherifhed, are diffipated by violent emotions, infomuch that -the body and the mind continue unrefrefhed. In order to preferve the body warm, we make ufe of feather-beds and covers ; — in fummer, at lead, we ought to fleep upon mattreffes. it is a moft cflential requifite to every perfon, who wifhes to lead an agreeable, a6live, and ufcful life, to provide himfelf in time with a proper couch. To infurc all the advantages which may be thence derived, nothing is better tJian a mattrefs filled with horfe-hair, or, if cheapnefs be an objeft, with dry mofs, at leaft fix inches thick. Several of fuch mattrelTes may be placed one above another; the bolder ought to be well ftuffcd and elaftic; in winter with feathers, and in fummer with horfc-hair, more or lefs high, according to circumftances, but always fo that the head may lie confiderably more elevated than the breaft and the reft of the body. The cover (hould never be tucked in too clofely, that xhe accefs of external air may not H H 4 be 496 OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. be wholly excluded. If we make ufe of a bed- ftead or a fofa with fteel fprings, one of the raat- trelTes before defcribed, with a fimilar bolfter, 'and the light cover of a double blanket, will be found fufficient. Thefe beds are not only the moft con- venient for early rifers, but alfo the moft conducive to health. The higher clafles of fociety in Ireland appear to be fo well convinced of the falubrity of this^mode of (leeping, that their children, inftead of being placed on enervating feather-beds, are habituated to deep upon bags filled with cut ftraw, bverfpread with blankets and a light cover, I un- derftand, that this praife-worthy practice is every day becoming more general. Indeed, there is no doubt that the mufcles and nerves are more efFc6lLially braced by a proper' claftic couch, than cither by the moft exquifite down of J^orway, or the moft powerful tonic or ftrcngth^ing remedies taken internally. Yet thefc remarks are applicable only to the healtliy ftate of the body, when Nature requires no additional aid or precaution, in managing the organs of perfpiration. — Every bed ought to be fo regulated, that it may flope down imperceptibly towards the (etty and if the parriculars before ftated be attended to, a healthy perfon will never fleep too long; he will generally awake in fix hours, feel himfclf refreftied, rife with cheerfulnefs, and 8 be OF SLEEPING AND WAKING, 4p)r be fit to undertake his ufiial talks, either of body or injnd. What has been remarked in a former Chapter on Drefs, and the advantages derived from cover- ing the fl:in with animal wool, particularly in enervated and infirm pcrfons, is likewife applicable here, with refpeft to the drefs, and the immediate covering of the fkin, when in bed. — Though we ufually undrefs ourfelves as fir as the fhirt, partly for thie fakeof cleanlinefs, and pardy with the view of relieving the body from every prefRire and in- cumbrance, and of promodng a free circulation of the blood ; yet we fhould be cautious, left we injure ourfelves by a fudden expofure to the air, when undrefTing, efpecially after the hot and fultry days of fummer. A long and commodious gown of flannel would be a proper night-drefs ; efpecially for thofe who retire to their bed immediately after the bath, in order to preferve a gentle degree of pcrfpiration. The head fiiould not be covered with a warm flannel or worfted night-cap, as it were to maice it a vapour bath j the thinneft cotton or linen cap being fully fufficient. — The confequenccs refulting from the pernicious pra6lice of keeping the head too warm, have been explained on a former ccca- fion. — -The fhirt- collar fiiould be loofe, the wrift- bands open, and if from a bad habit we have been accuftomed to wear neck-cloths during Oeep, they fnould be tied as loofcly as poffible. — Pcrfons , who 49S OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. who are naturally chilly in the lower extremities;, or are liable to pains of the ftomach and abdomen, would do well to fleep in woollen ftockings, but not in the fame which they have worn through the day. The feather-hedsy in which we ufually fleep, arc certainly hurtful in many difeafes, fome of which they may even produce. For they abforb or im- bibe the perfpired vajjours of the body, v/ithouc our being able to cleanfe them, of thefe impurities which are again re-abforbed and re- conduced through the pores, to the great injury of heakh„ For this reafon, mattrefiTes filled with horfe-hair, or mofs, are in every refpeft preferable. But, as many individuals have not fufiicient refolu- tion to ufe tbefe, or are apprehenfive of the confequences of fudden change, they may at lead • caufe their feather-beds to be frequently and care- fully fliaken, aired in the fun, and furnifhed with a new covering. For the fame reafon, the bed ought no: to be made immediately after we rife, as is generally pra6lifed ;, but the clothes Ihould be taken off, fpread out, and not laid on the bed, till the time of going to reft draws near. Farther, it is highly improper to fleep in beds overloaded with clothes: they heat the blood more than is confident with' health, and produce an immoderate and enervating perfpiration, which llill more weakens the organs already relaxed by fleep. 7 The or SLEEPING AND WAKING, 499 • The cuftom offleeping with the curtains drawn clofc, is pernicious to health, becaufe the copious exhalations which then take place, cannot be pro- perly diffipated, and are confequently re-abforbed. It is alfo imprudent to cover the head almoft entirely with the bed-clothes. Perfons who can- not Qeep without curtains, fhould tuck up the lower ends of them, or place them over chairs, fo that they may not lie clofe to the bed, but admit a more free accefs of airj — that fide alone, which is next the wall, ought to be entirely covered with the curtain. For fimilar reafons, the large common fleeping- halls, or wards in public fchools, as well as in hofpicals, are extremely prejudicial to health j though they may be neceflTary evils, and cannot be eafily remedied in the great fcminaries of edu- cation. Neither the moft healthy fituation, with high, lofty, and fpacious apartments j nor the daily pradice of airing and cleaning them, are fufficient to counteraft the bid cfFccls that arife from this baneful cuftom. of crowding fo many perfons together, to breathe in a common and confined atmofphere. From thefe confiderations, as well as in many other rcfpeds, the fleeping together in one bed, whether children, or adults, cannot be recom- mendfd as a cuftom conducive to health -, though it 500 OF SLEEPING AND WAKING. it be fanftioned by the authority of time imrrte- morial. Indeed it has been remarked, in the domeftic ceconomy of barbarous nations, that, in general, every individual has a feparate couch. The old cuftom of warming the bed alfo de- ferves to be condemned} as it has a direfl tend- ency to produce weakncfs and debility. This will be ftill more dangerous, if done with a charcoal fire, which, by its poifonous vapours, may prove very pernicious. A perfon who is ac- cuftomed to fleep in a cold bed, will not feel much inconvenience in the feverefl: weather j for, after being a fliort time in bed, the natural warmth of the body will overcome it: as, on the contrary, thofe who fleep in a warmed bed, will be the more liable to feel cold, as foon as this artificial heat is difilpated. If it can be avoided, the bed chamber ought not to be on the ground floor, nor towards the North. Many people prefer this fituation in fumme r, on account of the cool air j they ihould, however, confider that, in fuch an apart- ment, the morning as well as the night-air, is damp and unwholefome. A bed-chamber ought to be expofed to the early rays of the fun, which awake man in a flate of health at a proper time, and enliven, ftrengthen, and incite him to rife, after having been refrelhed by reft. It is, ■ farther. OF SLEEPING AND WAKIN-G. ^^Ol farther, more advifable to endure a moderate degree of heat, which may be modified at ' pleafure, by various means, than to inhabit damp and low apartments, from which the moifture cannot be eafily dried up in fummer* A fpacious and lofty room fhould always be chofen for a bed-chamber j for fmall clofets and pardcularly concealed beds are extremely ob- jeftionable. — The windows fhould never be lefc open at night ; and as damp rooms are very prejudicial to health, we ought to pay atten- tion, that the bed may not ftand near a damp wall. It is in every cafe preferable to place the bed fo, that all the fides of it ftand free. This method of placing the beadftead, in or about the middle of the room, has another advantage which, with timorous perfons, is perhaps of importance. It is well known, that a flafli of lightning, if it accidentally enter through a window, will take its diredion along the walls, and not touch any thing placed in the middle of a room. Laftly, no candle or rufh-light fhould be kept burning during the night in a bed-room ; for it not only vidates the air in a very confiderable degree, but it difturbs and prevents the reft of thofe whofe fleep is uneafy, particularly the aged. In a dark apartment, fleep generally comes with- out 502. OF SLEEPING AND WAKING.' ouc much invitation ; as, on the other hand, the light of a candle ftimuiatcs the brain, confcquently the whole nervous fydcm i and the approaching comforter, whofc arrival we fo fondly wifli, is thereby prevented, or eafily interrupted, and ba- nifhed to calmer regions. [ S03 ] C H A P. IX. Section First. 0/"EvACUATioNS in general; — their different /pedes, as well as their peculiar nature invefiigated ; to- gether with the neceffary dire^ions for their ma- nagement y according to the differentiates cf the body, 'TPHE evacuations of the body, from its fuper- fiuous, impure, and noxious particles, are no, lefs neceiTary than it's nourifliment. The fame power which changes and affimilates our food and drink, likewife effeds the due and timely evacua- cion of the fecretions. It is an objedl of the firft confequence, that nothing remain in the body, which ought to be evacuated ; and that nothing be ejefled, which may be of ufe to its prefervation. How many perfons do we find who complain of bad health, notwithftanding every attention they pay to the air they breathe, to aliment, exercife, fleep, &c.; while others enjoy a good ftate of health, though totally carelefs with regard to thefe particulars. Indeed, much depends on a proper ftate of the evacuations. — If thefe be difordered, the moft rigorous obfervance of dietetic rules is infufficient to infure our health j while, on the (Gontrary, moft of thofe rules may be neglected, for 504 OF EVACUATIONS. for fome time, without any injurious confcquences, if the evacuations be regular. Nature removes not only noxious matter, or flich as is in a ilate of corruption, but likewife the ufeful fluids, if they become fuperabundant j for inftance the milk, femen, and blood. In fuch cafes, therefore, thefe muft be confidered as ob- jects of evacuation, equally natural and falu- tary. ^Y JIgoI, the thick and feculent remains ofafTi- milated food are evacuated ; for every kind of aliment contains a proportion of dregs, and their pureft particles only can be changed into the milky fluid, or chyle. By urine^ we ejefl the oily and faline particles fecreted from the blood, in a diluted ftate ; which prevents them from injuring the external mem- branes, by their irritating acrimony. Ytf injmfthle, ■perJfiraUon, which is carried on through the fmalleft orifices of the pores, the moft fubtile and noxious particles of the fluids arc evaporated ; which, if they were retained within the body, would occafion its total cor- ruption. Nature expels all crude and acrid fubftances by thefe three principal emundories j and accord- ingly as they are difordered, difeafes of different degrees of malignity and duration will neceflarily enfue.— Nature alfo frequently relieves herfelf by more unufual channels j fuch are, the bleeding of the of-- EVACUAT ions: £0^ the nofe in plethoric young men, the hemorrhoids! with which perfons of a middle age are fomecimes; troubled, the various ulcers common to thofe whofe fluids are in an impure ftatc, the excretions of fa- liva, and the expectorations of others, &c." By a premature fuppreffion of thefe troublefome but fa- lutary efforts of Nature, great mifchief may be produced to the individual. Many perfons perfpire much under the arm- pits, others in their hands or feet; others again are fubjefl: to eruptions in the face or" different parts of the body : fuch canals, however, if Nature be once accuftomed to ejecfl by them certain ufelefs and hurtful particles, cannot be fuddenly flopped, without occafioning greater and more dangerous inconveniencies ] — cleanlinefs, in the ftriflefl fenfe of the word, is almoft the only fafe remedy to counteract their fatal effefls. Of Evacuaticns by Siocl. As the food and drink we confume every day, neccifarily depofits ufelefs matter, daily opening by flool is extremely falutary ; particularly to perfons fubjefl to collivenefs and the many dif- agreeable confcquences thence afifmg. Of thefe I fliall only enumerate frequent head-achs, difficult breathing, flatulency, erudations, andfp.afrns: hence pcevidinefs of temper, general lethargy, and, II. at $06 OF EVACUATIONS. at length, hypochondriafis ; — the abdomen offuch ♦ perfons feclS tumid; the circulation of the blood in the intcftinal veflcls is retarded j and, confe- quently, the general circulation interrupted. — Thefe -complaints, fooner or later, certainly attend habitual coftivenefsj cfpecially if no other kind of evacuation, as that by urine, or infenfible perfpir- ation, be in an uncommon degree promoted. In healthy individuals, the evacuation by (lool ufually takes place once or twice a-day j and, ac- cording to the habits of the perfon, either in the morning or evening. Thofewho are troubled with coftivenefs fliould vifit the cuftomary retreat, regularly every morning at a fixed hour, and thus endeavour to promote this neceflary evacuation by proper efforts, though they may not, at the. mo- ment, feel much inclination ; for it is well founded on experience, that Nature at length will be habi- tuated, by perfeverance, to obferve a certain regu- larity in this refpeft. The moft proper time for thefe attempts is early in the morning, or late in the evening. Whatever dietetic means may be adopted to pro- mote (lool, ought to be employed either from three to four hours previous to the time we wifh to fuc- ceed, or immediately before going to bed. If in the morning, we ought to rife early, to take firft a nice of bread with much frefh butter ; then eat fome boiled prunes -, drink two or three .cups of thedecoftiohj and, if neceflary, affift the opera- •'■' 6 tion OF EVACUATIONS, ^07 tion of the whole with a tea-fpoonful or two of cream of tartar in treacle. Thus prepared, we ought to walk a little in the open air, or, if the weather be unfavourable, about the room j to rub the lower belly with the palm of the hand ; and, when we fit down, to retain the breath, by. fre- quently, though moderately, infpiringj and, iaftly, to change the poflure of the body, from a ftraight to a crooked and fidelong diredion, till we fucceed in the attempt. Although thefe trials fhould repeatedly fail, we ■muft not be difcouraged from perfevering in them ; nor ought we, without abfolute neceffity, to choofe any other than the wonted hour to attain the end propofed ; fo that this, at length, may become the only time, when Nature (hall fpontaneoufly aflift our iendeavours. During thefe praflices, howeverj the choice of our diet is of the greateft moment j as we can powerfully promote the defired end, by living chiefly upon rye-bread, fpinage, boiled fruit, particularly prunes, decoflions of currants, the fweet and emollient vegetables, efpecially the beet-root, and occafionaliy falteU meat; the laft of which (hould be aflifted with fuJEHcicnt drink, not of the fpirituous kind, but rather of a mild and aperient nature, fuch as fweet table-beer, whey, infufions of malt, apples, pears, and the like. ,. - ■ It deferves to be remarked, that if every effort 0f this kind prove abortive, the voluntary exer- I I 2 tions 508 dV' EVACUATIONS. tions in promoting ftool Ihould not be carried to an extravagant degree ; as by unnatural prefTure we may bring on ruptures, the burfting of veins in the reflum, or the piles. Hence it is more ad- vifable to abllain, for ibme time, from all crude and folid aliment, and to ufe only fuch articles of food and drink as have been before pointed out. And if this alfo fliould not be attended with the defired eiTcil, we may then have recourfe to the mild purgatives, fuch as rhubarb, fenna, cream of tartar, and the neutral faks. While too nnich reft, and a fcdentary life, pre- ■vent this fpecies of daily evacuation, gentle exer- Vile, and ferenity of mind, feldom fail to pro- ■mote it. In many families, coftivenefs is an habitual and hereditary diftcmper. Sometimes too it originates from a weaknefs of the intefti- nal canal, brought on by difcafes, but more fre- quently from the habitual ufe of certain fub- ftances of food and drink j for inftance, the lean ficfh of quadrupeds, game, the leguminous vege- ytables, red Port wine, ftrong and bitter malt liquor, 'and the like. Hence the pre-difpofing caufe of the [complaint (hould always be attended to. If it arife from Veaknefs, red wine, bicter ale, and other cor- robora'nts, are well calculated to effeft a cure. In every inftance, frequent excrcife in the open air is extremely ufcfiil. Pcrfons who live fparingly on animal food, and are' otherwife temperate in their paHTons "a}fd''ccfi'res,'''^Ve feidom deprived of this natural OF EVACUATIONS. 5O9 natural benefit; and even though they (hoiild be coftive for two or three days together, they have litde to apprehend from fuch irregularity ; for, if they do not wantonly overload their ftomach, the accumulation of impurities cannot be confider- able. Where weaknefs and atony, or laxity of the inteftincs, arc the caufes of a coftive habit, the external ufc of cold water, by afFufion on the lower belly, or merely wafhing it with that fluid, is fre- quently preferable to all other dietetic remedies. This is one of the mod fimple means of preventing painful coftivenefs ; though it ought not to be applied indifcriminately, and leafb of all in thofe cafes where the ufe of the cold bath is improper and hurtful. If debility and relaxation of the inteftinal canal be the caufe of coftivenefs, clyfters of cold water alone are generally produflive of fingular benefit ; yet thefe alfo cannot be ufed without many exceptions — not, for inftance, by females, during the menfes, by perfons afflicted with the piles, or having weak lungs, nor in cer- tain kinds of colics and fpafms. The difcharges by flool ought to be neither in too liquid nor too dry a ftate. Strong labour, heating drinks, and long fafting, render them difagreeably hard, even in the heakhieft individuals; from the feces remaining too long in the region of the lacteals, fo that the nutritious or milky pare of the conco(5led mafs is Entirely exhaufted, 113 and 5X<^ OF EVACUATIONS. and there remains only dry, excrementitious mat- ter. Thefe ftools are therefore frequendy a fymp- tom of good digeftion, fuch as attends found con- ftitutions in general. When the excrements are too dry, and in a globular form, they often occafion head-ach, in- flammation of the eyes, febrile complaints, he- morrhoids, ruptures, paralytic affedions, and fre- quently produce flatulency and fpafms, in perfons fubjeft to hyfterics and hypochondriafis: nay, even the fupprefllon of flatulency is extremely danger- ous. Thofe who are apt to delay going to ftool, expofe themfelves to many ferious inconveniences; and when this fenfation is loft, it does not ufually return for fome time. The feces colltdled in the inteftinal canal powerfully diftend it, give rife to the blind hemorrhoids, and fometimes even to a falling down of the anus j the excrements become dry, and their re-abforbed fluid parts irritate and vitiate the blood, and produce many obftinate diftempers. If a perfon has been coflive for feve- ral days, the inclination to go to ftool is fometimes loft, until reftored by artificial means. Loofe and frequent ftools are common with thofe, who take more aliment than their ftomach can digeft j for the food, from the ftimulus occa- fioned by its corruption in the alimentary canal, is too foon eje^ed, without being duly afiimilated. Hence debilitated perfons, who eat immoderately, generally OF EVACUATIONS. 5 II generally are thinner and lefs mufcular than others, who obferve a regular and temperate diet. The flools are a tolerable criterion of the quantity and quality of the food we have taken, and whether the digeftive powers be adequate to its concoftion. For, in weak inteflines, the unaffimijated matter of food turns acrid, and contributes nothing to the nourifhment of the body. Thus it happens, that debilitated individuals, and fuch as are of a phlegm- atic habit, continue lean and emaciated, whatever quantity of food they confume. For this reafon, they ought to live principally on milk, eggs, broths, tender meat, emollient vegetables j and to eat only when they feel a true appetite, and after moderate exercife,— It is not the man who takes comparatively little food, that can be called tem- perate i but rather that perfon who makes ufe of np more aliment than he is able to digeft. . Thin and copious ftools are a certain proof of indigef- tion. Some perfons are accuftomed to go to ftool more than once a-day, others only every fccond day, and yet enjoy a good ftate of health. . It is, however, more defirable and wholefome to have a regular evacuation every dayj and children efpe- cially ought to have two or three difcharges daily. Aged perfons, in general, have but one ftool in a day. The air we breathe makes, in this refpedl, a remarkable difference. The more we perfpire in fummer, the fewer are the evacuations j and, on 114 the 512 OF EVACUATIONS. i the contrary, moderate exercife is produ6live of more regular excretions, than that which is too violent. Robufl: and mufcular individuals per- fpire more than the weak and enervated; hence the evacuations of the former, by other emunc- tories, are more limited ; while the latter, whofe fluids are not duly determined to the furface of the body, have more frequent openings by ftool. Obftru6lions and cpftivenefs, of which many perfons now complain, are owing to a great variety of caufes, but chiefly to our luxurious mode of living, and to the cuftom of making too many meals through the day. The time requifite to the digeilion of a meal cannot be well afcertained, as fome ftomachsconcodt quickly, and others flowly ; and th^re is a remarkable difference in the degrees of digeftibility, among the various fpecies of food; the nature and properties of which have been already pointed out in the fifth Chapter. But this may ftrve as a general rule, that we ought never to take a new fupply of food, till the preceding meal be'digefted. Some mcderare livers, afrer having deviated from their ufual temperance, do not feel any inconvenience till after two or three days, when they are troubled with copious evacuations, head-ach, uneafmefs and dejcclion of mind. Such excefles are frcquendy accompanied with ferious confe- quences, of which coftivcnefs is only the fore- 5 , ruriner. OF EVACUATIONS. 513 runner. Neither the emetics, or laxatives, to which the glutton has recourfe, nor the fafhion- abie ftimulants and flrengthening bitters, can prevent or re,medy the ultimate effefts of fuch brutal habits. The emetics and purgatives inevi- tably weaken the firft paflages, and lay the foun- dation of conftant obflipations ; while the ftimu- lants deprive the inteftines ftill more of the neceflary humours, and render the evil much greater. The moft proper means of preventing thefe hurtful con- fequences, are the following: ■ I. A due degree of bodily exercife, by which the mufcular power will be invigorated, the nerv- ous fyftem ftrengthened, and the circulation of the blood promoted. 2. We ought to take a proportionate quantity of drink to our viduals; a circumftance not always fufficiently attended to, by perfonsofa fedentary life. Drink dilutes the food, and foftens the bowels. A weak, well-fermented, and well-hopped beer, is an excellent beverage : fo is water with the addition of a litde wine. Warm diluents, on the contrary, have a manifeft tendency to increafe obftru6lions, by the relaxation they produce in the inteftines. 3. Let us choofc the quality of our food, ac- cording to our conftitutional wants. Thofe who cannot digeft well, ought to avoid all thick, mealy difhes, paftry, onions, warm and new bread, and fuch as is not thoroughly baked. Coftive perfons frequeorJ.V- I 514 OF EVACUATIONS. frequently complain of an acid generated in their ftomach; while others, on account of this acid> are fubjefl to loofe and very frequent ftools. Vi- negar and tart wines are but rarely the caufe of this acidity; never, indeed, except when they dif- agree with the Itomach. New wines, on the con- trary, as well as vegetables of an acefcent kind, and particularly long-kept and roafted fat meat, have the ftrongefl tendency to produce acidity, the heart- burn, and, at length, obftrudions in • fome conftitutions, and diarrhoeas in others. The proper fpecies of food, in fuch cafes, are herbs, carrots, fugar-peas, French beans, parfley- roots, the fcorzonqra, artichokes, horfe-radifh, muftard- leaves, and fimilar plants, boiled foft in broth, fufficiently faked, and without the addition of fat, or butter. With thefe, only a fmall quantity of meat ought to be ufed, and this Ihould be tender ; but not fat fifh, nor game kept too long,, for the purpofe of rendering it mellow; and laftly, ^ll kinds of fruit ought to be eaten boiled rather tlian raw. 4. yVe fhould not too much indulge in fieep, iBthich, particularly after dinner, is hurtful to |>erfons whofe digeftion is languid, and whofe evacuations are preternaturally flow. Puring fleep, all the motions in the fyftem are performed with lefs vigour, and more tardily : and, in this refpefl, to keep awake may be confidered as a fpecies of exercife ; for the nerves, in that ftate, are OF EVACUATIONS. 515 are more a6live, and the circulation of the blood is carried on with greater energy. — Evacuations by ftool can be fuppreffcd, by Sleeping an improper Jength of time, for inflance, ten or twelve hours inftead of feven or eight j and we may prevent thefe falutary difcharges, by fitting down to any inaflive employment, previous to the ufual in- clination to retire to ftool. If it be our wifli to prefcrve health, we ought not only to guard againft coftivenefs, but likewile to prevent, by all proper means, too frequent ex- cretions. Copious evacuations of this kind exfic- fate the body, and deprive it of that flrength, which is neceffary to fupport its exertions. Perfons fubje6t to diarrhoea, cannot be too cautious in the life of watery, faline, and eafily fermentable ar- ticles of food and drink, and in avoiding violent fits of anger and other paffions. On the contrary, they will promote their health, by ufing provlfions of a drying nature, drinking a well-fermented, bitter beer or ale, or, if they can afford it, good o]d wine : — all of which have the beneficial ten- dency to promote perfpiration, and thus prevent superfluous humidity in the body. If too copious evacuations proceed from a re- laxed (late of the inteftines, daily exercife is of confiderable efficacy ; ^for the fibres of the whole body are thereby invigorated j and, if irritating or peccant humours fhould be the caufe of the complaint, nothing is better calculated to expel them ^l6 OF EVACUATIONS. them by perfpiration, urine, or ftool, than fplrited and perlevering mufcular motion, till the body be tolerably fatigued. But, in this cafe, we mud not attempt to remove or fupprefs the material flimulus by afaingent remedies j for, inftead of evacuating the noxious matter by the proper emunflories, fuch medicines will nccefiarily pro- duce dangerous, and often fatal difeafes. It would be a defirable objed, in houfes which are not provided with water-clofets, that every in-, dividual v/ere furniihed with a night chair j as mod of the common places of retirement are literally ventilators, where fome parts of the body are expofed to a current of air, which is fre- quently the caufe of diforders, particularly in per- ions fubjed to colds, and all other complaints Originating from fuppreflcd perfpiration j accidents, which cannot fail to injure thofe, whofe lungs are unfound. Men who are troubled with the piles, and, above all, women during the menfes, ought to be very cautious in reforting to fuch places. — In the ufual privies, there generally pre- vails in fummer a peftilential fetor ; fo that it be- comes almoft impofTible to wait for the proper evacuation, both becaufe of the difagreeable fmell, and the danger of being infefted with difeafe. After every ftool, there is a flight bearing down of the anus ; a circumfiance which renders fome precaudon in the cleaning of it necelTary^.^-j'The fubftance ufed for that purpofe ought to be- pre- vioufly OF EVACUATIONS. 517 Yioufly examined, whether its furface contain any rough and loofe particles, which would be imme- diately communicated to the anus, and might gra- dually produce the blind hemorrhoids.— Laftly, all unnatural forcing and draining of coftive perfons, is not only ufeleTs, but may alfo be attended with dangerous confequences. It is, therefore, more advifable to ufe all proper means of keeping, if pofiible, this important excretion in due regu- larity J and, to attain that dcfirable end, it is like- wife necefTary to abandon all ftrait garments, efpecially laced ftays, and tight waiftbands. Of Urine. In a Hate of health, this difchargc takes place oftener than once in a day. The urine of thofc who live moderately, and take proper exercife, if examined in the morning after rifing, and after having fpent a quiet and comfortable night, is thin, clear, of a ftraw colour or inclining to yellow, with a white, loofe, and uniform fcdiment rifing in the middle ; it makes no foam, but what immediately vanifhes, and has no unufually difagreeable fmell. If it correfpond to this defcription, it is a fymp- tom of good digeftion> and of the body being free from impurities. The quantity of this evacuation, in healthy perfons, depends on their conftitution, the feafon, an4 the weather. It is lefs in warm than in cold climates, on account of the increafed -3 -^ perfpiration. $X^ OF EVACUATIONS. perfpiration. In winter, we generally ejeifl: more urine than in fummer j and this nearly in pro- portion to the degree of infenfible exudation. In rpring and autumn, it is probably voided in an equal proportion. We may judge (not prognoftlcate) refpec^ling the flate of the body, from the appearance of the * urine in the morning only ; for, during the day, this would be a fallacious criterion, from the nature and quantity of food and drink we confume. The ancients were extremely fond of prediding the dif- ferent irates of health and difeafe in the human body, from the appearances obferved in the urine. Among the moderns, who are better acquainted with the animal oeconomy, thefe appearances are not implicitly attended to, as they have frequently been found to miflead the obferver j yet, the early morning urine, if allowed to ftand for an hour or two, exhibits fome phenomena, which render it an ■objed worthy the attention of the medical pradti- tioner. Thus, a thin, pale urine, which is voided by the hypochondriac, the hyfteric, and perfons afflifled with fpafms in the abdomen, indicates great weaknefs, or the approach of cramps, ori- ginating from a contraftion of the fmaller fecretory organs. It is likewife of a whitifh colour, after taking much weak drink. In debilitated indivi- duals, the urine is foamy, and this froth remains on the top for a confiderable time ; becaufe it abounds in tough and vifcid particles. The health of OF EVACUATICmS,-" $1^ of fuch perfons, however promifing in appearance, is by no means permanently eftabliihed. ^-^ . ... The urine is of a red- colour, after tbo-lffCfe drink, or after drinking fpirituous liquors, after violent exercife, profufe perfpiration, and after having fpent a refllefs night. It yields a fedi- ment refennbling brick-dufl, when the ftomach is impure, and the tongue white with a yellowiih tint, and' covered with vifcous matter. Accord- ing to the higher or paler colour of the urine, in an ordinary flate ' of'-health, the body may be confidered as being more or lefs vigorous. Ifi after long ftanding, no fediment be depofited, great weaknefs' is indicated: but if a cloud be ob- ferved fwimniing in the middle, the conclufion is more favourable, although the urine be thick and fandy. Indeed it is lefs dangerous to fupprefs the eva- cuations by ftool, than by urine j for, if it re- main too long in the bladder, it becomes acrid and corrofive. If the inclination to make water is accompanied with a difcharge of a few drops only, - it is called a ftrangury-y if the difficulty of voiding it is attended with pain, a dyjuriai and, if a total fuppreffion of it takes place, it is' then called an ijchuria, Thefe difeafes are fre- quently the effeds of fome malt-liquors, or of certain articles of food, particularly vegetables containing much acidity. In the beginning of fuch 520 OF EVACUATIONS. fuch painful complaints, relief can be given by fomenting the patient about the genitals with flannel-cloths, as hot as he can bear, by keeping- him fufficiently warm, and allowing him plenty of warm, diluent drink. Although the quantity of the urine to be voided through the day cannot be accurately afcertained, yet this evacuation ought always to be propor- tionate to the drink we have taken, and to the degree of perfpiradon. If we perceive a deficiency in this difcharge, we ought to take moderate cxercife, to drink light, thin, and acidulated di- luents, and to eat a variety of fuch herbs and fruits, as pofTefs diuretic virtues : of this nature are, parfley, afparagus, celery, juniper-berries, ftfawberries, cherries, and the Tike. We fhould be careful, not to retain the urine too long ; a practice which would occafion relaxation and palfy of the bladder, and which might at length produce the gravel or (lone. Many maladies may arife from voiding too fraall a quannty of urine i hence the neceffity of at- tending to this excretion, from which we may frequently difcover the caufe of the difeafe. The relative flate of vigour or debility in the individual, the mode of life, more or lefs drink, dry or damp weather — all produce a difference in the quantity of this evacuation. Robufl perlbns ejed lefs urine than the debilitated j a copious emifTion of it is OF EVACUATIONS. 521 is always a fymptom of a relaxed body, which is " not pofTefTed of fuflicient energy to expel its noxious particles by tranfpiration through the cu- taneous veficls. The more exercife we take, the lefs we lofc by the urinary paffages ; fince they are drained by the pores. Cold and moid air checks perfpiration, but promotes the excretion by urine. When this canal is fupprefTed, the bladder fometimes becomes fo much diftended that it burfts, as may eafiiy happen to parturient women j and hence arife incurable fiJluLe -, or, if the paffages be obftrufled, the urine retreats into the cellular texture of the whole body, and penetrates even into the cranium. Women, however, are able to retain it longer than men. — Too copious an evacuation of urine con- flitutcs a peculiar difeafe, knovvn by the name oi diabetes^ which not unfreqiiently proves fatal to the fufFerer, after he has difcharged feveral gallons a day, for a confidcrable length of tim.e. Among the rules and cautions for the proper management of this evacuation, it deferves to be. remarked, that it is hurtful to make water too often, or before a proper quantity of it be accumu- lated in the bladder. By fuch praflice, this vefTei gradually contracfls into a narrower compafs than is affigned by Nature, and cannot again be eafiiy dif- tended. Too long a retention of urine, on the contrary, prctcrnattirally enlarges the bladder, weakens its mufcular power, and may, with the J^ K. advance- 5'22 OF EVACUATIONS* advancement of age, occafion ifchuria or a total fuppreffion ; befides which it promotes the de- pofition of mucus and fand in the bladder, and "inevitably leads to that troubiefome and painful complaint, the ftone. ' Of injenfible Perjpiraticn. Of all the natural evacuations, none is fo im- ^ portant and cxtenfive, none is carried on with lefs interruption, and none frees the body from fo many impurities, particularly from acrid and thin humours, as infenfible perfpiration. The health of man chiefly depends on the proper (late of this fun6lion : the irregularities occuring in it, occa- fionally produce peevifhnefs of temper, head-ach, difturbed fieep, heavincls in the limbs, &c. ; and, on the contrary, we find ourfelves mod lively and vigorous, when it is duly and uniformly per- formed. A perfon of a middle ftature, and in perfect health, perfpires, according to the calculation of fome, from three to four pounds weight, accord- ing to others, about five pounds, within twenty- four hours. The exudation by the pores is mofb eircntial during the nighty the noxious particles only being then fcparated j which, on account of the difturbances we are expofed to through the day, cannot be fo well efi^edtcd i as the circulatloii of the blood is interrupted j while at night O? EVACUATION'S. 523 •" it is comparatively more cahn and regular j — be- fides which, t'le noclurnal peripiration is more co- pious, from die greater uniformity of the fur- rounding acmofphere. Mod of the febrile difeafcs arife from a fup- prefTcd pcrfpirationj as the exuded matter is of an afrld and irritating nature. To tranfpire benefi- cially, means, that the impure and pernicious par- ticles only be ejeclcd, in which cafe the perfpira- tion is invifibie and iriiperctptible. This is (o eficntial a requifite, that wichout it the health of the individual cannot long fubfift. The reciprocal conneclion between the funflions of the ftomach, and of perfpiration, is To obvious, that if the latter be checked, the former is immediately affecfted ; and the reverfe takes place, if the lloaiach be difordered. The more vigoroufly a perfon perfpires, (it ought to.be well remarked, that the queflion here is not ai Jw sating) the more adive are the powers of the body, in the regular concoclion of the alimentary juices ; and the more certain it is, thac no fluids will fuperabound : for the fluids, though refined and fubtile, far exceed in weight the more compad and folid parts of the fyflem, fo that they would opprefs the niachine like a heavy burthen, if not evacuated by the pores of tlje fliin. Mod individuals, however, are accuilomed to direct their attention only to evacuations of a more grofs nature, or fuch as are more obvious to the fenfes. X K 2 ~ But 524 OF EVACUATIONS. But injenfihle perfpiratlon is of greater moment than all the other excretions j and by paying due regard to that fun6lion, if it fhould be accidentally difturbed, we may frequently difcover the lurking caufe of a difhemper, and remove ir, before it has materially injured the body. Yet, even in the moft healthy, this perfpiratlon is not at all times, nor at all hours of the day, equally aftive. It is weaker after a plentiful meal, but as foon as the food is digefted, we again perfpire with encreafed energy j for the new chyle being changed into blood, imparts addi- tional efficacy to the vital powers, as well as to the circulation of the blood itfelf. As we perfpire confiderably more in fummer than in winter, our mode of life, with refped to fleep, r.s well as to food and drink, ought to be regulated accord- ingly. We know from accurate obfervation, that if we retire to bed immediately after fupper, the procefs of perfpiratlon is checked in a remarkable degree : we alfo know, that it is highly conducive to health, that this important funfrion of the body be preferved in the mofl: uniform (late; hence it neceflarily follows, that, after fupper, we ought to fit up at Icaft two hours; and to afford this benefit both to the 'organs of digeftion and perfpiratlon, pur fuppcrs {hould not be delayed to the late hours now fo abfurdly in falliion. According to the experiments made by different inquirers into the nature of infenfible perfpiratlon, this OF EVACUATIONS, 525 this procefs is mod forcibly afFefled, and fomc- times totally lupprcffed, by the following circum- ftances : 1. By violent pain, which in a remarkable de- gree confumes the fluids of the body, or propels them to other parts. 2. By obftru6lions of the cutaneous vefTcls, which are frequently occafioned by the ufc of falves, ointments, and cofmetics. 3. By fevere colds, efpecially thofe contrafled at night, and during fleep. 4. Vf hen Nature is employed with other objeds. Thus perfpiration is weaker during the time of concodion, particularly after ufing food difficult ofdigeftion. This is likewife the cafe, when Na- ture endeavours to promote any other fpecies of evacuation, which more engages the attention of the fenfesi for inftance, vomitings, diarrhoeas, con- fidcrable hemorrhages, and the like : as alfo, when the efforts of Nature are too weak ; hence the aged, the debilitated, and poor perfons, unable to fupply the wants of the body, or to pay due at- tention to cleanlinefs, perfpire lefs than others : laftly, the fame muft happen to individuals of a fedentary life, who neglcdt the neceflary C5irer- cifc of the Ipody ; and thofe likewife who wear tight garments, and improper ligatures about the joints. K K 3 Perfpiration, 5-6 OF evacuations: Perfpiratlon, on the contrary^ is promoted : 1. By ftretching or expanding the limbs; as, the lungs and miilcks thus acquire an additional impuife, and the fluids circulating too flowly in the fmalJer veiTels, are propelled to the larger veins and arteries, and forwarded to the heart i fo that this principal mufcle is then obliged to 'extend and contrad its ventricles with greater force, and confcquently to quicken the whole cir- culation of the blood. 1. By the lukewarm bath, which is well calcu- lated to fofren the flvin, and thus to open the pores for a better perfpiradon. J. By moderate bodily exercifc. 4. By mild fudorific remedies; — and for this reaibn it is extremly proper, in the cafe of a recent cold, to drink two or three cups of tea, efpecially when going to bed. If perfpirable matter collecl in drops, it J^iould then be called Sweaty and is no longer a natural and neceflary evacuation; on the contrary, vve find very healthful and robufl perfons who feldom or never Iweat. By means of this exudation, both noxious and uftful particles are at the fame time eiedled from the fiirface; the body is enfeebled j the blood is rendered impure ; and the fecretioq of bad humours is prevented by every violent effort of the cutaneous vellels. ' If fweadng be carried to excefs, it is extremly injurious, and may even be produdlive of con- fumptiqn. OF EVACUATIONS. 5^7 fiimptlon. By infcnfible perfpiration, on the con- trary, the fuperfluous particles only are expelled; becaufe the circulation of the fluids is (lower, and more calm and uniform. This important puri- fication - of the blood ought never to be checked : if, therefore, we wi(li to take a bracing exercife, it fhould by no means be continued, till profufe per- foiration take place. Cold only checks perfpiration, v/hen it occa- fions an unufual ftimulus on the fkin, and when wc coo fuddenly remove from a warm to a cold atmo- fphere. Hence the necefTity of accuftoming our- fclves, from early youth, to the vicifTitudes of heat and cold, of walking every day in the open air, and of wafliing the whole body, at leaft once a week, with lukewarm, or ftill better, with cold water. By this pradice the pores are braced, and inured to undergo the different changes of the weather and feafons, without fufFering (as mod people now do, upon the flighteft occafion) by fevere cold and catarrhs. It is never too late to begin this ftrengthenlng procefs, by frequently wafhing and rubbing the whole furface of the body with cold water; for if cautiouHy managed at firft, it cannot fail to invigorate young perfons and adults, as well as the aged.- — To ileep on feather-beds occafions a conftant vapour-bath at night, which deftroys the beneficial acquifitions of the day. — To rc- piove from a cold temperature to a ftill colder one, - K K 4 is CaS OF EVACUATIONS. is not nearly fo prejudicial, as to exchange fud* denly the air of a warm room, for that of a moid and cold atmofphere. This accounts for the fre- quent colds caught in fummer, even by going from the burning rays of the fun to the cooling fhadej and hence too the firft cold of autumn is molt fen- fibly felt, becaufe we are then unaccuilomed to that imprefTion. Much alfo, as has been before obferved, de- pends on the nature and properties of our food and drink, in refped to the (late of infenfible perfpir- ation. The fubtle and rarefied fluids only, not thofe of a coarfe and oily confifc'cnce, can pervade the fkiu. / Too many oleaginous, vifcous, and crude articles qf nourifhment, fuch as fat meat, paftry, boiled mealy diflics, fmoked hams, fau- fages, &:c. have a flrong tendency to obftrud the free perfpiration of the body, and confequently to aflTccfl: the lerenity of the mind. All the deprefiing pafficns and emotions are a powerful check to infenfible perfpiration; while, op the contrary, thofe of an exhilarating nature may promote and incrcafc it to fuch a degree, as fometimes to prove the pre-difpofing, though dif- tant caufe of confumptions. Moderate daily ex- ercife is eminently calculated to fupport this func- tion, and to ftrengthtn the whole body. Clean- linefs produces a fimilar effefi: ; for fome impurities jrpntinually fetde on the furface of the body; and thefe, if not removed in time, dog the pores, *j and OF EVACUATIONS. 5^9 and are fo detrimental to heakh, that they may occaQon many oblHnate diftempers, which might be e?!"ily prevented, or ac lead checked in their prcajrefs, by a proper ao-d conftant attention to the H-iin. Too violent a perfpiration indicates great debi- lity of the body, or a laxity of the cutaneous velTels, which f-nay frequently be removed by cold bathing or walbing. When perfons are troubled v/i:h unufual night-fweats, they may receive benefit (if it be not a fymptom of heclic fever) by taking, immediately before going to bed, two or three drachms ot cream of tartar, in either beer or water. But if this fimple remedy, after repeated trials, fliould prove ineffedual, a profcfiionai man ought to be confulted ; as long-continued night- fv/eats may in the end produce great v/eaknefs, and even confumption. In moft of the common cold?, the popular flimulant remedies, fuch as heating liquors, and particularly fudoritics, are ill calculated to relieve the complaint. If the patient, at the fame time, be troubled with pain in the bowels, head-ach, a foul tongue, &c. a gentle laxative will be of greater fervice than the diaphoretics. But if the ftomach be peculiarly affected, if the tongue be clean and the appetite good j two or three cups of warm diluent drink, a tepid bath for the legs, a moderately warm room and drefs, gentle exercife, and fridion of the fkin with warm cloths, are the moll SJO OF EVACUATIONS, moll proper and generally eftedual means of relief. - " As the retention of ufelefsaud fuperfluous matter IS hurtful, it is not lefj detrimental to health, if iubilances not prepared for evacuation, are ejedled from the body.— Of this kind are bleedings from the nofe, the mouth, and the veffels of the anus : though thefe are not natural evacuations, yet they may occafionally be beneficial, as Nature fome- limes makes an effort to expel noxious matter in an unufual manner. But thefc parts or fluids ejeiled as pernicious, (Iriftly fpeaking, ought not to exift in the body ; and though the evacuation of them be beneficial, it is a fymptom of difeafe. If, therefore, fuch preternatural difcharges take place too violently or frequently, they ought to he checked v/i:h judgment and circumfpeflion > and we fnould endeavour to lead (but not to force) Nature to a more falutary canal than that |he has adopted, cither by accident or wanton com? pulfion. Of the Saliva, The faliva fi:iould not be confounded v*?ith mucus^ or flime ; the former is a fluid, not intended by Nature to be evacuated, as it ftrves the important purpofe of mixing and preparing the food for the ftomach i hence it ought not to be unnecefTarily %val\ed by frequent fpitting; th? latter, mucus, may OF EVACUATIONS, 531 may be fafely thrown out as burdenfome ^nd of- «? fcnfive. The abfurd cuftom of fmoking tobacco is extremely prejudicial, as it weakens' the organs of digeftion, deprives the body of many ufcful fluids, and has a dire(5l tendency to emaciation, particularly in young perfons, and thofe of lean and dry fibres. To thefe it is the more detrimental, as it promotes not only the fpitting of faliva, but likewife other evacuations. This plant is pof- i'cffcd of narcotic properties, by which it produces in thofe who firft begin to fmoke it, giddinefs, cold fweats, vomiting, purging, and, from its fti- mulus on the falival glands, a copious flow of the faliva. . _ Frec^uent fmoking makes the teeth yellow and black ; v/hile clay-pipes are apt to canker them to fuch an alarming degree as to infefl the breath, and produce putrid ulcers in the gums. Deli- cate' perfons efpecially fuffer from this naufeous habit ; as it has a dired tendency, not only to exficcate their bodies, by contaminating the fluids, rendering them acrid, and vitiating the digef- tion and afllmilation of food, but likewife to impair the mental faculties, Thefe effeds, however, are lefs to be apprehended, if fmoking has become habitual, and is not carried to excefs. To per- fons of a middle age, or thofe of full growth, particularly the corpulent, the phlegmatic, and fuch as arc fubjedl to catarrhal complaints, it rnay occafionally be of fervice, if ufed with modera^ 53-, ' O^ EVACUATIONS, moderation, efpecially in damp, cold, and hazy- weather. Yet fuch perfons ought never to fmoke immediately before or after a meal, as the lliiiva is materially requifite to aflift the concotflion of food, which is not accompiifhed till about three or four hours after dinner ; — they fhould fmoke flowly ; frequently drink fmall draughts of beer, ale, tea, or any other diluent liquors, but neither fpirits nor wine ; and, laftly, they fhould ufe ^ clean pipe with a long tube ; for the oil of tobacco, fettling on the fides of the pipe, is one of the moft acrimo- nious and hurtful fubftances, and may thus be abforbed, and mixed with * the fluids of the body. 0/ ibe Mucus of the Noje, The fecretion of this humour is intended by Nature to proteift the olfactory nerves : hence every artificial method of increafing that difcharge is prepoftcrous, unlefs required by fome particular indifpofition of the body. The remarks, then, made with refped to the faliva and fmoking, are alfo applicable to the mucus of the nofe, and the cuftom of taking fnuff. The queftion here is not refpeding that catarrhal fecretion of vifcid flime, which is ejeded as ufelefs, SnufF ftimulates the mu- cous membrane of the nofe, and, fympathetically the whole body ; by which the menfal powers are in OF EVACUATIONS. 5JI3 in a flight degree afFeflcd. If ufed as a medicine * only, and on occafions that require fuch a ftimulus, it may be produ6tlve of fome advantage ; but a liquid flernutatory deferves every preference to a powder, which, though at firft {Simulating and occafioning a flow of vifcous matter, in the end always obftrufls the noflirils. And if this fl:imulus be too violent, it may bring on fo profufe a dif- charge of matter from the delicate membrane lining the nofe, as to relax and corrode it, and to * By the perfuafion of fome friends, who were anxious to fee the farcical performance of an empiric, whofe name does not deferve to be recorded here, I joined a party, on the 25th of Septembei', 1798,10 v.-Itnefs the pretended effeds of a certain Jnuff-poiuder^ together v,-ith what he called his acroamaiic belts-, which were at beft but a clumfy imitation of MeJJmer's Anhnal MagneUjm [v'ld. page 147 and foil.) ; and, as fuch, had not even the merit of originality. — The medi- cated fnuif appeared to be an affiftant agent contrived by this Charlatan, to flupify the heads of his patients, who were generally of the lowed clafs. The German adventurer ftood in need of no external remedies to affect the nerves of the Parijian fanatics, while our London Mountebank could not without feme additional ftimulus, operate on EngUJh brains, — All this is characlerlftlc of the vile and defplcable plans adopted by quacks ; but, to hear an ignorant pretender to medicine defcanting on the virtues exifting In his acroamatic belts ; maintaining that an univerfal magnetic fpirit per- vades them ; th:it this fpirit alone cures all the difeafes inci- dent to the human frame, even broken limbs and exfolia- tions of bones ; and, laftly, to permit aa audacious impoftor to impeach the hc.iejly of the whole Faculty, before a deluded • audience — fuch outrage loudly calls for the interference of the civil magiflrate. produce 534 OF EVACUAtlONSi produce 2i polypus, or a concretion oF clotted blood in the noftrils. In feveral difeafes of the head, eyes, and ears, however, the taking of fmjff may occafionally fup- ply the place of an artificial iffuej though an ex- travagant ufe of it will mod certaiiily produce a contrary effc<5t; namely, accumulation of matter in the head, bleeding of the ' nofe> and other com- plaints* Farther, it would be extremely injudi- cious to advife the ufe of fnuff to perfons of a phthifical conftitution, or thofe afflided with inter- r.il ulcers, and fubjedl: to fpitting of blood j as, by the violent fncezing it at firfl: occafions, fuch indivi- duals might expofe themfelves to immincnt'dangen — Public fpeakers of every kind^ as well as teachers of languages, and, in fhort, all thofe to whom a clear and diftinfl ardculation is of confequence^ ought to avoid this habit, which, when carried to cxcefs, is, in this refped, extreniely prejudicial. Thofe, too, who have a regard for cleanlinefs will not accuftom themfelves to this hurtful pradice* In (hort, the continual ufe of fnuff gradually vitiates the organs of fmell, weakens the faculty of fight, by withdrav;ing the humours from the eyes, impairs the fenfe of hearing, renders breathing difficult j depraves the palate, and, if taken too freely, falls into the ftomach, and, in a high degree, if^ures the organs of digeftion. Befides the many bad eftcds already mentioned, ^ taking fnuff may be attended v/ith another confe- quence. dF nVACUATIONT-S. sJ5 quence, equally dangerous to the alH-nentary canal- While the nofe is continually obftrufted, and a free , refpiranon is impeded, the habiLual Inuff-taker ge- nerally breathes through the mouth only ; he is always obliged to keep his mouch partly open^ and confequcntly to infpire moj-e frequently, and vvith greater elTorts, Thus, by inhaling too much air, he probably lays the foundadon of that trou- blefome flatulency, which is common among thole hypochondriacs who habitually take fnuit. Henc-c every perfon, unlefs good reafons can be adigned in favour of it, ought to be fcriouOy dilTuaded from the ufe of {"nuff, a3 well as of tobacco : and it deferves to be remarked, that both thefe pfaclices may be fafely, and cannot be too faddenly relin- qui(hcd, as Toon as reafon prevails over fcnfuai -gratifications. Of JP'ax in the Ears. If the ears be fcldom, or not properly cleaned, there fometimes accumulates a ipecies of wax, \\hich grows tough and hard, diminifhes the acute- nefs of hearing, obftru6ts the paffage to the ear, and may at length produce total deafnefs. Abun- dant car- wax, if it become thin and acrid, may occafion pain, and fomiCtimes a running or fuppu- ration in the ears. Daily vvafhing with cold water flrengthens thefe organs, and is an excellent pre- iervative of the fenfe of hearing. — If it be appre- hended. 53^ OF EVACUATIONS. hcnded, that inre<5ls have made their way into the cavity of the ear, it may be iifefiiil to intro- duce fome fweet oil into the orifice, and to repofe on that fide, the ear of which is the lt;at of the complaint. I y Of Hemorrhages. These are fluxes of the blood, falutary to both {exes, when required and regulated by Nature ; but, if fupprefifed, they may be produftive of ferious and fatal confcquences. The 'menjes are irregular in their appearance and difappcarance; being much influenced by climate, and the con- ftitution of the body ; the hemorrhoids^ on the contrary, originate from the mode of living, joined to a particular temperament of the individual. Bleeding of the ncje arifes either from a fuper- abundance of blood, and Its impetuous circulation, or from the burfting of one of the fmall arteries. — As long as thefe fluxes continue within proper limits, and do not exhaufi the fiirength of the perfon fubjedt to them, there is not the Icafl: necefllty to employ any artificial means of fupprefiing them j becaufe Nature mufl not be rudely checked in her beneficent efforts. Nay, even the affcclicns and pafiions of the mind ought to be duly regulated particularly by females of an irritable temper, during the recurrence of the menfes; for thefe may, according to circumfianees, be either preter- naturally OF EVACUATIONS. 537 naturally increafed, or totally fupprefled, to the great injury of health. Laftly, it is extremely imprudent for young women to expofe their feet and legs to dangerous colds, in wafhing the floors of rooms and pafiages upon their knees, at a time when they ought particularly to guard againft the accefs of damp and cold. Humane and fcnfible perfons would not require their fervants to follow this prejudicial pracflice, by which they are liable to contract the mod obftinate diforders : it produces obftrudions in the abdomen, fwelling of the legs, dropfical complaints, palfy, and even confumptions j — hence the multitude of female fervants continually taking refuge in the different hofpitals. Of the retention of Milk. Not lefs hurtful than the fupprefllon of hemor- rhages, is the retention of the milk in the female bread. This, likewife, is generally occafioned by indulging in fits of paffion, or by expofing the body, and particularly the lower extremities, to the influence of damp and cold places^ or wearing wet clothes, or linen not properly aired. Hence may arife nodules, or fmall lumps in the brcafls, troublefome fwellings, efpecially if the milk be abundant, inflammations accompanied with excru- ciating pain and violent fever, ulcers in one or more parts of the body at the fame time, or fchir- L L rhous ^38 OF EVACUATIONS, rhous cailofities ; and, at length, if negle6led or mifmanaged, cancer itfelf. In many inftances, a premature ftoppage of the milk, in lying-in women, has produced inflammation of the womb, and a fevere child- bed fever. Laftly, imprudence with regard to food and drink, drefs, air. Sec, may occa- fion the fuppreflion of the milk, as well as of every other evacuation. SECTION SECOND. Of the Sexual Intercourse in particular; its phyfical ccnjequences with rejpe£f to the Confiitu- tion of the Individual ; — under what circumjiances it may be either conducive or detrimental to Health, A subject of fuch extenfive importance, both to our phyfical and moral welfare, as the confe- quences refuking from either a too limited or ex- , travagant intercourfe between the fexes, deferves the ftridefl: inquiry, and the moft ferious attention of the philofopher. The inclination to this intercourfe, and the eva- cuation conne6ted with it, are no lefs inherent in human nature, than other bodily fundions. Yet, as the femen is the moft fubtle and fpirituous part of the animal frame, and as it contributes to the fup- port of the nerves, this evacuation is by no means abfolutely neceffary j and it is befides attended with circumftances not common to any other. The emilTion of femen enfeebles the body more than ths lofs OF EVACUATIONS. $2^ lofs of twenty times the fame quantity of blood, more than violent cathartics, emetics, &c. ; hence excefles of this nature produce a debilitating cfFc6t on the whole nervous fyftem, on both body and mind. It is founded on the obfervations of the ableft phyfiologifts, that the greateft part of this refined fluid is re-abforbed, and mixed with the blood, of which it conftitutes the mod rarefied and volatile parti and that it imparts to the body peculiar fprightlinefs, vivacity, and vigour. Thefe bene- ficial efftcls cannot be expefled, if the femen be wantonly and improvidently wafted. Befides, the emiflion of it is accompanied with a peculiar fpecies of tenfion and convulfion of the whole frame, which is always fucceeded by relaxation. For the fame reafon, even libidinous thoughts, without any lofs of femen, are debilitating, though in a lefs de- gree, by occafioning a propulfion of the blood to the genitals. If this evacuation, however, take place only in a ftate of fuperfluity, and within proper bounds, it is not detrimental to health. Nature, indeed, fpontaneoufly eff^ecls it, in the moft healthy indivi- duals, during fleep ; and, as long as we obferve no diff'erence in bodily and mental energy after fuch loffes, there is no danger to be apprehended from them. It is well eftablifhed, and attefted bv the experience of eminent phyficians, that certain in- difpofitions, efpecially thofe qf hypochondriafis and L L 2 ' complete 540 OF EVACUATIONS. complete melancholy, incurable by any other means, have been happily removed, in perfons of both icxes, by exchanging a finglc ftate for chat of wedlock. There are a variety of circumdances, by which the phyfical propriety of xhe fcxual intercoufe is, in general, to be determined*. It is conducive to the well-being of the individual, if the Laws of Nature and fociety (not an extravagant or difor- dered imagination) induce man to fatisfythis in- clination, efpecialiy under the following condicions; ^ -I. In young peffons, that is, adults, or thofe of H middle age; as, from the flexibility of their vef- fcls, the ftrength of their mufcles, and the abun- dance of their vital fpirits, they can more eafily fuf- raio the lofs thence occafioned. 2. In robufl: perfons, who lofe no more than is fpeedily replaced. 3. In fprightly individuals, and fuch as are par- ticularly addided to pleafure ; for, the ftronger the natural and legal defirf , the lefs hurtful is its grati- fication. 4. Id married perfons who are accuftomed to it ; for Nature purfues a different path, according as flic is .hjibituatcd to the re-abforption, or the evacua- tion of this fluid. * That the quelllou cannot, hi this place, be direfted to the moral propriet)' of the I'exua! intercourfej mull be evi- dent from the point of view, in which this fubject is here ^onfidered ; hence every apology becomes unnece/fary. 5 ,5. With OF IVACUATIO?IS. '5"4l 5. With a beloved oDJeft : as the power animac ing the nerves and mufcular fibres is in proportion to the plcafure received. 6. After a found fleep; becaufe then the body is more'ehergetic ; it is provided with a new ftock of vital fpirits ; and the fluids are dn]y prepared ;— hence the early morning appears to be dcfignet^ by Nature for the exercife of this funclion ; as the body is then moft vigorous; and, being un- employed in any other purfuir, its natural pro- penfuy to this is tlie greater : be fides,, at this time, a few hours fleep will in a confiderable degree re- Itore the expended powers. 7. With an empty ftomach ; for the office of digeftion, fo material to the attainment of bodily vigour, is then uninterrupted. Laftly, ..,^, 8. In the vernal months; as Nature, at this feafon in particular, incites all the lower animals to fexual intercourfe ; as we are then moft ener- getic and fprightly ; and as the fpring is not only the fafeft, but likewife the moft proper time, with refpc<51: to the confequences refultmg from that inter- courfe. It is well afcertained by experience, that children begotten in fpring are of more folid fibres, and confequently more vigorous and robuft, than thofe generated in the heat of fummer, or cold, of winter. It may be colle(5led from the following circum- ftances, whether or not the gratification of the fexual impulfe has been conducive to the wcil-being L.L 3 of S^.^ OF EVACUATIONS, of the body 3 namely, if it be not fucceeded by a peculiar lafTitude j if the body do not feel heavy, and the mind averfc to refle<5lion :. thefe are fa- vourable fyraptoms, indicating that the various .powers have fuftained no efTential lofs, and that Superfluous matter only jiasJDeen. evacuated. ►^JFarther, the healthy appearance- of the urine, In this cafe, as well as cheerfulnefs and vivacity of jjiind, alfo prove a proper coclion of the fluids, and fufficiently evince an unimpaired flate of the animal fundlions, a due perfpiration, and a free circulauon of the blood. There are, however, many cafes in which this 'gratification is the more pernicious to health, \vheh it has been immoderate, and without the impulfe of Nature, but particularly in the following fituations: ^ I, In all debilitated perfons ; as they do not .poflfefs fuflicient vital fpirits j and their flirength, after this enervating emifllon, is confequently much exhaufted. Their digefl:ion neceflarily fufl?*ers, per- fpiration is checked, and the body becomes languid and heavy. 2. In the aged, whofe vital heat is diminifned, whofe frame is enfeebled by the mod moderate enjoyment, and whofe vigour, already reduced, •(juflFers a ftill greater diminution, from every lofs that is accompanied with a violent convulfion of the whole bdciy. 3' Jn OF EVACUATIONS. 543 3. In pcrfons not arrived at the age of maturity < —by an early intercourfe with the other, fex, they become enervated and emaciated, and inevitably ihorten their lives, 4. In dry, choleric, and thin perfons : thefe, even at a mature age, Ihould feldom indulge in this pafTion, as their bodies are already in want of moilture and pliability, both of which are much diminilhed by the fexual intercourfe, while the bile is violently agitated, to the great injury of the whole animal frame. — Lean perfons generally are pf a hot temperament i and the more heat there is in the body, the greater will be the fubfequent drynefs. Hence, likewife, to perfons in a ftate of intoxication, this intercourfe is extremely per"- niciousi becaufe in fuch a flare the increafed circulation of the blood towards the head, may be attended with dangerous confcquences, fuch as burfting of blood-vcfTels, apoplexy, 3cc. ;— • the plethoric are particularly expofcd to thcfc dangers. 5. Immediately after meals; as the powers re- quifile to the digeftion of food are thus diverted, confequently the aliment remains too long unafli- milated, and becomes burdenfome to the ftomach. 6. After violent exercife j in which cafe it is ftill piore hurtful than in the preceding, where mufcular ftre ngth was not confumed, but only required to the aid of another funftion. After bodily fatigue, on the contrary, the neceflary energy is in a man- L L 4 ner 544 Of EVACUATIONS. fter exl^^ufted, fo that every additional exertion of tht body muft be peculiarly injurious. 7. In the heat ot fummer, it is iefs to be indulged in than in fpring and autumn; becaufe the pro- cefs of concoclion and affimilation is effected Iefs vigoroufiy in fummer t!;an in the other fcafons, and confeqiiently the lofles fuftained are not fo ealily recovered. For a fimilar reafon, the fexual commerce is more debilitating, and the capacity for ic fooner extinguithed, in hot than in tempe- rate climates. The fame remark is applicable to every warm temperature combined with moifture, ■which is extremely apt to debilitate the folid parts. Hence hatters, dyers, bakers, brewers, and all thofe expofed to fteam, generally have relaxed fibres. it is an unfavourable fymptom, if the 'reft after this intercourfe be uneafy 5 which plainly indicates, that more has been loft, than could be repaired by fleep: but if, at the fame time, it be produdive of relaxation, fo as to affcd the infenfible perfpira- tion, it is a ftill fironger proof that it has been de- trimental to the conft:tution. There are, as has been before obferved, two principal caufcs, from which the indulgence in this paftjon has a debilitating erfeft on the con- ftirutlon, particularly in mm: — i. by the con- vulfive motion of the whole frame, combined with the impaffioned ecftafy of the mind; and, 2. by the lofs of this effcntial fluid, more than by any other \ OF EVACUATIONS. 545 Other circumftance. — It certainly is ill-founded, that fwellings of the fcrotum may arifc from a ftagnation of the feminal fluid : fuch fwellings, if they really take place, arc not attended with any danger; as experience informs us, that they are cither re-abforbed, to the benefit of the body, or, if the accumulation of the fcmen become too copious, it is fpontaneoufly evacuated by Nature. The relaxation of thofe who keep within the bounds of moderation, in this relpctfl, does not continue long i one hour's fleep is generally fufE- cient to reftore their energy. Such temperance is highly beneficial to the whole body, while it ferves to animate all its powers, and to promote infenfible perfpiration, as well as the circulation of the blood. The femen can be emitted without in- juring the body, if Nature alone demand it, that is, when the refervoirs are full, and a material ftimulus occafTons it, without the adlive concur- rence of the imagination. As it is principally this fluid which affords viva- city, mufcular ftrength, and energy to the animal machine, the frequent lofs of it cannot but weaken the nerves, the ftomach, the inteftines, the eyes, the heart, the brain — in Ihort, the whole body, together iwith the mental faculties i — it in a manner defcroys the ardour for every thing great and beau- tiful, and furrenders the voluptuary, in the prime of his life, to all the infirmities and miferies of 9, premature old age, from which even the conju- ' gal 546 OF EVACUATIONS. gal ftate cannot fave him. The moft certain con- fequence of excefs in venery is hypochoncjriafis, frequently accompanied with incurable melancho- ly: the unhappy viiflim endeavours to exhilarate. bis rnind by a repetition of thefe convulfive ex« crtions of his vital fpirits, and thus precipitates himfeif into ftill greater mifery. — -Many of the difeafes of the eyes originate from fuch intemper- anjccj and thefe votaries of pleafure are not un- frequently attacked with iahs dcrjalis^ or con- fumption of the back, which generally proves flital. In this refpeft alfo every individual ought to pay proper regard to his conftitution. Some are pro- vided by Nature with an uncommon, portion ,Gf bodily vigour, while others are but fparingly fup- plied : the former, therefore, overcome,.flight tranf- grefTions of this kind, without much danger, while the latter cannot commit excefies with impunit^y. The natural inftind ought always to be confuked, in whatever relates to this funciion i but it fhould not, as is frequently the cafe, be confounded with the artificial ftimuius. Hypochondriacs, indeed, as well as thofe who make ufe of many nourifliing fpecies of food and drink, are fometimes ftimulated merely by a certain acrimony in the abdominal veflels ; fuch a flimulus, however, is totally un- connedled with the impulfe of Nature. Frequent and copious emifTions, during fleep, are produdtive of equally bad effeds ; they bring pn th /» OF EVACUATIONS, ^^J the frailties of age at an early period of life, and foon prepare the exhaufted fufferer for the grav^. But infinitely more dangerous is a certain fecret vice, which debilitates the body more than any other, fpecies of debauchery. By this execrable practice, a greater quantity of femen is evacuated, than by the natural commerce between the fexes j the vital fpirits cannot operate fo uniformly, as to counter- balance the con vul five effecfls which agitate the whole animal frame j and the circumflances, which render this hateful vice fo deftrudive to both fexes, particularly at a tender age, are, that the opportuni^ ties of committing it are more frequent than thofe of the fexual intercourfe, and that it but too often becomes habitual. The imagination which, by the natural union of the fexes, is in a certain degree gratified, becomes more difordered by every repetition of the crime alluded to, as it is continually filled with libidinous images : and although the frequent lofs of femen is, for a confiderable time, fupplied by a fluid of a In the frefli femen of thofe who are capable of - procreating, we find a great number of animal- cute, which can be perceived only by means of the mod powerful microfcopes : thefe do not ' appear to be mere veficles filled with air j as they are formed irregularly, one ex^tremity being fomcwhat fpherical, the other fmaller and rather pointed. As part of the fmall artery, through which the blood is propelled into both tefticles, runs imme- diately under the fl-cin, and confequently the blood IS conduifled from a warmer to a much colder place ; as the feminal tubes in the tfffticles are very delicate and long, and take throughout a ferpentine courfc — the canal traverfing the upper tefticle (^epididymis) being alone thirty feet long and up- wards y aSj laftly, the narrow feminal tubes pafs over into the wider canal of the epididymis, and this again into the ftill wider feminal paflage : it is obvious, that the fecretion and evacuation of the femen not only takes place very flowly, but alfo in a very fmall quantity. Nature feems to employ a confiderable time in preparing and perfe6ling a fluid, which is indif- penfably necelTary to the propagation of the fpecies. The of EVACUATIONS, 55I The quantity, therefore, which is emitted iri every- intercourfe between the fexes, and which is com- puted to be equal to half an ounce weight *, can be but gradually replaced. Hence it happens, that even men of llrong conftitutions cannot in- dulge in venery more than once in three or four days, for any confiderable time, without impairing their health, and diminifhing their ftrength. Thefe remarks, however, apply chiefly, and almoft ex- clufively, to the male fcx ; for, with regard to women, it is an erroneous notion, that they fe- crete any femen ^ — what has formerly been confi- dered as fuch, confifts merely of a pituitous liquor, proceeding from the womb and the vagina. To return from this (liort digreflion, I fnall far- ther obfervc, that, where it may be otherwife pro- per, it is an excellent and healthful rule, (however ludicrous it may appear to the fcnfualift) to gratify the inclination for the fexual commerce only at re- gular periods, fo that Nature may become habi- tuated to it, without making unuiual and hurtful efforts. Such regularity might be attended with the additional advantage, that perfons, in a conjugal * This afTcrtion, as well as that Immediately following-, reft upon the authority of Prof. Loder, of Jena ; and I here refer to his excellent work : " Elements of Medical Ak' ihropology, &c." {in German), p. 41 1, fecond edition, 8va. Weimcir, 1793« ' ftatc. ^^1 OF EVACUATIONS, ftate, would not be fo apt to commit excefles, which, in the end, are produdive of fatiety and indifference towards the objcd formerly beloved, and which are undoubtedly the frequent caufe of a feeble and degenerate offspring. No irregularities whatever are more certainly puniflied than thofe of venery; and, though the confequenccs fliould not immediately take place, they unavoidably follow, and generally at a time when they are moft fcvcrely felt j fometimes in the organs of generation alone, and fometimes over the whole body. Even a connexion with the moft beloved objedl, the poffeffion of whom has been long and anxioufly wifiied for, does not exempt the voluptuary from thefe prejudicial ef- fedls, if the bounds of moderation be exceeded : at length the imagination becomes difordered ; the head is filled with libidinous images ; and the pre- dominating idea of fenfual enjoyment excludes the refiedlions of reafon. Thus Nature becomes in a manner forced to condu6l the fluids to the parts of generation, fo that fuch unfortunate perfons cannot relinquilh this deftrufbive habit ; they arc troubled with involuntary emiffions of the femen, which are extremely debilitating, and either de- prive them entirely of the faculty of procreating, or deftroy the elafticity of the' parts, and exhauft the femen to fuch a degree, as to produce only feeble and enervated children. To OF EVACUATIONS. 553 To thofe who lead a life of debauchery, fpaf- modic affedions, and even ruptures, are not un- common : women are afflidted with xhtfluor albus^ violent fluxes of the menfes, bearing down of the vagina, and innumerable other maladies of a dif- agreeable nature. Thefe deftru£live efFefbs on the body are at firft manifefted by a general relaxation of the folids : the whole nervous fyftem is reduced to a ftate of extreme debility, which is feldom, if ever, removed by the mod rigorous adherence to diet, and the moft appofite medical remedies. Hence generally arife, as has been already ob- ferved, the almoft infinite varieties of hypochon- driafis, and imbecility, to fo alarming a degree, that perfons of this defcription cannot direft their attention to one objeft, for a quarter of an hour together; their fpirits are exhaufted; their me- mory as well as their judgment are greatly im- paired ; and in fhort, all the faculties of the mind, all its ferenity and tranquillity, are fo much af- feded, that they fcarcely enjoy one happy mo- ment. The external fenfcs do not fuffer lefs upon thefe occafions : the eyes, efpecially, become weaker, imaginary figures are continually floating before them, and frequently the power of viflon is en- tirely deftroyed. — The fl:omach alfo, on accounc of its intimate connexion with the nerves, in a great meafure partakes of thefe infi/mities : M M whence 554 ^^ EVACUATIONS. whence arife dlfeafes of various degrees of ma- lignity i — the lungs too become difordcred j hence the many lingering and incurable con- fumptions, which deftroy fuch numbers in the prime of life. If, however, they furvive the bane- ful effc6ts of their intemperance, their bodies be- come bent from abfolute weakncfs, their gait fluggifh and tottering, and the refiduc of their days is marked with painful debility. Young perfons, as well as thofc whofc employ- ments require great mufcular exertion, are in an uncommon degree weakened by frequent de- bauches. Indeed, the fcxual intercourfe, even within the limits of moderation, is more hurtful to fome individuals than to others. Thus, a per- •fon born of (Irong and healthy parents is not nearly fo much hurt by occafional extravagance as another, whofe parents were weak and ener- vated, or who is himfelf threatened with con- fumption ; and, laftly, thofe alfo ought to be ab- Itcmious in this refpefl, who feel an unufual lafTitude and weaknefs, after the leaft indul- gence. There are individuals who, from ignorance, have long been in the habit of committing excefles, and who Willi at once to reform their mode of life; the coniequcnce of this fuddtn change generally is an indirect debility j and they become very liable to fits ofthe gout,hyfl:eric and hypochondriacal complaints. As they are fenfible of their growing weaknefs, they or EVACUATIONS. ^^^ they expefl to relieve thcmfelves by ftrengthening remedies, which render their fituation ftill worfe, being apt to occafion involuntary emiffions of femen in the night, to relax and deftroy the fto^ tnach, and at length ito produce an irritating acri- mony in the inteftines, which is the frequent caufe of fuch emifTions, Even the mild corroborants cannot be ufed here with any hopes of fuccefs ; as the body is overloaded with pituitous phlegm, from which readily arife jaundice and dropfy. Hence it is more advifable, and, at lead in a phyfical refpefb, more falutary, to return from fuch irregularities by gradual fteps, than by a too fudden and dangerous change. It is farther remarkable, that mod perfons, cfpecially in the higher ranks, do not marry at a proper period of life j partly from caprice and family- confideracions ; partly on account of the difficukly to maintain a family, in the prefcnt more expenfive mode of living ; and partly from other caufes, which are beft known to batchelors. Thus they enter into the conjugal ftate, when their frame is enervated by difTipation of every kind ; but fuch debauchees ought not to be permitted by the State to encumber the world with a degenerate offspring. On the contrary, to be married too early, ?.nd before a pcrfon has attained the age of maturity, is likcwifc ijiiproper and hurtful. Every candidate^ for . matrimony fhould endeavour to obtain the M M 2 mod 5^6 OF EVACUATIONS. moft accurate intelligence, whether the object of his affedlion be qualified for the various duties of that ftate, or whether (he be fubjeft to phthifical, hyfteric, and nervous complaints, all of which ought to be guarded againft j as, befides the mif- fortune of being united to a valetudinary partner, healthy women only can produce found and vi- gorous children-. Thofe who do not marry for the fake of wealth and family-intereft, fhould choofe a well-fhaped and agreeable partner, as deformed mothers feldom bring forth handfome children. The natural dif- pofition of a woman likewife, deferves to be in- veftigated, previous to the union j for it is the opinion of accurate obfervers, that children moft generally inherit the propenfities and pafTions of the mother. There ought' to be no remarkable difference between the age of the married couple; and the mod proper time of life for matrimony, in our climate in general, appears to be that be- tween the age, of eighteen and twenty in the fe- male, and froip twenty-two to twenty-four in the male fex. Laftly, women who are hump-backed, or who have had the rickets in their infancy, ought not to enter the ftate of wedlock ; the former, in parti- cular, (according to the rules of found ftate-po- licy) fliouid by no means be allowed to marry^ lintil examined by profefBonal perfons, whether there be any impediment to child-bearing from the ::.:. prcter- OF evacuations; 557 preternatural ftrufbure of the pelvis: — this fre- quently renders the Casfarean operation neceflary : or the artificial feparation of the pelvis is connefled with imminent danger of life. For the fame rea- fon, even elderly women (hould not be encouraged to engage in matrimony, as they cither remain barren, or experience very difficult and painfuj parturition. . In fome rare inftances, however, too great ab- llinence may be the eaufe of ferious diftempers. A total retention of the femen is not indeed al- ways hurtful i but it may be fo, occafionally, to perfons naturally lafcivious, and to thofe of a cor- pulent habit. Thefe are generally provided with an abundance of the feminal fluid, which, if too long retained in the body, caufes involuntary eva- cuatipBSj plethora, fwellings, pain and inflamma- tion of the feminal vefl^els, the infpiflTation, and at length corruption, of the fl:agnating femen — fomq- times priapifms, convulfions, melancholy, and at length furious lewd iiefs. ,. * urn The female fcx are not lefs liable to difeafes from inevitable abftincnce-5 lofs of ftrength, chlo^ roJiSf fluor albus, hyfl:erics, and even furor uteri- 7mSj may fometimes be the confequence. Yet, I cannot upon this occafion omit to remark, that thefe effedls feldom, if ever, take place in thofe ■who live regularly, and do not encourage libidi- nous ideas j and that both males and fem.ales would undoubtedly derive greater benefit from M M 3 total 55^ OF EVACUATIONS. total continence, till marriage, than by an unit-* mired indulgence in venery i in the former cafe, they would not only in a great meafure contribute to their vigour of body and mind, but alfo to the prolongation of life. — Young women of an habi- tually pale colour, may bejuftly fufpefted of being troubled with the fimr alhuSy — or of having an ardent defire to change their ftate. To repair the injuries brought on by an exr cefiive indulgence in the fexual commerce, fuch means ought to be employed, as arc calculated to remove the irregularities which have taken place in the funflions of digeftion and perfpiration, and to give new energy to the fjlid parts. With this intention, the quantity of food is not of fo much confequence as its quality i hence the diet (hould be nourifhing, of eafy digedion, and have a tend- ency to promote infenfible perfpiration : in all dates of debility, a light and fpare diet is the moft fuitable to reftore ftrength, without exerting too much the digeftive organs. Rich nourilhment, therefore, as well as tough, flatulent, and crude viduals, or thofe which are liable to ferment in the ftomach, would, in fuch cafes, be extremely pernicious.— But, above all, a rigid degree of ab- iHnence from the intercourfe which has occafioned the weaknefs, cannot be too ferioufly recom- inendcdi as this alone is generally fuiHcient to reftore mufcular vigour, cfpecialiy where youth and OF evacuations; 559 and foundnefs of conftitution are In favour of chc individual. Although we are pofTcfTcd of no fpeclfics, ftriftly deferving the appellation o( aphrodiftacSy yet there certainly are means, which tend to promote the defire, as well as the capacity, of carrying on the fexual intercourfc: thefe are either fuch as contri- bute to increafe the feminal fluid, or ftimulate the genital organs. Of the former kind are thofe, which afford a rich chyle and falubrious blood, which conduct this fluid more abundantly to the parts of generation, and are on that account mildly diuretic j for inflance, milk, eggs, tender and nourifhing meat, herbs and roots of a mild, fpicy nature, and fuch as promote the fecretion of urine, moderate bodily exercife, particularly on horfeback, &c. Merely ftimulartng remedies, however, (hould not be employed without great precaution, efpecially by the infirm, and thofe be- yond a certain age ; for the emiflion of femen, in ttie latter, is generally attended with debility and difguft : while in young and robuft perfons there is no neceflity to increafe the fecretion of that fluid by artificial means. There are Jikewife remedies of an oppofite ten^ dency, which more efl^cdually anfwer the purpofc of moderating, or rather checking toO violent a pro- penfity to venery, than thofe before flated for promoting it. In the prcfent ftate offociety, M M 4 and 5^0 OF EVACUATIONS. and particularly among -maritime nations, where a great proportion of men and women are obliged to lead a fingle life, the means conducive to diminifii this paflion, deferve every attention. Of this na- ture are: 1. A laborious and rigid life, much bodily excr- cife, little fleep, and a fpare diet j fo that the fluids may be more eafily condufled to other parts, and that they may not be produced in a greater quan- tity, than is requifite to the fupport of the body. For the fame reafon, it is advifable, as foon as the defire of committing excelTes rifes to any height, immediately to refort to fome ferious avocation, to make life of lefs nutritious food and drink, to avoid all difhes peculiarly (Simulating to the palate, and to abftain from the ufe of wine, and other fpirituous liquors. a. To fhun every fpecies of excitement j fuch as indmacy with the other fex, amorous converfa- tions, libidinous narratives, fedudlive books, pic- tures, &c. 3. A cool regimen in every refpecl : — hence Plato and Ariftode recommended the cuftom of going barefoot, as a means of checking the (ti- mulus to carnal defirc ; fo that this indecorous prac- tice was confidered by the ancients as a fymbol of chaftity. The cold bath was likewife fuggefted for the fame purpofe ; others again, among whom may be reckoned Pliny and Galen, advifed thin ftiects OF EVACUATIONS, 561 flieets of lead to be worn on the calves of the legs, and near the kidneys.^ — With the fame intention, and probably with better effeft, may be ufed the cooling fpecies of nourifhment, fuch as lettuce, water- purflane, cucumbers, &c. — for common drink, mere waterj and, if the impulfe of pafllon fhoiild increafe, a fmall quantity of nitre, vinegar, or vitriolic acid, may occafionally be added to the water, to render it more cooling. — Yet all thefe and fimilar remedies are of little or no advantage to the habitual voluptuary, efpecially if fubjeft to hypochondriacs. The exciting caufe in fuch per- fons not unfrequently proceeds from a difeafed abdomen, which, as has been before obferved, may be fcmuch obftru(^ed, that all other remedies are in vain, until the material ftimulus of fuch obftruc- tions be removed. — Laftly, 4. The various extenuantSy fuch as fpices of all kinds, and the fmoking of tobacco, violent cxer- cife, &c. are equally improper i as thefe would inevitably impair the health of perfons naturally lean, fanguine, and choleric ; while in cold and phlegmatic temperaments, they would rather tend to increafe than to abate the ftimulus. [ s«2 3 C H A p. X. Of^the Affections and Passions of the Mino; and their relative good and had efe£ls on Health, 'T^HE boundlefs ocean does not exiiibic fcenes more diverfified, than the various affedions and pafTions of the human mind. They arife partly from the mind icfelf, and partly from the varixDus conftitutions and temperaments of the indi- vidual. While no other remedies but rational arguments can iiifiuence the mind, the difpofition of the body may be changed and improved, by au infinite variety of means. It is, indeed, principally ffom bodily caufes, tTiat many perfbns are violently affefted from the mod infignificant motives, and others are little, if at all> influenced by the mod calamitous events. Jt is, for inftancc, obvioufly from a phyfical caufe, that violent medicines, poifons, the bite of mad animals, &c. produce timidity, or fits of anger and rage \ — that accumulations of black bile in che abdomen make people refcrved, peevifh, me- lancholy, and ftupid. What we wi(h to think, i^nd in what manner p continue the operations of the mind, frequently does not depend upon our- fcJves* The thoughts of the fobcr are very dif* ferent OF THE AFFECTIONS, &C. 563 ferent from thofe of the man in a ftate of intoxi- cacion. A certain difli, a particular kind of drink, may fufpend the powers of reafon. The temperament of man is, as ic were, the fource of his mental operations. Affeftions and paflions are different one from another in degree only. The former imply the inclination or pro- penfity to a paflionj the latter, the realized affec- tions, whether fimple or compound; or in other words, they conflitute an aflual and perceptible degree of fen^ual defire or averfion. According to Lord Kaimes, pafTions are aflive and accom- panied with defires; afTeftions are inafbive and deftitute of pafTion. He alfo diftinguifhes between wifhes and defires: the former he calls the higheft adivicy of the affedtions. CompafTion and wifhes for the better, are in his idea affeofions : pity, and a defire after what is better, he czlh paj/ions. PafTions operate upon the body either fuddenly, or Oowly and gradually. Sudden death, or immi- nent danger of life, may be the confequence of the former: a gradual decline and confumpcion, that of the latter. The pafTions, as fuch, may be aiptly divided into two principal clalTes, thofe of an agreeable and of a difagreeable nature. Men of ftrong imagination chiefly fuffer from pafTions of the violent kind, while thofe of more underftanding, and Icfs fancy, are fubjed to flow emotions of the inuid. Indolent perfons, whofe fenfations are dull, arc lefs pafTionate, than thofe who combine acute 5^4 OF THE AFF£CTIONS AND acute feelings, and a lively imagination, with a clear underftanding. The greateft minds are ge- nerally the moft impaffioned. All pafTions, of whatever kind, if they rife to a high and violent degree, are of a dangerous ten- dency ; bodily difeafe, nay death icfclf, may be their concomitant efFc6ls. Fatal apoplexies have frequently followed fudden dread or terror. Cata- lepfy and epileptic fits fometimes accompany im- moderate afflidion, or diftrefTing anxiety. Hypo- chondrians, hyfterics, and habitual dejection, may indeed arife from a variety of phyfical caufes ; but they are as frequently generated by the paffions or fufferings of the mind alone, in individuals other- wife healthy. "Difeafes of the mind, after fome timcj produce various diforders of the body j as difeafes of the body occafionally terniinate in imbecility. In cither cafe, the malady muft be oppofed by phy- fical, as well as moral remedies. It is only by the management of the cenftitution and education of the individual, that the pafTions may be rendered ufeful j for, if uncontrolled, they affed us as a tempeft does the ocean, without our being able to counterad their pernicious in- fluence. Since all affections whatever confift in dcfire or averfion, they mud neceffarily be ac- companied wich reprefentations of fo lively a nature, as to induce the individual to perform the correfponding voluntary motions, Confe- quently PASSIONS OF THE MIND, ^6^ Quendy the affeftions muft alio be accompanied by JenfiUe motions within the body, not only by voluntary anions, but by thofe alfo, which contribute to the fupport of life, and which are more or lefs violent, according to the degree of the affedion. Joy, for inftance, enlivens all the corporeal powers, and, as it were, pervades the whole animal frame. Hope has nearly a fimilar efFed: j and thefe two afFedions contribute to the prefervation of health and life, more than all the medicines that can be contrived. But of the other afFedions of the mind, we can, in moft inftances, obferve fcarcely any effeft but that of irregular motions, which, not unUke medicines, in a limit- ed degree, and under certain circumflances, may be occafionally ufeful. Hence the dominion over ciir -pajjions and affeElions is an eJJ'ential and in^ dijpenjable reqtiifite to health. Every individual, indeed, is at his birth provided with a certain bafis of inclinations, and with his peculiar moral tem- perament : the moft tender infant, even before he is capable of fpeaking, difcovers by his features and geftures the principal inclinations of his m.ind. If thefe be follered in his fufceptible breaft, they will grow up with him, and become fo habitual, that the adult cannot, without the greateft exer- tion, overcome them by the power of reafon. The phyfical ftate of the body is moft happy, when the mind enjoys a moderate degree of gaiety, fuch as is generally met with in healthy and vir- tuous 566 OF THE AFFECTIONS AND tuous perfons. The circulation of the fluids and perfpiration arc then carried on with proper vi- gour J obftruftions are thereby prevented or re- moved ; and by this lively and uniform motion^ not only digeftion, but likewife all the other func- tions of the body, are duly performed. Joy is that ftate of the mind, in which it (tt\^ ex- traordinary pleafure ; in which it enjoys a high de- gree of contentment and happinefs. The aflivity of the whole machine is enlivened by it j the eyes fparkle ; the adion of the heart and arteries is in- creafed ; the circulation of all the fluids is more vigorous and uniform; it facilitates the cure ofdif- cafes in general, and forwards convalefcence. The different degrees of this afl^edlion are, Gaiety^ Cheer- fulnefst Mirthy Extdlaiion, Rapture^ and Ecjiacy.^^ Habitual joy and ferenity, arifing from the per- feflion, reditude, and due fubordination of our faculties, and their lively exercife on objeds agree- able to them, conftitutc mental or rational hap- pinefs. Evacuations which are moderate, a proper (late of perfpiration, and all food of an aperient quality and eafy digeftion, may be confidered as contri- buting to a joyful (late of mind. A pure, dry air, and every thing that invigorates the functions of the body, on the well-being of which the ferenity of mind greatly depends, has a tendency to obviate l^agnatlons, Joy alfo is more falutary, when combined PASSIONS OF THE MIND* 567 combined with other moderate alfcdlions: and the various bodilv and mental exertions are then fuccTelsfully performed. — A moderate degree of '' joy removes the noxious particles of the body, and in this refpc6l is equal, nr.y fuperior in falu- brity, to bodily exercife ; but excefs and too long duration of this pafTion attenuate and carry away not only the fuperfluous, but likewife many ufe* ful fluids, and more than the natural fundbions can reftore. Hence, this too violent motion and diffipation of humours is attended with relaxatioa and heavinefs ; and fieep alfo is prevented, which alone can re- invigorate the nerves, that have firf- fered from too e:reat tenfion. On this account, tbe celebrated Sanctorius difTuades perfons from gambling, who cannot control their pafTions ; be- caufc the joy which accompanies their fuccefsj* is followed by fleeplefs nights, and great abftrac- ' tion of perfpirable matter. Sudden and excefllvc joy may prove extremely hurtful, on account af the great wade of energy, and the lively vibra- tion of the nerves, which i^ the more noxious after long reft. Nay, it may become dangerous, by caufing expanfion or laceration of the veflcls, fpitting of blood, fevers, deprivation of under- standing, fwooning, and even fudden death. If we have anticipated any joyful event, the body is gradually prepared to undergo the emotions con- aedted with it.— For this reafon, we ought to for- 13 tify ^6^ OF THE AFFECTIONS AND tify ourfelves with the neceflary fhare of firmnels, to meet joyful as well as difaftrous tidings. Laughter is fometimes the efFedl or confequence of joy ; and it frequently arifes from a fudden dif- appointment of the, mind, when diredled to an ob- je(5t which, inftead of being ferioiis and important, terminates unexpededly in infignificance. Within the bounds of moderation, laughter is a falutary emotion ; for, as a deep infpiration of air takes place, which is fucceeded by a (hort and fre- quently repeated expiration, the lungs are filled with a great quantity of blood, and gradually emp- tied, fo that its circulation through the lungs is thus beneficially promoted. It manifefts a fimilar efFefl on the organs of digeftion. Pains in the flomach, colics, and feveral complaints that could not be relieved by other means, have been fre- quently removed by this. In many cafes, where it is purpofely raifed, laughter is of excellent fer- vice, as a remedy which agitates and enlivens the whole frame. Experience alfo furnifhes us with many remarkable inftances, that obflinate ulcers of the lungs and the liver, which had refifted every effort of medicine, were happily opened and cured by a fit of laughter artificially ex- cited. Hope is the anticipation of joy, or the prefenti- ment of an expeded good. It is attended with all the favourable effcds of a fortunate event, without 6 poflcfllng PASSIONS OF THE MIND. S^9 pofiefTing any of its phyfical difadvantages -, be- caufe the expeftation of happinefs does not effeft us fo excefilvely as its enjoyment. Befides, it is not liable to thofe interruptions, from which no human pleafure is exempt; it is employed princi- pally wich ideal or imaginary objects, and gene- rally keeps within the bounds of moderation ; hftly, the fenfc of happinefs contained in hope far exceeds the fatlsfaftion received from immediate enjoym.ent, confcquently it has a more beneficial influence on health than good fortune realized. Although hope is, in itfelf, merely ideal, and pre- fents its flattering and embellifhed images to the fancy in a borrowed light, yet it is, neverthelefs, the. only genuine fource of human happinefs. Hope, therefore, is the mofi; favourable ftate of mind to health, and has frequently preferved the ferenity and prolonged the exiftence of thofej whofe fituation appeared to be forlorn. Lovdy viewed in its moft favourable light, pre- fents to us a pifture of permanent joy, and is at- tended with all the good efi^efts of that pafTion* It enlivens the pulfations of the heart and arteries, promotes the operations of the different functions of the body; and it has frequently been obferved, that a ftrong attachment to a beloved objcdl has cured inveterate diforders, which had refilled all medicinal powers, and which had been confidered incurable. The changes which this paffion can efFe(ft on the powers and the whole difpofition of N H the 570 OF THE AFFECTIONS AND the mind, are equally remarkable. For the ex- traordinary exertions, made to obtain pofTeiTion of the objedl of our wilhes, excite a fenfation and confcioufnefs of ftrength, which enables man not only to undertake, but alfo to perform the noblefl: and mofl heroic actions. In that exalted ftate, he fets all difficulties at defiance, and furmounts every obftacle. Sorrow is the reverfe of joy, and operates either fuddenly or flowly, according as the caufe of it is of greater or lefs importance and duration. The lovveil degree of it is called Concern -, — when it arifes from the difappointment of hopes and en- deavours, it is Vexation j — when filent and thought- ful it fettles into Penfivenefs or Sadne/s ; — v/hen it is long indulged in, fo as to prey upon, and poflefs the mind, it becomes habitual, and grows into Melancholy. — Sorrow increafed and continued, is called Grief \ — when agitated by hopes and fears, ic is Diftrauion; — when all thefe are overwhelmed by forrow, it fettles into Defpair,'--T\\t higheft degree of forrow is called Agony. Sorrow fcldom proves fuddenly fat-alj for, though it injures the nervous energy, it does not haften the circulation of the bleed, with the ra- pidity of other paffions, but rather retards its courfe. Yet there are examples of its fpeedy and fatal efFeds. — Sorrow, like a flow poifon, corrodes the powers of the mind and the body ; it enfeebles the whole nervous fyftem j the heart beats -flower ; '" ■ 8 the PASSIONS OF THE MIND. 57I the .circulation of the blood and other fluids becoiVjes more inert ; they frequently ftagnate in their channels, and generate evils more ferious than fadnefs itfelf. Farther, the face at firft turns pale, then yellow and tumid ; the body and the mind are worn outj the courfe of the blood through the lungs mufi; be affiPced by frequent fighing; the appetite and digeftion become vitiated ; and thus arife obftruflions, hyfteric and hypochondria- cal complaints, and, at length, confumptit>n, which is inevitable deftrudion to the body, fre- quently in the prime of life, and in fpite of the healing art. Perfons who indulge themfelves in peevifhnefs, very foon lofe their appetite, to- gether vvith the power of digeftion ; their mouth has a bitter tafte ; flatulency, colic, fpafms, faint- ings, and the long lift of ftomachic complaints necefllirily follow. Men become fubjecfl to the blind hemorrhoids 3 and women to fupprcffion or other irregularities of the menfcs, coftivenefs, or chronic diarrhoea. The bile, on account of the retarded circulation, either grows thick and pro- duces indurations of the liver, or it is mixed with the blood, and generates jaundice or dropfy. Such perfons in time become very irritable and peevi(h ; and with the frequent return of grief, the mind, at length, is totally employed in contemplating its wretched fituation, To that it finds new food for increafing it, in almoft every objetft it beholds. Hence the whole imagination is by degrees obfcured, N N 2 and 572 OF THE AFFECTIONS AND and the mod ufual confequences of it are, th« deepeft melancholy — fucceeded either by a nervous ftvcVf or infanity — fometimes cancer, and at other times a fpeedier diffolution, by what is then called a broken heart. Solitude and idlenefs are not only the remote caufes of many paQions, but alfo fupport and fofter them, without exception : they coUeft and fix the attention of the mind on the favourite objefts, and make us re fled the more keenly on the caufes of the pafTions, the lefs we are interrupted in thefe fond reveries by other fenfations. Though it certainly is not in our power to avert grief, from which even fages and heroes are not always exempt, yet we can do much to alleviate it, by denying ourfelves the enjoyment which this indulgence in certain fituations affords. Moral arguments of confolation, if properly adapted to the capa- city and mental difpofition of the fufferer, have in thefe cafes generally a powerful influence. Thofe whofe minds are affected by forrow, ought to avoid as much as polTible the company of per- fons, who are fond of relating their calamities, and recounting their misfortunes. On the con- trary, whatever has a tendency to cheer the mind, and to divert it from difagreeable objcfls, ought to be inftantly reforted to. Of this nature are, company, bufinefs, cheerful mufic, and the focial affcdions. — The body (hould be frequently rubbed ' with dry clothsj perfumed with amber, vinegar, fugar. PASSIONS OF THE MIND. $^2 lugar, and the likej the lukewarm bath may be employed with great advantage ; and, if circum- ftances permit, the patient (hould remove to a warmer and drier climate. — If temperately ufed, 'a weak and mild wine is of excellent fervice, but an immoderate indulgence in this palatable drink may diforder the ftomach, by the quantity of acid it produces. IVeeping generally accompanies forrow, if it be not too intenfe: tears are the anodynes of grief, and ought not to be reftrained by adults. We feel ' in weeping an anxiety and contraflion of the breafb, which impedes refpirationj probably, becaufe a fuperfiuous quantity of air is then contained in the lungs, which is forcibly expelled by fobbing. By this obftru6lion in breathing, the blood, Vv'hich ought to be reconduifled from the head, accumu- lates in the lungs, and confequently in the veins ; hence arife utdnefs, heat of the face, and a flow of tears, which are regulated in quantity by the de- gree of fadncfs thac produced them. Their prin- cipal good effects are, that they prevent the danger to be apprehended from grief, by diminifhing the fpafmodic motions in the breaft and head, and by reftoring regularity in refpiration, as well as in the circulation of the blood : hence perfons find themfelves much relieved after a plentiful flow of tears; which however is extremely prejudicial to the eyes. Grief arifing from an ungratified defire of re- turning home and feeing our relations, is pro- N N J dudive 5*74* OF TH£ AFFECTIONS ANb du6tive of adifeafe, very common among the Swifs, and which fometimes, after a fhort ftate of melan- choly, trembling of the limbs, and other fymptoms apparently not very dangerous, hurries the unhappy fufferer to the grave, but more frequently throws him into a confumption, and generates the molt fingular whims and fancies. Perfuafions, punifh- ments, medicines, are here of no fervicej but a fuddenly revived hope, or gratification of the pa- tient's wiflies, has a powerful effeft ; provided that -^n incurable confumption, or infanity, has noc already taken place. There is alfo a fingular hyfteric or nervous fever, which affeds many unfortunate fufferers in mental diforders, and which was firft accurately defcribed by Richard Manningham. Debilitated per- fons, and thcfe of great fenfibility, of both kxcs, after melancholy afFcdions and other exhauftions of ftrength, are particularly fubjeft to this diforder. It begins ^ith irregular paroxyfms, and manifefts itfclf by an undefinable indifpofition, a dry tongue without thirft, anxiety without a vifible caufc, want of appedte, a low, quick, and unequal pulfe, a pale and copious urine, occafional fenfations of cold and fhivering, fometimes clammy fweats, fometimes colic, fleeplefnefs, and infanity. Ac- cording to the experience of Manningham, this fever generally terminates, in the courfe of thirty or forty days, by faintings, filent reverie?, and death J unlefs it be removed in the beginning, by bracing and ftrengthcning remedies. Among TASSIONS or THE MIND. 575 Among the mournful paffions, we may alfo in- clude an extravagant degree of lovCy or fuch as tranfgrefTes the bounds of reafon. Ic is then no longer a pleafure, but a difquietude of mind, attended with the mofl irregular emotions; it diforders the underftanding; gradually confumes all the vital powers, by a flow fever ^ prevents nutrition, and reduces the body to a fl'ieleton. All the pafTions, indeed, may in their more violent degrees occafion a deprivation of the underftand- ing J but forrow and love are peculiarly calculated to produce fo fatal an efFed. This mental diforder, to which both lexes, but efpecially women, are fubjed, {hould be oppofed in time, by phyfical as well as moral remedies. — Much may be done here by education, and a proper choice of Ibci^ty, The imagination (hould be v.'ithdrawn from fuch images, as may encourage inordinate and excefTive love ; and it cannot be denied, that young females par- ticularly are frequently precipitated into this weak- , nefs, merely by reading improper novels. This imbecility of mind becomes the more dangerous in young people, as it is generally increafed by folitude, and their ignorance of the real world.— Exalted ideas of virtue, of magnanimity, and a generous felf-denial, are excellent antidotesj bur, if the body fmk under the weight of pafilon, even thefc exertions arc infufficient to Hipport the energy of the mind. The phyfical remedies to be reforted to in'thefe fituations are, rigid temperance, a fru- N N 4 gal 57^ OF THE AFFECTIONS AND gal and lefs nourilhing diet, conftant employment, and much exercife i but the mod fuccefsful ofall^ is a happy marriage. Of all the paffions that can aid the medical art, there is none from which we may cxpedl greater benefit, than from a rational gratification of love. On the contrary, a too ardent paffion is attended with the moft dangerous phyfical confequcnces : it is nearly related to difappointed love, and ufualiy fhews itfelf by a relerved melancholy, a general diftruft, and a gloomy mifanthropy, which, how- ever, externally appears only under the chara(5ter of lafTitude and deprefTion. It is apt to be followful earthquake of 1 755 ; and who, from the great fright which feizcd him upon feeing whole ftreets and churches tumble down before him, Jias been deprived of his underflanding ever iince. , from ■Passions of the mind. 581 from modern education, inflances ofthis latter kind become every day more rare. ExcefTive ba(hful- nefs clofely borders on fear:, if it does not proceed from vice or corrupted manners, it may be cor- rc6led by fecial intercourfe with perfons of a cheer- ful difpofition. Terror, or the dread of an evil furprifing us, before we are able to prevent it, is of all paflions the moft deflrudive, and the moft difficult to be avoided, becaufe its operation is unforefeen and inftantaneous. To Ihun all occafions that may produce it, is perhaps the only remedy. Perfons who are feeble and polTelTed of much fenfibility, are moft fubje^l to terror, and likewife moft afFcded by it. Its efFe6ls are, a fudden and vio- lent contra£lion of alnioft every mufde, that ferves 10 perform the voluntary motions. It may farther occafion polypous concretions of the heart, inflam- mations of the external parts of the body, fpafms, and fvvoons j at the fame time, it may ftop falutary evacuations, particularly perfpiration and hemor- rhages; it may repel ulcers and cutaneous erup- tions, to the great detriment of health, and danger of life. The menfes are fometimes inflantaneoufly fuppreflcd : palpitation of the heart, trembling ' of the limbs, and in a more violent degree, convulfions and epileptic fits, or a genera] cata- lepfy, and fudden death j are the fubfequent effefls of terror. As 5^2 OP THE AFFECTIONS AND As terror quickly compels the blood to retreat from the fkin to the Internal parts, it forcibly checks the circulation of all the fluids. If anger accom- pany terror, there not unfrequently arife violent hemorrhages, vomiting, and apoplexy. Terror has been fuddenly known to turn the hair grey. — An inattentive and injudicious mode of educating children often lays the foundation of this infirmity, which is difficult to be eradicated at a more advanced age. Perfons under the influence of this paffion, ihould be treated like thofe whoTufter from any other fpafmodic contradion. Tea, a little wine, or fpirits and water may be given to them ; vine- gar, lavender-drops, or fpirits ot hartfhorn, may be held to the noftrils ; warm bathing of the feet, and emollient^ injeiSlions may be of advantage ; and, laftly, the different evacuations ought to be promoted ; — but, above all, the mind ought to be duly compofed. j^}2ger arifes from a fenfe or apprehenfion of fuf- fered injuftice, and an impetuous defire of revenge. Its different degrees depend upon the impreffions made by the injury, or the ardour of the difpo- ficion to vengeance. In the former cafe, namely, when the fenfe of injuftice is the prevalent feeling, anger affeds us like terror, and produces fpafmodic contradtions and ftagnations in the liver and its veffels, fometimes fo ccnfiderable as to change the bile into a concrete mafs j from this caufe alone, often PASSIONS OF THE MlNDt 5^J often arlfe the gravel and flone of the bladder. The more ufual confcquences of anger, if joined to affliction, are palenefs of the face, palpitation of the heart, faltering of the tongue, trembling of the limbs, and jaundice. If, on the contrary, the hope of revenge be the predominant feature in anger, violent commotions take place in the whole fyftcm ; the circulation of all the fluids, as well as the pulfation of the heart and arteries, are perceptibly increafed ; the vital fpirits fiow rapidly but irregularly through the limbs J the mufcles make uncommon efforts, while fome appear almofl palfied i the face becomes red -, the eyes fparkle j and the v/hole body feels elated and inclined to motion. This fperies of anger is by far the mod common-. Anger and terror are, therefore, particularly in- jurious to the tender bodies of infants, who are pofTefTed of extreme fenfibility, eafily affeded, and confequently much expofcd to the inBuence of thefc pafTions, on account of the proporcionably greater fize of their nerves, and their inability to reftrain pafTion by the influence of reafon. They are liable to be fo feverely afFefted, that they may die fud- denly in convulfions, or retain during life an im- becile body and mind, liable to be terrified upon the flighted occafion. When children are apt to cry in fleep, when they flart up and make motions indicating ftar or terror, it muft not be always afcribe^ 584 OF THE AFFECTIONS AND afcribed to actual pain, but frequently to dreams, which fill their young minds with terrible images, cfpecially if they have often been terrified while awake. All parents know how much fome children are addided to anger and malice, and how diffi- cult it is to fupprefs the ebullition of thefe paflions. Hence we ought to beware of giving the moft diftant encouragement to fuch deflruclive emotions. For it is certain, that both men and women of an irafcible temper generally die of a confumption of the lungs. Perfons of an irritable difpofition are more fre- quently expofed to anger than others -, they are more eafily afFedled by every pafTion. Hence the tendency to anger is particularly vifible in indi- viduals troubled with hyfterics and hypochon- driafis, as well as in debilitated and difappointed men of letters. Perfons of a hot and dry tempera- ment, of ftrong black hair, and great mufcular ftrefigth, are likewife much fubjed to fits of anger. A moderate degree of this pafTion is frequently of advantage to phlegmatic, gouty, and hypochon- driac individuals, as it excites the nerves to a<5lion ; but, if too violent and raging, it diffipates the more volatile part of the fluids, and is produdive of the moft hurtful confequences. In the epileptic, fcorbutic, choleric, and fuch as have open wounds, it caufes fever, fpitting of blood, convuifions, in- flammations, throbbing pains in the fide, jaundice, apoplexy, Sec. II No PASSIONS OF THE MIND, 585- No fluid is more affefled by anger than the bile, which by its violent influx into the duodenum pro- duces a fixed fpafmodic pain in the region of the navel, flatulency, vomiting, a bitter tafte in the mouth, uneafinefs and prefllire about the pit of the ftomach, and, at length, either obftrudions or diarrhoea. — Wine, or other heating liquors, drank immediately after a fit of anger, and fl:rong exercife or labour, are attended with confequences (till more pernicious, as are alfo emetics, laxatives, and blood-lejtting. 'The propenfity to anger is increafed by want of fleep, by heating food and drink, bitter fubftances, much animal food, rich foups, fpices, and by all things that have a tendency to inflame the blood. Pcrfons fubjed to this pafllon fliould ufe diluent, acidulated, and gently aperient drink, and obfervc in every refped the mod rigid temperance. Such perfons ought to ileep more than others; and employ the lukewarm bath, gentle cathartics of cream of tartar or tamarinds, fruit, butter-milk, wbey, vegetable aliment, &c. Among other arguments againfl: anger, young people, efpccially females, fhould be informed, that befidcs the phyfical dangers attendant on this paf- fion, it deforms the face, and, like all the impe- tuous emotions of the mind, deprives the palTionate of every charm, and induces a fl:rong averfion to fuch companions. Thofc who feel the approach pf 4nger in their mind, fliould, as much as pof- 00 fiblcj 5^^ OF THE AFFECTIONS AND flble, divert their attention from the dbje6ls of provocation ; for inftance, by reciting a paflage' they have learnt by heart j or, as Julius C^far'' did, by repeating the Roman alphabet. Inward fretting, in which fadnefs is combined with anger, is the more deftrudive, that it does not vent itfelf in words, or external adions; There may arife from it giddinefs, inclination to vomidng, fudden pain in the fide, great anxiety, and fimilar complains. Somewhat related to this infirmity is, what Dr. Weikardt, a German author calls the " mal de cour ;" a cruel malady, which comprehends anger, avarice, envy, and fad- nefs. — From a fenfe of neglecfl and unmerited injury, whether real or imaginary, which torments courtiers, the habitual peeviflinefs of a great pro- portion of men, leads them to avenge their difap- pointrtient,' by oppreffing and ill-treating their dependants. To accuftom themfelves to confider the phyfical and moral vicifTitudes of life, and the perifhable nature of all terreftial happinefs, with becoming firmnefs, and to enlarge their minds by the aequifition of ufeful knowledge, are the beft remedies for this mental difeafe. "When fadnefs or fear have fo overpowered the heart and the underflanding, that all hopes of averting the apprehended evils are extinguiflied, the mind finks into Defpair, We then fee no comfort in futurity, and our ideas of approaching mifery become fo intolerable, that we think our- felves PASSIONS OF THE MIND. 587 felves incapable to fuftain it, and feek a remedy in death. There arc attacks of defpair, and an inclination to fuicide, in which people are, upon any unforefcen event, fuddenly deprived of their underftanding, and reduced to temporary infanity. This precipitate fpecies of defpair more nearly refemblcs terror. Others are folitary and re- fervedj continually refleding on their misfor- tunes, till at length all their hopes and refolu- tion fail. Their defpair, confequently, is more nearly allied to mslancholy, than to any other paflion, A fudden fit of defpair is owing to very irritable mufcular fibres, which are quickly excited to the moft irregular motions, and from which arifes confufion in the fenfes and the imagination. In profoundly thoughtful and m.elancholy individuals, the folid parts are weakened, the fluids become thick, heavy, and {lagnatjng ; and this weaknefs of the folids gives them a fenfation of peculiar debility. They are difpirited and dcjedcd ; their ftagnating, or, at befl, flowly circulating fluids, occafion in them a fenfc of anxietv and timidity ; whence gloomy reprefentations are but too eafily imprefled on their mind. This is very apt to be the cafe with perfons who eat more animal than vegetable food, which produces very rich and fubitantial blood. From this fource fome authors derive the choleric difpofition of the Britifh in general j but I have endeavoured to prove, in the 002 fiftli 5^3 Of THE AFFECTIONS ANO fifth Chapter, on Food, p. 310 and following, that this obferyation cannot be maintained on rational principles, and that it is inconfiftent with adual experience. It is^alfo faid of the Negroes, that they are . more fabje6b to melancholy, and even to fuicide, becaufe their blood is more com- pa;fi, 'florid, and fubftantial, than that of the Europeai:is. The ambitious are likewife frequently fcized with this affedion, when they meet with any thing to give them offence or obftruft their projefls. Prodigals, and thofe who are ftrangers to the troubles and difficulties of life, are fubjefl to fits of defpair, whenever they are reduced to a ftate of adverfity. Too rigid conceptions of virtue have alfo, though feldom, been the occafion of this infatuated pafiion. The cautions and rules for preventing defpair and fuicide, are the fame which mufl be employed to counterad fuch other pafTions, as deprefs the fuffering mind ; but they mufl: be modified according to the temperament of the individual; and the cure of fuch evils ought to be dire(!n:ed principally to the body, and partly alfo to the mind. Nothing, indeed, is better adapted to proted us againft all the uneafy and turbulent emotions o.f the mind, than a temperate and active life : but intemperance unavoidably occafions irregular commotions in the fluids, and may be the fource of difeafe and imbecility. Hence Pytha- 7 CORAS PASSIONS OF THE MIND. 589 GORAS advifed his pupils to abftain from animal food, which excitts^ wrath, with ail the other paf- fions and • defires.; Idlenefs and want , of exercife are not Icfs produdive of many malignant propcn- fitiesw . • ■It cannot be doubt(?d, that thole who, at an early, docile age, combine folid principles of virtue with, a fober and a6live life, arid vvho are by fre- quent examples reminded of the turpitude and difadvantages attending violent paffions in others, will of themielves reprefs thefe enemies to human life^::;Yet it is much more difficult to fupprefs pafllons that have already made fome progrefs ; in which cafes cenfure and rational remonflrances are feldom availing. To thofe, however, who have not reached fuch a pitch of obftinacy, as to be • above taking advice, the following hints njay not be unprofitable : 1. To remove, without delay, the objefb that gave rife to the pafTion, or at lead to deprive it (jf itS' nourifhment, fo that it may die of itfelf ; by going to fome other place, which prefents a dif- ferent fcene. 2. One affe<5lion frequently afil/ls in fubduing another of an oppofite nature ; fuch as to in- fpire the timorous with courage j the angry, with fear ; the too violent lover, with hatred, and Co forth. .^^ 3. Let us direct our thoughts to other objedls of .purfuit, fuch as public amufements, the chace, w 3 traveJlmg, 590 dl -THE AFFECTIONS AND travelling, agreeable company, or other favourite employments of an ufeful and affuafive nature. •f'4. Mtifici Nothing is fo well calculated to mo- derate and calm the nerves, to quiet the mind, and to affuage the pafTions j provided that the hearer poflefs a mufical ear, and the kind of mufic be adapted to his particular tafte and fituation.— Hence we cannot be too much on our guard in the choice of mufic, as certain kinds of it have a tend- ency rather to increafe than to allay the paroxyfoi of pafTion. 5. The ftate of perfpiration defer ves particular .attention. For it is confirmed by numberlefs ex- periments, that paffions decrcafe in the fame degree as perfpiration is increafed, particularly if they be of fuch a nature as to check infenfible perfpirationi for inftance, melancholy, terror, fear, and the like. Indeed, all the evacuations are beneficial in this cafe. Laftly, 6. Let us make ufe of no medicines immediately . after a fit of paflion. The moft advifable regimen "confifts in temperance in eating and drinking, ef- pecially in abftaining from hard indigeftible food, cold drink, and cold air. We fhould better con- fult our health, after any fuch emotions, by keep- ing ourfelves moderately warm, and drinking tea, or fome fimilar beverage. After a very violent paroxyfm of anger, it is fometimes neceffary to open a vein, in order to prevent inflammation j or to caufe the evacuation of PASSIONS OF THE MIND. 59! of the bile by an emetic ; which cafes, however, arc to be determined only by profeffional men. — The faliva (hould not be fwallowed in fuch a fitua- tion : for it is by fome fuppofed to poflefs a flightly poifonoLis quality. Perfons under the influence of terror fomc- times {land in need of a cordial; but the hypo- chondriac will find in wine and other ftrong liquors rather aa uncertain remedy, or one which^ at beft, is only palliative : and, if immoderately ufed, they muft necefiarily promote fadnefs, as well as every other paffion, ' which thefe fuppofed ano- dynes, in the end, always increafe by their altefr nately ftimulating and relaxing efFefls* ;;:i O O A [ 592 ] CHAP, XI. Of the different Organs of Sense, and thetr re- fpetJive fundlions—Of the fuppofed Seat and Ope- ration of the Soul — Motion — Mufcular Aoiicn. TDEFORE we proceed to inveftigate the pecu- liar fundions of the different fenfes, it 'will be ufeful, if hot neceffary, to premife-a fhort analyfis o^ fenfation^^or; itt other words, of th'e feat and operation of the foul. ^ The ancients imagined the feat of the foul to be in the ftomach, becaufe of the acute feeling of this organ, and the multitude of nerves with which it is provided, and by which it is connefted with other parts. But it is now univerfally admitted by phyfiologifts and anatomifts, that the operations of the mind arc carried on principally in the brain ; that this is the point of union, in which all the nerves meet, and which is to be confidered as the afiemblage of ail fenfations, or the fenforium com- mune. The brain is in the mod immediate con- neftion with the perceptive faculty -, and here all the nerves are, as it were, concentrated into one point. Prof. Soemmering, ofMayence, has lately en- deavoured to prove in a very ingenious publi- cation, that the ventricles of the brain properly contain OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 593 contain the more imnnediate caufe of the various operations of the foul j that there is a fluid, or at lead a fubtile vapour, fccreted from thefe parts, in confequence of the activity of the mind exer- cifed in the ventricles of the brain; and. that all the varieties of intelled, ia human beings, depend upon the diverfity of the ftrufture of thefe ven- tricles, and the various ftates of vigour and mental energy there exerted. Without attempting to decide upon a queftion fo remote from humanf inveftigation, I may be allowed to obferve, that all conjedlures refpeding the feat of the foul are in reality frivolous and un- fatisfadory, until we have afcertained, in what manner the important fundlions of the brain, ■which is intimately conneded and thoroughly blended with the nerves, are eftedled within the cranium ; whether this be done by vibrations, by fecretions of humours or vapours j or by the pe- culiar manner in which the numerous blood-veffels are difpofed in the brain, fo as to allow the blood to exert its influence, and to produce all the changes there, by the force and momentum of its own circulation i — all thefe particulars muft be afcertained^ before we can form a decifive opinion refpeding the fltuation of the foul. This much, however, is certain^ that one of the principal offices of the nerves confrfls in communi- cating to the brain thofc imprefllons, which are made on the body, by external objeds. As foon as 9 594 O^ THE: ORGANS OF SENSE, as, by means of this communication, a, certain changetakes;place ill the brain, the mind becomes eonfcious of it. But every perception muft be ac- quired. through the fenfes; bccaufe the imprcfiions, of whatever kind, muft previoufly ftrike the or- gans bf. fen fe, before tliey can be communicated to the nerves. : -:.. ;; Although ic be eftabirihed and admitted, that the nerves are the medium of all the operations ^between body and mind ; yet no philofopher has hitherto been able to difcover the ultimate chain or link by- which they are connefted, or the exadt point at which they originate. Much, however, de- pends here upon our -idea of the mind. It ap- pears, from the contradidory opmions which^, from time to time, have prevailed on this intereft- ing fubjeftj that the inquirers have been too much in the habit of evading the materiality of the fouh; and yet they afllgned it a certain place of refidence in the body, which to this day is imagined to be in either one or other part of the brain. I con- ceive the foul to be the primary ariintaiting power and the maximum of all powers in the animal body. And why fhould we hefitate to' confider matter (of the primary properties of which we afe but little informed) as perfedly fimple and yet ex- tremely operative ? The mind, then, is probably not confined to any particular part of the body, neither exclufively to the brain, to the ftomach, nor to the blood j but 14 diftributed OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 595 diflributed through the whole fyftem, always one and the fame power, fave that it is fometimes more, Ibmctimes lefs concentrated ^ and, if I may be per- mitted to fay fo, it is a pure, elementary, ethereal agent. In tht /^rain, it difplays its principal ener- gies : here are feated confcioufnefs, the capacity of ' thinking and judging, memory, and all the higher faculties of the mind. But again, it muft be 6b- ferved, that the different parts of the brain feem to contain different faculties ; fo that memory, pro- bably, occupies more the external cruft, and the power of thinking, the interior fubftance of the brain. With refpedl to memory, it is remarkable, that nervous and epileptic patients are ufually deprived of that faculty, before any other of their mental powers are impaired. Perhaps the efficient caufe of the difeafe has not penetrated the brain deep enough, fo as to affed the feat of the underftand- ing and judgment j till at length, with the progrefs of the difeafe, the higher powers of the mind be- come affedted. Even the lower faculties, the emotions of the mind, and the various paffions, appear to be fituated in different organs. Thus, the feat of terror and anger feems to be in the ftomach, and in the biliary fyftem ; the more amiable feelings, as philanthropy, compalTion, hope, love, &c. feem to be fituated in the heart j fear and furprife, in the 596 OF THE Organs of sense. the external furface of the head and back ; and fudden pain, in the bread. The next queftion arifes, how are thefe powers put in motion ? Has the aflemblage of thefe fa- culties, or the fenforium commune^ an original and independent capacity . of receiving, ideas j of form- jng new ones from its own material^j of: being confcious of thefe internal fenfations, and of com- paring them, fo as to reproduce cthersi through itfelf, and from its own origin ? I am inclined to anfwer thefe queftions in the affirmative. For, as foon as the fenfcs are ftimuhted, the fenfacion, is communicated to the fenforium, where it makes a real, corporeal, and ftnfible impreflion. All this is accomplifhcd by the medium of the nerves, becaufe the nervous energy appears to be more nearly allied to the mind, than any other power. . The more frequently, therefore, the {km-e ftimulus and im- prelfion is repeated, the more firmly the idea of it is imprinted, and the longer we retain the im- preflion. If the ftimulus be too violent and per- maricnt, or if an impreflion of too many objedls be at once made on the brain, our nerves expe- rience the fame relaxation as the chords of an inftrument, after a fl:rpng and repeated ;tenfion. Man, when he is without clear confcioufnefs, and in the moment, of confufion, feels as if his mental powers were palfied, or had fufl'cred a, temporary fufpenflon. In a fevere ".difeafe, and previous OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 597 previous to death, we perceive the ideas of early life vanifh firft ; we lofe the impreffions of fuch ideas on the brain more readily, in proportion to the diftance of time when they were made, or ac- cordingly as they have been more or lefs frequently repeated. If eventually the patient recover, he may without difficulty obferve, how progreflively the fupprelTed ideas re-appear in the head, exaftly as if they had been flored up there, and remained in a latent ftate, till the foul attained fufficienc energy to ufe them. — From this indubitable fafl, I am difpofed to deduce a ftronger argument for the immortality of the foul, than from any other phyfiological fourcc. The organs by which the lenficive powers of the nerves can be excited from without, are called the fenfes j in contradiftindlion to the internal facul- ties, fuch as imagination, memory, attention, and the various afFedions of the mind. The latter we exclude from the prefent inquiry, which is direded to the external fenfes alone. The number of thefe has been hitherto limited iojivcy or, it may be faid with more propriety, that they are five modifica* tions o( one fcnfe. This univerfal fenfe, which in a manner forms the bafis of all others, is that of Touch. If we abftraft from the difference fubfifting in the ftruc- ture of the organs, the other fenfes are fubfervient to that of touch, and are little more than a variety or modification of it. All the fenfes agree in this, that 59^ OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. that they may be improved by exercife, or depraved and blunted by neglefl: : Nature has not formed them with the fame degree of perfeflion in every individual. The lofs of one fenfc is, in general, partly fupplied by the greater perfediion of ano- ther; yet it is equally true, that exercife and at- tention are the principal fources of this improve- ment. In the mofl: perfe6l (late of our fenfes, we are liable to be mifled by them into many errors and miftakesi but the fenfe of touch or feeling is leaft^ liable to deceptions, while that of fight is the moft uncertain. The order in which we fnall confider the five fenfes hitherto admitted as being diflindt from one another, is the following: viz. i. Touchy 2. Sight y 3. Hearing', 4. Smell -y and, 5. 'Tajie, — Befide thefe, there are perhaps fevcral others, which deferve to be added to that number; fuch as hunger and thirft, and the fenfations peculiar to the difi^erent fexes. If thefe be not admitted as diftindt from the five others, we may ftiil difcover zfixth fenfe in the animal oeconomy. And though this additional fenfe is chiefly manifcfted in difeafes, and fcarcely perceptible in a healthy ftate of the body, yet its exiftence is fo obvious to patients in chronic diforders, and particularly in palfy, gout, and rheumatifm, that they are thereby enabled to afcertain, with wonderful accuracy, not only the prefent ftate, but alfo to predi^ the impending changes of the atmofphere. Without Ct tHE ORGANS OF SENSE. ^99 Without lofing time in abftrufe dlfquifitions, re- fpefting thefe occult fenfes, I proceed to examine thofe which are more generally known. The JirJ^y namely, that of l^'ouchj comprehends not only the fcnfation whicH is excited by any par- ticular imprefllon, but alfo that change which ex- ternal objeifts produce on the flvin, and pai-ticularly On the ends of the fingers. It is in the latter, and more limited meaning, that I now confider the fenfe of touch. In order to underftand more clearly the great importance of this fenfe, I fhall premife a concife defcription of the external .integu- ments of the human body. For there is no doubt, that the fkin is the medium of all the fenfes, and, if I may be allowed the exprefTion, it is the mod unerring guide, and leaft fubjed to the illufions of the imagination. The whole human body is inclofed in certain integuments or covers : they confift of three dif- ferent layers, each of which is wifely defigned by Nature for proteflion, benefit, and ornament. The uppermoft, that is, the fcarf-fkin, or epider- mis, is the thinneO: of the three, and is nearly tranfparent. It covers the whole body, both externally and internally, not only the mouth, flomach, and bowels, but alfo every cavity and protuberance of the body i as it forms the upper fkin of moil of the inteftines, the lungs, the hcarc, the liver, the fplcen, &c. This covering is of efien- dal fervice to the whole frame, by prote(fting the parts 60O OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. parts inclofed in it from external injury, by prevent- ing them from adhering internally, and by keep- ing every thing within the body in its proper fitua- tion. Ic is deftitute of fenfation, which even child- ren know, fince they run pins between it, without feeling pain. But it is poflefled of the admirable ' property, that it is very quickly renewed, after it has been deftroyed by accident, or by the meafles, fcarlet-fever, and fimilar difeafes. Immediately under this univerfal and upper mod covering of our body, there lies a fecond, reticular, and mucous membrane, which has received from anatomifts the name of rete mucefum. It is in moll parts of the body extremely thin, but it grows confiderably thicker in others, for inftance, on the heels, and the palms of the hand. This fecond fkin deferves particular attention, as it is the feat of the colour of different nations ; though the caufe of diis diverfity has not yet been difcovered:— in the Negroes it is black j in the American Indians nearly of copper colour j and in the Europeans generally white. That the colour of the human body is altogether contained in this fecond or middle fkin, is fufhciently afcertained ; for not only the third or true Ikin of the Negroes is as white as in the Europeans, but the uppermoft, or fcarf-fkin too, though rather of a greyifh tint, is ' fcarcely darker in blacks than in white people ; and in the latter alio the middle fkin frequently is of a yellowifh, brown, or blackifh colour j in which cafe the OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE, 6oi the whole external fkin exhibits a fimilar appear- ance. This difference of colour has led fomc authors to fuppofe, that there is a variety in the origin, as well as in the mental capacities of different nations. So palpable an error, however, could not long remain unrefuted : and it is now almoll univerfally ad- mitted, that there was originally but one fpecies of man, though diverfified by the climate, the air, the fun, and the mode of living, which produce all the difference in the colour, as well as in the ftruflure of man. Thus we know that thofe Americans, who live in the calmer weflern and mountainous regions, are not of fo deep a copper- colour as thofe who are more expofed to winds and other contingent caufes ; that the inhabitants of the northern bank of the' river Senegal are of a dimi- nutive fize, and of an afh-colour, while thofe of the oppofite bank are black, and at the fame time tall and robufl. We farther know, that after fome generations, the Negroes are bleached, and people of a white colour become black, when the former emigrate to the cold northern, and the latter to the torrid fouthern climates. This difference is alfo difcoverable in our climate, where people moving much in the open air and funfliine acquire a dark colour, fomewhat refembling that of the fwarthy Portuguefe. That there may be alfo a colouring fubflance in the blood, whether owing to the iron faid to be P P contained 6o2 OF THE ORGANFS OF SENSE, contained in thig fluid, to the bile, or to an exce& of what the old chemiils called phlogijion (or what would now be termed the want of oxygen) — all of which may have a fhare in the modification of colours, I am much difpofed to admit j becaufe the blood, bile, brain, nay the very vermin on the bodies of the ^Ethiopians, partake of their native colour. The third and innermoft of the integuments of our body is the true flcin, or the cutis vera^ which immediately covers the fat and the mufcles. It is of a compact, interwoven, cellular texturC;, v;hich is very thick and fmo'oth on its upper furface, of a white- colour in all nations, loofe or pliable on its inner furface, and furniilied with more or lefs fat. It not only poiTefles a confiderable degree of expanfibilicy, and contraftility, but is alfo provided with numberlcfs pores. Its thicknefs varies in different individuals. Ic is traverfcd by a great number of fine arteries, interwoven in the form of a net, and which may be exhibited to the eye by inje6ling them with a red fluid, fo that the fkin then has the appearance of being tho- roughly coloured. It is likewife furniflied with an equal number of veins, and delicate abforbent vefl"e]s. From the many nerves which pervade the true fkin, it poffeflies an uncommon degree of fenfibi- lity, efpecially in thofe parts where wt can perceive the pap iU of the nerves. Thefe are fmall protu- berances OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 603 berances In different forms, of a reticular ftruc- ture, and a pulpy confiftence. In fome places, as the lips, they are not unlike flakes, though they generally reiemble little warts. Such we obferve on the points of the fingers and toes, as well as on many of the moft fenfible parts of the body, but particularly the tongue. They are mofl vifible on the ends of the fingers in delicate perfons j they can be traced with the naked eye, by the fpiral lines terminating almoft in a point, and are pro- tefted and fupported by nails growing out of the fkin. It is in thefe papillary extremities, that every external impreflion is mofl diftinflly and forcibly perceived, on account of the number of nerves lying almoft expofed to view in thefe places. The fenfe of touch can be improved, by prac- tice, to an aftonifhing degree. There are many examples of blind people having attained fo great a perfedlion of this fcnfe, that they could with accuracy diftinguifh the difference of coins, of metals, and even of colours, merely by the touch. I knew a blind man, who had learnt to take a watch to pieces, to clean it perfectly, and to put it together again, without any other afTiftance, but that of the inftruments commonly ufed, and the exquifite feeling of his fingers. I have now only to dcfcribe the operation or mechanifm of this fenfe. — When the nervous papilla are prelTcd againfl external objefts, the p p 2 nerves 6C4 OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. nerves receive a kind of vibrat'fon, which is com- municated to their branches, and thence to the bfain. Thus we are enabled to feel the hardnefs, roughnefs, moifture, warmth, gravity, figure, fize, and even tlie diftance of bodies. But, that this feeling rnay not become painful, Nature has pro- vided another cover, namely, the fcarf-lkin, which ferves the important purpofes of fecluding the air from the true flcin, and preventing the body from being too much dried. — The nails increafe the energy of touch, and render the fenfc of it more acute, as they refift the preflure of external fubdances. Tht/ecoTid of our fenfep, though lefs eflential to animal life, is more conducive to our welfare and happinefs. Without Sight we cannot juftiy con- template the wonders of Nature, and exiftence is deprived of its greateft charms. An anatomical defcription of the eyes would lead us too far from the objc(5l of thefe inquiries, and would not be in- telligible, without a more particular arialyfis and demonftration than our limits allow. In the fenfe of fight, we are far excelled by moil of the lower animals. Eagles and hawks, in par- ticular, defcry their prey, beyond the reach of our fight, even when aided by a telefcope. Yet in men, alfo, this fcnfe may be wonderfully im- proved, and I rememberto have heard the celebrated Bdron Trenk aflert, that during his long captivity in the ft ate- dungeon at Magdeburg, he had fo 9 > much OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 605 much improved his fight, that he could fee the mice traverfing his gloomy cell, in the midft of the darkcft night — whether this affertion was exagge- rated, I do not pretend to decide. The operations of fight are performed in the mod accurate manner. By the ftru6lure of the eye, no rays" of light can pafs into it, unlefs emitted within an -angle not exceeding 90 degrees. Every thing here is regulated upon optical principles, fenfation excepted ; which is fituattjd in the retina, a membrane having the form of a net, and being, as. it were, the mirror by which external objects. are reprefented to the mind. If this mirror be dcftroyed, as is the cafe in amaurojist or gutta ferenay our fight is irrecoverably loft. All vifion confifts in the refraflion of the rays of light, by means of the cryfl:alline humour, till they are concentrated into one diftindl image on the retina. The rays, while they pafs through the arched furface of the cornea^ or the horny fkin, are broken and brought in conta6t with each other; and this is ftill farther promoted, while they pafs through the more denfe cryftaliine lens. They then converge at the fpot where the vitreous humour is contained ; here they again diverge, once more come in contact, and finally colle6t in as many points as are reprefented by the external obje(5t. This image, which is depided on, and ftimulates the retina, is communicated to the mind, and pro- duces the fenfation of fight. p p 3 It 6o6 OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. It is partly owing to the before-mentioned re- fraflionj and partly to the conftant and uniform re- ference to the internal fenfe, that in the adl of vifion we fee objedls in an upright pofture before us, though they are pourtrayed on the retina, in an inverted pofture. By this admirable mechanifm, ail objefls are invertedly prefcnted to the eye, fo that we cannot err in this refpecl, fince the relation and proportion of things unifornily remain the fame. But it will be aflced, how does it happen, that * with two eyes, we fee only one objed ? This quef- tion is eafily anfwered by thofe, who inform us, ^ that with two noftrils we are fenfible of only one particular fmell, and with two ears we hear but one diftind found ; that a fimilar external ftimulus, in fimilar nerves, will always produce the fame in- ternal fenfation, and that accidental deviations, or difeafes only, can ^ffedl this principle. Yet the ex- planation now given is altogether infufficient, as it proceeds from analogical reafoning. If we wifh to form a clear conception of this faculty, we muft above all things dircft our atten- tion to the axis of vifion, or that imaginary line, which we draw in a ftraight direftion from the centre of the eye to the ob]td:, and which is'pro- longed before and behind that organ. We muft next advert to the fituation in which tlie eyes are placed. They do not lie perfe(5lly ftraight in their ibckets, but fomewhat in an oblique diredion towards OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE, 607 towards the nofe. If, then, we prolong, for a fliort fpace only, the axis beyond the eye, we fhall foon find, that the two imaginary lines meet in a certain point. This is called the Focus, or the point of vifion—the termination of the external rays of light. if a perfon be able to fee to a great diftance, his lines of vifion interfeft each other at a greater diilance from the eye, and confequently his focus is farther removed from it. fhis defeft is called prejhyopiay or far-fightednefs, and may be reme- died by means of convex glafies j but, if from the too great convexity, or an extraordinary con- verging power of the eye, the rays of light too foon unite in one point, and, as this point is placed before the retina, from whence the rays of light again diverge, vifion becomes indiftindl, till the objeft be brought nearer to the eye i in order to place the point of union, as it were, farther be- hind the eye — this deficiency of vifion is called myopia^ or iTiort-fightednefs, and may be relieved , by concave glafies. Of thefe, as well as other de- fers of the eye, and the mod proper methods of preventing and curing them, I fiiall treat in the next Chapter. It farther delerves to be remarked, that the optic nerves crofs each other in the brain^ and that we are accuftomed, from our infancy, to fee only one object at a time. Hence children fhould be fo placed in bed, that they may not learn to > P P 4 fquint. 6o8 OF tJie organs of sense. fquint, or that the eyes may not be dire fneeze. To conclude this defcription of the fenfe of fight, I muft remark, that the reprefentations of the mind Icarcely difplay their influence on any other of the fenfes. 6lO OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. fenfes, to fo extcnfive a degree, as they do upon this : hence it happens, that we fometimes imagine we fee images before us, in the cleared manner, though the reprefcntation of them be merely a phantom of the brain. The impreffion forci,bly made on the retina, remains there for fome time, even after the objedl itfeif has vanifliedj thus we imagine we fee a fiery ring, when a burning coal is fwiftly moved in a circle. — That we believe we fee many bright colours, when we rub and prefs the clofed eye with the fingers, is owing to this caufe, that the fame kind of efFed is produced on the nerves of the eye by friction, as ufualiy accompanies the view of the colours themfelves. But 'whether colours, in general, depend on the different degrees of vibration of the air, or on the elements of the rays of light which, by their di- vifion, appear fingly and diftinftly in the prifm, is a problem not yet, and which perhaps never will be, fatisfadorily folved. By the next fenfe, namely, that of //d-m;/^, we perceive the vibrations of the air which occafion found. For this purpofe,, our ears are formed parly of cartilages, and partly of bones, in order to communicate thefe vibrations to the auditory nerves, and thence to the brain. This fenfe alfo is more acute in the lower .animals, than in the human fpecies. The hare, for infbance, is warned againft approaching danger, by her exquifitcly fine ear 5 and the owl, being fenfible of the lowell 8 founds. OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE, 6lt » founds, makes ufe of her acute ear to aflift her ia the difcovery of prey. The warm-blooded animals have an external and an internal earj but in almoft every fpecies it is of a different ftru6lure. Mod animals can. move their ears — an advantage not enjoyed by man : thoush it was not Nature which formed our ears immovable, but an abfurd cuftom, con- tinued for many centuries, gradually produced this effcfl. That the ears were not naturally defigned to lie fiat on the head, is fufficiently ob- vious from the number of mufcles with which they are provided, and each of which is defigned to perform different motions. The manner in which the fenfe of hearing is produced, is fhordy this. The vibrations of the 'air, which take place by the concufllon of any elaftic body, firft ftrike the external ear -, hence the found agitates the tympanum. But that the vibrations may not become too violent, and the tympanum may not burft, as is to be appre- hended from a very loud and near found, the ear is provided with a fiphon, which anatomifts call the Eujiachian tube, and through which the air jCoUeded on the tympanum again efcapes. But the vibration of the tympanum is alfo communicated through the four little bones of the ear j it is for- warded through what is called xhtjiapesy or ftirrup, ]Co the veftibule, or the firft entrance, and through the membrane of the fenejira rotunda^ as far as the innerm'oft 6l2 OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE, innermoU cavity of the ear, which refembles the Jhell of a fnai], and is therefore called cochlea. The whole labyrinth of the ear, being filled with a fmall quantity of fubtile water, this fluid gently agitates the fubftance of the auditory nerve j in confequence of which found is commu- nicated to the brain. The tiumour contained in the labyrinth of the ear obvioufly ferves the purpofe of preventing the foft, pappy fubftance of the auditory nerve from being too violently agitated. The ufe of the cochlea, which is very artifi- cially conftru(5ted, cannot be eafily determined ; it is probably rather defigned for the more accurate diftinflion of the varieties of tones, than for the perception of founds in general 3 for we may confider the delicate nerves, that run along the fpiral line of this cochlea, as a number of chords growing progreflively lliorter, and which, in a manner, repeat the external vilirations of the air, in the internal parts of the ear. This repeti- tion appears to be performed according to a geo-~ metrical fcale, fince the fame vibrations of the air take place here in a reduced proportion. Hence founds, which are too loud and penetrating, offend our ears, becaufe they (hake the auditory nerves too quickly and violently, fo that thefe may even be lacerated, and produce deafnefs \ but this is not the cafe, when the tympanum is broken by accident. Some OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE, 613 Some perfons, who are defedive in this fenfe, are obliged to make ufe of ear-trumpets, and to turn their ear to the quarter whence the found proceeds; to place the hand at the fide of the ear j to open their mouth, or ufe fome other afllftant means. All this is done with a view to fupply the motion of the ears, of which we have been deprived by habits contrary to the laws of Nature : thefe motions the lower animals perform, by pointing their ears in the diredion from which the found proceeds. In this minner, the ear receives a greater proportion of found j and many divisions of it, which might otherwifc efcape, are conveyed to the nerves. By means of the teeth, and other bones of the head, founds may be conducted to the auditory nerves, fo as to communicate the neceffary vibra- tions to the internal ear, though we can hear more eafily and diftindly, when the found comes through the organ itfclf. There is, however, a method of communicating founds to the deaf, with better fuccefs than by the common ear-trumpets, which inftruments at length entirely deftroy that fenfe. This is effedled by means of a cylindrical rod or tube of ivory, or any fimilar hard fubftance: the tube may be from twelve to twenty four inches long, and from a quarter to half an inch in diameter; if it be made hollow throughout, the' part which is placed in the mouth between the front teeth ought to have a much fmaller aperture than 6i4 OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE, than the other extremity. This tube is well eal» culated to afllfl: thofe deaf perfons, who wifli to enjoy the mufic of a harp, harpfichord, or other inftrument. I once knew a gentleman, who was quite deaf, but with the afTiftance of a cylinder, fuch as I have defcribed, was enabled to hear the fofteft notes diftiniflly, and to enjoy all the plea- fures of muiic. » Laftly, it is a falfe afiertion, that there is always a hole in the tympanum j for it is owing to the double opening of the Euftachian tube, that many jugglers can caufe the liquor they drink to flow out of the ear, in the fame manner as they.difcharge tlie fmoke of tobacco through the nofe and ears. Our fourth fcnfe is that of SmelU It is nearly related to rhe fenfe of tafl:e, probably from the great fimilarity of Itrufture in the organs of thefe two fenfes, and their vicinity to each other. This is attended with the manifefl: advantage, that man and animals are generally enabled to difcover, without danger, any unwholefome food. The fundlions of this fenfe are exercifed by the nofe, but chiefly by the mucous membrane which lines that organ. The whole infide of the nofe is co- vered with this membrane, which is a continua- tion of the general integuments of the body, buf much fofter, more mucous and porous, full of vefltls, exquifitely fenfible, and covered with hair towards the lower part of the noflirils, to prevent any impurities from afcending too far. Of ' OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE* 6l5 Of all the parts of the mouth connecled with the nofe, the moft remarkable is the cavity of the jaw-bone, or the finus maxillaris', which extends over the whole breadth of the two upper jav^- bones, and opens itfelf into the nofe between the middle and lower fhell. In new-born children, all thefe cavities are not yet formed, and this is the caufe of their imperfed fmell. In order to moiften the membranes, which otherwife would become too dry, by the air we inhale through the noftrils, there defcends a nafal canal from each cavity of the eyes, which communicates with the lower Ihell, in order to conduft the tears continually into the nofe. If we make an effort to fmell, we draw up the air filled with the volatile, oily, and faline particles of odorous fubftances: thefe particles come in contad with the fine branches of the olfactory nerves, which have the capacity of receiving im- prefTions, and thus the fenfation is imparted to the brain. Thefe nerves rife immediately from the brain, and are larger in many animals than in man. The bignefs of the nerves, however, is np proof of the greater degree of fenfation ia the animal, or of the fuperior abilities of the mind. On the contrary, it is now pretty generally believed, that the mental capacities of organized beings are in an inverted proportion to the- fize of the nerves rifing out of the brain, and the medullary fubftancc of the fpine. Thus, for inftance, the amphibious animals 6l6 OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. . ' animals have ftrorig nerves, in proportion to their fmall brain, and yet they are, in general, extremely infenfible and ftupid. Lean people, and ricketty . children, on the contrary, have very thin and fine nerves to a large brain ; and who has not obferved their fenfibility of mind, as well as their quick and acute feelings ? But to return from this digreffion.— The faline and oily particles which affeft the fmell, are more volatile and fubtile than thole diftinguilhed by the tafte i yet this difference may, in a great mea- fure, arife from the nerves, of the tongue being covered with thicker membranes than thofe of the jiofe. — In many- animals, the fenfe of fmelling is more acute than in man, who would probably be . much incommoded by too refined a perception of - this kind. But it may be much improved by ex- ercife, or depraved by negled. Hence the Ame- rican Indian can difcover the footfteps of man and other animals by fmell alone j — while perfons who live in a bad and fetid atmofphere, are fcarcely fcnfible of the difference between the moft fragrant and offenfive fubftances. — It is remarkable, that moft maniacs and chronical hypochondriacs are - cxcefiively fond of fnuff^, and every thing that ftimulates the nofe. In the acutenefs of this fenfc the dog excels all other animals ; and there are many extraor- dinary inftances recorded of his peculiar and aftoniiliing powers of fmell s with one of which, as . Of ,'ifi E ,. .Q RCA N S OF $£ ^t ^E, 6 1 7 •^as ...W.eli authenticated as it is excraordinary, I jfii^U conclude this, fubje6l.-7-In the year 1582, iLsmhuffJ ^ZollihfeK:{^t .put from -bis Chateau ,A)f- -tpiikiingen, In Switzerland, ^/or Pacis^} the diftance t^fuwhi(:ivis_yp wards- -of five hundred Englifh mile§, ^A Ifprtnight after ,Iiis..departui-e,,l?is faithful dog, who had till then been confined, alfo fet out alone 'forf^Pafi&.j where he arrived in the cpurfe of ^ight «'days,^ .and djfcQvered. his maftej .in thq , micjil of ,a 'crcyw'dj'Cialte.r having fear.ched fQrJi\m^^iya.xn^,^t-f^s ■ lodgings.:. ." : -y.:z o:,-j,;... : ^.-ai^fjcir - ^ATeare now.arjive^-at jt;he;/^//& _and4afb..of jCjur ^(kinOiSy tht.Tajfe, which is fo drift inguirtifed, an fa- vourite of a great number of perfons, that it ap- pears, as if they wifhed to live only for the fake^of 'its gratification. 1 have in former parts of this -work" endeavoured to inculcate the propriety and abrolute neceffity of attending to the effefts, pro- '^Ciuced on this ftn^Q by food and drink, vvdtho.ut which animal' fife'i cannot be long iiipported. • 'In this place, therefore, there remains to be de- ^Tcribed only the mcchanifm and the funflions o^ ■ this fenfe. The principal organjoCtafte, is the tongue, which in very few anirhals is as fenfible as in man. The former, indeed, accurately diftinguilh the ufeful herbs on which cRey feed, from -the noxious plants; -but", ;this :appe^jis. , tp ,-be more in confequence ■^ of theif: acute, fraell,) th^n from the guidance of iii-i Q>. their 6t8 6f^ THE ORGANS OF SENSt. ,.;fv. !Ol;v. their tafte. To dcfcribe the figure and fhape of tht tongue, is not confiftcnt with riiiy plan; but I ihall briefiy obferve, that this organ is^irovrded with innumerable nerves, which terminate in cer- tain warts, or papilla, of a different fize and figure, fome of them painted, others oblong, and others "fungous. ■ ' -^ f^^"7 ■ Thefe nervous papilljE- are the peculiar feat of the fenfe oftafte, or the palate. But, to ta lie any thing whatever, either the tongue Ihould be moift, or the fubftance applied to the tongue, fliould con- 'tain moirture. "In afcertaining the difi^crence of taffe,-the little warts are, in fome degree, dilate4i every fubftance we can tafte contains a greater or -Idfs proportion of faline and oily pardcles, which muft be foluble by the tongue. If the fenfation of the faline particles be acrid, the tafte is ftrong, dif- agreeable, and at length becomes painful : this.is alfo the cafe, if the tongue, by burning or other .. accidents, be deprived of any part of the epidermis, ■ Or fcarf-fkin. ■ - -J v-Such bodies as contain no faline panicles, as pure water,- excite no kind of tafte whatever. -The difFcfrence oftafte cannot be accounted for ■ from the variety of figure in the cryftab of the different falts, but appears to arife from the .che- mical propeFties ihlierenc in laltne bodies. -—li-riay ' fee laid down as a' general^ ruhe, that every fub- ' ftance, which aiford4-'*-ani'agn;eabls- tafte. to^ a '^'^^'' ..-^ healthy OT THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 619 healthy perfon of an undepraved palate, is whole- fome : as, on the contrary, fubftances of an acrid and difagreeable tafte are commonly pernicious. . The different degrees of tafte depend on the greater or lefs fenfibility of the nervous papillas before mentioned, as well as on the quality of the faliva, in a more or lefs healthy ftate of the body. If our nerves be blunted. and relaxed by fmoking tobacco, by too ftrong and highly-feafoned food, by the copious ufe of fpirituous liquors, by age, or other caufes, we cannot reafonably expeifl to poflefs the fame degree of fenfibility of tafte, as if we had been more attentive to the ceconomy of Nature. — The more fimple our ufual aliment is, the lefs it is feafbned with hot fpices, and the lefs we ftimulate the palate by wine and ardent fpirits, we fhall the better preferve our tafte, together with the nerves of the tongue j and we fhall have a greater relifti for rich difties, when they are but oc- cafionally prefented to our palate. The fenfes, then, are thofe organs, by means of which the mind perceives or feels external objecfts. They may be confidered as the fatellites of the mind ; and though fome animals enjoy particular fenfes more acutely than man, yet his fenfes are more -comprehenftve, andhe is amply compenfated by the extenfive ufe he can make of them, while the inferior creatures pofTefs a more intenfe application , of their fenficive faculties. 0^0,2 Wc 620 OF THE ORGANS 6f iSENSE; We have now corifidefed Wfe-feode in'v^hich the ■ fcnfes operate; we have feeb that every thing de- pends upon a acrvoiis ftimulus, which, by the moft ^'l3i verfiRed'-ot-garis, ^ is ' cortimunicaccd tO' the rhind : -yKere remaTn 'to' be 'added only 'a few re'marks and ' ^xplanatidris, I'dh'trvc" to' ^lii mal motion^ ' or mufch- ^i-''-' l^'heYrfaBHirieBfthe human'body is put in motion -'^B^^ a^'^gtfet' diverfity 6f^^y^r^:^Of thele, the -^fii'ghe'fl'anfid'''Wofll en^i-getk tliat of the ;»zWi the /'nest 'fubai'cihate'' power is that of the nervesy im- mec^iately after which follows the moft operative of ' the corporeal powers,, that is., mufcular irritability ,. or the peculiar faculty of the mufcles to contraft, in confcquence of any flimulus applied to them. I purpokly oivai in this place, what phyfiologiils have called th,e v-ical power, the peculiar power of life, or Blumenbach's vita propria ^ and the heal- ing power of Nature, or vis'medicatrix nature of the ancient phyficians. All thefe powers are, in a great meafure,, hypothetical, though their frequent . Qpe nations in-a difeafcd itate of the body cannot be denied. An^, as the mufcular powers of men and -animals are the mod obvious tg the fenfes, T (hall ..content myfeifwith defcribing what has a reference , to tjicfe. ; A rimjcle is^a bundle of thin anc^ parallel plates of flelhy threads or fibresi,;,,. Thefe are conn?(5tcd by a loofe and genejally^ fat cellular membrane ; they OF TH£ ORGANS OF SENSE. 62I they feparate into greater bundles, till at length feveral divifions lying parallel, or in dining towards one another, are again fufroiindecl^ by a' tender'' iXiembrane of cellular texture, \A^hich 'forms one fubftance w^th the collateral partitions j and thefe,\ being again feparated from the contiguous flefh, by a fomewhat thicker cellular" texture, are then con- - fide red "as one diftindlrpufcle. The human body has a confiderable number of liiufcles, yet many of the lower animals are pro-- vided with^a much greater proportion of them. The caterpillar {PhaUna CofuSy L.) has abouf 3500 mufcJes, while the human body can count fcarcely 450. The mufcles of animals, in general, ^e more powerful than thofe of man. What af- tonifhing power, for inftance, is the leaping chafer, or th€ grafshopper, obliged to employ, in order to ju'rtip feveral hundred times the length of their own bodies I Another fii^all infcft, the flea, excels all other animals in its prodigious leaps, and is able to carry a weight 80 times heavier than its body. All th^fe apparent wonders arc accomplifhed by means of the mufcles. The figure of them, i^Tnan, is very irregular j thpfe only, which arc defigned to perform certain valvular motions, fuch as the mufcles of the mouth, the eye; lids, the .bladder, the ^nus, &c. are of circular or round figure. ; All the mufcles contratft in the diredion of their fibres i the mi Idle part or belly of the mufclc 6'22 OF THE ORGANS OK SENSE. fwells, hence it fhortens, and both ends approach each other. '.Mod of our mufcles operate in the manner of a lever j the two ends of every mufcle, in the extremities of animals, are faftened to the bones, by means of tendons or finews j one of thefe extremities only being moveable, while the other remains fixed. Hence, in the contraflion of the mufcles, the moveable bone is drawn ac- cording to the diredion of their fibres. If a mufcle be contracled, it necelTarily fwells in thick- nefs, which may be dillindly felt by placing the hand upon the majjeter^ a mufcle of the lower jaw, and compreffing the back teeth. As foon, however, as the nerve of the mufcle is cut, or only tiedj^ the contrading or fwelling power inftahdy ceafes,^ whence we are inclined to fuppofe, that the nerves have the principal fiiare in regulating the powers of contraflion, excenfion, and loco-motion. Whe- ther this be done by the influx of a fluid into the nerves, or by fome other latent power, has not yet been difcovered. '• The energy of mufcular a6lion is remarkable in every healthy individual, but particularly in very ftrong men, and frequently too in maniacs. With the afllftance of a few mufcles only, riiey are en- abled to raife a weight, often much exceeding that of the whole human frame. — In order to fupport the prelTure of the lever, which is accomplifhed uith a great lofs of power, and to preferve and confolidate the mufcles in their fituation, they run - - ' at OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 623 at one time,under crofs ligaments, as is the cafe on the fingers ; at another time they move in rollers, for inftance, in the eye ; and, again, in other places, they are fupported in their pofition by the peculiar ftruclure of the bones, as we find on the upper part of the (houlders. If a computation could be made of all the lofTes of power which the mufcles "experience, partly by their frequent infertion at very acute angles, partly by their being extended as a chord, and drawing a weight oppofite to its fixed point ; partly by pafTing over certain ioinrs which break the force to be ap- plied to a particular joint; and, laftiy, by their flelhy fibres being obftruded by the angles they nuke with the tendons ;— if all thefe impediments could be reduced to an accurate calculation, we ihould be aftonilhed at the concraflile force exerted by the mufcles, as it would exceed any amount of powers raifed upon mechanical principles. It is confidently afiferted, that the efl?ec1 is fcarcely -^oth part of that force which the mufcles exert i and yet a fmall number of them, the fubftance of which is equal in weight to a few pounds only, poflefs the power of lifting, or at leaft moving, feveral hun- dred weight, and this with inconceivable facility and fvviftnefs. It would be prefumptuous to af- cribe the great lofTes of mufcular power to any defed in the animal ceconorny : for, if we had the full ufe of our mufcles, the juR fymmetry or proportion of the parts would be deflroyed, and 0.0.4 it 624 of' THE ORGANS OF' SES^SE. it might otherwife be attended with many pliyfical evils, the' conTequchces" of which we cannot com- prehend. - As aii ample compenfation for the Wap't 6f this unneceffary ftrength. Nature has , provided the' upper ends of the murdes which bend the 'joint?, an^ chiefly thofe.of the' 1< ne'e s, with certain bag5, ^^/r/i^' wW^^r'whfch con'tain a lubricating' mucus, to facilitatr't'he" motion of the tendons. And to' this beneficent arrangement we dv^*c the a^bility" 6f exerciTirig the powe*r of the mufcles -with fuch extraoi-dli^.ary. activity, and without" feelihg them rigid and inflexible, after Viorehc and* longtCO^lW nued exercile. ' ,, . . ' . , . Be-i^'l^6W"^kcqiiimt^^ lii mrfie" 'Segfif^ -^itfr the herves ancl 'mi/fcles'i it will alfo be fifeceiTary to' fay a feN^ words relative to tht bloody efpecially as the c^oclrine of temperaments, already treated of Th the Introduttion, was principally founded on the nature of thefe three fubftance's. The, quantity of blood in a human body of full growth, is generally complited at jo lb. This li- quid appafeHtly confifts-of two parts only, namely, ihtjeruniy or water, and iX^t'craffamentum,' or'ihiok: and coagulable part of the blood. But, as t1ie latter can be again fcparatcd into' two parrs, jiamefy, the rr^^^rj^c/i-^the'rhitk andf'ft'd' p.Vrr, anxj the coagulable lympB',' iht. blood conleqiiently c<&n- fifls of three'prihcipal- conilituents : the fcrum, the cruor,' an^d the lymph, .©Giidcs thfcfcj' there is slfo " c; a con- OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. &2f a confide rable quantity of air contained, in the blood, which is, as^it were, the mediuni of com- bination :in aU vegetable, animal, and mineral bo- dies ; for, when the air is expelled, whether by combuftion, fermentation, putrefadion, '^^ qr ; any other procefs, they haften' towards their inevitable difToliuion. There is farther contained in the blood, much water, a fmall proportion of oil, fome fait, earth, and a little iron, which, together witli. the heat produced by refpiration, is fuppofcd to impart the red colour to that fluid. The red colour is con- fined to the cruory whi-ch confifts of very minute red globules, nearly reTfetnbfing in fhape the eggs of filk-worms. Much remains to be faid on the properties of blood, and its wonderful circulation in the hu- man body J but as this fubjeft, from want of room, cannot be fatisfaflorily difcufled here, I am under the neceflity of concluding this Chapter with. the following remark: that the variety of tempera- ments in man appears to be owing to the different mixture of the fluids, and the diverfified ftruc- lure of the folids, particularly of the nerves and mufcles. This is fo true, that the whole pidure of his phyfical life, together with his moral cha- rader, depend chiefly on the various combination of thefe parts. Yet there are different means by which peculiar temperaments are generated i — the firft 6.26^ OF THE .ORGANS OF SENSE. firft of thefe is climate, which forms .the national chara6ler j — the fccond is a certain hereditary dij- fofttiofty ' which we derive from our parents j— and the third, is the peculiar organization oi the jndrvidual, '^ -^n •'':.'n. '.a 3nfi [ 6^7 ] CHAP. XII. P radical Remarks and Rules relative to /i>^ Treat- ment AND Preservation of the Eyes -.—On. the import ance of heftowing proper care on thejc '-organs — Of Short-fightednejs, and the reverfe-— General Rules for the Prefervation of the Eyes — Of the Ccndu^to he ohferved in IVeak Uyes — Diete'ticaJ Precepts refpe£llng the Eyes in general — Some 'ad- ditional Rules ^ addreffed to thofe who are obliged to make uje of Eye-Glajfes, I. On the importance of heflovnng proper care on thefe organs, '-■'* npHERE is fcarcely any part of the fenfitive faculties, which contributes more to our phyfical enjoyments, than the unimpaired power of vifion. Hence the management of the eyes deferves the attention of every perfon, who wifhes to preferve them in a found and perfed ftate, and to retard, although wc cannot altO'^ gethef avert, the natural confcquences which ac^ company ' the advance of years. By our mode of life, this infirmity is much accelerated, and the eyes are weakened and worn out, or at lead ren- dered too irritable. Such is particularly the cafe in thofe clalTcs of people, who are much em^- ployed ^^8 RULES FOR T?HE T.R£AT■ME^7T AND ployed in fcdentary occupations, who are much ex- pofed to dufl", or who work by candle-light, &c. The remarks, rules, and obfcrvations of this Chapter will relate chiefly to the treatment, both of found and weak eyes, and occafionally to the re- gimen of them in a difeafed ftate. , More accuracy is required in this rcfptdj, than inexpcrienc<^d perfons generally imagine. Till o_f late, years, proper attention^ has not. been paid, to. lay dowi?^ and -eftablifh well-founded and nrac- Ileal rules on the , fubjedt of the eyes., and their treatment. S.pme- modern phyficians ,and oculifts, however, have ufefully devoted piuch time and labour to inquiries into thje majad.ie^, of this organ. The fruits ofthefe refearches, as well as my own. experience, on this ppinc, I now pror cecd to lay before the readerrv , II. Of Short-fightCid/i^JSi an'd'there^erfe. Man probably enjoys hi§ fight tp a later period of life than any of the lovycr animals, and might preferve it ftill longer, i^ he-were better informed rcfpeding its prefervation. Thole who are na^ turally ihort-fighted, may exped an improve- ment of vifion with the advancement of age ; for their eyes then gradually begin to lofe that uncommon roundnefs which produces this de- feat, and thus to arrive at a greater enjoyment of the beauties of Nature. Perfons who can fee objetfls PRESERVATION OF THE EYES, "S'l^ ''6bje61s diftinftly at a' great diftance only, darl'hiit, however, be cohfidered as" lefs iinforcunate ; as ■ they (land ih need of glaiTes, chiefly for the better 'diflinguifliing of more minute obje6ls. '""The niirfery, or the room appropriated to the ufe of children/is generally'the Tmalleft, if not the iSweft a't^'artili'eftt in the houfe ^ fo that the infant, ■'h'aO'in'g t^e' opportunity to exercife its eyes on near "bbjecfls only, "often becomes more' fh'ort-fighted than 'it is naturally. To prevent this, children ought to' be frequently 'carried to the window, and have their eyes difcci:ed tO adi'ftant'view. On this ac- count, a nurfcry enjoying an cxtenfive profpecl is much preferable to one,' where the view is con- fined. Many perfons who fee well at a diftance ' in their infancy, injure their fight by reading and writing by candle-lighr, but particularly females, by fine nsedle-work ; as the eye is thereby too much accuftomed to near and minute objects. One of the bad confequences of fhort-^fightednefs is, that people get into a habit of making ufe- of one eye only. -The effort of direifling both pupils to the objed before them is attended with too ■ much trouble ; hence they look at it fideways. Ic would be lefs detrimental, if they were to ufe the eyes alternately ; but here too there is danger ofac- - quiring a bad habit ; for the eye, which is fpared or not exercifed, becomes inert and ufelefs. Still worfe is the ufe of a magnifying or reading glafs, by which people accuftom themfclves to lliut the eye 6^0 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND eye.then'UqempJoyed. The other, which is thus .unduly exerted, fomewhat iliifcs its pofition, it -Jbecome^ progreffively lefs flexible in its internal parrs, and perfons who have recourfe to this tem- porary aid, do not find their powers of vifion im- prove with the advancement of age. To prevent thefc bad habits, the following ad- vice may be ufcful : — Children fufpefted of being fhort-fighted, flioiild have their eyes direfted to an objed held clofe to them ; and if they appear CO make ufe of one eye only, it fhould be occa- fionally clofcd, fo that they may be obliged to cxercife the other. When they learn to read, they fliould be taught to hold the book fbraight before their eyes; thus they will exert themfelves to difcover the printed letters at the greateft dif- tance, at which they are made to place it. The eyes will gradually become accuftomed to the ne- ceffary internal change of their pofl:ure, and the child will, in time, certainly improve in its fight. Many perfons indeed have, at a juvenile age, got rid of their fliort-fightednefs ; but there can- not be found one inft.ince of this improvement among thofe who have, either froni fa(hionable in- dulgence or neceffity, habituated themfelves to. ufe only one eye. It is to be regretted, that in fiiort-fighted indi- ^ yiduals the breafh and abdomen fuifcr much from , comprtfilon during fcdencary occupations, fo. tliat , ihey are/requently, troubled Vvith hypochondriafis, - . 13 anti,. and, whit is ftiil wonfe,..are fometimes thrown into, a confumption of th^ lungs. Though ftanding. at .intervals agrees with employmejits that do not re- quire great mental exertion ; yet, in the contrary cafe, it qonfumes more ft rength than is generally imagined J and, in acute refleflions, the mind ought not to be fatigued by the body. In this ..cafe, well-chofen concave Jpeclacles may be "iifed with advantage, fo that the body may be placed, while reading or writing, in the moft convenient pofture : for fuch glafifes will oblige the wearer to remove the objefb fomewhat farther from the' eyes. After fevere difeafes of the eyes, one of them frequently becomes fhort-fighted, while the other is fcarcely, if at all, affefled. The confequcnce is, that we employ the found eye alone, while the weak one is totally impaired by this neglect. In fiitlv a'fituation, we ought to ufe glafles in reading or writing, one of which fhould be carefully felefled for the fhort-fighted eye (according to the rules hereafter fpecified) and the other made of plain, -clear glafs, rliiefly for the fake of affording an equal degree of light to both eyes. If, by this- pre- caution, the weaker eye has perceptibly gair^ed ftrengthy we may employ a Icfs- concave glafs ' 'infteadof that firft ufed, fo that in time it may be --fimrlap- with, the other; and at length the patient will be enabled to <^q without this aiTiftance... ,, riD:.;7Eyes which form too extenfive a focus, require -ifliO -aid, unlefs they be extravagantly fo. Then, ii33en indeed. ^J2 RULES TFQRiT HE TREATMENT AND indeed, "we Ihould 'ridt hefitate to make ufe ofeoil^ 'Vex' glifflcs*' It '■ fe, however, a vulgar .prejudkre, that by fuch gkfles 'theeye'^s-foo mneli- indulged, and rendered ftill too flrons;, but be- caufe the flame of a candle too powerfully illu- mines the eye in one point, and does not uniformly ftimulate the r^-Z/W. The means ufcd to prevent the great flimulus from the rays of light are, in general, fo regulated, that the fcreen may not only cover the flame, but alfo concentrate the greateft part of the light. Thus the room is darkened, and only a fmall fpot above and below the apparatus is illumined j a praftice highly injudiciouSi The fl:udy-lamps, with large round fcreens, feem to be purpofely contrived to impair the foundeft eyes, by their continued ufe. — The green parchment fcreens for- merly ufed were likewife objedionable i for, though they admitted the free accefs of light on both fides, yet they produced too great a fliade before the eyes. The beft and moft proper defence of weak eyes by candle- light is a flat fcreen, projeft- ing about two or three inches over the forehead j or even a round hat, with a brim of a proper fize. Thofe who are afflided with weak eyes fhould always make ufe of two candles, placed fo thaE their flame be neither too low, nor too high for R R 2 the 6;^6 RUtES FOR THE TREATMENT AND the eye. This is a circumftance of great import- ance, as the light, when placed too low, is un- commonly Simulating and fatiguing. Candles have this advantage over lamps, that their light is lefs offenfive to the eye and lefs pernicious to the lungs ; as they do not, in general, emit fo much fmoke. But, on the other hand, all candles have the following difadvantages : i. that, by their burning downwards, the fatigued .eye is progref- fively more drained in the later hours of candle- light 3 2. that the unequal light they give is at- tended with the additional trouble of fnuffing them ; and, 3. that by the leaft commotion of the air, or, if made of bad materials, they injure the eye by their flaring light. — Hence a clear chamber- lamp, burning with the leaft poflible fmoke and fmell, is far preferable and more foothing to the eye, than even wax- candles. Some of the lately- improved Patent-lamps, originally contrived by M. D 'Argent, in Switzerland, are well calculated to anfwer every ufefiil purpofe ; but, inftead of the common round fcreens, I would recommend an- other, immediately to be dcfcribed. Thofe Jcreeiis are the beft, which are applied to one fide of the light only, which are not larger than is neceffary to cover the flame, and which ftill admit a fmall quantity of light to pafs through them. This is obtained by a fimple apparatus of taff^ety, flightjy gummed, and folded fo that it can be carried about in the pocket. Thefe little fcreens are / PRESERVATION OF THE EYES. 637 are very portable, and are poflefled of the ef- lential advantage, that they overlhade only the fmall angle formed for the individual who is af- fecfled with weak eyes, without depriving the reft of the company of light. — In the day-time, on the occafion of fealing letters, for inftance, the light of a candle or taper is more prejudicial to the eye than in the evening. In the rooming, we fhould not too much exert the eyes immediately after rifing. Hence it is advifable to remove the candle to fome diftance, and under fliade in the long winter mornings, till the eye be gradually accuftomed to it. For the fame reafon, the window-fhutters ought not to be fuddenly opened in very bright day-light. This immediate change, from darknefs to the cleareft light, occafions fcnfible pain even to the ftrongeft eye. Writing fatigues the eyes lefs than reading j for the letters we form on the paper are previoufly imprinted on the imagination, and confequently require much lefs acutenefs of fight, than the feries of letters and words we read. It is, for the fame reafon, much eaficr to the eye to read our own hand-writing, than that of a ftranger, however diftind. Befides, the letters and lines in writing are more diftinguilhable by the lower part of the blank paper, than the lines in a printed book, or on a manufcript; in both of which they appear to flow together, and can be kept afunder only by R R 3 . great 6^^ RULES FOR THE TREATlClENT AND great exertion of the eye. The cafe is confider- ably changed, when we endeavour to write rea^iark-^ ably well; or when we make ufc of a gloflfy white paper, and particularly when we copy the writing of another perfon with great accuracy — in all which inftances the fight is more impaired than in read- ing, efpecially by changing the dire6lion of the eyes too frequently to papers, or books of different types. The extravagant ele.gnnce in the letter-prefs of many modern books, the fplendkl vvhitenefs and fmoothnefs of VGilum paper, or of hot prefled woven paper, and the broad margin injudicioiifly contrafted with the printer's gloify ink, are ill calculated to preferve our eyes. And if the lines be too clofe to each other, the columns too long, as in our newfpapers, tlie ink too pale, as is now becoming falliionable, and the pap^r of a b!ui fn caft — the eyes are then in a fair way of being totally blinded. I read in the Gentleman s Magazine for April, 1794, a propofal, to print on dark blue paper with white letters, or on green paper with yellow letters. This plan certainly defervts a fair trial, though it tnight meet with great difficulties in the execution. — The eyes would alfo be greatly preferved, by making ufe of a fine light blue writing-paper, rather of a greenifh tint, inflead of the fafhionable >vhite or cream coloured paper. Every PRESERVATION OF THE EYES. 6^g Every exertion of the eyes Is moil hurtful im- mediately after a meal, as well as at any time when the blood is in great agitation. — In the dawn, in twilightj and in moonfliine, we ought not to read or write, nor dired; oyr fight too attentively to objects. Refra5led rays afford an unpleafant light, and oblique rays are particularly painful. When we take exercife in a long, irregularly-lighted apart- ment, we fel fenfibie vibrations in the pupil of the eye. The mcft fuitable apartment, in thi% refpedl, is one forming a regular fquare, vvith large windows to the eafb, in which there is an uni- formly-divided light, or fiiil better by means of fky-lights. Garret windows afford a bad light; it being generally introduced^ as it were, by a funnel, and illumining only one part of the room, while the reft remains dark. A fitting-room the walls of which are pale green, without paintings, is bcft adapted to prekrve the eyes ; two or three uniformly high windows, fo as to give an equal light fyct fo contrived as to prevent its being too ftrong) ; clofe and move- able green blinds; a green carpet on the floors and, laftly, fuch fh utters as may occafionally leave the upper part of the window uncovered, in order to admit lufHcient light.- — To {\z with the back to the window, occafions a (liade which forms a difa2:reeable contrafc to the furroundins; li^hr. The writing-dclk> therefore^ ought to be placed R R 4 fo, • 640 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND fo, that the laft window may be on the left hand, and that the right hand may throw no Ihade on the paper, and not too near a corner of the room, as this generally has an unfavour- able light. A fpace fufficiently broad, between two windows, is a ftill more convenient fituation for a defl<:i but we fhould not fit too near the wall J a cuftom which is exceffivcly hurtful to the eyes. An oblique pofition of the defk is the moil , proper; for it prefects to us the writing materials in that pofition, in which we are habituated to place a book, when we hold it in our hands, and from which the rays of light diverge more gra- dually than from a horizontal table. It is lefs hurtful to the ,brea(l, to the abdomen, and alfo to the eyes, to ufe a dcCis. of this form, and to write ftanding rather than fitting j provided that the heighth of the de(k be proportionate to the length of the body, that it Hand firm, and that both arms reft upon it, without being fatigued by raifing them too high. — In Jtandin^ before a defk, we have this additional advantage, that there is Icfs occafion to direcft the eyes upwards, than in fitting. Mence the converfition between tall per- fons and thofe of a low ftature is moft troublefome to the latter, as they are conftantly obliged to look upwards. — Thofe v;ith whom we converfe ought not to ftand between our body and the light, as it is both rude,. and prejudicial to our eyes. At PRESERVATION OF THE EYES*- 64I At night we ought to place the candle fo that we may receive light from it in the fame diredion as we do from the window in the day-time. Even if it be provided with a green fcreen, as before defcribed, a weak eye will not long be able to fupport its glare in a ftraight line. Were the candle to be elevated at our back, fo as to allow the light to come down over aur fnoulders, we fhould then experience the fame inconvenience, wnich attends that pofture in day-light. Hence it is necefTary to place it Tideways, and to keep the book or paper in a lateral direction. We fhould not expofe ourfdves in a ftraight di- reflion to obje(5ls ftrongly illuminated by the flame of a candle, or fire from a grate. Thus thf highly- polillied fenders and other fire-irons are injurious to fight; and not lefs fo is a fmooth and fhining wax-cloth over a table, as refradling too much the rays of light: a green cloth is preferable. In all cafes, the light fliould at leaft be of equal height with tat forehead; not clofe to a white wall, and ftill lefs before a looking-glafs, or other poliQied body- To walk up an 1 down a room lighted with a fingle candle, fo th.it at one time we have the light full in our eye, and at another are nearly in darknefs, is very prejudicial to weak eyes. It is better to place the candle in the middle pf the room, in order to illumine it more uniformly, or, what is ftill preferable, to hang it higher than the fhade of our own body. Where 642 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND Where perfons muft have a light during the night, it ought to he placed in the next room, or at lead within the chimney, that it may be entirely out of fight. If neither of thcfc methods be con- venient, \vc iliouid place it behind or at the fide of the bed, rather than in an oppofue dircilion. For, if this be not attended to, the light may pro- duce very noxious effeds during flcep, even through the clofed eye^lids. The fame attention is re- quired, to prevent the rays of the fun or moon, from ftriking the eyes of the perfon afleep, either diredly or by refledion from the oppofite wall.-r- As fome men are known to fleep v;ith their eyes open, it would beadvifable to eiiiploy fomebody to . fhut them, that they may not fuQ'er by the accidents before mentioned. Thofe who have v/eak eyes fiiould carefully avoid ftrong fires, and even hot rooms; for heat ft ill more exhaufts the eyes already fuffcring from want of moillure. Indeed, it is highly probable, that the weaknefs of fight and early blindnefs, fo common in this country, are in a great meafure owing to the bad cuilom of halienlng to the nre- fide, whether coming from the cold air, or from, the dark ftreets. Weak eyes mufl: be indulged with fiiady places, and protected againft every dazzling objedl. But green arbours fhould be avoided, on account of the twinkling light occafioned by the agiration of the leaves'. The exercife of the eyes ought never n to PRESERVATION OF THE EYES. 643 to be fufpended for any confiderable length df time: too much reft is hurtful j and to fit whole hours of the evening without candle-light, is ex- tremely pernicious. It is, however, very Toothing to the eyes, to let them reft for half an hour during twilight. This fhould teach us to adopt the general and falutary rule, to rife with the dawn, and j ike wife gradually to accuftom ourfelves to the artificial light of the evening. For a fimilar rea- \ Ton, thofe who complain of weaknefs of fight, ought not to refort to places artificially lighted in the day-time, fuch as theatres, &c. Even the foundeft eyes muft inevitably fufFer by a fudden chanse from liciht to darkncfs, or from darknefs to ftrong light. If it become neceflary to let the eyes reft, we fliould by no means prefs the eye-lids too clofcly together, which, if long continued, is very hurtful. So is ftrong and frequent friction, which power- fully ftimulates the nerves and injures the eyes. If we fit for any length of time with clofed eyes, v/e are eafily overtaken by fleep, which, though bene- ficial, ought to be of fnort duration, that the eyes may not be overheated. As a protedion againft injury from external caufcs, ic is moft ufeful to wear a ihade at fuch a diftance, as may allow the eve free motion, and not keeo it too warm. The green veils worn by ladies are, in this refpeft, well calculated to prevent duft from entering the eye. ^44 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND eye, as well as to prote6l it againlt cold winds, and the burning rays of the Tun. The common eye- cafes, ufed by travcUers, and by artificers who work in fubflances abounding mth dufl:, are, for the following reafons, impro- per: I. the glafs in the cafe Hands too prominent, and diminifhes the horizon ; hence, as thofe who wear them can on!/ fee in a ftraight direftion, they do not travel with fafety on an uneven road ; 2. the glafs in thefe cafes being eafily covered with vapour, both from internal perfpiration and external cold, prevents diftin6l vifion. Thefe eye- cafes might be much improved by making the brim fomewhat narrower, and fubftituting a fine filken gauze, or rather a thin plate of ivory, dyed green, •with a fmail horizontal incifion, in preference to glafs. All glafles ufed to afilfl vifion appear to require fome efix)rt of the eyes, and, unlefs they be indjf- pcnfable, they fhould never be employed by per- fons at an early time of life. In proof of this af- fertion, I fhall only remark, chat by looking through a window of the finelt glafs, we feel our eyes much more fatigued, than if the window had been open. This is particirfarly the cafe in looking through coach-windows, where additional injury is occa- fioned to the eyes, by the "motion of the carriage, and the impure air arifing from refpiration, 8 Green PRESERVATION OF THE EYES. 645 Green ciir,tains in coaches are, there fore;, judicious and proper. Of all the remedies for prefefving weak eyes (for difeafed eyes require profeflional afTiftance), bathing them in pure cold water is the moft re- frefhinor and ftrenothenin^. But this oueht not to be done above three or four times a day; other- wife it has a tendency to give an unneceffary ilr- mulus to the eyes. Nor fhould it be done imme-' diately after rifing in the morning, but only when the moifture, which during deep is depofited even in the foundeft eyes, is nearly evaporated. This partial cold bath may be repeated after dinner and fupper, at which times the eyes ftand as much in need of it as in the morning. Not only the eyes, but alfo the brow, the region behind the ears, fometimes the whole head, 'and particularly the upper lip, which is clofely conne6led wi:h the optic nerves, lliould be bathed or wadied as well as the eyes. In the morning the eye ought not to be precipitately, but gradually expofed to the water: and ithe v^afliing fiiould be expedidoufly performed. In drying or wiping tht eye, we fhould proceed gently and with caution ; and ioi- iBtdiately after wafhing, we Ihould particularly guard againfl any rays of light, as well as every kind of exertion. A large piece of fponge, faturated with water, fo that it may not too foon become warm, is far preferable in thefc partial bathings, to the warm. 64(> RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND warm, fmooth hand, or towel. The fponge fliould be frequently dipped into cold water, and occa- fionally allowed to lie for a few moments on the eye, with the head bent backward, while the eye is gently moved and cautioufly opened during the operation. The bathing of. the eyes, in fmall glafies, is lefs advantageous, as the water very foon turns luke- warm, and is perhaps too cold, when fuddenly re- newed. Thefe glafies occafion another difagreeable Icnfation, as their edges v/ill, in forae degree, attach themfelves to the fkin, not unlike cupping- glaflies. The cold bath, under certain reftriflions, is ufeful J as it invigorates the whole body, and con- fequently ftrengthens the eyes ; but in fome cafes it may injure them, by propelling the blood too forcibly to the head. This can, in a great mea- fure, be prevented by not only wafl:iing the eyeS and the whole head previoufly to entering the bath, but alfo by diving the whole face and head under v/ater. V. Dietetical Precepts refpe^ing the Eyes in gcneraL Above all things, we mud obferve the old rule j to try carefully what bed agrees 'with us, and to attend to moderation and regularity in our manner of living. Smokiiig PRESERVATION OF THE EYES, 647 Smoking tobacco, and taking fnuff, are inju^_ rious ; as by either praftice the eye is too much ftimiil.ued. It is a vulgar error, that people can- not refign thefe improper habits, without injury to their health. They may be fafely abandoned at once ; though occafionaiiy prefcribed as medicines. Tobacco * has only been known in Europe fincc the beginning of the fcventeenth century, and was long ufed mere ly as a luxury. This plant is now much abufed ; and thofe who are once accuftomed to it, cannot leave it off without great refolution. To iucli pcrfons it does not afford relief as a medi- cine i their olfadory nerves having become almod infenfible to its (limulus. As a medicinal remedy, it ferves to draw fuperfiuous humours from the head ; but in thofe who ufe it extravagantly, efpe- cially in fnuff, it imperceptibly v/eakens the nerv- ous fyfl:cm, as well as the memory. After meals, and the above-frated bathings, it is beneficial to the eyes to remain in the open air, to direct our looks to a grafs-plat, or to divert them with fome amufing employment. — Some * The tobacco-plant was firft difcovered growing wild in South America; in the year 1496 it was alfo found in Saint Domingo; and in 1520 in Jutacan ; from which laft place the finl feeds were brought over to Portugal in 1560, by the French Ambafiador Nicot, who gave it its prefent name from the Ifland of 'Tobago^ where it grew in great abundance. TIence Linnaus calls it by the compound name of Nicoiiana Tabacum, have 648 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND have obferved, that their eyes are not fo ftrong after they have eaten weak fou, s or broths, as after folid food : t*hey farther afirm, that their fight is ftronger after a meal confiding entirely of vegetable aliment, than after a very moderate portion of animal food. Thefe obfervations are far from being unimportant, and, if fully con- firmed by experience, they may throw fome light on the dietetical treatment of the eyes — a branch of medicine .that has hitherto been too much ne- glefted. A fhort flecp after dinner can only be beneficial to the eyes of thofe, with whom this praflice does not difagrce ; at all events, the eyes ought to be protcded from day-Hghr, which would hurt them more than they can be refrefhed by a (hort flum- ber. — ^The particular rules refpedling this praflice, I have (tared in the Eighth Chapter. — The (team of boiled cofi'ee, gently applied, has alfo been re- commended after dinner to perfons afflided with v,^eak eyes ; but nothing has a more falutary tend- ency, in this refped, than to go to bed at an early hour; for mod people impair their fight by heavy fuppers and heating liquors, fo that their eyes re- main inflamed till next day. The faiiie, indeed, is alfo the cafe with thofe who indulge too much in fleep, A pure, ferene air is an eflentlal requifite to the prefervation of the eyes. Fetid exhalations fome- times inftantaneoufly affed the eye 3 hence we lliould fRESERVAriON OF THE EYES, • 649^^ Chould avoid the putrid effluvia from mardies and ditches, or other places in which the air is filled with noxious vapours j for inftance, the vicinity of colour-fhops, hartfhorn-diftilleries, and the like. It is, perhaps, unneceflary to-point out every fpe- cies of mephitic vapours to be ihunned as the ene* mies of fight ; yet it defcrves t« be remarked, that the exhalations of ftables are injurious, while the flails, and other places, where cattle are kept, are far lefs hurtful. Laftly, the galleries of churches, as well as the higher boxes and galleries of play- houfes, are mofl: pernicious places , for the ex-. haladons, afcending from a great number of peo- ple aflembled belov/, are extremely detrimental to fmht. On the other hand, the frequent enjoyment of a pure and fre(h air, the occafional refort to elevated iituations, nay, even the expofure to a moderate wind, are means of improvement. The more vi- gorous fpecies of bodily exercife alfo, are in a certain degree ufeful ; provided we do not exert the eyes by reading, v/riting, &c. before the cir- culating fluids are reduced to their proper me- dium.— The application of eledricicy, which has benefited many weak eyes, by its fluid being con- duced through a wooden point, is fomewhat analogous to Handing againft the wind j as it probably operates more by the gentle vibrations of the air, than by the comm.unication of the eledlric fluid itfelf. ss To %0 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT AND ; To read in the open air is hurtful to found, ^nd'ftill more fo to weak eyes, unlefs the h'ght of a clear day be modified at Icaft by the foliage of a tree from above'; yet even here the vivid light , which furrounds the book is fatiguing. 'The greater or lefs iriCereil we take in our em- ployments, Is ' of confide rable importance to- the organs of fight j particularly if they are in a weak fl:ate. The more alluring a book or any other ^miireme'nt is, the longer we are induced to con- tinue It. Hence the important rule — to refervc the mod interefling labours for the half-wearied eyes; yet, with prudent fe verity, always to appoint a tafk j for, without this precaution, the fight, though at a later period, will inevitably experience more or lefs injury from fuch pradlices. The fiate of the weather has great influence on the power of vifion ; hence perfons troubled with ,v;eak eyes fiiould not be alarmed, if in a tempeft .ar at the firft experiment. It would be proper to try a pair of glafles for a PRESERVATION OF THE EYES. 657 ihort time, efpecially by candle-light; to ufe them in that poflure of the body to which we are ac- cuftomedj and, if with the ufual kind of labour, we do not feel our eyes fatigued, but rather Ibme- "what relieved, we then ought to adopt thefe glaffes. But, as it is almofc impoHible to meet with a pair of glafies in the fhops, which fit both eyes, there is nothing more abfurd than to pur- chafe fpedacles ready made. Certain as it is, it may not be generally known, that there is per- haps not one perfon among thoufands, whofc eyes are both of an equal fize and conftitution. For this reafon, different eyes fhould be accom- modated with different glafles ; and, if we confult our intereft in an affair of fuch confeqaence, we fhall be cautious in felecting for each eye a proper glafs. The following advice is fubmitted to thofc who have no optician at hand : A fhort-fighted perfon, who wifhes for a proper concave or magnifying glafs, may take the exa£t focus, or point of vifion, by prefenting the fmalleft print very clpfe to the eye, and gradually* removing it, as far as he can read the letters diftinflly, and without much exertion. When he has ac- curately afcertained the focus, after frequent trials, let him employ another perfon to take the mea- fure of this diftance, with a flip of paper, in the niceft poffible manner. An optician, on receiving this meafure, and being informed at what diftance the glafles are intended to be ufed, will be able to judge, 658 RULES FOR THE TREATMENT, &:C. judge, in a certain degree, what glafles are necef- fary, aUhough by no means fo accurately as by a- conference with the (hort-fighted perfon. Thofe whofe eyes are inclined to far-fighted- nefs, may proceed exactly in a fimilar manner. But all eye-glaffcs ought to be furniflied with double joints or fprings ; as thofe with fmgle joints are not only inconvenient to the nofe, but what is worfe, they are apt to fhift the point of vifion with every motion of the head, and confequently injure the eyes. Laftly, in fuch occupations as require a more or lefs extended view of the objeds, for inftance, in playing at cards, where the diltance of the ob- jedls mull be frequently varied, it would be ex- tremely injudicious to ufe fpe£tacles; as no eye whatever can bear fuch exertions, without uncom- mon fatigue. For a fimilar reafon, it is hurtful to thefe important organs, to keep the fpeftacles on the head at clofe work, when by fome accident we arc obliged to fearch for fomething dropt, or miflaid. Thus we force the eye to make uncom- mon efforts, in feeing farther than it is enabled to do, by the conftrudion of the fpedacles. I need not obferve, that many good eyes are fpoiled by fuch imprudent pradices. [ ^S9 ] C O N C JL U S I O N. ^HE preceding Chapters contain the principal outlines, relative to the treatment of the human body in a healthy ftate, fo far as the limits of this work would admit, without tranfgrelTing too much on the indulgence of the reader. I fhall conclude with a few general refledlions, and recapitulate, in a concife manner, feveral ufeful precepts, which have been more fully laid down in former parts of this work. Moderation^ in every refpefl, ought to be the firft and leading maxim of thofe who wiQi to live long and enjoy health. Extremes, in the mod op- pofite things, frequently border on each other. 'Jfhe grcateft joy may occafion the moll acute pain ; and, on the contrary, moderate pain is often accompanied v;ith feelings not altogether difagree- able. The higheft animal gratification, indeed, is clofely connefted with dirgufl:, and it is difRculc to avoid the latter, after the enjoyment of the former. Hence prudence enjoins us to reftrain violent {tn- fations and aiFeclions, before they have attained the higheft degree, and become ungovernable. The illuftrious Mead, in his " Medical Precepts and Cautions," originally written in Latin, when treating of the affccflions of the mind, makes the following 66o CONCLUSI^ON. following remarks, the truth of which has induced me to infert them : " All mankind," fays that medical philofopher, « have a natural defire for the enjoyment of plea- fures, which are of two different kinds, namely, the fenfual 2nd mental. — The former engrofs the oreateft part of men, while thofe few only *' whom kind Jove has befriended," are captivated with the charms of intelleftual pleafure. The reafon why fo great a proportion of thinking beings indulge in fenfuality is obvious: it proceeds from being un- acquainted with the fcrenity of mind refulting from ^ dignified conduct, and the joy that animates a good man, when his reafon prefides over his pafTions. But the fenfualift, being devoted to grovelling enjoyments, is incapable of relifhing the real charms of Virtue, and the fuperior beauties of Nature. The man who wifhes to enjoy true hap- pinefs, fhould habituate his mind to cherifli Virtue, and carefully avoid the opportunities which excite and inflame the paffions. " CrcERO illuflrates this by a fentiment of Cato, which he received from the great Archytas, of Tarentumj — " that Nature never afflicted man- kind with a m;ore deflrudive difeafe than the purfuit of bodily pleafure, which ftimulates to enjoyment with ungovernable rafhnefs*." Indeed, phc perufal of that great philofopher's writings, * De Sene^iitcj cap. xii, on CONCLUSION. 65i on this fubje6t, muft delight the mind oF every rational man: and Virtue's exclamation, in Silius Italicus, is equally juft and impreflive : — " Pleafure, by gliding on the muids of men, *' More miichiefs haft thou wrought than hoftiie arms, *' Than all the wrath of Gods * 1" ' " As the rational fubjugation cf the palrions (Irengthens the mind, fo temperance in diet renders the body lefs fubjefl to thefe turbulent emotions. And this obfervation is applicable not only to individuals who are naturally of a hot confticution, but even to thofc who control their appetites ; becaufe moderation is a g?eat means of tranquil- lifing the mind/* Cleanlinejs is a principal duty of man, and an unclean or filthy perfon is never completely healthy. It is better to waih ourfelves ten times a day, than to allow one dirty fpot to remain on the flcin. On a place v/here impurities are fufi^ered to clog the pores, not only infenfible perfpiracion, but likewife the abforption by tlje fkin is entirely fup- prefled j and if the whole body be, as it were, covered with a varnifh formed of perfpirable mat- ter, it is impofTible that a perfon in fuch a flatq can poiTefs found blood, or enjoy good health. Many difeafes originate from an impure at^ mcjpheret but a ftill greater number from the fud- * Punic orurrit lib, xv. v, 94* *3 den 662 CONCLUSIOW. den changes of the temperature of the air. Hence the neceffity of expofmg ourfelves daily to fuch changes, and of renewing the air in the houfc and apartments we. inhabit, by opening the doors and windows every clear morning, or during the day, as often as convenient. Indeed, cold weather, however intenfe, has the effc(5l of bracins: the fibres of the fyftem in general, and is attended v/ith danger only, when we fuddenly remove to a war- mer temperature. For this reafon, it. is extremely injudicious, and a negative compliment paid to a vifitor, to invite him to the fire-fide, upon his firfl entering a houfe -, — we Ihould better confult his health, by condu6lLng hi-m to a cold room, or to fome diftance from the fire, till the temperature of his body be more equal to that of the apart- ment. Every thing calculated to remove or cure dif- cafes may alfo produce them; for, whatever has a tendency to accompiifh ufeful changes in the body, may, under dilFerent and oppofite circum- fiances, be attended with the contrary efl^eft. Hence no medicine whatever ought to be ufed as daily food — a favourite praftice among invalids, valetudinarians, and the votaries of quack medi- cines. Feeble individuals ought to eat frequently, and but little at a time : the number of meals fhould correfpond with the want of ftrength ; — for it is lefs hurtful to a debilitated perfon to eat a few mouthfuls CONCLUSION. 662 mouthfuls every hour, than to make two or three hearty meals in one day ; yet this obfervation is liable to exceptions, relpeding thofe perfons who have naturally weak ftomachs. There is no inftance on record of any perfoii having injured his health, or endangered his life, by drinking water with his meals ; but wine, beer, and fpirits have produced a much greater number and diverfity of patients, than would fill all the hofpitals in the world. Such are the efFeds of intemperance in diet, particularly in the ufe of drink j for neither beer, wine, nor fpirits, are of themfelves detrimental, if ufed with moderation, and in a proper habit of body. It is a vulgar prejudices that water difagrees with many conftitutions, and does not promote digef- tion fo well as wine, beer, or fpirits : on the con- trary, ;pure water is preferable to all brewed and diftilled liquours, both for bracing the digeftive organ, and preventing complaints which arifc from acrimony, and fulnefs of the blood. It is an obfervation not lefs important than true, that by attending merely to zproper diet, a phlegm- atic habit may frequendybe changed into a fan- guine one, and the hypochondriac may be fo far altered, as to become a cheerful and contented member of fociety. The duration of worl: or exercife cannot be eafily afcertained, with regard to every individual. Ge- •^iverally fpeaking, we ought to work only when we 6^4 ' coNCLtJSIo^f• feel a natural inclination to either literary or me- chanical labours. To force ourfelves to any exer- tions, particularly thofe of the mind, is produflivc of imperfefl performances.— * It is better to exer- cife the mind in fine than in bad weather j but thofe who are continually making excurfions in the for- merj cannot ufefully employ themfelves in the latter* Of the twenty-four hours of the day, we ought, in a good flate of heakh, to devote upon an average twelve hours to ufeful occupations, fix to meals, tamufements, or recreations, and fix to fleep. This would be at once a natural and arithmetical pro- portion. It is, however, to be regretted that the hours cannot be thus accurately divided. — An induftrious perfon frequently counts but twenty- three hours in a day ; as one and fometimes even two hours Aide away imperceptibly. " Sleep," fays Dr. Mead, in the fequel of the work above mentioned, " is the fweet foother of cares and reftorer of mufcular energy, which is wafted by bodily and mental exertions during the ilay. But excefiive fleep has its inconveniences i /or it blunts the fenfcs, ftupifies the mental facul- ties, and renders both lefs fit for performing the duties of a<5live life. The proper time for fleep is the night, when darknefs and filence invite and .cherifli it j becaufe fleep during the day is lefs re- frefhing. The obfervance of this rule, if proper for the mukitudej is ftill more neceflTary for perfons devoted CONCLUSION, 665 devoted to literary purfuits, whofe bodies and minds are more fufceptible of injuries." The modern inventions for promoting luxury and efrcminacy are really furprifing. It were to be wilhed, that the ingenious contrivers could be per- fuaded, that their pernicious arts refemble thofe of the Quacks, whofe poifonous produflions gradually, though ultimately, confume the vital fpirits of their viftims. — Every new expedient we ufe, with a de- fign to diminilh the labour of man, and encourage indolence, is an additional proof that our age is not in a ftate of improvement, but rather on the de- cline. Wretched is the man who requires the aid of Art, more than of Nature, to prolong his life, and fupport fo precarious an exiftence ! — Conveni- ency leads to effeminacy; effeminacy to general relaxation -, and this is eventually attended with total enervation and imbecillity. " Although pleafure, riches, power, and other things (concludes the author before quoted), which are called the gifts of Fortune, feem to be dealt out to mankind with great partiality, yet thofe things which Gonftitute real happinefs, are more equally diftributed than is generally imagined. People in the lower ranks enjoy the common advantages of exiftence more intenfely than thofe in the higher walks of life. Wholefome food is acquired by moderate labour, which improves the appetite and digeftion ; hence found fleep, uninterrupted by cor- roding cares, refrefhes the wearied limbs i a hcalchy 1^ T progeny 666 « CONCLUSION. progeny fills the cottage ; and the Tons perform their father's labour, making his hoary locks fit com- fortably on him. How vaftly inferior to thefe bleflings are the delicacies of the affluent, which are ever accompanied with real evils. Their appe- tites, in order to relilh their food, muft be ftimu- lated by poignant fauces, which heat and vitiate the blood, and render the body liable to dif- tempers. Their excelTes difturb their repofe; and as a punifhment for their vices, their fons, who ought to be the ornament and fupport of their families, contract dilcafes from their mother's womb, and are afflifted with infirmities through the courfc of a languid life, which fcldom reaches to old age. They are frequently tortured with anxieties for obtaining honours and titles, infomuch that they lofe the advantage of their pofTefTionSj by the vain defire of new acquifitions : *' In wealth like this, *' I always wilh to be extremely poor I* Horace, Satire I, v. 78. *^ But the word inconvenience that refuks from Epicurean modes of living is, that by fupplying the body with fuperabundant nourifhment, the faculties of the foul become flupified, and the pafTions inflam- ed ; while the fparing and homely diet of the laborious poor neither opprefles the bodily funClions, nor fofters a propenfity to vice. Hence, unlefs pru- dence be a conftanc attendant on opulence, it is, in 4 thefe CONCLUSION. 667 thefe refpeds, better and more conducive to the pre- fervation of health and prolongation of life, to live on a fmall fortune. " Nor is Nature to be deemed an unjuftftep- mothcr, but a moft provident and beneficent parent. In Ihort, it behoves a wife man, in every ftage of his life, ** To hold the golden mean, *• To keep the end in view, and follow Nature.'' LucAN. Book II. Ver. 381. " Whoever invefligates the imperfedions of human nature will find, that as fome men are vaftly fuperior to others in the endowments of the mind, yet, mournful refleflion ! even the bell minds arc blended with fome degree of depravity ; fo the healthieft bodies are often afflifted with difeafes ; and thefe, being the feeds of death, ought to re- mind us of the (hortnels of this life, and that in the words of Lucretius, ** None have a right to life, all to its ufe." THE END. T T 2 [ 668 ] POSTSCRIPT. It has been frequently and juftly remarked, that popular books on medical fubje(5ls are generally deficient in their praflical application j infomuch that they leave the reader doubtful, whether and when he is to apply for profcfiional advice. As my defign, in thefe Ledlures, has not been to lay down particular rules for the diftindion and treatment of difeafcs, but rather for their prevention, and con- fequently for the prefervation of health, I think it iieceflary to remark here, that a work feems to be wanting, which fhould impart infl:ru(5lion to general readers, how to difcriminate difeafes, and how to treat them, by a due attention to diet and regimen, as well as to regulate the habits, peculiarities, tem- perament, and, in fhort, the whole (late of the pati- ent's mind -and body: — fuchawork being a defide- ratum of the prefent age. When I began the revifal of thefe Leflures, I had it in contemplation to give the outlines of a trea- tife correfponding with this defcription : but being confined within the limits of a fmgle volume, and confcious POSTSCRIPT. 669 confcioiis that a mere fketch of fo extenfive and important a work could be of little if any pra5fical benefit, I have purpofely delayed the publication of the whole to next year, when a feparate volume Ihall conclude my dietctical la- bours. Having treated, in the prefent volume, of almofl: every fubje6l that relates to the management of the human body, in its healthy ftate, my next work fliall be entirely appropriated to its treatment in a dijeajed ftate. It fhall comprehend an accu- rate and clear defcription of Difeafes, together with a plan founded on the rules gf experience, how to treat and eventually to cure them, efpecially thofe of a chronic nature. The adminiftration of medi- cine ought, in fuch a work, to be only a fecondary mean of removing difeafe j for, by ftri(5lly medical remedies, we can cure Jymptoms^ and afford occa- fional alleviation of pain j but we cannot efFefl a favourable change in the nature and progrefs of a difeafe, whether chronic or acute, without due attention to food, drink, air, fleep, exercife, or reft, &c. Hence I hope to be exempt from the charge of prefumption, when I venture into a larger field of inquiry than has hitherto been explored by prac- titioners i for, as novelty is not my object, though I think that too little has been done by profefTional men^ in guiding the unhappy fuffbrerj and aftifting T T 3 him 670 POSTSCRIPT. him with thofc fimple remedies which are placed more immediately around him, I fhall enter upon my propofed work with the confidence arifing from the importance and utility of the under- taking. It is much to be regretted, that the boundaries between fafety and danger cannot be perfpicuoufly laid down in a popular book, without deviating from the ufual terms and definitions adopted by medical writers: but I Ihall not hefitate to avail myfelf of fuch idiomatic phrafes as will render my writings intelligible to the generality of readers. To give a fhort fpecimen of this de- viation, for which I allege the refpeftable autho- rity of the late Dr. Tissot, I have fubjoined a few Queries, which ought to be diftinftly anfwered by individuals who confult a phyfician, whether per- fonally or by letter. Indeed, it is not always an cafy or practicable tafk to form an accurate judg- ment of the ftate of a patient, without an inter- view, let his cafe be ever fo clearly and cir- cumflantiaily defcribed : yet many of the difficulties may be removed, if the following queftions be anfwered v.'ith candour and precifion. For, as the fuccefs of the medicine entirely depends on a previous knowlcge of the difeafe, this knowlege can, in fuch cafes, be derived only from a clear and faithful account communicated to the phy- fician. General POSTSCRIPT, ^ ^7^ General ^ejlions. Of what age is the patient ? Has he previoufly enjoyed perfed health ? In what manner has he lived — frugally orluxuri- oufly ? How long has he been ill ? How did the difeafe commence ? Is he difpofed to be feverifh ? Does the pulfe beat ftrongly or weakly ? Has the patient ftill mufcular ftrength, or is he much debilitated ? Does he remain the whole day in bed, or alter- nately walk about ? Is his flate the f^me at all hours of the day ? Is he uneafy or quiet ? Is he troubled with heats or fhiverings ? Is he afflicted with pains in the head, throat, bread, ftomach, abdomen, thighs; or the extre- mities ? Is his tongue dry, accompanied with thirfl:; difagreeable tafte in the mouth i naufea -, and has he an averfion to, or appetite for food ? Has he any ftools, and how often ? Of what appearance and confillence are the excrements ? Does he evacuate urine freely and coploufly ? T T 4 Of 672 POSTSCB.IPT. Of what colour and confiftence is the urine — is there any fediment in it ? Is he troubled with night-fweats ?' Does his fkin feel foft and pliable, or dry and parched ? Is there any expedoration, and what ? How is his fleep — quiet or difturbed ? Does he breathe with or without difficulty ? To what mode of diet and regimen has he been accuftomed, fince the commencement of the prefent complaint ? What remedies has he ufed, and with what effeifl ? Has he ever before been afflided with the fame malady ? In female and infantile difeafes, there occur cir- cumftances peculiar to the fex and age ; — thefe, as well as the preceding general queftions, require to be attended to, in confulting a medical man. ^leries relative to Females, Do the menfes appear regularly, and in mode- ration ? Is the patient pregnant, and how long has fhe been fo ? If in child-bed, how was the delivery — fuccefsful, or attended with difficulty ? Were the difcharges eafy and regular ? Has the patient a good bread of milk ? Does fhe fuckle the child herfclf ? Is fhe fubjedt x.o fluor alius ^ hyileric fits, &c. 6 ,_^i€ries.. POSTSCRIPT- 673 ^eries relative to Children, What is the exad age of the child ? How many teeth has it, and did it fuffer much pain in teething ? Is it ricketty?— Is it of a ftature correfponding with its age ? Has it had the fmall-pox — natural or inocu- lated ? Has it a large and hard belly, with ftrong, or emaciated limbs ? Does it deep quietly, or ftart up, grind its teeth, fcream, &c. ? Does it difcharge worms, and of what kind ? If worms are fufpefled to exift in the child (and the fame obfervation will apply to adults), it ought to be examined whether fome of the following, that is, at Icafl: four or five of the principal fymptoms (marked with italics) concur, which warrant fuch a ^ conclufion : — viz. Slight colic pains — frequent dil^ charge of water from the mouth' — -fetid breath—-^ itching of the noje — a fwoUen or chapped upper lip andnofe — a ravenous appetite for, or averfiontofood — oppreflion at the ftomach — vomiting — an effort tofivallow during fleep — coftivenefs, or diarrhoea—. Moody excrements— Judden and frequent inclination to go to flool — a large belly and thin limbs — continual third— occafional debility, and fadncfs— /r^^.v^;?/ change of colour — languid eyes, with a livid hue around 674 POSTSCRIPT. around them, and {landing half open during fleep —terrifying dreams — frequent flartings of the tendons — grinding the teeth — uneafmefs and anxiety — « milky wine — palpitation of the heart, fainting fits, convulfions — a profound and long Jleep — cold JweatSi appearing and vani/liing Juddenly — tempo- rary dimnefs — dumbnefs, or difficulty of fpeech — vveaknefs or lamenefs of the joints — corroded gums — frequent hiccough — a fmall and irregular pulfe — delirious firs — a flight and dry cough — evacuation of thick^flimy matter — worms difcharged from fiftulous ulcers, &c. Befides the general queflions which ought to be put and anfwered in all difeafcs, thofe likewife , muft not be negleded which more immediately re- late to the prefent indifpofition of the patient. For inftance, in a quinfey, we ought to be informed of the particular ftate and condition of the throat : — in difeafcs of the breafl:, the feat of the pain, the ftraitnefs of the chert:, the nature of the cough, and expectoration, fhould be difl:in6lly mentioned. It would be ufelefs here to enter into farther parti- culars, as the intention of thefe quefl:ions mult appear ftlf-evident to every intelligent reader: and though the queries appear numerous, they may be eafily anfwered, and in as few words as they are formed. The illufirious Tifibt obfcrves, in his valuable work *' On the Difeafcs of Country-people," that it would be a defirable object, if perfons of all ranks, in POSTSCRIPT. 675 in their letters to phyficians, were to adopt a plan fimilar to that above fpecificd 3 as this would be the means of infuring fatisfaftory anfwers, and pre- vent the neccffity of repeating their applications, and explaining the contents of former letters. X.isson-Street, Paddington, "June., 1800. INDEX. ^BSTiNSNCT. from fexoal intercourfe Acids, vegetable, when ufefulin colic r —— their general properties - ' good correflors of opium Jgency, external, rtiould be habitually lefifted - diabolical, in difeafes, maintained by Gajfner Jir/its great influence on the body - ■ definition of - - - atmofpheric, how it may be improved efFefts of warm and cold, on the body ■ damp or moifl - ■ ■ dry and cool — ^ fuc den changes of the moft wholefome to live in - — — criterion of a damp different ftrata of it in a room - • how to admit, when pare > the different ilates of - • and atmofphere, general reflections upon - j^ir Bath defined and recommended Alchemijis, in fearch of original matter Alchemy, its produflions tend to fhorten life Aliment, on the quality of - vegetable, generally confidered 557 378: PAGE 53 379 ib. 164 158 185 185, 186 193 — 196 ib. 197 198 ib. 203, 204 206 207 207 — 209 210 661, 35 » 38.^ Almonds, properties of Amphibious animals, properties and efFeflsof, as food 348, Anger, its origin and confequences - - 582, Animalcula , difcoverable in the femen Aphrodifiacs, how far admiffible Appetite, different kinds of - - > . . -. a preternatural one, how to remedy Apples, properties and efFefts of - - 376, Apricots, properties and efFeds of 662 86 J»7 lis 301 -385 384 349 583 550 559 297 466 377 375 Arrona- €78 INDEX. pAca Jrroiu-root, properties of - i 37O Artichokes, properties of - - 361 jisCLEPiADES, his charadcr - - 54 J/paragus, properties of ■ " . . * . " 3^^ ^Tf'j OT/7/f, diredions for making artificial - 335 Jjirology^iis profelTors are impoftors - - 121 ^/OTcy^/^^jv, definition of - - - 185, 186 — account of its preffure - - , ib. — — component parts of - - ' ib. general refleftions upon - - 661, 662 Azote, proportion of, in the atmofphere - - 186 — — properties of, and efFeds on refpiratlon - 189 B Bacott, Lord, quotation from - - 50 „ . deviates from the true path of inquiry ... 135, 140 i- ■ . . recommends the bath, friftions with oil, ZiC. - - ib, m . erroneoufly advifes laxatives for the prolongation of life - 14! . ~ his theory refuted - - ib. I . his remarks on longevity 162, 163, 167 Bacon, properties of - - - 329 ^a//, hand, efledls of playing at - - 458 Barbarity of the middle ages reviewed - 1 13 Barley, properties of - - - 357 Barometer!, living ones defer! bed - - 58 5/3y^/«/«^, its origin and confequences - 580, 581 5^/^, its temperature and general efFefls » 8ij 8z the cold, frequently dangerous to children - ib. — — the tepid or lukewarm, far preferable - ib. Bathing, not fufhciently attended to - - 69, 70 — the necefTity of, inculcated - - 81 — 85 ■ ■ frequent, in infancy recommended - 82 — 86 » in rivers, is ufeful - •> - 234 ^ hiftorical account of - - 235, 236 Baths, general eftedts of - - - 230 divifionof - - , - 232 i effects of the warm or tepid - - 232 — 234 . . cold - - - 235—245 cold, rules for ufing - - 245—247 » when injurious - - ib. • fhower, advantages of them - - 247 — 249 air, account of - - - 249 — 250 ^f^;7i, properties of - -" - 358, 359 - French, properties of - - ib. Bed, INDEX. 67^ PAGE 5//, time and manner of going to - - 493, ^g^ • fhould not be warmed - - ^co ^^^-roo/«, the proper fituation of one - - 500, 501 Beef, properties of - - -. - 324, 325 ^fi'r, ingredients, adulterations, and properties of ^oS — 412 Beet-root, properties of - - - 366 Belts, acroamatic, an imitation of animal magnetlfm 535 ^z7^, black, produces a wild imagination - 108 ^/W/, their relative falubrity as food - - 341 — 344. ■ eggs, whether wholefome - - 344, 345 Bleedings, ifexceflive, detrimental to health - 530 jj/oi'i?', the nature of, inveftigated _ - 132 ■ the transfufion of, defcribed - - 134 —^— of animals, whether eatable - - ' 332 —- account of the conftituent parts of - 638 ^/ci?^'-/^///«g-, how it became fafhionable - 130 • -when beneficial - - 130, 131 — always noxious to the healthy - 132 ■ ■ — — perfons accuftomed to, die at an early age - - - 133 jBoerhaafe^s Angular advice - - 104 — facetious remark on longevity - 161 BoEOTic or ruftic temperament defcribed - 47 Bohmen's fanatical fyftem revived in Germany - 146 Braces, the great ufe of - - - 280 ^rf« Burfce muco/ie, great ufe of - - 624 Butter, properties of - - - 338 Butter-milk, properties of - - - ' tb. Cabbage, red and white, properties of - 362 i^wGz/osTJJo's Balm of Life, an impofition - 157 Cajeput oil, a good remedy for the tooth-ach, &c. - 226 Cfl/sr/c, its iniiuence on the living principle - 1 06. 140 Candles, or rufh-lights, how to be placed at night 501 of their ufe in general - - 65c, 63 1" Carbonic acid air, properties and effe£ls of, on refpir- ation - - - - 189, 190 Cardamoms, properties of - - - 429 CaroK^f/, a particular kind of exercife - - 458 CaranjL'oy, effefls of, in flatulency and hyfterics - 432, 433 Carrots, general propertiea of - 3O6 CaJJla, 68o INDEX. PACI CaJJla, properties of - ^ - - 43 1 Caufes, natural, ought to be ftudled - - 29, 30 C^i-f^/w/T:^, general effefts of - - 566, 567 Chee/e, properties of - - - 339, 340 Cherries - - " - 372, 373 ChiU, a perfeft birth of, necelTary to longevity - 162 Children and young perfons ought not to be too haftily buried - - - 174 how to place them in bed - - 607, 608 Chiragra of the ancients, nearly obfolete - 57- Chives t properties of - - - 369 Chocolate^ properties of - - - 421, 422 Choleric temperament dcfcribed - - 46 Cicero's idea of moral perfeftion quoted - 98 Cinnamon properties of - - " 430 Clajftfication of food, drink, and fpices - 434—440 Cleanlinejsy in children, inculcated - - 8i5, 89 -^ a domelljc virtue - - - 220 — general rules for praftifing - - 221—223 .. refledions upon - - 66 j Cloves, properties of - - - 430 Coffee, properties of - - - 4^^ — 4^* C<>/d', general eftea s of - - - 214 • bracing to the body - - - 217 how ic affects infenfible pcrfpiration - 527 —— the common treatment of - - • 529 Colic may arife from a variety of caufes - 52 Confumption, alarming increafe of - - 218 Cook, Catt. relieved from rheumatic pains by fric- tion, - - - - >'i Copper of the hzt, origin of - - 75 CoKA-yiKo's illuftrious example in diet - 125 Corns, how to prevent and cure - ■- 253 Cofmetics, minor, account of - -^ 71 modern, dangerous - - 72, 73 nature and properties of - - ib, fubrtitutes for -- - - 73f ""74 Cojli-venefsy how to prevent .' " ~ 5°^* 5^7 the caufes of it afcertained - - 509 Couch, a proper one for children - - 93 Couches sxi^ Coverings, what they ought to be - 495—497 Conjj-pox propofed as a preventive of the Small-pox 38 Crabs, properties of - - - 349 Creamy properties of - - - 33^ Cr/■^-^f^ what fpecies of exercife - - 45^ Cubebs, properties of - - , ' - 4^9 Cafaw^^/v, properties of -- - 3^2 Currants, INDEX. 6:^1 PAGE Currants, properties of - - 380 CuRRiE, Dr. quoted on the ufe of the cold bach 240, 241 Curtains, difadvantages of - - 499 Cujionty a lingular, a.nong the Egyptians - 107 Cutis -vera, or true ikin, defcribed - - 60?, 6oj Cyder, properties of - - - 395 D D*^iLHOUD*s deleterious powder - " - 157 Dayicing, violent, a great enemy to beauty - 75 — rules to beobferved in - - 451, 452 T>ay, proper divifion of it - - 664 Death, cafes in which it is certain - - 172 uncertain fymptoms of - • 173. 174 Deer, properties of the flefh of - - 330, 331 Dennis promoted the transfufion of the blood - 13S Dentifrices, their ufes examined - - 228, 229 Dejk, the bed fituation of it pointed out - 639, 640 Defpair, origin and confequences of - - 5B0 — 588 De^uj, whether wholefome - - 392 Diet, effefts of a proper - - - 663 Z)/>/^/;V fyftem, iummary account of - - 175 ■ farther illuftrations of - - ' 176 — — — — advantages to be derived from - 181 — 183 X)/^?r«f£' of opinions on medical I'abjefts accounted for _. - - - 31 — 33 Dige/iil>i/ity of anlmcLl and vegetable fubfiances - 316 — 320 Dige/Iion, a found (late of, requifite to longevity - 167 — the nature of, explained - - 296 Difcafes, origin and caufes of, inveftigated - 34 — 38 Di/pofiiion, a certain hereditary, requifite to lon- gevity - _ _ - j6i Dijfolution, aftual, fymptoms of - - J 70 — 173 Donaldson, Mr. account of his patent - 346 Dra-ivers, for females, recommended - - 280 Drea?ningy definition of, by Haller - - 476, 477 Dreams, on the nature and origin of - - 476 —483 a curious one related by Prof. Maas - 479—481 »—— another of G^/;7fo _ _ - 48-:, 483 - ■' ' ■ • influence of - - - 494, 495 Drefs, on the fubllance and form of - - 254 ~ general properties of a gord - - 255 — — on the different materials ufed for - 255 — 258 " form of - - - 27c — 390 ZJ/^/z/i, on the nature and efFef^s of - - 386 — 425 u u Drinking 682 • INDEX. PAGE Drinking, quantity and time of - - 386—390 with refpeifl to the quality of liquor* . 350 — 42? Dir:no,V/iLn^*, Lord, invendon for purifying Uh ^z6 Dwe/img near lakes, marihes, and rivers, whether wholefome . _ . 20j Ear trumpets y a better fubrtitute for Eiir-ivax, fhort account of Education, phylica!, of children, is much neglected — — p:a£lical remarlcs and ftric^ures upon Efforts of the body, if violent, bring on the fymp- toms of age E.'^'Ts, various methods of prtfervinfT Egyptians, the caule ot their thick fculls formerly made ufe of fudorifics and emetics to orolone life ElcSIric principle in the atmofphere Emetics, when ufeful in colic - - Efnun^ories, the three principal, defined Energy, if impaired, hotv to reilore Envy, origin and confequences of Epidermis, or fcarf fkin, ufe of, to the body ' - Evacuations, great importance of - - .^ . conlequences from negleding them — means of promoting Excretions by ftool, if too frequent, effefts of Exercife, advantages and difadvantages of — various fpecies of - - - duration of » — conduit after - - - . confequences from the want of - - . - refie£lions on the continuance of .1. new fpecies of - ' Exhalations, the effetts of, arifmg from various fubitances - _ > Eye-cafes, the ccnin-:cn, cenfured Eye'glcijjcs, rules relative to . : — when ufed with advantage Eyes, the weaknefs of, and fhorinefs of fight, ac- counted for - - - _ on their treatment and prefervation . their care and importance -~— . rales f'jr prelerving them 613, 614 533 7S 78, 79 no 345 OS 95 107 42 SI 504 559 578, 579 y)9> 600 505 506 507- -509 5'? 441. 442 443 4H- -446 464 467, 468 464 454 211" -2^4 644. 6^1. -558 652 87 627- -653 627, 628 632- -634 Eyest INDEX. Eyes, if weak, how to treat them how to manage them in the morning in writing or reading cautions relative to their ex'pofure — — — to avoid ftrong fires and ht)t rooms — — fhould not be long without exercife — — the advantage of bathing them in cold water. — — dietetic precepts refpeding them 633 PAGE 635—646 645 637. 61^ 641, 642 642 642, 643 645— 64O 646 — 65 I Faculties, phyfical and mental, ought to be gradu- ally cultivated Faculty, the exiftence ol z-fuh-reafoning, proved - Farjightednefs, what - — Fapionable complaints, the nature of them denned /"/z/ of animal 3, whether vvholefome Fear or anxiety, origin and confequences of Feather beds cenlured Fencifig, what kind of exercife - - - Fever, nervous, defcribed by Manningham Fibres, the bracing of, explained Figs, properties of - - - Fi/h, properties and eiFeds of, as food Flannel, objeftions againft, anfwered , . - falutiferous efFedt of, when worn next the {kin - - - - /■/^^ of different animals compared Fluids, wholefome, in alimentary fubftances 1 unwholefome _ - - Foed, nature and effefls of, on the body — — on the quantity of - - —— animal, general effefts of, difcuffed claffification of - - - - FoTHERGiLL, Dr. quoted Franklin Dr quoted on the ufe of the cold bath Fretting, inward, mal de cour, what Fridion of the body and foles of the feet, &c. . . falutary efFeds of - - Frogs, their legs ufed as food Fruit, properties of, in general 162 477—480 62^—632 57 — 60 3 3=^ - 579 580 92 45+ 574 no 346—350 262, 263 261 — z66 319—321 434—437 437-438 291-295 295— 30J 308—313 434 276-465 241, 24a 586 250 — 252 462, 463 348 370—385 V V « Gaiety PAGE 684 INDEX, G Gaiety, general effedls of * - GofKe, properties of - Garlic, properties of, as food Garters ought to be abandoned Gassner afcribes all difeafes to diabolical agency Gelljus's remark on the fixty-lhird year of life - Gentle temperament defcribed - - GlaJJh, reading, condemned ' - Glo'ves, woollen ought to be worn by females Goats, properties of their tlefh GoU, the tindture of, introduced Gold-makers, Iketch of - Goojherries, properties of - - Gcofe-Jkin, how it arlfes - - - Gourds, properties of - Gr<2/fi, properties of _ _ - Gravity, fpecific, of the different airs Greeksy the ancient, employed the beft means of prolonging life - - - Grief or forrovv, definition and confequences of Gums^ fcorbutic, how to treat - Cymnajlics, the great benefit of - - H if jHNT.M.'iN»*i Liquor >'» Partial methods of - - - 153, 154 hiftitution, account of a curious one in Germany 170 Injlruments, wind, what effefts they produce - 460 — — ftringed - - . - 461, 462 Integuments, external, of the body defcribed - 599 — 602 Intoxication, the ftate of, explained - - 398 — — how to be treated - - 399 Joy^ general eiFefts of - - - 566, 567 K KyiiMEs's, Lord, diftindion between affeftions and paffions _ - - _ ^5j ^/Vwf^j of animals, whether wholefome food - 332 ZrfWi^, properties of, as food - - 330 Lard, properties of - - ~ 329 LAyATER promulgates animal magnetifm and fom- nabulifm . _ _ _ j^^ Z^z/f/^/^r, definition and confequences of - 568 Xflwj, general, of Nature, commented upon - 28 Lead, a frequent ingredient in cofmetics - 71 — 72 —— its noxious vapours defcribed - - J92 u u 3 ■ Leap. in2 '&* TAOe 45+ 377» 37« 3S«. 359 363 »34 I02 »3i 14* >59 686 INDEX. Leaping, what kind of exerclfe LimoKs, properties of, as food Lentils, properties of, as food Lettuce properties of, as food JLiBAVivs oifcovers the transfufion of the blood - Life, a long one has ever been valued * the arc of prolonging, defined — - the duration oi, how computed by the Moderns ... •— — cannot be prolonged by fpecifics, or any ar- tificial means . „ - •■ principle of, as conceived by the Ancients -• 161 = conditions rcquifite to the prolongation of - 161—170 ■ critical period of . - - 165 • a fteady and equal progrefs of, required to longevity - - . 166 Light, candle, how to manage at night . 642 LitJies, properties of, as food • - 578 Liquors, heating, are a liquid fire - - 76 •— — — witery, divinon of - . 438, 439 Liuer. of aninnals, whether wholefome food - jji Li'ving, the prelent mode of, compared with that in a primitive ftate - - - 177— 17^ Loljiers, properties and effefls of, as food - 345 Longe'vity, boaily and mental dilpofition to » 160 — concludir.g remarks on the fubje£l of - 168 Lo-vey definition and tfE-ds of - - 5691 570 — - extravagant degree of - - 57^ difappcinted ... 57^* 577 LoivKs. prcmoted the fcheme of transfufion - 138 Lungs of animals, whether wholefome food - 231 Luxury, the efFedls of modern - • 66c M h'ace, properties of, as a fpice . » 430 Mc<.gnetijin, animal, account of - - 144 — 1^6 patronized by Lavater - 155 Manchineei-tree, poifonous (hade of - • j02 Manna-grafs, properties of - - ^^7 MA:iNi^GiiAi^, nervous fever defcribed by him - 574 Marjoram, properties of - - « 452 Married ilme, proper time and requifites to - 555 — 557 il/ii/Zifr, original, of the akhemills - - 114 Ji-fs.iD, Dr. quotations from - 659. 664. 666 Meals, reflections on the frequency of - 662 M<'ai, on the method and time of taking - 303 — 305 Medicine, INDEX. .687 PAGE Medicine, prefent ftate of, as a fcience - - 25 — ^o Melancholic temperament described - - yj6, 47 Melons, properties of - - - 382 Men/es, what - - - - r-^S Mephitic gafes, noxious efFecls of - - 191, iq2 Mercury, a frequent ingredient in cofmetics - 71 MussMER^'i medical knighi-errantry - 1^7 — ^ animal magnetifin delcribed - 147 — 156 — — his advertilemL-nt extraordinary - 150, 151 > impoluions on the French Govern- ment - - 152 -— realizes a princely fortune - :i>. • is detedled as a knave or fanatic - 1^5 his fyflem exploded - . - 156 Metallic Traclors, quotation from the Monthly Review refpeiSing them - ' - 144, 145 Military exercife, efFeds of, on the body - 454 ' Milk, properties of, as food - - 335 — 338 retention of - - - ^37 Millet properties of - - - 357 Mind, equanimity of, efTential to longevity - 166 of exerciling its fundlions - - 470, 47 ( Moderation^ general reflections upon - 659 Mo^BODDo. Lord, an original charafler - 250 Moh'TJLDUS, Angular fad; related by •651 Mothers, proper condud of, eiTential to the longevity of their children _ - . l52 Mucus oi xhe -Roie, what - - - 532 — 1535 Mu/clcs, defcription of - - - 620 number of, in human and animal bodies 621 ■ peculiar flrudure and power of - 62c — 624. '• properties of, as food - - -1,1^1 Mufcidar adtior, or animal motion, what - 621, 622 Mufi>rooms, properties of - - - 384 Mutton, properties of - - - 329 Myopia, or ihortfightednefs, what - - 607 N Negus, relative falubrity of - - 423 Ner'ves, the ditferent fize of, in man and animals 615, 616 J^on-naturalsy the iix, explained . - 176 Nojirums, definition of - - 48 — - pretended purpofe of, expounded - 101 Nurfery, (hould be ipacioui and airy - 88 Nutmeg, properties of - - - 4.30 Nutrition, the nature of, inveftigated - - 301 — 303 Nuts, in general, properties of - - 383. 3S4, u u 4 QaiSf 68S INDEX. O PAGE Oi7fs, properties of - - - 357 Objlru^ions, the caufes oF, pointed cut - * 512 . the means of preventing - 5'3» 514 O economy oi \!nt human frame fhould be Itudied - 99 Oil, vegetable, when ufefiil in colic - - 55 ' properties of - - - 423 Oli'ves, properties of - - - 383 Onions, properties of - - - 369 Opium, much ufed by the Turks - - 169 Oranges, falutary effe£ls of - - 377, 378 Orientals, their method of prolonging life - 103 Oxygen, proportion of, in the atmofphere - 186 • concife hiflory ot - - 187, 188 properties and efFedls of, on refpiratlon - i83 Ojjhrs, properties of - - - 350 Panaceas, or umverfal remedies, defined • 48 PapilliT, nervous, defcribed - - 6c2, 603 Paracelsus, an impudent infurer of lives - 120 > his early death - - 137 PARKihsoN. Mr. James, quoted on the fubjecl of quack rriedicines - - - 49 Parjlty, properties of, as food - - 367 = . as a fpice - - ' 432 Par/nips, properties of - - - 367 Pajjions, origin of - - - $62 influence of, on the body - - 563 — 565 ^ are either of an agretable or difagreeable nature . _ _ jl,, m meaiiS of oppofmg them - - 575, 576 how to prevent and mitigate them - 589 — 6oI Pajiry conks and confeftiuners prepare unwholefome mixtures - - - - 77 Patent or Quack medicines exploded - 48 — 1;6 . • why dangerous r 5^ — 54 Patent, account of Mr. Dcnaldfon's - - 346 Peaches, properties of , _ - 374, 375 • Pears, pro, erties of - - - 376 Peas, properties of ... 358., 359 _ green, properties of - - 359 Pepper, properties of - ' - 429 PuHKiNs'^ Metallic Tra(^ers exploded - 144 — 146 Per rv. INDEX. Perry, properties of - _ - - Perfians, the caufe of their thin fculls Per/ptratkn^ infenfible, on the nature and import- ance of - ». i^ — . how afFe£ted and fuppreiTed • ii - - — ■ ■ ■• how promoted . how influenced by food and drink ^ ■. — by the de- preffing palTions and emo- tions «■ ■ ' if too violent how to be treated Perfpiring and fweating, how diflingui(hable Phlegmatic temperament deicribed Pimento, properties of - Plica polonica, a fingular difeafe of the hair Plums, properties of - Plvtarch^s golden precepts Podagra of the Ancients, now almoft unknown - Pomatums for making the hair grow Por^, whether whol-'fome Pojlures the moft ufual, of the body examined Povjers^ inherent in the human body, fpecified - Prejlyopia, or farfightedneis, what Pfiestlet^s important difcovery Punch, properties and efrefts of, on the body PrjHAGQRAs'% advice to the paflionate 6S9 PACE ?9S' 396 95 522—524 525 526 528 528-529 il. 523 47 43« 257 374 112 57 252 326, 327 46S — 470 634 621 »93 407 588, 589 ^ack or Patent medicines exploded ^inces, properties and efFeds of 48-56 377 R Radijhes, properties of - Reaj'on. this is no: rhe age of - - Religion, the Chriftian, mifappHed by the alchemifts Re/piraticn, the principal fundion of the animal body _ - - _ Rete muco/um, or middle Ikin) what Rice, piopertiesof - - « JiicHTER's, Dr. prefcription for the tooth-ach - Rickets cured by cleanlinefs alone w^ . ■ - .. relieved by a proper diet and flannel /hirts , . - 369. 117, 370 146 118 600, 226, ,84 601 356 227 94- 266, 267 Ridmgt 6;0 INDEX. Riding in carriages, what kind of exercire on hcrfeback - - - Rccms, iitting, the moft proper fituation of ' ■ • of heating in Autu!i)n what is the beft fituation of JRoets, efculent, account of - * Rcfencruciat!5, fketch of - - - RosENKREuz, a great adventurer and founder of a Sett . - . _ Running, what kind of exercife RussELLt Dr. mentions a curious faft RitJpanSi very partial to bathing PAGE 453' 454 4^?. 456 206 2:6, 217 653' 6154 364- -370 \\b~ -I2S 136 451 665 91 -92 Zage, properties of - - - Sago, properties of - - - Sailing in barges and at fea, what kind of exercife Salads and herbs for cooking, properties of Saliva, ofe of, to the body Saljafy, properties of - » Salty properties of - - new mode of purifying SjSNCtorius^s advice to tne paflionate Sanguine temperament delcribed Sangu'meo- choleric defcribed Sautr-Kraut^ properties of - - Saufages _ _ _ - Scented bodies, efFedls of - - School -mcficrs, their great age accounted for Scorzonera : properties of Screens, the ipoft proper form of defcribed Sermons, the different fahibrity of - - Sedan-chair, what kind of exercife Semen, obfervatiuns on the lofs of - - nature and conilituent parts of, explained Sen/ation, fbort analyfis of - - Senfe, organs of, expounded - 597. Senjes, external and internal, defined • — -- fpecilied, individually Senjilility to every change of the atmofphere Sexual hitercourje, how important . • — when conducive to health .. ■ ■ — when detrimental ^.- • fituations unfavourable to » the proper time of confeq^uences ariiing fron excefs Shaddocks, properties of - - 432 ■372 45"?. 45^ 359—364 530—532 369 425 4.26 567 45» 46 46 362, 363 328 201, 202 368, 104 369 650 199 — 201 455 538—541 549-551 592—598 606. ^34 6ir 598 57. 58 53^'' 539 540, 541 542—544 548, 549 55'» 552 552-555 373 Shallctf INDEX. 67t PACC Shallcts, properties of - - - 369 Shins and coverings of the neck reviewed - 274 — 277 Shoes, on tlie proper fize of - - 283 — 288 •— — on rendering the leather luater proof - 288 ' of changing them from one foot to the other 289 Shortfightedmjs, how to be treated - - 642 — 646 — — how to prevent in childrea - 644 Sight, the fenfe of analyzed - - 618—624 Singing, what fpecies ot exercife - - 4S9> 4^° Sirocco, influfnce of, in Sicily - - 42 Skin, the difc-afes of, bcfcome falhionable - 60 the functions of, explained - - 61 — 73 — — how it may be improved - - 74 — 77 — — fvjeattng, how it arifes - - 92 on the immediate covering of - - 260 Skirret root, properties of - - 368 Sleep, cor.cife hillory of - - - 473—476 — confequences ariling from too much or too litde - - - 483—485 ■' the proper du>ation of - - 485 — 487 • in what fituations more or lefs neceflary 487, 488 - caules of i difturbed and uovafy - 490j 491 Sleeping after ditmer, whether advifable - 492, 493 ^- - and Waking, neceffity of tnis alternation 472 — the nioit pioper pofture in - 493, 494 Sleeves in gowns, if too narrow - - 278, 279 Smallage, properties of - - - 367 Small pox, to be prevented by the Cow-pox - 38 Smell, mecnanifm of, delcribed - - 614 — 616 i,o>v imp'-oved and vitiated - - 6^0 Smoking Tobacco, a bad cu iom - - 531, 5^2 — how injurious to health - 661 Snails, properties of - - - 35©, 351 Sneezing, origin ot explained - - 623 Snuff po-ujders oi a London Quack - 533 Snuff-taking, injurious to the eyes, rerveS, &c. 532 — 535 Sclmmering's doftrine of temperaments - 39 — 47 >-. -.. hypothcfis of the feat and operations of the foul - - 592. 593 Somnahuli/m, what - - - 155 Sorrel, properties of - - - 362 Sorrozu, definition and confequences of - 570 — 574 Sfallanzani\ difcovery quoted - - 571 Speaking, confidered as an exercife - ' 45Q Specifics, defined and commented upon - 48 — — for prolonging life are abfurdities - 160 SpeSIacles, concave, when to be ufed - - 645 - — convex, when to be ufed - 646 J SpeSiacles 6jz> IN D a X. spiracles how to chook properly « green, when ufeful — '■ ■• - — when proper and how to ftt •-' when improper and hurtful Spices, properties of, in particular — — • — in general Spinage, properties of - . Spiriisf- ardent, their general properties Stays, laced, how hurtful St. Germain's Tea for prolonging life, what - Stockings, the proper fubltance tor them examined . .^_-_> tlirir form Straixjberries, properties of Sugar, properties of - STi^jjMM£RBAM''s difcovcry quoted Siveating and pcrfpiring, how to be diftinguifhed S^^vimrn'mg, confidered as a kind of exercife Sijoinging confidered as a kind of exercife S-~Mifst their defire of returning home, a difcafe - PAGE 666—668 668 670—672 672 425—433 424 361, 362 405 — 408 277, 278 156, 157 267 — 270 282 381. 427* 523* 458, 382 478 570 524 458 459 574 tamarinds, excellent properties of Tartar on the teeth, how it originates ' " how to remove and prevent it Tajle, mechanifm of, explained Tea, if driink hot, its effeds on the fkin properties and effeds of, in general Indian, iubftitutes for it _ - Teeth, maragement and preftrvation of — - — dired:ons for cleaning Temper ajnents, peculiarities of, inveftfo-ated ■ .. — — remarks oh the variety of Temperature, cautions relative to the changes of Terror, origin and confequences of _ . Theofophijls, a fhort account of - , Thirji, how to fatisfy after exercife Thun, Covnt, a late fanatic at Leipzig- Thvnberg, introduced Cajeput oil into Europe Thurxeisen, a noted allrologer, &c. at Berlin - Thyme, properties of - Toss, how to prevent their cffenfive fmell Tcoth-ach, fome of the i)ell remedies for powders, fome of them recommended bruflies and fponges objeded againft Touch, the fenfe of analyzed '— the mechanifm of, explained - 22. 374 225 226 63^—633 76 413—418 416, 417 224—230 224, 225 ^ 39—47 625, 626 2 1 4 — 2 1 6 581, 582 »35— '37 465—467 159 226 122 432 270 227 228 228, 229 603, 604 ib. ib^ Transfujion 269, 226, INDEX. 673 PAGE 5rr^?«j//(/fo« of the blood defcrifaed -~ - 126 — 13S Tranfitions^ if fudden, from heat to cold - 218, 219 Trenk, Baron, curious faft related by hi:n - 604, 605 turnips, properties of - - - 367 Turtles, properties of •> - - 3^$ u upas, the deadly, of Surinam - - 202 Urinary complaints, nature and origin of - 521, 522 Urine, quality and quantity of - - 517 — 519 prognoftics fro-ii the appearance of - 518, 5J9 Vanilla, properties of - - Veal, properties of » - Vegetables, divided into five clafTes - ■ - — « farinaceous, nature and properties of - — leguminous Venery, means of diminifliing the defire of Venifon, properties of - - Ventilators for purifying the air in a room Viiiuals, different methods of drelTing Vinegar, properties of - - w Waking and fleeping, neceffity of this alternation 472 Walking, efFefis of, on the body - - 447 Walnuts^ properties of - - . 383, ^g^ Water, of fprings, wells, rivers, and lakes - 390 — 592 ■ ■ of rain, fnow, and hail - - 393 " dew, whether wholefome - - ib. ■ if bad, how to purify and preferve - 393 — ■ drank habitually, preferable to other liquors 663 Water- clo/sts, a neceffary precaution - 516 Weeping, nature and effetfls of, on the body - 573 Winds, different efFedls of, on the body - ^99 Wines, divifion of, into five claffes - 354, 395 conftituent parts of - - 396 — - general properties and efFcfls of - 396, 397 •- ■- eftedls from a copious ufe of -- 397 — 400 the adulterations of and dangers attending 401 — 403 — — - diredions for detailing different adultera- tions - - ^ - 403 — 405 429, 430 322- -3H 35^' 35* 352' 3S» 35«. 359 559- -S6i 33O' 33« 207, 208 3'4- -316 423. 424 674 INDEX. 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