CHAPTER XXI.

OF CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES WHICH RESULT FROM A DISORDERED STATE OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL-OF GOUT-OF ERYSIPELAS OR ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE.

A LOSS of appetite may be regarded, generally, as a beneficial instinct, which nature seems to have ordained for obviating the accession of such matters to the stomach, as it has not the power to assimilate with the common mass of nutritive fluids, under that diminution of vital energy which is occasioned by disease; at which time, therefore, it is unwise to force the appetite; for, by so doing, new difficulties are opposed to the struggles of the animal functions.

A certain degree of abstinence is far more essential to health in persons who are advanced in life, than in the young and active: for at this time, less exercise being taken, because the mechanical powers of the system are not so energetic, and

less vigour of mind being exerted, because the sensorial powers are more torpid, elderly people are apt to indulge in the pleasures of the table; by which they are adding daily to the weight of their infirmities. Stimulating food and fermented liquors promote the morbid deposition of earthy and saline matters in the secerning glands; and above all, from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Exercise being taken in a very inadequate degree to that which nature requires for the assistance of her general functions; affections of the head, pains in the loins, and disordered appearances and inconveniences of the urine, are perpetually complained of. Excrementitious substances are retained in the alimentary canal; and in all the stages of life, as long as this is the case, the whole system becomes languid; a general lassitude prevails, and the bodily strength daily becomes more enfeebled.

Under these feelings, objections are made to the use of active purgatives, from an idea of their weakening the system: while in reality, the accumulations, which can be relieved by no other

means, are the cause of weakness to the whole frame and as soon as they are duly removed, the bodily strength revives. These disordered accumulations are foremost of the causes of depressing passions.

Persons who give way to despondency, shun variety of scene and variety of circumstance; and thus the distaste of exercise increases in proportion as the torpor of the mind increases. Acidity of the stomach is one of the earliest inconveniences; and it commonly causes a greater desire for animal food than for any other kind, because its alkalescent tendency for a moment seems to relieve the inconvenience: but a torpor of all the alimentary organs soon becomes established, and the use of fermented liquors, in addition to that of improper food, serves only to provoke flatulent distention, and an additional incapacity of the digestive powers. These inconveniences have probably induced persons subject to them to try repeated doses of salts, or magnesia, or some simple domestic aperient, which in nine instances out of ten afford no sort of benefit, because they have

only operated partially, and exerted no influence whatever on the detained excrement. It is imagined that no fault can remain internally, because each successive dose of the domestic remedy has produced watery evacuations: and watery evacuations may be excited for weeks and months in succession; and still the offending cause remain; since inefficient doses of saline and other purgatives exhaust their influence on the early part of the intestinal canal, and pass by the excrement detained in the cells of the colon without exerting any action on it. They are deprived of their medicinal qualities before they reach the large intestines. This circumstance alone shows the impropriety of persons trifling in such a manner with their health, since regard should be had to the species and combination of those purgatives, which are suited to the particular age, habit, and other circumstances of the patient, and the duration of his malady.

In just as eminent a degree, as depressing passions promote this kind of internal mischief, does the circumstance of neglecting to promote a free

daily action of the intestinal canal, create despondency. All the particular circumstances which have been enumerated with respect to the alimentary organs, are fully established; and melancholy often runs on to active madness. The circulation is laboured, the tongue furred, the countenance dejected, the eye turgid and coloured with bile, the skin partakes of the same tinge, the face is beset with eruptions which are hard under the skin, the rest is broken, the sleep attended by startings, and haunted by distressing dreams. The urine is passed frequently and without colour; sometimes it deposits a sediment. The patient in the very lap of comfort, feels the storm of adversity thickening around him: he mistrusts his confidential friends; and, while he shuns their presence, dislikes to be alone. By judicious treatment, all these frightful circumstances are often dispelled in a few hours; frequently in a few days and but few weeks are required for the restoration of the accustomed health, and animal spirits.

So many circumstances of age, constitution,