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36G?

MEDICJL EXT’RACTS:

ON THE

nature of health,

WITH

PR^CTICJL OBSERFJTIONS:

AND

the laws

OF THE

NERVOUS AND FIBROUS SYSTEMS.

B Y

^ FRIEND TO IMP ROVEMENTS.

VOL. II.

A NEW EDITION.

Homines ad dcos in nulla re propius accedunt, quam fahitem
hominibus dando.

CiCCRO,

LONDON,

Printed for J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church -yard ; and
Robinsons, Paternofter-Row ;

And fold by them, and Dilly in the Poultry; Murray, Fleet-ftreet •
Manson, Pall Mall; Owen, Piccadilly, oppofite Bond-ftreet ; ’

and Cox, St. Thomas ’s-ftreet. Borough,

1796.

• y ‘0

-m

T O

DR. DARWIN.

Physicians often lament, that their
patients will not purfiie the.diredtions given them;
and indeed, when their fenfe is not perfuaded, .it
is no wonder they are tempted to follow their own
fancies. It is prefumed, tliat thofe, who will be
at the trouble to perufe the following pages, will
fee abundant reafon for the injunctions frequently
given them by fcicntific praftitioners, relpedling
foody airy exercifcy diverfionsy &c. &c. and hav-
ing acquired a knowledge of the nature of

HEALTH, and THE LAWS OF THE ANIMAL OECO-
NOMY, they will alfo be able to diftinguifli the
'Practitioner l>f modeft merit from the ^acky who
wades in darknefs, and tries his fpecific remedies
one after another, until the patient recovers
VoL. II.

more.

DEDICATION'.

more by accident, and the efforts of Nature,
than any thing elfe, or can tell no tales. This
part of the work, I am led to think, will be
alfo amufing to the philofopher, who confiders
the ftudy of the human frame a part, and the
moft interefting part, of natural hiftory. It may
prepare the fludent for the more careful ftudy of
your incomparable work which, had it appear-
ed fooner, would have earlier enriched this vo-
lume, and the difcoveries of Dr. John Brown
would have been alfo attributed to you, as they
were made previous to his, though not publifhed to
the world, as many of your friends can atteft.

I HAVE THE honour TO BE,

WITH THE HIGHEST RESPECT AND ESTEEM,

&c. See,

* Z/Mn'rSitf or (ht Xiarai of Orgtmtc Life. Two Vols. Q^r&>.

ANALYTICAL CONTENTS

O F

VOLUME II.

PART III.

THE NATURE OF HEALTH,

AND THE

LAWS OF THE FIBROUS SYSTEM.

PAGB

The Dedication to Dr. Darwin.

Matter Preliminary to the Explanation
of the First Law.

THE PROGRESS OF MEDICINE.

{Of the old Philofophy, or Reafoning on occult
(Qualities, - - -

VOL. II.

This

CONTENTS

{This was exploded by Bacon, who would
admit no Conclufions but from Experiments,

{The Jwhlen Tit'ifrovejnent that this gave to
every Branch of Science,

{The Difcovery of the Circulation of the Elood
firit immortalized the Name of Harvey, -

■j^The Oppofition which this atfirft met with, -

{The'Difcoveryof the next Importance was
Irritabiiity, a Property eflential to all
living Animals, and hkewife to Plants, *

'The Oppofition w'hich this Difcovery elicited,
and from fimilar Motives, - - - - -

1 . Indolence, to avoid the Trouble of
Examination j

i 2. Vanity, to Ihun the Imputation of
Ignorance j and,

3. Envy, to deprive the Difcoverer of
. his due Share of Praife.

pin like Manner the Science of Chemifiry has
j had its Revolutions, and one Error fuc-
ceeded to another, until Lavoisier eRa-
j blilhed a Syjiem, which being founded
(_ upon Truth, is eternal, - - - _ . .

pUpon the broad Bafis of iht Ne^u Che7Ni/lry,
and the Irritability of the Fibre, Dr. Bed-
DOES, the Rev. Mr. Toa'nsend, and Dr.
8 D.AKWIN,

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Darwin, have each ably treated on Dif-
eales, and from their Works principally a
new and beautiful Supcrftrufture is at-
tempted to be formedj fo that inftead of a
proverbial Difagreement, the fame Confent
among Pra6titioners may be efiahlijhed, as
at prefent exifl. among Aftronomers and
Chemifts, - -- -- -- -- - iv

{Dr. Brown, however, has the Honour of frjl having
publi(h?d a Syftem of Phyfc founded upon the Irrhabi-
lily of the Fibre, - ib.

^In illuftrating this Syftem, with the Improvements it has
J derived from modern Difeoveries in Chemijiry, it is at-
I tempted as much as pofliblc to obtain the Voice of every
V. one, “ Deleiianda pariterque monendo." ^ _ - - -

ib.

f Baron de Haller’s Divifion of the Body into

J three Parts,

1. Sensible,

2. Insensible, and

3. Irritable, - -- -- -- - v

I^The precife Meaning of thefe Terras, - - ib.

Apology. ' '

I. OF IRRITABLE PARTS.

The Heart,

It retains its Motions even when feparated

from i\s^Body,- - -- -- -- - ib.

* a 2 After

• CONTENTS

FACB

f After this fpontaneous Motion has ceafed it
^ may be rene-wed by Stimuli, - - - - , ix

-The PuNCTUM Saliens, which is the Heart
of a Chick, beats, before we dare prefume
that there is any Organ to diftribute the
» nervous Povuer, x

{

The Heart therefore muft be confidered the
pRiMUM Mobile, as it is the Ultimum
Moriens of the Animal Machine, - - - ib.

f The Heart poffefles different Degrees of Ir-
^ RITABILITY in different ClaJJes o£ Beings, -

^Examples of this Pofition,

ib.

'The Doftrine of Boerhaave and Whytt
refuted, who fuppofed that Irritability w'as
derived from the Nerves, - ----- xi

1. For the mojl irritable Parts are not

unfrequently the leajl Senfihle-,

2. Becaufe the Irritability of Parts fepa-

rated from the Brain and Nerves
continue irritable for forae time
after ;

3. Becaufe the Nerves and Brain are in

themfelves inirritahle, as will be af-
terwards proved, ------ xii

The

CONTENTS

PAGE

The Muscles. . - ■

{Thefe cannot be defined by Colour, but only
by their contractile Power which each

JMufcle has in common with the reft, - - xiii

{It is from this Power that a MufcleMs able
to move a Weight, which tears it when

dead, ------ XIV

{Irritability proved to be hule^endcnt of
Nerves and Bruin, xv

f Irritability furvives the lofs of nervous
^ Povjcr, . - . xvii

The Diaphragm.

-|^It retains for a long While its IrritaliUiy, -

"I^The of this Mufclc,

The GEsophagus, or Gullet.

-T Proof of its Irritability,

< Its Strudure, - -

The Stomach.

< Proof of the Irritability of tiiis Organ, - •

r •

< Its Anatcmy, -

The Intestines. '

^ Proofs of their Irritability,

xviii

ib.

ib«

ib.

xxi

Their

CONTENTS,

?AGB

ib.

^ Their Anatomy -

The Arteries.

^ Proof of their irriiahiliiy, xxiii

•^This'ir Anatomy, - ib.

The Lacteals,

^Proof of their Irritability, ------ xxiv

Their Anatomy, - -- -- -- -- -- - ib.

II, OF INIRRITA3LE PARTS.

The Lungs, --------- - xxv

{Its Anatomy, with fomc flight Obfcreations refpcAing its

Oifice, - -- -- -- -- -- . ib.

The Liver.
The Kidneys.
The Si’LEEN’.

^ Proof that thefe Parts are inirritahh.

- - xxvi

^ Their Anatomy, ---------

The Gall, Liver, and Common,

Ducts.

Proof of their - - -

- - xxiii

The Nerves,

^ Proof that thefe are inirritahh, - -

- - xxvii

•

m. OF

CONTENTS

FAGS

III. OF SENSIBLE PARTS.

The Brain.

Proof of its extreme i - xxviii

Its Anatomy, JJj,

The Spinal Marrow.

Proof of its Scnfibility, ------- ib.

I ts Analomy,

The Nerves.

Their Senfibility, - xxix

The Skin. ' * ■

*^Its StmJibUityf - -- -- -- -- ib.

^ lU Amiiomyy - it),

-The internal Membranes of the Stomach,

— — OF THE Intestines,

• OF THE Bladder,

— OF THE Ureters;

< Their Struffzire, - - ...... xxx

Muscular Flesh.

{This is proved to derive its SenfiblUty wholly
from the Nerves which pervade it, - - xxxi

CONTENTS.

The Breasts.

PAG*

-|^The Reafon of their SenfaUon,

- - - 'ib.

Their Anatomy, - -- -- -- -

OF insensible' parts. ■

The Dura Mates.

Proof of its InJenfthiUty, - - -

- « - xxxii

AnaKmy, - -- -- -- -

The Pia Mater.

Proof of its - - -

^ Its Anatomy, - - -- -- -- -

The Periosteum.

'■

Proof of its Infenfibility, - - -

- ib.

The Peritonjeum,

Proof of its Infenfihility, ------ xxxlv

Its Anatomy j - -- -- -- -- -- - ib.

The Pleura.

Proof of its ItifenfibiUiy, ------ ib^

Its Anatomy, - -- -- -- -- -- - ib.

The

CONTENTS,

PAGS

The Pericardium.

Proof of its Infenjibility, - - -

- - - XXXV

The Peritonaeum.

Proof of its _

- - - ib.

/"The Seat of Pain in Pkurify is miftaken accord*

j ing to.

1. Haller, - . - -

- - - - ib.

2. Boerhaave, and - -

3. Monro, -----

The Mediastinum.

The Omentum.

Anatomy, - -- -- -- -

The Cellular Membrane.

The Cuticle.

Proof of its Infenfihility, - - -

The Fat.

Proof of its InfenJilUity,

VoL. II."

The

CONTENTS.

PAGE

The Tendons.

Proof of their Ihfenfihtlhy, - - - ^ - xli

Anatomy, - -- -- ------- ib.

The Capsule.

The Ligaments.

The Bones.

{Proofs of their InferifthilUy in a State of

Health, xliii

Arc they infenJibU in a State of Dlfeafe ib.

/^This Subjeft deferves the moft ferious Attention of the
J philofophic Anatomift, and will be reconfidered when

we come particularly to treat of Difeafes, - - - - ib.

The Marrow.

Proof of its Infenftbility,

The Teeth.

Proof of their Infenjibility,

^Thcir Anatomy, - - - - -

ib.

xliv

ib.

RECAPITULATION xlv

Sect.

CONTENTS.

Sect.

I. On Stimuli.

PAG*

{The moving Fibre the Seat of the Irritable
Principle, -

{The F/erves the Seat of the Sentient Prin-
ciple,

{Baron de Haller firft dijiinguijlied the Ir-
ritable from the Sentient Principle,

{Of the Difcovery of the Laws which govern
the Irritable Principle, . - _ -

{Dr. Brown the Author of this important
Discovery, -

{The Offojltion he met with from Dr. Cul-
len,

135

ib.

136

ib.

137

ib.

f Dr. Beddoes’s Opinion of Dr. Brown’s Writ-

^ ing^,

ib.

Dr. Darwin’s Opinion no lefs favourable to
the Brunonian Doctrine, - - - , ib.

The chief Caufe of Dr. Brown’s ill Succefs in
the Ffablijhment of his Syjiem, - - - 138

Something

CONTENTS.

PAGE

{Soinethwg may be faid in Extenuation of Dr.

Brown’s overhearing and fretful Behaviour, 138

- Dr. Brown’s private Conduit cannot however
exculpate his learned Oppofers, and form an
Excufe for tlie illileral Treatment he almoft
- univerfally met with, ------ ib.

’"A Note, to prove that fordid, envious, sind prijudiced Oppo-
fition will not, in the prefent Day, prevent the EJiabliJh-
meni of useful Truths.

The voM-inJlruRed of the Faculty have no Reafon to
fear that this philojophic Appeal to the Common Senfe of
, Mankind will prejudice their Intereji, ----- jj).

Sect. II. Law I. A due Excitement is

NECESSARY FOR THE MAIN-
TENANCE OF Health and
Vigour,

-fin the Univerfe every Thing is in jl/b*o«, - ib.

f The Grandeur of this Conception illuftrated
f- byfuppofmgallthingsinaStateofAy^, - 140

CONTENTS

FAGS

{The Movements of the Internal Organs of

the Body are many of them incejfantf - - 140

^ All Movements in the Body arife from the
Retrocession of the Yihre from certain
^ Stimuli, ib.

{The Effects of different Stimuli the Ob-
ject of the enjuing Sections ^ 140

|Of Temperaments.

In Childhood there is abundant Irrjta-

BILITY, - -- -- -- -- - ib.

In the' MIDDLE Period of Life the Irri-
tability of the Fibre is much diminijhcd, ib.

In OLD Age the Irritability is deficient, 141

{The Excitement Ihould be adapted to the

Stale oi’ihe irritable Fibre, _ - _ ib.

^ A due Excitement is neceffary to Health:

too mueh, or too little, lays the Foundation
^ for Disease, - -- -- -- -- ib,

{The DoHnne was at firft m'lfunderjlood, and in jfome

StaUi of Dfeafi improperly applied, - - - jb,

{The Handle the Enemies of John Brown made of
. this, - - ib.

{The iyWy of the Laws of Organic Life will finally

become a Part of polite Education, ------ ib.

{The Evils which arife from our Ignorance oi thesx

Laws are often irreparable, - -- -- -- - ib.

b 2

Sect,

CONTENTS.

* FACE

Sect. III. Of Extreme Heat.

~C The Sthnulus of Heat is neceflary for the
^ Grorwth and Vigour of Animals, - - - 142

{A Note, to fhew that tht irritable principle «

dependant on K due Degree of - - . • . jb.

^The dehilitating Effeds of extreme Heat il-
< luftrated by Obfervations on Man, Ani-
^ mals, and Plants, --------

r Fahrenheit’s Experiments, which prove the
t dejirudive Poivers of extreme PIeat, -

^Meffrs. Du Hamel and Tillet are fent to
^ Angomnots to recover the damaged Corn in
^ that Province, - _

ib.

143

144

■ They lieat an Oven at Rocliefoucault, with
the Intent of dejiroying the Infetfis which
infefted the Corn, without hurting, if pof-
fible, the living Principle in the Seed, - ib.

^They are puzzled to affertain the exail De-
gree of Heat in the Oven, when a Girl,
fmiling at M. Tillet’s Fears, entered the
Oven, though the Heat was at 260 De-
grees of Fahrenheit’s Thermometer, - 145
{ She continued there -'- ib.

{The EffeBs,

EMonf. Murantins Expcrwient with another
Girl belonging to the fame Oven, who
breathed an Air heated to 325 Degrees for
the Space ot five Minutes, ----- J4Q

S Thefe

CONTENTS.

PAGE

{Thefe ’Experiments led to others of greater Ln

portance, - -- -- -- -- -MS

{The Experiments made by Dr. Dobson, of
Bath, ib.

1ft. Trial in a Room heated to 202 De-
grees, ib.

2d. Trial in a Room heated to 210 De-
grees, - - 147

3d. Trial in a Room heated to 224 De-
grees, - - 148

{The DEBILITATING Effects wliich arofe

from this laji Experhnent, ----- jb.

^Drs. Fordyce and Blagden’s Experiments,

< in which the Body was expofed almoft

^ naked, ib.

ift. Trial, and Effe3s, as obferved by
Dr. Fordyce,

2d. Trial, and dehilitating Effects, as ob-
ferved by Dr. Blagden, - - - - 150

{In a Note. The Rcafon why frejh AcceJJions of Heat
cannot raife boiling Water above ziz Degrees of
the Thermometer,

{The Quantity of Heat that is carried off by the Procefs of

Evaporation, - jb.

_ An Excefs of Heat in the Body is removed
\ in a great Meafure by an increafe of Per- .

i spiRATioN and confequent Evapora-

L tion, .-151

' The

CONTENTS.

* PAGE

jThe Falntnefs of the Body from extbeme
^ Heat is extended alfo to the Mind, - - 151

C An Account of the ^uti ejcent (Qualities of the
V Air in the hot Climate of the Bkasils, - ib.

r In a Note. The antipuinfccnt-QmlUy of coW Air.

■j 1 he rennarkabie Ftefervaiion of eight ILngliJhmen on the
Coaft of Greenland, -

rOiihedreadfiil Ejffhds arifing from the Cli-
mate of Senegae in Africa, and Cartha-
_ GENji in A^nerjca, - “- -- --153

Sect. IV. Of MooERAtz Heat and ex-
treme Cold.

\Oi 2i 7nild Atmofphere, - 154

|The henefcial Effeas'oi moderate Cold, - ib,

f The of Climate on \X\z Charaacr

^ and ConfitutioTi, -

' -I* Hhs. faperiority of thofe who inhabit

the TEMPERATE Regions of the Earth, ib.

. 2. The Inferiority of thofe wdio live un-

der the Torrid Zone, - - - - 156
3. And near the Pole, ----- 157
{The of EXTREME Cold, - - - - 153

Sect. V. On Light.

{Of the Compoftion of Light, and its Separa
tion by Sir Isaac Newton into [even
Rays, -

15g

From

CONTENTS

I' AGE

r From time to time there Rurts up extraordinary Genius,

< who, fooner or later in Life, dl/linguijhesh\cnki{ from the
L Reji o{ his SpecieSf - --159

(Heat and Light cnntra-dijlmgwjlied from
- each other by the Honourable Mr. Boyle, i60

{Thefe are alfo contra-dtflinguiJJied by their

diftinB Operations On the living Fibre, - ib.

ift. From their A(flion on the Retina, - ib.

2d. From their Adlon on Plants, whofe
Leaves and Flowers turn to the
Light, - -- -- -- - i6i

The Sleep of Plants explained by the Opera-
tion of Light, - -- -- -- - 163

^The Colour of Flowers and Leaves probably
< depend on the Operation and Combination of

Light, - - -ib.

Light has z. powerful Influence on the human

Mind, - - - -- -- -- -- i64

This illuflraied in a Note_by the Prayer of Ajax, as re-
prefented by the Poet, - -- -- -- -- ib.

- - - f Of the Boy who xvas couclied for BUndnefs,

t and his FIRST Sensations, - - " “ " 1^5

{In fosne States of Difeafe the St'wiulus of Light

is injurious, - - « - - - ^ * ib.

Sect. VI. On Air.

. . r The Recaprituhtion of what was faid in favour

1 of PURE Air in Part IL of this Work, - 167

The

CONTENTS.

PAGE

The baneful Effects of impure Air.

I' The Air of putrid MarJJics examined by Dr.

< Priestley, and proved to be devoid of
oxygen, QX -vital. Air, ~ - -- -- - 1 67

rDx. Franklin, by fiirring the Jiagnant Water
N of a Ditch, is feized with an intermit-
^ tent Fever,

/-The Plague, if it does not originate, de-
^ pends greatly on the State of the Atrno-

r During the Reign of Justinian ihe Plague
I raged

1 5,000, and at length 10,000, Perfons died
each Day at Constantinofle, - - - ib,

\Whole Dijirias were depopulated, - . . .

\0{ ihtVhA-GVZ zt Marjeilles, ----- jb

r 50,000 Perfons are faid to have periflied in
I that City,

{Of the Plague in - - _ •.

{Of the/>r«;/o«j of the Air, - - - . 1^2

r 40,000 Servants were difmi/fed as foon as this
t was known,

f The unparalleled Gencrofity of Sir John Law-

^ RENCE, - - - . .

- lb.

The

CONTENTS

PAGE

{The Numbers, who were buried in a Pit
dug in the Charter-House, in tivo
Weeks, - - 172

‘\Singular Injlances oi Pijirefs, ----- ib.

{The Smallnefs of the Habitations one Caufe of

the of THIS Calamity, - - - 173

^The IValls of Houfes were /potted by the con-
< TAGEOus Steams ilTuing from infcded

^ Houfes, - 174

profperous State of Philadelphia in the
. Year 1703,- - ib.

{T/iis City is attacked with Putrid Fever, - 175

^Thc Origin of /Am - -- -- -- - ib,

{A Dcfcription of the Terror that univerjally

prevailed, - -- -- -- -- - 17S

^The SOCIAL Bonds of Society were dij/ohcd,

< and the Sick were deferted by their neareji
^ Relatives, - -- -- -- -- -177

' Inftances occurred of dead Bodies being found
lying in the Streets, and of Perfons who had
. no Houfe of their own, and looking ill,

- could procure wo ----- 178

7 As the Alms-houfes were Jlmi againji thofe at-
< tacked with this Difeafe, the Circus was
^ ■ procured for their Reception, - - - - 1 78

VoL. II.

Seven

CONTENTS.

I-AGE

PerfoTis were carried thither, where
they lay, cxpofed to the open Air, and
ivithout AJJiJhince, as no Nurfes could be
piocured them, though high Wages were
offered, -

^ One of thefe crawled out *on the Common,

^ t r ^ . J ! . 1 .-A. y«

, s where he died at a Diftaiice from any
V Tr^..r„

Houfe,

{T'zt^'o died in the Circus,

The is. cighlmur flood take alarm, and threaten
to burn the Building, unlefs the Sick are
inftantly removed,

{

ib.

•{The SINGULAR Distress of a fermant Girl, -

f The Alarm fpread itfelf throughout the dif.
ferent States of America, - - _ _ _ jj,

- /The r recall tions and Proclamations of tlic
^ People of New-York,

I'-’l'he humane Condiut of the States of New
Jersey and Maryland in favour of the
Fugitives from - - - - isi

I^The Pells, which before were tolling nearly
-V the whole Day, were tlojiped b}' order of
• the Mayor,

A Proclamation was publilhed forbidding
Fires, which were burning in almoft every
Street to purity die Air, - - . . . jjj

{

The

CONTENTS.

PAGE

f The iiiceflant Firing of Guns, was alfo pro-
^ iiibited by an Order from the Mayor, - 182

dreadful SituaUon of the PUBLIC Hos-
^ PiTAL at this Time, ib.

1. The hurfes rioted on the Provifions
and Comforts prepared for the Sick.

2. The Ordure and other Eifacuations oi
the Sick, were allowed to remain,
unlefs when the Doftors attended.

3. The Sick, the Hying, and the Dead,
were indifcriminately mingled to-
gether,

4. There was no Order or Regularity.

{An wiyvcrfal •Dread of this Place prevailed

throughout the City, - - - - -• . ] §3

^Many of the Poor locked themfelves in, and
< refitted the Etibrts made to carry tliem
^ away;,

r Many concealed Iheir Illnefs as long as pof-
1 fible, -

ib.

{

And others who were hurried off to Rujh-
hill, if ftrong enough, ran back to Phila-
delphia,

• As foon as any poor Perfon was taken tick,
whatever his Illnefs might be, his panic-
_ firuck Neighbours endeavoured, by every
Means, to have him fcut to the Hofpital,

ib.

c 2

ib.

Unexpeftedly

CONTENTS.

PAGE

rUnexpe6ledly Monf. Gerrard, a Native of
I France, a ’wealthy Merchant, touched

•I with the Situation of the Sufferers at
I Bujli-hill, ’voluntarily offered to fufcrintend
C that Hojfttal, -1 84

y' Peter Helm, a Native of Pennsylvania,

< a6tuated by the like benevolent Motive, alfo

offered his Services, ------- ib.

At this Tune fuch an Offer was looked upon

C as a certain Sacrifice, - ----- ib.

humane heroic ConduSl, - - - ib.

The Situation of the Jail at Philadelphia, and
its Regulations, - - - - - - - 185

The Rcafon why the Fever made but little
Ravage in that Place, ib.

In fmall and filthy Houfes, ’whole Families were
carried ojf, ---186

-Some of the Convicts in the Jail voluntarily
J offered to attend the Sick at Bush-hill,

I and in that Capacity conduced themfelves
.. with much fidelity and tenderrufs, - - - ib.

{From the Deaths of Heads of Houfes a Num-
ber of Children were left in the greatefl
Diftrefs, ib.

{ A particular Infiance of Diftrefs, - -

- - 187
l60 Chil-

CONTENTS.

PAGE

{iGO Children were refcued from their for-
lorn Condition, and lodged in a Building
called the Loganian Library, - - - - 18/

{The heroic Condudi of Samuel Robesan and

John Connelly, ------- ib.

{Ten Physicians, exclufive of Students,

were fwept off by this Fez/er, - - - _ ib.

{Of the Apothecaries few efcaped indifpo-
Jition, - - ib.

^To Tiplers, Drunkards, Men of corpu-
< LENT Habit, and Women with Child,

it '^xoxe.di /very fatal, ------- - 188

{A Note, referring this curious Fait related by Mr. Carey
- to Part IV. (The Section on Fever), ----- ib,

{The State of the Atmosphere when this

Fever prevailed, - -- -- -- - ib.

1 . A great Drought.

2. The Weather uncommonly calm.

3. On the. I2th of September a large
Meteor affrighted the Inhabitants.

4. Mufehetoes were very nmnerous.

Such a Jlate of the Atmosphere proved by
. many .Authorities to be unfavourable to

Health, - -- -- - -- --ig^

{ A Ta^/<s of Deaths, ------- ipo

{The State of the Weather when the Fever
began to abatc^ - -- -- -- -

191

The

CONTENTS,

PAGE

FjffcH of Raix and Cold ’vc\ Jlopphig the
■s Tlolencc of the Fever, and at length entirely
^ fuhduhig it, - -- -- -- -- 191

5 A Letter from tlie Mayor of ruiLADELPHi A,

f The Change that fuddenly took place in the
^ Appearance of Things ■eXViWLKHV.i.Te’&iK, - ISS

r In the Year 1/32, an epidemic Catarrh
*- prevailed throughout Europe, - - - I89

{The previous Omjlitutinn of the Air, - - ib.

{An of the Symptoms, - - - 19O

{The Time ot its invading different Countries, - ib.
{Its Continuance in Z^n^/o7;, - - - - - igi
{The Numbers that pcrijhed in one JFeek, - ib.

{The Progrefs of an epidemic Catarrh, as

deferibed by the Rev. Mr. Townsend, - ib.

{Dr. Cullen regifters Tivcnty-five epidemic

Catarrhs, - iq2

\Linie-kihu throw off Fixed Air, - - _ jb.

rThe fatal Fffedls of this air io four Per/ons
who lodged one Night in a Room near a
^ Kiln, - ib.

{

Two diforderly Women, who had crept near
a Lime-kiln, were brought to the Bath
JdospiTAL niotionlefsj one of whom pc-
rijhed.

ib.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

{

ta the Bc'd-chamhcr of the neatejl Perlon a
FAINT Smell may be ptrcdvcd in the
Morning, - _ . _

{What then is the Condition of the crozvded
Chambers of the Poor ? - - - - - -

f The Co>fSEfttTf:N-cF,s, as lliewn in the matiu-
f facluring Toivns,

(The injurious F^cds of BAD Air In general
^ but Jlightly attended to, ^

104

1()5

^Thc PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS in Dr.

Buchan’s Domeliic Medicine much approv-
X. ed of, ~ - - - - - .

The PRACTICAL Part of Dr. 'Buchan’s
} Work, though tJie Refuk of Experience and
I Ohfcrvatlon, as being unphthfophic, is infuf-
feient to form the Practitioner, - - _ _ j[j^

'■.\n Account of the hereditary Shop in Ireland, and the
Edinburgh f harmacopeeta Pauperunj,

. Of die Ph faurf in Marlborough, who died, and was fuc-
ceeded by his Groom, who married his tFiJow, and the
H in, tiiy made oi hts Prejcrlptlons, -----„ j|,

YOVDr" Hugh' Smith; who, to e.vpediie Bufne/s, had his
1 Prefcrlptiom printed,, and the fcandalous Impojttion on the

I Sick by thefe printed. Formula, both by tlie Doaor and
his M.in,

CONTENTS

PAGE

"As the fame D'feafe arifes from a Number of Caufes, and
thofe ohm very different, No specific Remedies
can be properly attached to any one Difeafe, nor is a
Knowledge of the Caufe of a Difeafe ftffcient, fince ex-
perience points out a vajl Variety of Corfiitutions and
Changes in the States of the living Fibre,

The Chance that a Pcrfon has of recovery in the Hands of
an unjkilful FraSiitioner, ---------

( Of the Advantage that may be derived to the
^ Sick by the Adtnifjion of feesh Air, - -

196

Sect. VII. On Exercise.

{A Sumtnary of the Dodrlnc in Part 11. of this
- Work, ------- ---- - 197

{An Experiment to prove that laborious Rxcrcife

increafes the vital Heat, ----- ib.

{The Caufe of this Increafe of Heat in the
Body explained, - - -- -- --

^The Caufe of shortened Respiration and
< a GUiCKENED CIRCULATION during hard
C Kxercife, alfo explained, - - - - - - 193

{The Beafon why Digestion is unproved by
Air and Excrcife, - -

iAn Attempt towards an Explanation, Why, under certain
Circumjiances, the Blood condcnfcs or fixes within itfelf a
greater Quantity of Vital Air i ------

ib.

jb.

Obfervation

CONTENTS.

PACK

'Obfervation 1. The Vital Air decompofed
by the Ncn'ous Ele^ridty conftantly ex-
^ pended in the body by the involuntary
I Organs, is, in a temperate Climate, fufjici-

j ent to give to the Body, if moderately

^ clothed, a fufficierit of Vital Heat, 109

Obfervation 2. In a frojly Air more than
< this is required, or elfe the Extremities, and

finally the nvholc Body, becomes torpid, ib.

|"Obfervation 3. The Ammal Heat generated
by the Decompojitmi of the Vital Air in
the Blood, when the Muscles are put
into adtion, added to the Heat conftantly
generated in the Body by the Adion of
the involuntary Organs (as explained
in ObfeiTation 1.), is fufficient, va frojly
Air, to prevent the Torpor that would
otherwife arife under thefe Circumjiances
from external Cold, -------

{Further Experiments related, which prove
that Muscular Action increafes the

of Vital Heat in the Body, - 200

{1ft. Experiment. Wherein the Cpuantiiy of
Heat thrown off from the Body in- a State
of Reft is afeertained, ------- ib.

r2d. Experiment. Wherein the Qluanfity of
< Heat thrown off from the Body in a State
of Mufcular Adlion is afeertained, -

VoL. ir.

ib.

3d,

CONTENTS.

PAGZ

rSd. Experiment, Wherein the QuanMy of
< Heat thrown off from the Body in a State

of tonjlant Exertion is afeertained, - - 201

• The NcccJJity of Exercise in cold Climates
demonftrated, by the Story of Dr. So-
LANDEK, Sir Joseph Banks, and others,
on the Heights at Terra del Fuego, - 202

r Inactivity produces a Change in the moving ■

^ Fibres produdive of Chronic Difeafes, - - 203

r Neither the Figtiftion, the perijlaltic Motion
I of the Inteftines, nor the Circulation, and
I confequently Perfpiration, can go on right,

L where Exercise is ncgleJicd, - - . - 204

\Oi Spor tf men, and the Reward they obtain, ib*

f The BANEFUL Effects which arife from Tn-
b dolencc and fede?itary Employments, - - - 205

|-The Rickets are faid to arife from this Caufe,

< and is called by the French the English
^ Disorder, -

fThe Fropenfiiy to Action fliewn in young
^ Animals, - 206

fThis Fifpofition implanted certainly for fome
1 zifeful Purpofe by the Great Creator, - ib.

CONTENTS.

' ‘PAGE

rAn Exhortation to Sc?idoI-?naflers, hnimorc.
efpecially to Sc?iooI-?n'iflrcjffds , — the Train
of Evils which arife from t/wir criminal
Conduct rcffet^ing thofc entrujied to their
Care ; the emphatic Language of Dr. John-
- SON on this Subje^, ------ . 207

{An Exhortation to Majiers to have fotne Con-
fulcration for thofe who work under them,

{The tnelancholy Situation df JS'Iechanics for the

molt Part, ---------- ib.

r Thfpepfia,^ and other nervous Ei [cafes, proceed
< from want of due Exercise in the open
^ Air, -208

{A Note, to fhew ‘ve'hy Exercise (hould be carried on in
the open Air,

{Exercise ought to be cGnfidered as a Euty
by each Individuai, -------

rThe Erogrefs of Ills arifing from Indo>

I LENCE, - - -- -- -- --

f Strength and found Sleep are tlie BhJJings that
f proceed from. Exercise, - - - . -

ib.

209

210

A Siirmife, that Armstrong’s Poem on the
Art of Freferving Health, promoted Dr.
Brown’s Eifovery of the Laws of the
rnovingFihre, ib.

d 2

Sect.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Sect. VIII. On Food.

'“Food is a Stimulus to the Fibres of the Sto-
mach, creating at nrft the Confinement of
the Food, and next the pcrifialtic Motion
of the Stomach. Other , Motions alfo agi-
tate the Food fo as to 7nix it thoroughly
with its the Gastric Juice, - - 211

^The Caufe of the Senfation of Hunger.

1. From the Stimulus of the Gastric
Juice on the Coats of the Stomach,
and.

2d. From the Senfation arifing from the
Wants of the Syftera, ----- jb.

^This Laft is in a Note, ------- i|,,.

Pleafure arifes on taking Food into the Sto-
mach, not only from the Petno’val of the
uneafy Senfation of Hunger, but from the
.S/www/izj on the Nen es, - - ---213

{This is illuftrated by the Operation oi Opium, ib.

The Effects which arife from a Disten-

tion of the Stomach, ------ 213

1. The full Stomach pretfes on the
Spleen, - jb.

The true Offxe the Spleen was firft taught by Dr.
Hatchton, and it did not efcape \.\\t penetrating Mitul

of the Rev. Mr. Townsend, ------- ib.

A greater

CONTENTS,

PACE

r A greater (Quantity of Blood paffing from the
< Sf>lee?i to the Pancreas occaftons a larger
^ of the Pancreatic Juice, - - 213

2. The full Stomach alfo prefles on tlie
defeending Aorta, ----- ib.

{The Confequence of which is a T)etcr7nmathn

of Blood to THE Brain, ----- ib.

{A curious Experiment illuftrative of the Effects which

arife from a Determination of Blood to the Head, - - ib*

- The Stomach being filled with JiimulaUng
Food, THE Blood in the Lungs condenfes
’within itfelf a larger (Quantity of Vital
Air, - -- -- -- -- -- ib.

-The Confequence of which is an Increafeoi the
\ " Vital Heat, - i ----- - 214

{This lajl Circumjlance is illujirated by a

Story from Capain Cook’s Voyages, - - ib.

- The Importance of the Conf deration of different

Kinds of Food in certain States of Disease, ib.

\Th\%Killul{raled\>yzveryJirl]ungFaEl, ----- jb.

{The Progress of the Food traced from its
firji Entrance into the Stomach, - - - ib.

ift. Its Solution by means of the Gas-
tric Jxhce and the Saliva, - - 215

2. Its Union in the Inteftines with
Bile from the Liver and Gall-bladder^
the Pancreatic Juice from the Pan-
creas, and thirdly, JMucus from the
Difl'erent exhalcnt Arteries, - - - ib.

The

CONTENTS,

PAGE

pThe Mention of a curious Sympathy, whereby
j the Irritation of tlie Food at tlie Extremi-
< ties of tlie Eu^s of the Liver, Gall-
bladder, and Pancreas, occafion an ht-
- from THOSE Glands, - 215

J A Defcription of the Pancreas, and of the Similarity of
L the Pancreatic Juice to Saliva,

Of the Intestinal Canal.

I 1. Its numerous Convolutions.

2. Its Plaits, and their Eifpojition and
UJe.

3. Its internal Surface, or villous Coat,

which abforhs the ISlouriJhment, and
whofe Villi terminate in tlie Lac-
teals, 216

^A PaEl to prove that our Food, though it undergoes a ^reat
I Change, and becomes from inanimate Matter animate,
j yet under certain Circumjlances it retains its prifline (^ua-
^ litiet.

Sect. IX. Of the Gastric Solvent, and the
RELATIVE Digestibility OF Food.

“Since in the Stomach of Serpents and Fijli,
Animals have been found in a dijfolved
, ^ State, whofe Form has neverthelefs re-

mained nearly entire, Cheselden fuppofed
Digestion to be performed by Ibme un-
- KNOWN Menstruum, ------ 218

CONTENTS.

rln a Suljeil of fuch Importance we ought not
•s to have analogical Reasoning, but di-
rect Experiment, -------

)

JSpali.anzan[ attempts . - - - .

{H is Fears and Hopes,

PAGE

218

219

His Grounds for feary

ib«

^Spallanzani’s firjl Experiment. He fwal-
lowed 52 grains of majllcated Bread con-
fined in a Linen Bag. The Bag was re-
turned after 23 hours entire, but containing
no Bread, - 220

|-2d. Experiment. In the fame Circumftances
j he put 60 Grains of boiled Veal, and when
V the Bag was returned, only a fe%v Fibres
1 were found, which were void of Succo-

L LENCY, -

r Galen attributed the Digcjlion of our Food
^ to Heat, -

r Van Helmont referred this Pleenomena to the
Soul, whofe feat he fuppofed in the Sto-

/Others attributed it to Trituration, and

others again to Fermentation, - - -
{Boerhaave united the two laft Suppofitions, ib-
rHe reafoned,

^ ift. Anatomically, {5^

2d, Analogically,

His

flONTENTS,

FACE

{His Experiments to prove the triturating
Power of the Stomach in the Ostrich, - 221

{His Remarks on graniverous Birds, who ufu-
ally fwallonv quantities of Gravel, - -

ib.

{

A curious Structure at the Mouth of the Sto-
mach of a Lobster, ------- 222

A no lefs curious Mcc/iatufm in the CsAW-
Fish to TRITURATE the Food, - - - - ib.

r SPM.ljANZk'Si'sE.vperhncnt, which proves, that
I in Animals, "where the Food is prcvioujfy ?naf-
ticatcd hy the Teeth, the Stomach has no
trituratikg Power, ------ ib.

{Co7nparative Fxperhncnts to prove the Ncccf-
Jity of a due Mastication of the Food, - 223

^The Reason of this explained.

1ft. As adding more Saliva to the Food.

2d. As affording a 7norc extended Surface
for the fohent Adion of the Gastric
Juice, - _ .

{An ingenious Contrivance made by Spallan-
zani to obtain the Gastric Fluid, - -

|-Having fucceeded in obtaining the Gajlric
j Fluid, he attempts to produce artificial
•< Digestion, and confines Meat,

1. In a Phial of Water.

2. In a Phial of Gastric Juice.

ib.

224

After

CONTENTS.

PAGE

’'After fc-veri Days, a flight Solution of the
Meat appeared in both Phials j but in the
. ift. It had a putrid Taint, and in
the

2d. It was perfectly free from pu-
- TRIDITY, - 224

-This Experiment was made at a lozv Tempe-
rature, whereas at the Temperature of 79 or
80 Degrees of Heat, in the

ifl Phial, after tivo Days, the Solution
was rather greater than in the 1ft Ex-
’S periment, and the Feetor was -very

' great: Whereas in the
2d Phial, containing Gastric Juice,
there was not the fmallejl Fcetnr, and
the Whole was in a State of perfect

^ Solution, - 225

t A Note to advife the Reader of the Importance of this Ex-
X periment, 226

{The Stone Eater, - - . _ _ _ . {5^

{ The Manner of the Deception, - ib,

rThe Experiments made by Dr. Stevens with
j this Mari, which confirtn thofe of Spal-
lanzani above related, - _ - _ _ 227

{Dr. Steven’s Experiments on the relative
Digestibility of different Food.

VoL. ir.

1 ft. Experiment

CONTENTS.

PAGE

'ift. Ex'periment with a Dog who fwallowed
Spherules perforated throughout to admit
of the Gastric Fluid. After feven hours, *
The Beef had loft 10§ Grains,

The Mutton 6,

The Potato 5,

The Foivl 4,

The Parfnep 0, ----- 22y

Experiment with a Dog.

The Beef

And Bread were quite diflblved.

The Veal liad loft 10 Grains,

The Fat 8j, 228

Experiment.

Mutton quite dilTolved,

Lamb had loft 10 Grains, - - - - ib.

{The RELATIVE Digestibility of Food de-
termined by Experiments made with the
Gastric Juice of the - - - Jb.

{a Note to remove a - . - . . 229

r Of the Indigestibility of foine Subftances,

^ and the Beafon, - jb

{How this may be often obviated, - - - Jb.

r A Defeription and Explanation of the Prin-
^ ciple of Papin’s Digester, - - - _ jb.

CONTENTS,

PAGB

^The Experiments of Spallanzani, in which
■<v the Shms of Grapes, Currants, Cherries, &C.

were ’voided c7itire, ------- 230

r The Ecafon why Birds who pwallow Grain
•s have Gizzards, or triturating Sto-

MACHS, - -- -- -- -- - 231

{Fluids not to JD/^£/^/ow, - - - - ib.

^Nature provides an Acid in the Stomach of
\ young Animals to coagulate the Mi/h,

in order to^t it for Digejiion, ----- ib.

{ A Note to fhew the Method of making Milk fiit moft

Stomachs, - -- -- -- v---_ 2^1

|-The Lungs being deligned as the Organ to
' conder^e or combine the Vital Air (Oxy-
gen and Caloric) in the Blood, we are not
in cold Climates to oxygenate the Blood in
L the Stomach, - -- -- -- - ib

fThis rxmpJifed by the Efffct of Nlire, TKxter-mdon,

(. Lemonade, and Punch, on fome Statmuhs, - - _ -

rThe Necellity of Condiments when ufing
'■ ’weak and "watery Food, 232

{ A Note

to illuftrate the Evil ariling from pook Living,

232

e 2

Sect.

CONTENTS

Sect. X. Practical Observations.

PAGE

{A B.ecapitulation of the Doctrine refpe6ling

Temper aments, - - - - - - - - 233

1- Of the Food proper for Children.

f Of tlie jirjl Enjoyments of Infancy.

. \ - . 1ft. Its of Warmth.

2d. Smell, - - - - ib.

A Note to prove this lafi P<jiuon, and a very curious Ac-
^ count of the Inft’mcl of fomc Aniniais, which appears in
• ; them to arife in a great Meafure from the Senfe of

Smell, - ib.

3d. Its Senfe of Taste.

4th. Appetite of Hunger and Thirst.

Laftly, Its of Touch, - - - - 234

j Gratified with thefc Enjoyments the Infant
1 ftth an Attra3}o?i, which is Love, - - 234

r This repays the fond Mother for all her ten-
*- der Solicitucles and Care, - - _ _ _

f The Caufe of the frequent Deaths of In-
^ fants,

/-Nothing fo prepojierons as the Condua oi Mo-
s thers who leceve their Cluldren to tlie foie

Care of Hirelings, 235

r Some heautiful Lines on this Suhjea by Dr.

■ Darwin, jb.

The

CONTENTS.

PAGE

{The Babe fliould be fut to ijie Breaji as »
EARLY as poflible, 235

{An Ohjedion anfwered, ------ ib,

{a Note to confirm the ------ jb,

{The Effect of the first Milk on the Child, ib.

{On the Co/zr/^rf? of Nurses, - - - 237

J-The natural Pulfe at the different Periods of
I Life, - .w jb.

{Milk the oi^y proper Food for Infatits.

' Ift. As being Aliment, which has al-
■ f ready undergone the Procefs of Digef-

f tion by the Mother.

- - 2d. -As- containing little Stimulus, and '

therefore fuited to the Tempcranient of
Infancy, 133

r A Note to prove that Nature defigned Jnimal Food, of
< which Mill is confidered the mildeft Species, as the frji
L iwjor/ of Infancy, - jb

ift. From obferv'ing Hens, and other granivorous
Birds, hunt for little Infeas for their Neftiings.

2d. Becaufe by the Experiment of Reaumur it is
proved to be taper of Digeftion.

3d. Becaufc it is more eafly affimilated.

John Hunter difeovered in the Crops of both
the 7tiale and female Pigeon a Quantity of
Milk, which is fecreted in them only at
the Seafon they feed their Young, - - - jb.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

At ivhat Age the Breajl fhould be kept back
from the Infant, in order to give it other

Food, ' 238

{ Of the Kind of Food it fhouiJ Jirfl iah, ----- ib.

rThe Propriety of weaning the Child by de-
1 grecs, and accujomhig it to take Food, - ib.

c Bread recommended for the Child, as foon
^ as it fliews an Inclviation to chezv, - - 23g

{The Mistake of Parents, and the Caufe, - ib.

{The lejl Mode of correding this Error, - ib.

/-Animal Food fliould not be allozvcd before
< the Appearance of the Teeth, and the

Peafon, - - . ib.

pThe due Admixture of vegetable witli ani-
I MAL Food recommended, ----- 240
The Formation of the Teeth, and the Ex-
I PERiENCE of Ages, prove this to be the

C Foot/ moft to Health, - - -

{The Propnlies of the Gastric Juice are con-

formable to the Appearance oi lhe.Ts.-s.Tti, - - - - ib.

"Poverty, thoo^^ favourable to the Propagation o{ the
Species, is unfavourable to the Rearing of Children.

In theHiCHLANDS of Scotland it is not uncommon for
a Mother who has borne tveenty Children to have but
^ tveo alive, ij,^

{ Children fliould eat little and eften, - - - ib.

2. Oy

CONTENTS,

PAGE

2. Of the Food proper for Manhood.*

f The Reafon why we fliould not be too 7?i'mute
in our Dire6tions refpedting Food, - - 241

Our Food ought to be well chezued, ib.

2d. The Qluantity lliould be fuch, as
that we may rife from Table without
the Feel of being opprefled, - - - ib.

{ T’tok?2t Exertions after Dinner improper, - 242

r A Note to commlferate the Situation of «the Poor, and to
thew, from an Experiment made by the ProfefTor of
I Anatomy at Cambridge, that Rest conduces towards
Digejlion, whereas Exercife immediately on a Meal im-
^ ib.

3d. Of the proper Times for eating.

I. Of Breakfast.

f An Exa?nple of the Breakfasts of our An-
t ceftors, - - - 243

f This contrajicd with the modern Mode of
^ taking the - 244

/'The prefent Rare vindicated upon the Rrm-

< ciples of Rhilojophy, and Bohea Tea or
Coffee recommended,

/-The Difference betwixt Green and Bohea Tea fliewn

< to arife folely from the Difference in the Times of ga-

l. thering the Leaves,

Green

CONTENTS

PAGE

'Green Tea, which is the early Shoots of
the Tea-tree, a Stimulus too Jlrong for the
Morning, when the Irritability of the Fibre
has been accumulated by Sleep, and re-
commended only to cold and unirritable
Conflitutions, - - 244

{Crujiy, or toajled, Bread fliould be preferred
at Brealifufl.

1. As being eajicr adied upon by the
fohent Pozucr of the Gastric Fluid.

2, As carrying along with it a Quan-
tity of Saliva, - - - _ _ _

In a Note. Some Proofs of the fohent (ftaVtiy of Sa-
liva,

ib.

{

245

r Tea fliould have Sugar and Milk in it, and
f not be taken too hot, Jb.

f Where much Exercise is ufed a boiled foft
^ Egg or tim may not be improper, - - - ib,

2. Of Dinner.

The Dinner of our Ancejlors, - - - _ 246

Their Afternoon Repast, ----- ib.
-Their Supper and Evening Regale, - ■

f The modern Practice of late Dinners ap-
^ proved of, - -

r A Collation of cold Meat or Soup recom-
1 mended before Dinner, ------

ib.

CONTENTS

FAGS

^We ihould abide by this maxim, never to
< partake of more than one or two Things at
^ Table, ----- 24/

{The Valetudinary fliould prefer Mutton and

Beef to Lamby Chicken, or Veal, - - - ib.

fThc Reafon oi this Preference has been^ww in the
Seftion on the relative Dige/libility of different Food, and
prorvedhy the Balance of Sanctorius. When he
eat Pork, Goose, Duck, Mushrooms, or Me-
, LONS, Kis Perfptratlon'fitCi dtmni/hed one Half, - - ib.

^Fish and Meat are very properly taken at
< the fame Time, and to thefe we fhould al-
^ ways add Vegetables, ----- ib.

^Puddings and Pie-crust not approved of, - ib.

^In a Note, The Art of Cookery is likened to the Art of
j undermining z Town. Simplicity and Temperance
j recommended, and riic Folly and Criminality of sump-
V. Tuous Entertainments are _

248

Of Drinking after Meals.

rThe Story of a Foreigner, who was invited to
< dine with a Party of Philofophers, and the

refpedive Arguments they made ufeof, - ib,

{An EXCELLENT Saying relative to the (^uan-
_ tity of JVinc we ihould take after Dinner, 249

{The Liquor to be drank ihould be adapted to
THE State of the Fibre or Tempera-

ment, - 249

VoL. II. f A Caution

CONTENTS,

PAGB

J A refpeiling the Ufe of <S^:V;V«ew » - 249

r Hard Drinking rarely praftifed: but by fit-
's ting at the Xable after Dinner we in ge-
neral EXCEED in the (Quantity of Wine, - 250

■ rThe Pleafure of the Palate of very Jhort Du-
< ration: but the Difeafes the Confequence

of Inebriety are very durable, - - - . ib.

r Sivine fattened by the fprhuous Sedhnents of
^ Barrels have diseased Livers, - ib.

f The Effects of Inebriety, and the Alarm it
> ought to occqfion, ------- - 25 i

-The Story of Prometheus. The Fire ftolen'
from Heaven to enliven the Man of Clay,
is the inflammable Sprits j and the Punijli-
ment of thofe who fteal this accurfed Fire,
is well allegorized by a Vulture gnawing the

Of Supper.

A late_ Dinner precludes the Neceflity of a
hearty Supper, -

253

{

chceful Cup of Tea recommended in the
Evening,

ib.

3. Of

CONTENTS.

PAGE

3. Of Old Age.

/ The Food proper for old Age depends on the
“S Temperament (or State of Fibre) pccidiar

to this Period of Life, - -- -- -253

Sect. XL On Vital, or Oxygen, Air

ENTERING INTO THE COMPO-
SITION OF OUR Body.

-1

•A Newmarket Jockey was weighed at nine
o’clock, when his Weight was determined,
he drank half a Glafs of IVine, and was
found to weigh 30 additional Ounces when
’ he was weighed again at 10 o’Clock, - 254

\ Another Infance related of a fwiilar Nature, - ib.

, rThis increafe of Weight accounted for by the
-v increafed AttraWioji of the Blood for Vital
^ Air, - - - - 255

^The Absorbents of the Skin do not adt un-
< lefs Fri^ion be ufed, the Cuticle ferving as
^ a Covering to the Mouths of thefe Vtffels, - ib.

{This fan refpefting the Absorbents is afccrtained by

direS Experiments, - jj,

{Every medical Alan who poflefles a Bay of
true Science muft wilh to fee the pneuma-
tic Chemistry rendered ufeful to Afan-

t- Lnd, - 256

y An Extraa from a_ Letter written by Dr.

\ Eeddoes to Dr, Darwin, ----- £5^

2 'It

CONTENTS.

PAGJE

fit is impoffible, fays this Philofopher, now

J' to doubt, that we are nour'tjhed by the

Lungs as truly 2.9, by the Stomach; and
that what we take in at the former En-
trance becomes, like our Food, a Part of the
\ Subjiance of our Solids as well as our

t Fluids, - -- -- -- -- - 256

l~ In cautious and philofophic Hands this change

ly on all Parts nourijhed by the Flood, may

ib.

^The Effeds of Oxygen, or Vital, Air,
•< blended with Atmofpheric, on Dr. Bed-
DOES, as defcribed by himfelf.

1ft. He felt an agreeable Glow.

2d. A PECULIAR Lightness of the
Cheft, - -- -- -- --

3d. A GENIAL and extensive warmth.

4th. A GREATER Flow of SPIRITS than
ufual.

_ 5th. By degrees his Complexion from
an UNIFORM Brown became fairer,
and somewhat florid,

6th, His Fingers had a Carnation

Tint,

7th. His Lips aflumed a bright
Red,

257

May

CONTENTS.

PAGB

r May not t/ie Oxygen, or Vital, Air, by
I uniting ’with the Blood, and creating fuch a
j beautiful Colour to the Complexion, fuperfede
L in 'Time all other Cof/netics ? - - - ~ 2511

{The Effects arifing from Exerdfe are,

ift. An INCREASED QUANTITY of Vl-
TAL Air in the Blood.

2d. An accelerated Circulation, '

3d. An Increafe of Vital Heat.

4th. An improved Appetite, - - .

‘As tlie THREE LAST Effects are probably
dependant on the First, May not the In-
halation of a SUPER-OXYGENATED ATMO-
SPHERE f apply the JVant of Exercife to thofe
•who are incapable of the Fatigue it occa-
ftons? - - - c. ^ ^

Of Clothing.

Sect. Of the Clothing of Infants.

- f The Reafon why the Clothing of Infants is
^ generally improper, 258

rThe Babe newly born fliould be rubbed with
the warm Hand j a Belly-band of fleecy
ftioald be put on; ssndi the refl oi
its Garment Ihould be vjarm and loofe. It
fhould then be laid by the Side of the fond
mother, - - 25g

The

CONTIiNTS.

TASK

|Tlie baneful Effe^s of Pressure on Lifants, 260
Sect. XIII. Of the Clothing of Adults.

, ^The Clothing of Animals provident Nature

< \\^\X\ fuited to the Climate and Scafon of the

Year, 261

/-She is accufed by Pliny as having caft Man
Tiaked into this W^orld, and unpro'vided
againft the Inclcmcricy of the Weather, - 262

■{

ViXit Man is endowed with Reason, which
iliould teach him to accommodate himlelf to
tile Nature of his Situation, - - _ , ib.

r The Perverfon of this Faculty Jlie%vn in the
\ Fashions of Dress, ------ ib-

rS7fiaU Eyes and long Ears conftitute the Idea
■< of Beauty among the Tartars and the
^ Nations beyond the Indus, - - - . 263

(The Modes of wearing the Hair a>?iong

different Nations, -------- Jb.

/The Way by which the Tie-wig, the Emblem of pro-
L feflioiial Knowledge, came into dijujc, ----- 264

- r Large Eyes are efteemed in Greece and A-

^ RAEIA, - ib

rln America a Tribe of Indians flatten the
Forehead, and flic all the front Teeth to a

^ ib.

In Africa they flatten theA^^toaccom-

their Idea of Beauty, - - - _ _ 265

{

CONTENTS.

' PAG*

rh\ China the N^ai/s are fuffered to grow to
< an enonuous Lcngt/i, and the Feet are

cd into th.efmalltji Size poilible, - - 265

{This latter Cuftom has unfortunately reached
these Kingdoms j and^/z/^i Heels are
moreover added to the Shoes of the Ladies, ib.

I The Evils which arife from this Fajhion, - ib.

{TJie Alfurdity and Danger of Stays forth, 266

{a. very i:xamfU of THIS Truth, .... •,

jFrom the zinjettled State of the Weather in
■j! Engl AN p the Inhabitants are foihjea to
frequent Colds, -

^fFhcfe '^xo\Q fatal to thoufands every Year, - j

/ They may in a great Meafure Ic prevented by
the proper Conftderation of Clothing, - i]

/The Reafon why Women more frequently fall
F/67//ZZJ to Consumption than ilirzz, . _ 268

{’Warm Clothing recomyneridcd, - - . _ jjj

finftead of Linen next the Skin we fhould
^ wear the Fleecy Hosiery, - - . . 26g

{The Sujierion/y of the Fleecy Hosiery to Flannel, ib.

/Sir Benjamin Thomson’s Experience refpea-
*• ing Flannel,

The

CONTENTS

PAGE

{I'he Fleecy Hoftcry fhould be worn throughout

the Year, --------- - 2/0

ift. A.S being of a Quality umrrhating
to the Skin.

2d, As being a bad Condu6tor of Heat,
and therefore 'ivarm in Winter.

3d. As promoting tlie Perfpiration when
the Body is furcharged with Heat,
and therefore cool in Summer.

4th, As it abjorbs the aqueous Fluid dif-
charged from the Skin.

And laftly. As promoting good Humour, ib.

rThe Dutch, who clothe •well, and live in a
moiji and bad Air, are not fubjeft to Con-
^ fumytions, - -- -- -- -- - jb.

{Jonas Hanway, who was in a Decline, re-
covered his Health by going to Holland, - ib.

/-The TriBwe of the French Physicians oppofed to
I tJiat oi OUR Countrymen, and the Reafon we have
J to fiifpeft that the former are right in their Ideas with
^ regard to Confumption, - -- -- -- --

ib.

{Boeehaave’s favourite Receipt for Health, - 2^1

{On the Neccjfity of Perspiration, and the

Maraur of its Production, ----- ib.

{The Reafon why Fleecy Hosiery, which

is •warm in Winter, is cool in Summer, - 2/2

CONTENTS

PAGE

It is "ii-falfe Notion to fuppofe that Cold har-

dens Children, as it does Steel, - - - - 2/3

I 'They fhould be clothed fufficiently

ib.

WARM

III. Asa Proof of this, the Children in
our Climate are fuhjcdi to Tifeafes
_ and Dangers, to which they are not
liable in the ’ivarmcr Climate of Italy.

2d. jSfearly tTvo Thirds of the Poor, born
in THIS Island, ferijli in their In-
f^ncy, - - . ib.

3d. When pafled that Period, it appears
upon enquiry, that Confumptions are
not lefs frequent among the Poor than
the letter Order of People, - - _ 2/4

Fat People have lefs need of ’warm Clothing
than lean, ib

An Example of the benevolent Care of Providence to

the lonver Order of Animals in cold Climates, - - - _ Jb,

Old People ought rather to exceed than be

^ deficient in the Qluantity of their Clothing, - ib.

r A Perfon wearing llofiery next the Skin
1 may drefs above-for Ornament, - - - 275

On Cleanliness.

f If Cleanliness be proper for Health, it is

certainly more fo for the Sick, - - _ - 276

VoL, II.

The

CONTENTS

PAGE

{The Time for changing of Linen, and more

efpecially the fleecy Hoflery, - - - - 277

' Dr. Buchan’s Work cenfured, as the jufl Ap-
plication of Leiyiedies requires more Study
than the Headers he defigns his Work for
- are capable of, - - ib.

■Ja Note illuftrative of the ^Nature of Perspiration.
ill. It is 2 Paris Fixed Air.

2d. 1 Part Azotic Air.

3^" Water, impregnated with Sa-

line, and other Matters.

|-The Abjorbents of the Skin imbibe Oxygen,

•N or Vital, Aik, even feparating it from
atmofpheric Air.

J Does the fame Analogy hold with regard to
^ THE Lungs }

{This (fiuflion will be attempted to be anfwer-
ed b}-^ Experiments inftituted by Dr. Bed-
does and Dr. Thoknton, ----- ib.

Op Mental Stimuli,

Sect. XIV. Of Vision.

- Light is faid to be refraaed, when its Rays,
which would otherwife proceed in z.flraight
Line, are bent iwwards by pajflng through a
denfer Medium than Air, - - - - _

CONTENTS.

PAGB

r In relation to this Law, the lEiye confifts of
f three d'tflin^ Humours of different Henjities :

1ft. The AauEOus.

2d. The Chrystalune,

And 3d. The Vitrious, ------ 2/8

rOf the dark AIembrane which lines the
^ Eye, ----------- 279

r Of the Optic Nerve, and its oblique Tcrmi-
^ nation in the Brain, ------- ib.

{This is adduced as a fignal Injlance of the benejiceitt Inien~

*o« of our Divine Creator, - ib.

{Of the Pupil, - -- -- -- -- ib,

{Of the Iris orXJviA, and its Aaion, - - ib.

{The fibrous Texture of this Fart of the Eye demon-
Jiratedhy Dr. Haichton,

{Its Sympathy with the Optic Nerve.

Sympathy oi other Parts a\^o {hty/ny ----- ib.
{The SIX AIuscles of - . - _ _ 280

Defeription oi thefe, znA their Aaions, ----- ib.

/The Benevolence of the Creator with regard to Brutes
*" in giving them a feventh MnJ'ele, ------- ib.

{The Image of Ohjeds is painted on the Re-
tina and com>eyed to the Brain by the op-
tic Nerve, - -- -- -- --

2S1

CONTENTS,

PAGE

The l//ij>rrffion cannot arifc {rom Vibration,

^ or the Motion of an inert Fluid, - - 281

l~lt mull therelore from fome subtle
j' Agent, and the Injlaniayicoufncfs of the
'j Propagation of fc?ifthk ImpreJJions and muf-
! cular Motion indicates an Analogy between
^ THIS Fluid and the ELECTRIC Fluid, - ib.

p A Sixth Part of the Blood goes to tlie Brain
j OXYGENATED and rctums thence un-oxy-
I GENATED, and it is inferred that the Brain
j converts , the difengaged Caloric into the

282

{The Mind is featcdhi the Brain, - - - - ib.

{The BeflxStion which this Idea naturally fug-

Sect, XV. Of Hearing.

{The EXTERNAL EaR, -

283

rThe Canal or Passage leading to the intcr-
f 7ial Bar, -

/The Wax is deligned as a defence of this
^ Part, -

{At the Extremity of this Canal is a Mem-
brane dividing the external from the in-
ternal Ear, -

{The Strudure of the internal Ear.

J. The Tympanum or Drum, - -

ib.

From

CONTENTS.

PAGE

From this Part there is zxijopenmg called the

Eustachean Tube, - ----- 284

{its Office, - -- -- ib.

- This Tube is clofed, when we are in the aft of fwallowing,

by the Uvula, which alfo prevents the Food from
pafling into the Nofe.

^ Thz merciful JFifdom ol Providence is confpicuous in •
this Inftance, as Brutes, who are prone, and therefore
not fubjeft to have any of their Aliment pafs through

- the Nofe, want this Defence,

\W7thin the Tympanum or Drum there arc

2. Four small Bones.

{Thefe cotnmuTiicate with,

3. Three bony and winding Cavi-
ties, lined in the Inlide with,

4. Nervous Filaments, which unite
into a common Trunk, and go to the
Brain.

{The Tympanum and its four Bones fuppofed to

be the immediate Organs of hearing, - 285

r Thefe Parts, like the Humours of the Eye,

< only prepare the Obje6l for the immediate
^ Organ, - 286

rThe benevolent Intention of the Almighty thewn by the
.i' Difference in the Strufture of the Membranes of the
V. Drum m Birds Ajiimals, - -.....285

f This Membrane \yas removed from the Ears of a Dog, and
*- his Hearing was not in confequence defrayed, - - - ib.

CONTENTS.

PAGB

"As a Defc(^ in t/iis Part of the Ear may be
reafonably prefumed to be a Caufe of Peaf-
nefs, Cheselden propofed to extras it, for
the fame Reafon as the chryfialline Lens
when in a State of Difeafe is extruded
Sight is reftored.

{A Malefactor, who was deaf, receives his
Pardon on condition he fubmits to this
Operation.

-As foon as this was publicly known, this
EMINENT Anatomist is infultcd in the
Streets, and having entered the Theatre,
the Play is ftopt by the Cry of Drum!
Drum ! and he is conftrained by the public
- voice to give up the Experiment.

Such has eaier been the Treatment of Men, Tvho,
from Benevolence of Heart, and a philofophic
Conviction of Truth, attempt to mnovate, or
rather it Jhould be faid, to improve on the
Routine of Things, - - -- 2S6

■ The Ear has Water confined wdthin it,
which, as being a denfer Fluid than Air,
is better adapted to the Propagation of Vi-
• hrations, -

r A curious Dijirihution of the Nerves which oc-
^ caftans an ufcful Cotfetit of Parts, - - -

("Other Associations exifl; which cannot be referred to
the Ncr'ves, -

287

ib.

CONTENTS.

PAGB

{\\\ Animals hearing them of Dan-
gers, in Man it is an Inlet to a Variety of
Dleafures, - -- -- -- -- - 288

Of the young Man who was born cleaf and
recovered his Hearing when he was tiventy-
four Years old, and an Account of his State
of Mind during this Period, - - - - ib.

\A11 Natiom have their Mific, ----- 289

{ Loud Sounds powerfully operate on the Spirits, 2g0

Sect. XVI. Of the Touch.

rThe Surface of the Body the Seat of this

^ SENSE, - - - - - - 291

{The Skin is an Bmun^ory to fend out the ef-
fete Parts of the Blood, and is therefore
covered with innumerable Pores, - - ib.

{It is compofed of tvuo Parts,

id. The EXTERNAL Skin,

2d. The internal Skin.

Between theje is placed a mucous Sub-
\ STANCE called Rete Mucosum, (the Mu-
I cous Net),- being pierced throughout by
L NERVOUS PaPILLjE, - - - - - „ ]g2

j- Thh Subjlance gives colour to the Body, and forms the chief
b Cmtrfl betwixt blacl and ■wliite Men.

Dr.

)

CONTENTS.

PAGE

{Dr. Beddoes, by a chemical Procefs, converted the

Skin of a Negro into tuhite ; and it is faid that the Re-
verfe happened to a reverend Divine in France, - - 292

rTlie NERVOUS Papill.^ arife from the exter-
j nal Skin, and every "where pierce the viu-

coiis Suhjiance, - jlj,

‘ These Papilla, befides their Senfe of Pain,
poffefs the peculiar Power of conveying to
the Mind the Impreflion of Hardnefs and
Softnefs, - il),

j By the Touch we correa the Errors of
I Vifujn, - ib.

|This is ilkiftrated,

1 ft. By the IS'DJlakcs of Infants.

2d. By the firjl Aaions of the Boy who
was couched for Blindnefs at the Age
of Thirteen.

3d. By Ohjervations on Anhnals, - - 2^3

f Brutes are intelligent in proportion to the Ac-
^ curacy of their Feeling, jb,

/This Sense is the peculiar Amufement of
^ Infants, fb.

Sect. XVII. Of Pain.

/ Pains are exceedingly "various though clafled
^ under the fame general Head, - - - - 294

Sickness

■CONTENTS

PAGE

^Sickness arlfes not from' the Sthmilus of an Emetic, but
< from a SenfaUon in the Stomach, very diftinft from that
L of Pain, - - 294

' ^This DTvnJky in the Se/ifittions of Pain does not proceed
I from a .Change of StruHure in the Nerves ; but from the
I Difference of the OrganiTsafion of Parts through which
^ they Ihoot, and of the Stimuli appVied, - - - - -

29 s

{Pain", though a •violent Stimulus, may be mo-
derated by the Rejignation of tlu IJ-lll, - ib.

Sect. XVIII. Of the Sensation of Heat
AND Cold.

{

The Analogy that exifts betwfeen' Heat and
, the Electric Fluid, ------

The Necefjity of a due Degree of vital Heat
to the animal CEcommy, - - - - -

296

297

is conjediured that the Serife, of Touch arifes

< from a dijiindl Set of Nerves, as diftiiift as
^ the -Nerves of the other Senfes.

rlt is likewife conjectured that the Senfation of

< Heat is conveyed by a diJiinCl and appro-
priated Set of Nerves, ------ ib.

"A Note recommending this to the Confideration of Ana-
tomifts, and referring them to what was faid in Seiflion
< XXXI, ON THE Sentient Principle, •whenthe
Differences in Perception voere faid to arife noholly from
. Organisation, -----ib.

TIte

VoL. IT.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

i-The Teeth have the Perceptions of Heat and
< Cold, although they are the leaji adapted

for the Perceptions of Solidity and Figure, - 207

fAn Extract from a Letter of Dr. Darwin,
when a Student at Fdinhurgk, to his Father
Dr. Darwin pf Perly, in which he relates
an Experiment made by him and Dr.
Ewart, with a patient in the Hofpital, to
afeertain, ’whether the Nerves, when in-
fenfible to Pain, have the Perception of
L Heat, 2p8

A Note relative to this Experiment, ib,

Sect. XIX. Of Smelling.

{a Pefeription of the Organ of Smelling, - 2Qg
f Of the Secretion from the Nofe, and its Ufe

^ in Hunting Irritation, - - — - - » 2QQ

\Many Animals furpafs us in this Senfe, - « ib.

I A remarkallc Injiance of this, - - - _ _

{The CHIEF Office of Smelling, - - - . 300

f The Peftgn of this Senfe is per-verted by our
^ ]\'Iode of Erving,

- The benevolent Intention of the Creator
fhewn, in placing the Senfes of Seeing,
Smelling, and Tasting, fo contiguous to
each other, -

The

CONTENTS.

PAGE

/-The Smell in Animals is a violent Excite-

< ment to the Paffion of Love, and in us is

^ the Inlet of a Variety of Pleafures, - - 301

SECTi XX. Of Taste,

rThe Taste is a Compound of Senfation afle(St-
^ ing both the olfadory and gujlatory Nerves, 302

r This is irfanced by our Sivalloiving naufeous

< Medicines without hardly tajiing them, when
the Nofe is confined,

{The Papill-e of the Tongue, and their Ufc, - ib.

{The Manner in which the Saliva aflifts the

Senfe of Tafie, - - 303

/-Animals determine their Food by the Smell,
s and then the Tafie, and are led each to his

proper Nourijhmait by his Organs of Senfe, ib.

^The Relish for different Kinds of Food is
< adapted to the Tempekaments or States

of THE Fibre, - . 304

Sect. XXI. Of Imagination.

r The Senfes have their refpedhe Ohjeds which
^ qffed them at different Distances.

f The ivider the Sphere, the more capable is the
^ Senfe of making Comlinations.

Ii 2

Imagination

CONTtNTSr

PAGE

Imagination refults from the Cuhlvatmi of
tJie Senfes, which convey the Impreflion of
dijiant Obje^ls, as thoje of Seeing and
HearinGj --------- - 305

^Thc 7nore limited Senjes of Smell, Taste, and
Touch, form the chief Enjoyment of the
^ Scnfualiji, - -- -- -- -- - 306

^The Man of Imagination makes a great
< and an artificial Happinefs, by the Pleafure

oi altering civA combining, ----- ib,

^The Sensualist juft flops where he began,
and has only fucJi Pleafures as are made to
^ his Hand, - -- -- -- -- - ib.

Sect. XXII. On Anger.

A Anger, in its Operation on the animal CEco-
< nomy, is one of the Jlrongcfl of tlie mental
^ Stiiimli, - -- -- 20y

f This Stimulus is ufually too a^ive in its Opcra-
*- tion to be friendly to Health, - - - _

{When Revenge cannot be indulged the Coun-
tenance turns

r Rut ivhcre the Objed is perpetually calling for
J Refcntmcnt, and this PaJJion is not confumcd
j in violent Adion, it then gives Tone to the
L niufcular Fibre, -

307

ib.

A very

CONTENTS.

PACE

i A veiy Jinking l^xarn^le of this obferv'cd in
A the Buitlsh Fleet in the. Year " 307

C Alio in tlie American Army in the Year

1776, - - - - ' ■ ■ ■ '

■ On this lame Principle it is that Savages, to
fatiate their Revenge, bear, witii uncom-
mon Patience and without Injury, all the
- Severities of Cold and Hanger, - - - 310

Sect. XXIII. On Enthusiasm.

r Perfons of this Cajl of Mind are Itfs effeded
\ by a Deficiency of the other Sthuuli, than
j thofe vohofc Minds are Icfs forcibly prc-occu-

E filed, - -- -- -- -- -- ib.

Sect. XXIV. Of Love.

\This PaJJion\?,\\\%^wtxs:\?L mild Stimulus, - 311

^In its Vieffitudes and Extremes it may how-
< ever acquire the Impetuofity ot Anger, or
^ the Deprejfion of Grief ------ ib.

' ^ A of a true Lover, - - - - ib.

^The Effeds of an adverse Return in Ztove, ib.

Sect.' XXV. Of Social Affection.

{This is the mildefi and mofi agreeable of the

mental Stimuli, - - -- -- -- 312

CON Tf NTS

{

pag6

It gives %ejl to all the other Enjoyments of

Life, - - - - 312

A Tajfagc from Miltoxv’s Paradise Lost to
Ulujiratc Ms, -------- - ib»

Sect. XXVI. Of Virtue.

iV IRTUE a never failing Sosircc of Pliajure, - 313

{The good Man enjoys all the Scenery of Na-

•ture, - -- -- -- -- -- 314

{Is hayyy in Situations which a^J>al the Bad, - ib.

Sect. XXVIL Of Hope.

{Of the MIRACULOUS Cures wrought hyvifit-

ing the Tomb of the Abbe Paris, - - - 315

^The jefuits, with the Civil Power, endeavour
< to refute and dctc3 these miraculous
^ Cures, - -- -- -- -- - ib.

{ In a Note. An Account of thefe Cures in two Works, - ib.

{They were many of them proved immediately by TVitneJfes
before the BishoI’’s Court at Paris, in the Prcfencc
of Cardinal Noailles, - -- -- -- -

r His SucceJJor in the Archbilhopric was prefled by iveenty-
< two RcStors of Paris alfo to examine into them ; but he
C prudently forbore making the Enquiiy, ----- ib.

r One hundred and twenty JHitneJfes, moft of them Perfons of
Credit and Subftance in Paris, gave oath for one Md-
L Mc/e, the Cure of Madamoifelle Le Franc, » - - ib.

A folemn

CONTENTS

PAGE

{A filemn and tamejl Appeal was made to Parlia-
ment, --------T--- - 316

' >Monf. Her AULT, Lieutenant de Police, {xec^\tnX.\yfeiz£(l
I immediately and examined the Witnejfes and Suhjeils of
I thefc Miracles ; but never could reach any Thing fatif-
V faftory againji them, --------- - ib.

jThe Opinignof the D. Sylva, Phyfician, in the Cafe of
c Madamoifellc Thibaut, - - -- -- - - ib.

' ^The Due deCHATiLLON, a Perfon of the higheft Rank
I and Family, gives evidence of a Cure performed on a
J Servant of his, who had lived feveral Years in his Houfe

VI \t\\ a vl/lble dXii palpable Irjlrmity, ~ - - - - — jiy

{A Cure was alfo performed on the Niece of the famous

Pascal, ---------- -- - ib.

r This Cure is corroborated by the Evidence of a Multitude
J of Nuns, Priejls, Phyjiciam, and Nlen of the World, and
L all of them Perfons of undoubted Credit, - - - - ib,

rThe Queen-Regent France fent her own Phyfician
^ to examine into THIS supposed Miracle, andbe
L returns an abfolute Convert.

^Had all this been a Cheat, it had moll certainly, fays the
< celebrated Hiftorian Hume, been deteSied by fuch faga-
V- cious and powerful Antagonijls.

we credit ihefe Cures, we can with propriety
< attribute them only to the ponverful Influence
^ on “Cor human ¥r aim,- - - - ib.

(A flriliing Example of the Influence of the
Mind on Diforders of the Body exhibited at
the Siege of Bbeda, ------- ib.

The

CONTENTS

PAGE

.■Hht Dlflrefs was fo great from Uie Scurvy,

< that the Gurrifon had Intentions of Sur-
^ rentkr'mg that City, - -318

'To prevent iv/iich, the Prince of Orange
liad recoiirfe.to the Expedient of fending a
Medicine to the Army, faid to be of
great Price, three Props of which was to
impart a healing Virtue to a Gallon of Wa-
ter.

{ Each Phyjician was intruded w ith only three
- fniall Phials of tliis Medicine, - - - ib.

{E\^n the Commanders were not let into the
■ Secret of the Cheat Upon the Soldiers, - ib.

jrThe Effect of this PeJufion was truly ajlojiijli-

Iing j for Ma/y were quickly and perfedly re-
co'verecl. Such as had not moved their Limbs
j • for a Month before, were in a few Days
I feen walking the Streets with their Ltmbs
^ found, Jlraight, and - - - - - 319

{Even the Bclfy now of itfelf pcrfon/icd its Of-
fice, or at lead with fmall Afliftance of
Medicine,- ib.

rMan}', who had declared that they had been

I rendered zuorfe by all former Remedies, re-
<

^ covered in a few Days, to tlieir inexpredible
I Joy, and the no lefs general Surprife, by their

V- taking THEIR GRACIOUS Prince’s Cure, - ib.

CONTENTS.

PACK

{An important Obfervatmi ON this Subject

by the learned Dr. Lind, ----- 320

Sect. XXVIII. Of Fear.

The Attention of the Mind being occupied by
fome interejling Object, exciting Fear, has
remo’vcd many Diforders, ------

321

“ A Mother, who has feldom enjoyed a Day’s
Health, has been free from all Complaint
during the Illnefs of a favourite Child, and
- has relapfcd as foon as this has recovered, - ib.

{During the Troubles in Scotland, hyferical
and nervous Diforders univerfally difap-
pcared, ---------- - 323

{A very remarhahle Inftance of the Powers of
Mind in the Production and ^Removal of
Epilepsy,- - -- -- -- -- ib.

{Boerhaave’s judicious ConduCl, - - - - ib,

{An Infance of a Paroxyfm of Asthma re-
moved by a fudden Alar in, - - - - - 323

Sect. XXIX. Of Habit.

{A Propen fity to acquire Habits is a general

Law of the animal CEconomy, - - - 324

VoL. 11.

This

CONTENTS.

PAGE

This is illuftrated by the DilTerence in the
Scn’age, and the Man in ciinlizcd Life, who
is in tfie Habit of Eating and Sleeping
at a certain Hour, ------- 324

rThe fame holds with refpe.fl to Evacu-
t ATIONS, - -- -- -- -- - 325

' rFrom this Laiv, the Advantage produced by
Bark, Steel, &c. is kept up, for the in-
creafed Adion from thefe Remedies be-
j comes a Link in the Chain ot Action, and
when the Time returns for this increafed
additional 'Movement, though the impulfe
be difeontinued, the hlotion from Habit

- remains, - -- -- -- -- - 326

{This is illuftrated hj fever al "Examples, - - ib.

pBefides, during the Interval of increafed Ac-
] tion, THE Disease is oftentimes re77tcn>ed,
and when the Bark, &c. are left off, it
does not recur, — becaufe Health is the
- natural State of the animal CEconoiny, - ib.
/

{Associated Motions are of two Kinds,

1. Voluntarv,

2. Involuntary, ------- 327

{The Force oi Habit illuftrated in A?dmals,

1 ft. The Horfe has his accuJlo7ned Paces,

2d. He always knows his ivay ho7?ie, - ib.

All

CONTENTS.

PAGE

\All Animals have their Haunts, - - - - 328

/''Iheir firtl Obje6t is the Choice of Food, the
L Second a fafe Place to sleep in, - - - ib.,

/'When Animals pafs from their Place of re/l
•< • in learch of Food, the Choice of a Path
^ is the Refult of Habit, - ' _ ib.

r Hares, Sheep, Horfes, See. have each their
t Track, ----------- 329

a drunken Man fliould happen to pafs the
I Fir ft over a ploughed Field, it is oblerved
that his after Follcrwers each fall into the
I fame Track, and the Path is ever after
crooked, ib

rln large Companies, each Perfon at a public

< Table drops into the fame Seat he had oc-

cupied the Day before, ib.

/'In a Farmer’s Stable, his Horfes and Cows

< pertinacioufly-retain each one its peculiar

Place, ib.

In their Friendfhips Animals are governed by

I the Force of Habit, ib.

\A. {irMmg Example oi this, - - - - - 330
i 2 On

CONTFNTS.

PAGE

On this Principle Nature accommodates hcr-
felf to Difeafc, and even feels hurthencd
and oppre/Jcd when Diforders that have be-
come habituajl are removed, - - - - 330

pFrom the Poivcr of Habit (which depends
upon fuch nice Circumjlances, as to efcape,
as yet, the Ken of Pliilofophy), when one
Kind of Stimulus ceafcs to roufe the Fibre
into the necelfary Quantity of Action, it
is often fufficient to produce the detired
Effcft to change the Stimulus for another
apparently Jimilar in (Quantity and (Quality,

ib.

{This is agreeably illuftrated by Dr. Dar-
win, -----------

r Other Examples of the Effeds of a Succes-
^ SION of ----- 331 and

/The fame general Laxv applies in the Exhi-
^ EiTioVi o{ Medicine, - - v - _ -

ib.

332

333

An Exception to this influence of
Habit.

- When the firft ImpreJfuM, however, is "very
Jlrong, and the Fffed produced "very "vio-
lent, a Force inferior to the original one ■
will produce the fame Effed, - - - - ib.

\Examplcs to illuftrate this, ----- ib.

CONTENTS.

PACK

•< An Attempt towards an Explanation of this
^ p‘-'^ph'xing PJi<£riomc7io7i, ------ 334

]1E From the Chahi of associated Ac-
tions being hiierruptcd.

i' A Note would have been inferted here to refer the Reader
< to what was faid Page 325, Line 22, had this Page al-
^ lowed of it.

2d. From a Change wrought on the
Fibre.

I" The Reader alfo would have been requefted to reconfider
what was faid page 325, Line 8.

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It is truly mortifying to obfer%'e the Jlova progrefs of IMPROVEMENTS,
artd to hear the abfurd ohjeliions made to them, and that not unfrequently by
people of the beft fenfe and education. His late Majejly wilhed to have the ftrects
of London and Westminster paved in the prefent •way, but on advifing
with fome Scotch phyficians, they faid it would be very hurtful to the health
of his Majejiy’s good citizens of London, who had little time to fpare for the
taking of cxercife, and that the jolting of a coach for one mile over the ftones
did more fcrvice than the travelling of fevcral miles on a better road. His
Majejly had too great a regard for his people to countenance any thing that
would injure their health, and fo it was dropt. — However feveral Londoners,
who had been witnefs to the fuperiority of the ftrects in Edinburgh, were
refolved about thirty years back to make the trial; and, I am creditably in-
formed, that Yorh and Si. yames's were the firft ftreets that were paved in the
NEW WAY , and the mob were fo difpleafed, that what was laid down in the
day they pulled up in the night. Amongft other objections, they faid the
ftoncs were fo fmall they could not bear the weight of the carriages, and fo
fmooth the horfes could have no footing, and that trade would be ruined. It
was in vain to tell them, that the city of Edinburgh had been paved in that
manner near an hundred years back. The night-watchmen, however, being
increafed, and this trial fucceeding, it became univerfal, and many other cities
and towns adopted it, and I believe nothing now w’ould induce them to fub-
mit to have the ftrects paved in the OLD WAY. In Russia, prejudice is
fo ftrong, that, though large premiums have been offered to the carpenters,
4 the SAW has not as yet been able to be introduced! Donaldson. Cox.

PART III,

- THE

NATURE OF HEALTH

AND

THE LAWS

OF THE

FIBROUS SA^STEM.

An Extraft from Dr. Lettsom's Oration, when prefenting the Pr/zr Med^i
Adjudged to Dr. Fothercill of Bath,

FOR HIS

DISSERTATION

ON THE

EFFICACY OF VITAL AIR

IN THE

RESTORATION OF SUSPENDED ANIMATION.

Along ferics of years is often required for the admiffion of NEW TRUTHS.
It was thought audacity in M. Faoon to defend the Harveian D'lfcavery, near
forty years after the firft promulgation of it in England. So Columbus,
when he firft divulged his vaft projeft of doubling the globe, was infulted by
Incredulity; and, after he had added a new to old kemifphere, was
perfecuted by Envy. In like manner, when the northern Luminary, Lin-
NJEUs, created a neto fyftem of vegetable nature, he found on every fide de~
termined aJfailanU-, but, fortified by the energies of his capacious mind, he
gave this reply,

POSTERITY WILL DECIDE;”

and, pointing to fome academic cliildren at play— Thefe^' added he, “ n'lll
become our Judges.”

Matter 'preliminary to the Explanation of the Firji Lazv
of the Nervous and Fibrous Syjlems,

THE

PROGRESS OF MEDICINE.

If I had forefeen all the weight of oppofithn that has arlfen againft me, I
Would have left to others the purfuit of an empty fhadow — but the reflec-
tion of being of fcrvice to my fellow creatures affords a return for the in-
quietudes ever attendant upon literary exertions." Vide Sir Isaac New-
ton’s Letter to Dr. Bentley.

As long as Philosophy was built, not upon the fub-
ftantial bafis of adual experiment, but imagined proper-
ties, which were alTumed as data, it was putting on new
forms almoft every day ; for one fanciful opinion had al-
ways a right to fupplant another. Hence the bed: phi-
losopher in thofe days was him who could reafon moft
ingenioufly on occult qualities, either invented by him-
felf, or by fome favourite writer.

Lord Chancellor Bacon was the firfl: who difeovered
the fallacy of this fort of philofophy. He rejected all
that chimerical nonfenfe, which had ufurped the name

* A

• •

of phllofophy, atid wifely exclaimed — “ Non fingcndum,
“ aut excogitandum, quid Natura feret et faciat, fed in-
“ veniendum eft.” That the operations of nature was
not be fancied, hut diligently fcrutinized. Hence, irr
lefs than the fpace of a century, the principle of phl-
lofophizing being altered, more light was thrown upon
every branch of fcience, than it had received for above
two thoufand years before.

The difeovery of the drailation of the blood hrft
immortali2£d the name of Harvey. It may appear
wonderful, and at the fame time not a little morti-
fying to the vanity of mankind, that a motion in the
frame, which conftitutes the bafts of life, and which
chance muft have made us fenftble of a thoufand times,
ihould have efcaped the eyes of all who imagined them-
lelves to be obfervers, and fome of whom were actually
fuch. When the docSlrine of the circulation of the blood
could no longer be refilled, various unfuccefsful attempts
■ were then made to prove that it w'as known long be-
fore, fo was it with Columbus who difeovered a new

world, which occaftoned him to make this ftmple pro-
pofal to his oppofers, namely, “ to place an egg upright J”
All attempted, but in vain. This illuftrious navigator
then hlmfclf broke the end, and “ the egg food up:'’
%

“ The

lil

■“ things* fays he, “ Is very cajy when known,^
and ENVY itfelf was abaflied. Thus attra6tion, the
weight, and elafticity of the air, fliewed themfelves to
the fenfes every day ; but it required a Torricelli and
a Newton to illuftrate them.

The difcovery of the next importance is h rltablUty^ a
property effential to all animals, likewife to alEplants, and
which henceforth will juftly be ranked amongfl; the prin-
cipal qualities of all organized animated beings. This
difcovery confirms the more honour on !Paron de Hal-
ler, as it was made in an enlightened period, and
upon a fubjedt fo much fearched after as the human
body. This difcovery alfo, like the other, met at firft
with violent oppofition, and from fimilar motives : in-
dolence, to avoid the trouble of an examination ;
VANITY, to fhun the imputation of ignorance; and
ENVY, to deprive the difeoverer of his praife. Hence
its exiftence was firft flatly denied ; and after it was
confirmed by the ftrongeft faifts, fo that it was im-
poflible for the moft ftubborn prepoflefiion to chal-
lenge the truth of it, the merit of the difcovery was
then attempted to be wrefied from the author.

In like manner the fcience of chemijlry\\3& had its revo-
lutions, and one error fucceeded to another until La-

A 21 VOISI^R

voisiER eflabliflied a fyflem, which being founded
upon truth is eternal.

Upon the broad bails of the dlfcovcry of Haller’*^,
and the new chemijiry of Lavoisier, — Dr. Beddoes,
— Dr. Darwin, — and the Rev. Mr. Townsend f,
have raifed a new and beautiful fuperjiru£iure^ fuch as we
ihall endeavour to deferibe in this work, and it is hoped
that foon, inflead of a proverbial dijagreement, the fame
confent among praftitioners will be eflablillred as at pre-.
fent exifts among ajironomers and chemtjls.

But to return to the obje£l of this work

DEF. I.

Baron de Haller calls that a SENSIBLE PART
of the human body, which, upon being hurt tranfmits
the impreffion to the foul ; or which, in other words,
occafions evident figns of pain and difejuiet in the
animal.

* Dr. Bkown appears by his writings to have been the firft who formed
a fyfttmof Phyfic on the irril.ibiliiy of the Fibre; this fyftcm, vulgerly called
the Brunonian System, as improved by the new discoveries
IN CHEMISTRY, IS the objcdl of tlie prefent work.

f It is to the writings of thefc gentlemen that the Author of Medical
Extracts owes his chief obligations. Other works, however, have been
confulted, and In the illuftration of this new Syjiem, it is attempted, as much
a? polTiblc, to obta n the voice of every one,

Delectando pariterque monendo.

Hor,

DEF.

DEF. II.

On the contrary, he calls that INSENSIBLE,
which being burnt, tore, pricked, or cut till it is
quite deftroyed, occalions no fign of pain or con-
vulfion, nor any fort of change in the fituation of
the body :

DEF. III.

And he calls that an IRRITABLE PART,
which becomes flaorter upon being touched ; very ir-
ritable if it contracSIs upon a flight touch, and the *
contrary, if by a violent touch it contrads but little.

We have therefore a threefold divljhn of the human
body into PARTS,

1. SENSIBLE ;

2. INSENSIBLE; and

3. IRRITABLE.

Fables

Fables relate that Venus was wedded to Vulcan, the Goddefs of l>caut7
to the God of deformity. 1 he tale, as fome explain it, gives a double rcpre-
fcntationof art; Vulcan ftiewing us the progr^ffiom of art, and Venus the
eompletion. Tht progrej^ons, fuch as the hewing of ftonc, the grinding of co-
lours, the fufion of metals, thefe all of them are laborious, and many times
difguftful : the completions, fuch as the temple, the palace, the pidlure, the
iiatuc, thefe all of them are beauties, and juftly call for admiration. Now if
Anatomy and Fhyfidogy be arts not ending in themfclves, but have a view to
fomething farther, they mull neceflarily be arts of ihc. progrej/ive charafter. If
then, in treating on them, the fubjedl Ihould appear dry rather than elegant,
fevere rather than pleafmg, let it plead, by way of defence, that, though its
importance may be great, it partakes from its very nature, which cannot be
changed, more of the deformed God, than of the beautiful Goddefs.

Harris.

THE APOLOGY.

It Is with fome reluctance that I prefent to the hu-
mane Reader this ufeful detail of experiments on animals, -
though I think a better apology may be given for thefe,
than for the diverjiom of hunting, fifhing, and fhooting,
which are univerfally tolerated in civilized focieties ^
and, perhaps, the compaflionate Reader, like thofe who
do not object to the enjoyment of the fruits of thefe fports
and paftimes, as they are improperly called, fo may he
perufe with fome pleafure the conclufions drawn from
the fufFerings of nature, infliCted by man on animals,
from the more exalted motive of ■philanthrophy.

Irritauility is one of thofe grand truths which is undeniably de-
monltrated ; and Fofieritj, which alone ftamps the merit of difeoverics, by
nbJiraBing of perfons, will promote this difeovery to that rank, which its WSE-
FULNESS intitles it to. She will laugh when Ihe obferves, that after its op-
pofers had failed in perfuading us there was no fuch things they ihould endeavour
to render the doftrine odious, by the confequence which they pretend naturally
follows from it. She will be diverted to fee Phyficians following the example
of religious Seftarics and Devotees, interefting the caufe of GOD with theirs,
and accufing of materialism, fuch as differ from them in opinion as to the
pulfations of the Heart, and motion of the other organs. A certain author,
well known for the greatnefs of his talents, and the bad ufc which he made of
them, has endeavoured to draw this indu^ion ; but the illuftrious De Haller,
who was ferioufly affefted at the imputation, has ably refuted the futility of
fuch impious and abfurd rcafoning.

Tissot.

I. OF IRRITABLE PARTS*

It Is obfervable, that the motion of the HEART * Tht Heart,
hot only furvives that of the organs of voluntary mo-
tion, but continues a conflderable time even after it
is feparated from the body. Nay, after it has even
ceafed to palpitate, yet as it ftill retains a latent power
of contradlion, its fyftolc and diaftole may, by the
application of flimuli, be alternately renewed and
continued fome time longer. Hence in drowning or
fulFocation, though the pulfe be imperceptible, and
life apparently extinguilhed, yet the heart ftill pre-
ferves this latent power or fufceptibillty of motion ; .
for though unable to propel the blood through the
vafcular fyftcm, yet it wants only to be gently excited
by fuitable ftimuli to renew its adlion.

* Vide Numbers I. and II. of the Plates of the Heart ; of the na-
tural Size, to fliew the Circulation and the EfFeifl of Vital Air on the
Blood. Printed for Johnfon, St. Paul’s Church-yard ; and Robinfons,
Patemofter-Row. Price 7 r. 6</.

Plates alfo of all the internal vifeera of the human body, of the na-
tural fize, will be printed in colours, to illuftrate this work, if the public,
anxious to know of what parts they are compofed, give this undertaking
(a fpecimen of which has been already exhibited) the encouragement which
it feems to merit.

* B

Tn the firft; rudiments of animal life, even before
the brain is formed, the punctum saliens points
out the embrio heart in miniature, and marks its
primaval irritability as a fure prefage of vitality.

The heart of tlie chick begins to move, before we
dare prefume, that there is any organ for diftributing
the nervous power. The punctum saliens, is the
heart of the chick ; it is feen beating while the body
of the chick is but a rude, unformed, and gelatinous
mafs.

As this lingular organ exhibits irritability the firft,
fo it never relinquilhes it till the laft, and may there-
fore be confidered as the primum mobile and ui -
TiMUM MORiENs of the animal machine.

In animals with cold blood * the irritability is very

It is pleafing, fays Dr. Thornton, in his communication to Dr.
Beddoes, to obferve, that in the animated world, where the Jlimttlus in
the blood great, the irritability of the contra£tile fibre is /^ ; or
in other words, that the irritability of the contradtile fibre is in
exaft unifon with the quantity of oxygenated blood. Hence the reafon of
the long life of the heart of fiihes, as it is called, and of all that clals of
animals, whofe blood is but little oxygenated or cold, and why thefe feem
fo very tettacious of life. Vide the Supplement to Dr. Beddoes’s Obferva-
tiom on the Nature and Cure of Confiimption, Fever, tcc.

Does not this obfervation confirm the dodirinc fupported in this work,
that the irritable principle is neither oxygen nor caloric,
however it may beincrcafed by thefe principles f Vide Vol. III. On Oxy-
gen its the Principle of Irritability,

great,

great, and continues a long while. The heart of a
Viper will palpitate when taken from its body twenty-
four hours, and that of a turtle thirty or longer; and
in animals whofe blood is hot, it moves until the fat
is rendered iViff by the cold, at which time the mo-
tions of the heart and all the other mufcles commonly
ceafe.

The celebrated Boerhaave acknowledges an ac-
tive force in the heart, and a latent principle of mo-
tion m the pieces of it when cut, but he neverthelefs
attributes this to the nerves, though the communica-
tion with the brain has been cut off! Dr. Whytt
follows the fame path, but with this difference of ex-
preffion, he ufes the term irritability, and imputes it
to the foul, which feeling the impreffion of the z;r/-
tatlon occafions the contradion of the fibre, the foul
therefore with him is devijlble, and refides in every
living part of the body 1 Accordingly we find alfo, in
other books, “ All motion is owing to the foul, which
being fenfible of flimuli contrads the fibres which are
touched, and pulls them back, to prevent their being
injured

However fimple this theory may be; and like the
doctrine of I^hlog^on among the che miffs, however

^ This is the Hs Medicatrix of Cullex and the old Phyficians.

VoL. If. 2 commodious

xii

commodious foi dirembarraffing us from feveral dlfficuif
ties, yet as it is not in unifon with the phaenomena,
that are obferved, it mull: be rejedled.

1. For, in the first place, the rao^ irritable i

parts are thofe that are leaji JenJible^ and therefore ’

not fubjedl to the command of the foul, which ought r
to be quite the reverfe, if tlic foul was the principle

of irritability..

2. In the SECOND place, irritability continues ^
after death, and in parts quite feparated from the
body, and deprived of its communication with the
htain * , for there is notliing more common than to

fee the heart of a frog beat, and the mufcles remain
irritable, after the head has been taken off, and the
fpinal marrow removed.

3. And THIRDLY, it is generally allowed, that
the nerves arc the organs and the brain the receptacle
of all our fenfations, the fources of all our ideas ; but
the nerves and the brain, as will be prefently fliewn^

* The heart is obferved before the brain in the embr'o chick, and is
fuppofed therefore to adt independent of brain Some children have grown
their full period in the womb, where there has been found after birth no
brain. Might not ikritaiulity during the foetal period ferve all the
purrofes of this •vegetative life f but as foon as the infant is brought into
the world, where voluntary mot'on and fenfation is required, a (late act~
vanced above the vegetable, the babe •without a brain inflantly perilhes.

<?re

Xlll

ere not irritable, therefore irritability has no-
thing IN COMMON WITH SENSATION *.

MUSCLES are compefed of longitudinal fibres ThtMuJelet.
which fliorten themfelves, and are fo difpofed that
this contradlion always ferves fome wife purpofe.

They elegantly terminate in tendons, which are
braced by Iheathes, and though fo numerous, each
occupies its proper place and jufl diredion.

Colour was believed to be eflential to the conftitu-
tion of a Muscle. But in fowls, in amphibious ani-
mals, in fiflies, in worms and infeds, through all the
gradations of animals, of different fpecies or different

fizes, the colours of the mufcular fibre change. In

« °

fifhes, and in infeds, it is generally white ; even in
the human body, it is not effentially red ; the fibres of
the iris, and the mufcular coats of the arteries, the
mufclesof the ftomach, of the inteftines, and of the uri-
tiary bladder, are colourlefs. We cannot therefore de-

* The heart is divided into two auricles and two ventricles.

The AURICLES communicate with their correfponding ventricles,
and have valves to guard this palfage. The valves on the right fiJe
are called tricufpides, on the left miiraUs These prevent the recur-
rence of the blood into the auricles. The AURiCLrS and' ven-
TRici.ES may be faid to be hollow raufcles, or rathei may be compared
to two hollow cavities on each fide formed of one mufcle, and the left ca-
vities or mufcle are more abundantly furnilhed with fibres, bccaufe a
greater forpe is required to propel the blood through the body than the
Logs.

■f

xiv

fine a ihufclc by that property which it dften wants ;
but vve may, with the utmoll propriety charadlerize it
by its CONTRACTILE POWER, the only true evidence
of its nature ; for the contra£lion of the iris proves it
to be a mufcle by truer marks than its colour; and by
the fame rule the mufcles of a filh, or of the meaneft
infect, are as perfe£t as thofe of man.

Such is the connection betwixt mufcles and their
contratlile force, or PRINCIPLE of IRRITABI-
LITY, that the moment it dies, all its aflonifhing
power is gone : and the mufcle which could lift a
hundred pounds while alive, can bear the weight
but of a few pounds when dead. Whereas, on the
contrary, all thofe parts that are Trritable, as the
ligaments, tendons, &:c are capable of bearing the
fame weight when dead as when alive.

This IRRITABLE, Or COVTRACTILE POWER, III
mufcles, is that property by which mufcles recede
from certain ftimuli, without any feeling, without
creating any confeioufnefs of aClion, and fo little de-
pendant is it upon nerves, that it is found equally
perfeCl in animals * and plants wliich have no nerves,
and remains in parts fevered from the body to which

* The polypus, according to John Hunter, is devoid of nerves.

thev

they belong. This irritability is fo far inde-
pendent of nerves, and fo little conneaed with feel-
ing, which is the province of the nerves, that upon
ftimulating any mufcle by touching it with a cauftic,
or irritating it with a lharp point, or driving the elec-
tric {park through it, the mufcle inftantly contraas;
although the nerve of that mufcle be tied ; although
the nerve be cut fo as to feparate the mufcle entirely
from all conneaion with the fyftem ; although the
mufcle itfelf be feparated from the body'; although
the creature upon which it be performed, may
have loft all fenfe of feeling, and have been long to all
appearance dead, Thtrs a 'muscle cut from the
limb, trembles and palpitates long after ; the heart-,
feparated 'from the body, contraas when irritated;
the BOWELS, when torn from the body, continue
their periftaltic motion, fo as to roll upon the table,
ceafmg to anfw'a to ftimuli only when they them-
felves become aaually dead. Even in vegetables, as
in the fenfitive plant, this contraaile power lives. It
is by this irritable principle, that a cut mus-
cle contraas and leaves a gap ; that a cut artery
(brinks and retires into the flefti. Even when the
body is dead to all appearance, and the nervous power

gone.

XVI

gone, this contradile power remains ; fo that if a
body be placed in certain attitudes, before It be cold,
its MUSCLES will contract, and it will be ftiffened in
that pofture till the organization yields, and begins
to be diflblved. Hence comes the diftindtion be-
twixt the IRRITABILITV of the mufcles and the
SENSIBILITY of nerves ; for the irritability of
mufcles furvives the animal,— as when it is adlive af»
ter death ; — furvives the life of the part, or the feel-
ing of the whole fyrtem, as in palfy, where the vital
motions continue entire and perfedl ; — and where the
mufcles, though not obedient to the will, are fubjedl
to irregular and violent aftion ; — and it furvives the
conneaion with the reft of the fyftem, as where
animals very tenacious of life are cut into pieces :
whereas sensibility, the property of the nerves,
gives the various modifications of fenfe, as vifion,
hearing, and the reft ; gives alfo the general fenfe of
pleafure or pain ; and thus the eye feels, and the Ikin
feels ; but their appointed ftimuli produce no motions
in thefe parts ; they are fenftble but not irritable. The
HEART, the INTESTINES, and all the muscles of
voluntary motion, anfwer to ftimuli with a quick and
forcible contradion ; and yet they hardly feel the fti-
muli

xvii

muli by which thefe cpntracHons are prodacecl, or at
leaft they do uot convey that feeling* to the brain.-
There is no confeioufnefs of prefent ftiinuhis in thofe
parts wliich are called into action by the impulfe of
the nerves, and at the command of the will : fo tliat
Muscular parts have all the irritability of the fyf-
tem, with but little feelings and that little owing to
the nerves vvhiclr enter their fubflance; while
NERVES have all the fenjibility of the fyftem, but no
motion.

The nervous influence is a mere ftimulus to the
voluntary mufcles, as blood is to the heart and arte-
ries ; food to the ftomach ; or bile to the inteftines.
It lofes its influence over the fyftem fooner, than the
irritable principle in the fibre fails : for the irritable
ftate of the mufcle continues long after the voluntary
motion, or power of excitement from the nerves, is
gone : for when we die Jlovjly^ the irritable principle
of the mufcles is exhaufted in the flruggles of death.
If, while in perfedl health, we are killed by a ftidden
bloWi the irritable power of the mufcles furvives the
nervous fyftem many hours or days, and the flelh

♦ The caufc of this curious phxnomenon we ihall particularly explain,
•when wc edme to treat of GANGLIONS. Vide Vol, IV. Introduflion.

* C ti'embles,

XVlil

ffcmbles, and the abfovbents continue to abforb ^ ;
and often, as after fuffocation, or drowning, we can,
by operating upon this poor remains of life, reflore
the circulation, re-animate the nervous fyftem, and
recover that life, wliich feemed to have entirely left
the body f ; and thus the nervous influence, which
feemed to animate the fylleni, and to be the prime
mover and fource of life, owes its reftoration to that,
which was conceived to be but a fecondary power.

There are fome mufclcs which have a Jironger con-'
tracing force than others, and retain it a longer time
after the animal is dead. The chief of thefe is the
DIAPHRAGM which I have always obferved to

move

* Vide Vol. I. Sea. XI. p. 109.

*f- Vide Vol. IV. Sea. XLVll. p. 557* O'* M<kie of recovering
drowned Perfons.

% The ftudy of anatomy, as it leads to the knowledge of NA-
TURE, needs not, fays the illuftrious Cheseldf.n, many tedious de-
feriptions, nor minute diiTcaions ; what is moft worth knowing is foonell
learned, and leaft fubjea to difficulties, while dividing and deferibing the
parts, more than the knowledge of their ufes requires, perplexes the learn-
er, and makes the fciencc tedious, dry, and difficult.

Upon this principle all the anatomical deferiptions interfperfed in this
work will be conduaed.

The DIAPHRAGM, or midriff, is a large broad mufcle, that divides the
thorax from the abdomen. In its natural ftate it is concave or vaulted above

the

xix

ftiove a long while after tlie other, when the animal
was dead, or at leaft, by irritating tlie phrenic nerve
which goes to that mufcle, itoould be renewed. I have
feen it, fays Baron de Haller, irritable and tremble
an hour or more after death, when the motion of the
inteftines had entirely ceafed, and many others have
witnefled the fame along with me.

Tlie CESOPHAGUS when irritated, contrafl^ m afipha.

itfelf

the abdominal vifcera, and convex towards the thoracic. It is called, by
Halle'r, “ Nobiliffimus poji cor mufculus,” and, like it, is in conftant
aiflion. At the fame time of infpiration, it is then a plane, and its mo-
tions are in general one fourth lefs than the heart. Befides being a mulcle
of infpiration ; it affifts in vomiting, and the cxpulfion of fordes j and it
marks our paflions by its irregular aftion, as fighing, yawning, coughing,
laughing. It is afFcded by fpafms, as in hiccup, lock-jaw, ficc. It is
both a mufcle of voluntary and involuntary action, and the caufe of its
involuaiary aaion, and its general fympathy with all the violent motions of
tlie body, deferves a fuller attention of the philofophjc anatoniift than has
been hitherto bellowed upon it. Some rtrong chara<£ters of fpccial con-
trivance we cannot fail to obferve here,

ift. The diaphragm feparates pofteriorly into /wo Jlips, betwixt which
the AORTA DESCENDENS paflcS.

ad. A little above this, and to the left fide, in the moft flcfhy part of
the diaphragm, there is a direa opening for the palfage of the ceso-
PHAOUs, or gullet.

3d. There is alfo on the right fide of the diaphragm a large triangular
hole for the palfage of the vena cava ascendens.

* The CESOPHAGUS, or gullet, is compofed both of longiUidi-

a ■

jtfelf very fenfibly, and I have plainly ften its
perillaltic motion after death, fo that a morfel thriift
infta th-e oefophagus will be pufiied upwards and
downwards by the periftaltic motion excited by that
flimulus.

TkStoma'h. The STOMACH* is confiderably hr'itahle^ and
when touched with a corrofive, becomes immediately
furrowed. If you irritate it with a knife, either at
the pylorus, or elfewhere, it prefently contra£ls itfelf ;
and when wounded the borders of the W'ound rctradi.
You may fee the motions of the Jlomach through the
tendinous part of the diaphragm after it has been

Mn', and circular jihrs%, but chiefly circular, abundantly more fo than in
the inreltines ; becaufe this has no foreign power to aflift it, and bccaufe it
is neceffiiry the food fhould make a fhortcr flay here than there. Hence it
is that horfes drink againft the law of gravity. The inner furface is a
Imooth membrane, abundantly fupplied with mucilages, to flieath this or-
gan, and render the pnflage of the aliment eafy.

* The stomach is fituated on the Irfijtdr below the Ihort ribs. The
right fide of the ftomach is covered by the thin edge of the left lobe of the
liver-, the left preffes on the Jplee*. Its figure nearly refembles the pouch
of a bag-pipe, its upper JiJe being concave, and the Ivwer convcjt, and its
left end nrtoft capacious. The entrance into the orjifluigus on the left fide
is called the cardia ; on the right, where the chyme pafles into the Ju-
edemun, is named pylorus, where there is a circular valve,
or fphtnSler nuifcle, which hinders a rcguj^itation of the aliment. The
ftomach has circular and longitudinal jibres, and its inner membrane is be-
£ie\ycd with a ftrong and vifeid mucus.

laid

xxi

laid bare, as alfo fliining through the PERITONAEUM
while the abdomen is entire. We therefore cannot
doubt an inftant of this organ being irritable.

The INTESTINES both large and fmalU lire Thelnteftinn
extremely irritable. When the intefline is only

nightly

* The INTESTINAL CANAL Is ufually five times the length of the
individual. It is curioufly convoluted in the abdomen. This fpace ana-
tomies have thought fit to divide into 6 portions.

Jib. The DUODENUM, becaufe it is commonly reckoned in adults to
be la inches long — At a fmali diflance from where the ftomach
joins it, the common gall dudl and the pancreatic dud open into
it; from the one it receives the bilcy and from the other the/ua-
creatic juice.

ad. The jejunum, from its being in general found empty, on ac-
count of the fluidity of the chyme, the ftimulus of this, and the
bile, and the prodigious number of ladteals.

3d. The ILEUM, becaufe of its fituation near the pelvis, where the
bones projedting like the wings of a phaeton arc called

4th. The COLON, which takes an arched direftion.

^th. The c^cuM, or blind gut, a pouch, as it were, of the colon,
•ibout 3 inches long, and called blind, from its being out of the
diredlion of the paflage of the food. Its diameter is twice as
large as that of the other inteftincs. It has an appendix, called
VERMIFORM, whofe ufe is not well afeertained, which floats
loofe in the abdomen, and in the mackerel there may be feen
above 1 50 of them.

6th. The rectum, ox Jiralght gut, is the laft, and at its termina-
tion is furrounded by circular mufcular fibres, called the sphinc-
ter ANI.

The

XXll

fiightly cut, the wound equally retrafjs its edges;
but if cut quite through, thefe cw/ themfelves hack,
fo as to embrace the parts above, or in other words,
they turn infide out. When a part of the inteftine
only is Irritated, it contradls fo ftrongly there, that
the cavity is quite clofed, and the contents are pufhed
into the neighbouring parts, either upwards or down-
wards, which dilate, and foon afterwards, being ir-
ritated by thefe contents, they contra.dl, and pufli

The /Aree fiift are terined the small guts, the ///fee laft tho
GREAT. In the final! guts, as is obferved Vol. 11. page 216, there are
unmerous plaits to detain the food, and allow a wider furface for its
ahforption. Thefe are larger, and far more numerous near the Aomacb,
where the food is thinner, than they are towards the colon. At the
entrance of the ilnm into the colon, there are two very large valves,
which prevent the regrefs of the faeces into the ileum. The cacum and
cJon, bchdes having flronger mufcular coats than the fmall inteftines,
are furnifhed with three ligamentous bands, running lengthwife on
their outfide, dividing , their furfice into three portions nearly equal.
I hough thefe appear like ligaments externally, they are made up in their
inner ftrudlure of true mufcular fibres. The ligament-like b.nnds, which
in the caecum and colon are colledlcd into three portions, are fpread equally
ever the furface of the reaum ; a wife precaution of nature, that no part
of it may be weaker tlian another, lert it fhquld give way in the efforts of
egeftion. Thc^plaits. are confiderably fewer in the great guts. They have
«//an INNER MEMBRANE, ftuddcd with an infinite number of arteries
or glands, which pour out a lubricating fluid. They have mufcular fibres
both circular and longitudinal.

XXlll

along whatever is contained. Very often, after the
motions of the inteftines have ceafed, they are re-
newed again, and increafed by little and little, by
fome obfcure caufe which reftores their irritability.
After they have been taken out of the bodv, I have
obferred, continues Baron de Haller, this motion
rather to increafe, Tliey may be irritated externally
either with a knife, a needle, alcohol, or corrolives,
but their internal furface is much more irritable.

The GALL-DUCT *, and the other excretory
duHsy are inirritablc ; that is, ftimuli produce no mo-
tion in them.

The ARTERIES have been always fuppofed to be
irritable. This idea is countenanced, first, by feeing
that the filk-worm has no heart, but only a large ar-
tery, which performs the office of a heart. Second-
ly, by the blood after death being expelled, whence
thefe derive their name f ; and lastly, by the mo-
tion of the fluids continuing, as may be feen in a mi-

* Or coMMo:r duct of the/?Trr and gall-hladder, which enters the
duodenum oppofite ilie pancreatic duSl, Vide note *, page xxi.

•f- Arteries, from at^, air; znd rfax, to draw. Vide Note
Vol. I. page 109.

T/ie DuUut

Communut

Coledochus.

Tfie Arterlei,

crofeope.

XXiv

crofcope, even when the heart has been removed,
Unlcfs this was tlie, cafe, the pulfe of the arteries,
which refembles the fyftole and diaftole of the heart,
will be very difficult to be accounted for.

ThtLaeitah Tlic LACTEALS * contradf and empty them-
fclves like the arteries, upon being touclied with vi-
triolic acid, and there is the fame argument for their
being irritable as for the arteries, viz. though they
be ever fo full of chyle at the time when the animal
dies, they empty themfelves, and contrail in fuch a
manner, that you cannot difeover any fluid within
them in the dead animal.

When making a pun6lure with a knife, in
TheBladder. the BLADDER f of a dog jufl dead, it will
contrail itfelf and force out its contents through
the opening made in the abdomen.

* Called fo from their containing chyle, which has die appearance of milk.
The LACTEALS are vcffels of abforption of infinite fmallncfs, firuated
in the inteftincs. They increafe in fize, and terminate in a gland, caUed,
the RECEPTACULUM CHYLi,whcnce this fluid proceeds along the tho-
racic DUCT, which terminates in the left fubcUvian vein. The
VALVES of the veflcls of abforption arc innumerable.

For the anatomical defeription of this organ vide page xxx.

II. OF

xxy

K OF INIRRITABLE PARTS.

The LUNGS* appear devoid of irritability.

* The LUNGS is fituated on the right and left fide of the heart. It is
divided into two /oAr.f, andth^|c are fubdivided into lobules, three on the
right fide and two on the left. The trachea, or wind-pipe, defeends
into the lungs, and forms innumerable cells, which have a communi-
cation with each other, and give to this vifens a honey-combed appearance.
In the membranes of fhefc cells arc diftributed the branches of the /it-o
PULMONARY ARTERIES, and ybar returning vefllls, or pulmonary
VEINS. “ Some have ' thought,” fays the great Cues el den, “ that
“ in thefe cells, the AIR enters the blood-veffels, and mixes with the
“ blood ; but this opinion, however probable, wants fufficient experiments
to prove it ; air being found in the blood, as it certainly is, is no proof
of its entering iliis way, Jaecaufe it may enter with the chyle. I think,
fays he, the moft probable argument for the air’s entering into the blood
by the lungs, or rather fame particular pdri ot 3.\t, may be fetched
•“ from the known experiment of each man in a diving-'oell w-anting near
a •gallon of frelh air. in a minute ; for .if preflTure only was wanting, they
often defeend until the pteffure of the air is three or four times what it is
on the furface of the earth. Dr. Monro obferves, that the water tor-
toife h.as very large lungs, confiding of larger veficlcs than in land ani-
“ mals, and conjedtures that this probably is the rcafon, why they bear to
be longer without, breathing, as they are provided with a larger quan-
“ tity of that JE NE SCAl QUOI from the air, which is fo neceflary
“ to life.” We ftiall throughout this work trace, as far as polTible, the
Xruc relation we Hand in with refpedl to the external air, as upon the dif-
covery of the true nature of the air, the great myftery of the office of the
lungs and chylification is unfolded, .and other matters of the utmoft im-
portance in the pradlice pf phyfic.

* D

The Lungs

The

XXVI

Lirer,Kii. TIic LIVER*, KIDNIES f, and SPLEEN t,

nej’, and _ ’

Spleen. havc alfo no irritability ; that is, they do not retracl the
edges of a wound made in them as do tlje mufcles,
or when irritated fliew the leaft motion.

* The LIVER is the largefl: gland in the body, of a dufky red colour,
immediately fituated under the vaulted cavity of the dmphragm, or mid-
riff, chiefly on the right Jide, and fomewhat on the left above tfie Jlomach.
Exteriorly, or anteriorly, it is convex, inwardly it is concave ; very thick
in its fuperior part, and thin in its inferior. The upper fide adheres to the
diaphragm, and it is fixed to this, and the fternum, or brcall: bone, by a
broad ligament, called suspensorium. It is alfo tied to the navel by a
ligamentous band, called teres, which is the umbilical vein of the foetal
ftate degenerated into a ligament. Both thefe bands fcr\ e to fufpbnd it,
while lying on the back, from bearing too much on the fubjacent cava,
or otherwife it might prefs on this important returning veffcl, flop the cir-
^culation, and put a period to life. Dogs and cats, and other animals, who
are defigned for leaping, have their liver divided into many diftinjft lo-
bules ; which prevent a too great concuflion of this vifeus. Purs is divided
into tiuo LOBES, of which the right is confiderably the largefl.

f The KiDSiEs are two oval bodies, fituated in the loins, contiguous
to the two lafl fhort ribs; the right under the liver, and the left under the
fplcat,

\ The SPLEEN is fituated immediately under the diaphragm, above
the left kidney, and between the Jlomach and ribt. In figure it refcmbles
a depreffed oval, near twice as long as broad, and almofl twice as broad as
thick. It has been taken from dogs, fays Cheselden, without any
marked inconvenience to them. Its office is the late difeovery of the cele-
brated Icfturcr on phyfiology. Dr. IIaighton, a fhort account of which
is given in Vol. II. page 213.

XXVll

If you irritate a NERVE*, the mufcle to The Nervet,
which it is dillributed is immediately convulfed\
that is, it contracts its fibres, but ia this experiment
there will not be found the fmallej} contraHlon of the
NERVE.

I applied a mathematical inftrument, fays Baron de
Haller, marked with very fmall divifions, length-
ways, to a long nerve of a living dog, in fuch a manner
as I was certain to perceive the JlighteJl contraction, but
upon irritating the nerve no contraction whatever could
be perceived.

* Nerves arc white, firm, falid cords, which arife from the ■

brum, cerebellum, and fpinal murrcnv, and are fprcad over every fentient
portion of the body by innumerable filaments. Ten pair of nerves ilTue
from the brain itfclf, and Mir^- from the fpinal manow. Thofe that go
to the organs of fenfe are confiderably larger than the reft, and arc jn part
divcfted of their outer covering or external tunic.

*D 2

II. OF

xxvni

The Cere-
brum, Cere-
bellum, and
Medulla
Oblongata.

The Spinal
Marrow.

III. OF SENSIBLE PARTS.

To point out what parts were fenjible^ we have
the following experiments.

Upon touching the BRAIN * with a knife^ or m
whatever way Baron de Haller did it, or upon ap-
plying any cauftic body, the animal was feized with
violent convulhons, and contorted his body on the one
fide or the other in the form of a bow, exprefling by
its fereams violent anguifla.

Having thruft a probe, fays Dr. J. Johnson, into
the SP.NAL MARROW f, all the mufcles
of the limbs were violently convulfed. — The rauf-

• The BRAIN is divided into two portions ; that fituated In the upper
part of the fkull, is called cereb.xUm, and that in the hind part, under
the former, cerebel lum. On the external furface of the brain we fee
feveral inequalities, or windings, like the circumvolutions of the inteftines,
and the CEREBRUM divides into /■zt’o hemifpkcres while the cerebel-.
LUM fends out an oblong projeOion, which pal&s through the large hole of
the occiput, called MEDULLA oblongata.

f The MEDULLA sriNALis, or fpinal marrow, is a continuation of
the medulla- oblongata.

cles

xxix

cles of the back were fo convulfed, that the ani-
mal was bent backwards as in opifthotonos of the
lock-jaw. The intercoftal mufcles were all con-
tra(5led, and their natural a6lion, that of drawing all
the ribs nearer each other and upwards, was rendered
a matter of ocular demonftration. The diaphragm
was alfo flrongly contradled.

The NERVES which derive their fource from ihe Kerves.
the brain, are themfelves extremely fenfible. It Is
impoffible to reprefent to one’s felf, without having
feen it, the vafl; pain and difquietude which an animal
is thrown Into upon touching, irritating, or even ty-
ing a nerve.

The SKIN t, as being abundantly fupplied with Vu
nerves, is found to be extremely fenfible, for in
whatever manner you irritate it, the animal makes a
noife, firuggles, and gives all the indications of pain
that it is capable of.

The

* The nen’cs have been before deferibed page xxvii.

■I- The SKIN is divided by anatomifts into two diftinA coverings.
The outer is called cuticvla, or fcarf-Jkin •, the inner cutis vera,
iruejkifi. Between thefe is interpofed a fliray mucits, called rete

wucorum;

XXX

ihe TheINTERN AL MEMBRANES of the STO-

br lines of the
Stomnek,
Inte/f'mes,
Bladder f and
Ureters,

MACH INTESTINES f, BLADDER.!, and
URETERS II, being of nearly the fa«ie nature with

the Ikin §, does in confequence enjoy the fame fen-

MUCORUM; which is yclloiSifh, brown, or black, as is the complexion,
“ The colour of this mucus being the only difference between Europeans,
“ Indians, and Africans, for the fibres of the true flun are white,” fays
Cheselden, “ in all men.”

* This part has been deferibed page xx.

•f Vide page xxi.

! The BLADDER IS fituatcd in the lower part of the belly, immediate-
ly behind the union of the pudendal bones, and above the reftum, or
llraight gut. It is the refervoir of the urine or aqueous part of the blood
(a more particular account of the urine will be given wlicn we come to
Diabetes) fecreted by the kidneys and fent from thence by its du£ls, or
DRETERs; its external paffage iscallcd urethra, the neck of which, or
more properly (peaking the bladder, is fccurcd by a circular niufcle called
SPINCTER uri.VjE, the fibres of which clofe this opening, except under
the great irritationo f diftention, or from the commands of the will. Tlie
coats, or tunics, of the bladder arc the fame as thofe of the inteftines, ffo-
mach, and afophagus, viz. an internal membranous, fcnfible, and fecreting
mucus, a middle mufcular, and an external alfo membranous, but infcnfiblc.

fl The ureters are tubes, about the fizc of goofe-quills, and about a
foot long ; they arife from the kidnics, and enter the bhidder near its neck,
running for the fpace of an inch obliquely between its coats, they form to
thcrafclves as it were vah es, fo that upon the contradlion of the bladder,
the urine is darted .along the urethra, which is its proper paffage.

§ Thcfc fcvcral parts differ anatomically from the fkin in this. They
have no cuticle, nor rete mucofum, though they fccretc a fluid analogous to
this. They differ from the fkin alfo in having mujcular jihres inimcdi.itcly
under them.

The

XXXI

The MUSCULAR FLESH is fenfible of pain, TlteMufcies.
which is dependant entirely on the nerves. For if
you tie the nerve going to any part, that part be-
comes immediately paralytic below the ligature and
infenjible. Its vital fundlions however remain. A
blifter applied to the part below the incifed nerve in-
flames and draws up the outer (kin, though it does
not create pain ; ulcers are healed, and fuppu-
rate, and the, limb feems to have loll nothing but
the power of motion.

The Mamms, or BREASTS*, as being covered The Breajt.
with a good deal of fkin, and furnilhed with many
nerves, has alfo a proportionable degree of fenfi-
bility.

* Each BRF.AST is a coxclomf.rate gland, or an aflemblagc
d glands to feparate milk, with their excrf.tory ducts, which arc
.capable of much dilfention, tending towards the nipple, and as they ap-
proach, vinite, fo as to make but a few du(51s at their exit.

TV. OF

XXXll

The Dura
idiiter.

IV. OF INSENSIBLE PARTS.

In order to difcover what parts were infenjibley
Baron de Haller made the following experi-
ments.

The DURA MATER * is a kind of periofteum,
every where applied to the internal furface of the
cranium, connedled to it by veflels, and has arteries
tranfniitted through it to the Ikull, in the fame man-
ner as they are tranfmitted through the periofteum to
the other bones of the body. It is compofed, like all
the other membranes of the body, of cellular fub-
ftance, and like them is perfe£lly tnfenjible^ fo that
it may be burnt with vitriol, cut with a knife, or
tore with a pair of pincers, without the animal, the

* The DURA MATER is a very compafl ftrong membrane lining the
mfide of the Ikull, firmly adhering at its bafis, and but lightly at the up-
per part, except at the futures. It extends itfclf acrofs the Ikull, fo as to
divide the cerchrwn into tteo hemifphcrcs. This part of the membrane is
called the f.a lx, and prevents in great meafure the concuflion of this part.
It again projedts Literally, and fulfaiiis the pofterior part of the cerebrum^
which hinders it from compri sing the cerebellum.

obje€l

XXXlll

objedl of the experiment, appearing to fuffer the
leaft pain.

The brain naturally divides into two parts. The
upper portion is called the cerehrurriy and the fmaller
and lower portion the cerebellum. Thefe are Iheathcd
by a membranous covering called the PIA MA-
TER Having removed, fays Baron de Haller,
a portion of the Ikull, with the dura mater contigu-
ous to it, I touched it with butter of antimony,
whereupon it was burnt to a fear, without the animal
complaining in the leaft, or making any fort of ftrug-
gling, or being at all convulfed.

The infenfibility of the PERIOSTEUM f was
long ago obferved by Mr. Cheselden, nor are we at
all furprifed at this, feeing there arc no nerves diftri-
buted to it. I have torn and burnt the periojleumy
without the animal’s {hewing the leaft fign of pain ;
nay young kids have fucked during the experiment ;
whereas when pinched they have fhewn the moft evi-
dent marks of pain.

* This is an exceeding fine membrane, which invefts the brain
even between its folds, hemifpheres, &c.

f A fmooth membrane covering the bones.

The Pia
Mater.

The P er!~
<^eum.

That

XXXIV

m Prrt. That the PERITON^E UM * Is Infen/tble I proved
by repeated experiments, which I carefully made
after I had diffedled away the redl mufcles^ which
cover this membrane.

The Pleura. I ncxt made my experiment on the PLEURA f,
having h eed it from the hitcrcojial mufcles, which we
know are well fupplied with nerves (the experiment
was difficult, but I have frequently done it, and moffi

* Below the diaphragm, or midriff, under the mufcles of the bcllj’,
tics that rnembranous expaiifion called the peritonaeum, which is a
much llrongcr covering than the pleura, and confines the intcilines and
contents of the abdomen.

-}■ Every diftinft part of the body is covered, and every cavity is lined
with a finglc membrane, whofe thicknefs and ftrength is as the bulk of
the part it belongs to, and as the fridlion to which it is naturally expofed.
Thofe membranes, which contain diftindl prts, keep the parts they con-
tain together, and render their furfaces fmooth, and Icfs fubje<ff to be la-
ccrated by the aftions of the body ; and thofe which line cavities, ferve to
render die cavities fmooth and fit for the parts they contain to move againfl.
The membranes of all the cavities that contain folid parts, are lluddcd with
glands, or are provided with vefll-ls, which feparate a mucus to make the
parts contained move glibly againfl one another, and not adhere together.
The PLEURA lines the whole cavity of the chell, w'here the heart and
lungs are placed, and gives it that fmooth and glolTy appearance, which
when thefe organs are removed we cannot fa 1 to obferve. It meets as it
were on the breafl-bone on each fide, and then becoming more compact,
feparates, and extending fo as to form an acute triangle, it divides the two
great lobes of the lungs, and is here called medi astinu.m. It then pafles
towards the vertebrae of the back, where it affumes again the name of
pleura.

fuccefsfully

XXXV

fuccefsfully on a kid, it being a very quiet animal),
and even upon the PERICARDIUM *, in all which
cafes the membranes being cut or irritated, occafion-
ed no fenfe of pain, nor the leaft change in the
animal.

The celebrated Storch, as appears by the journal
of the difeafe of which he died, was not fenfible of
any pain, while in performing the paracentefis, the
trocar pierced the peritoneum. Upon this occa-
fion I forefee that many eminent phyficians, who
place the feat of head ach and phrenites in the mem-
branes of the brain, and the violent pain of the
pleurify in the membrane of the pleura, will differ
from me in opinion. But I only relate fa6Is, and as
a fearcher after truth, it is immaterial to me on
which fide nature decides the quelfion. Neither
are thefe truths altogether repugnant to pathology.
Boerhaave affirmed long ago, that in infpiration,
the PLEURA of the ribs was lefs upon the ftretch, be-
caufe the ribs by means of the Intercodal mufcles ap-

•

* The PERICARDIUM, Of hcart-purfe, is an exceeding flrong mem-
brane, which covers the heart, even to its bafis. Its ufes are to keep the
heart from having any fridion with the lungs ; and to contain a fluid to
lubricate its furface. It is firmly faftened to the great vcflels that enter
into, and iflue from, the heart j as alfo to the diaphragm,

*E 2

'Ihr Peti.
C-irJiurn.

proached

XXXVl

preached nearer each other, and on the contrary, in
expiration, this membrane was more tenfe becaufe the
ribs receded to a greater diftance from each otlier.
But in pleurify the patient fufFers mofl; in infpiration ;
that is, when the pleura is Icajl di/iended, and vice
verfa ; wherefore that great man did not place the
feat of this difeafe wholly in the pleura, but he
joined it with an inflammation of the intercojial muf~
cles, which ferve to bring the ribs nearer together,
and which we have before proved to be a fenfibte
part.

I am much difpofed, fays the prefent celebrated
profeflTor of phyfle at Edinburgh, Dr. Monro, to join
with thofe who think that we miftake the true feat of
the pain in pleurify. I caufed, fays he, the operation
for emphyfema to be performed three times, and I
was particularly attentive to this queftion, I fcratched
and tore the pleura, yet the patient did not make
any remarkable complaint, and 1 would have con-
cluded fo, from this plain conflderation, what is the
ufe of the pleura ? It is a mere foft lining to obviate
the evil of fridlion, and I could not imagine that
NATURE would havc formed this acutely fenflblc. I
crooked a probe, and turning the point agalnft the

PLEURA,

xxxvii

PLEURA, I pricked it rudely, and the patient juft felt
that I was prefllng him, but experienced no pain.
In one cafe I caufed the fide to be perforated, and in-
troduced a bougie ten inches^ and turning it round,
the patient felt fomething moving, but no pain. I
repeated this fome days after the operation, when
an inflammation was come on, and ftill with the fame
effe61:. I have repeated the experiments of Haller
on quadrupeds, cutting away the intercoftal mufcles,'
and have torn away the pleura without the animal’
feeming to complain

If the dura and pia mater, and likewife the peri-
ofteum, and the peritonaeum, and pleura, be found
void of fenfatlon, there is little expedfation that other
membranes fliould poflefs a different charadlerlftic
property ; and indeed the MEDIASTIN'UM * and
OMENTUM f are mere refledtions of the

PLEURA.

* Vide note f, page xxxiv.

•f- The OMENTUM, orcawl, in Greek tariff Xoov, is a broad, thin, and
tranfparent membrane, ariiing from the inferior and interior border of the
ftomach, and reaching down as far as the navel ; then doubling backwards
and upwards, is connedied with the colon. Belides its principle connections
with the ftomach and colon, it is likewife attached to the duodenum, to
the fpleen, pancreas, and mesentery, which is a membrane fattened to

the

JT/e MeJi-
aji'inttm and
Omentum.

XX XVI 11

PLEURA. Ail thefc membranes being deftitute of
Tne Celluliir nervcs, are of the fame nature as the CELLULAR
MEMBRANE and are therefore infenfible to
ftimuli.

Tliere

the inteftines, along which the laiflvah run. The omentum lies immedi-
ately under the peritonseum. It is every where a double membrane ; I
fpeak not of its great fold already mentioned ; but every portion of the thiti
membrane, by itfclf, may be divided into two thinner membranes, which
are joined together by cellular texture, in the cells of which the fat is
depoilted. The fecretion here is jicrformed in the moil fimplc manner,
like fecrctions in plants, there being no glandular apparatus, The fat is
diftributed veiy unequally in tho omentum, as you may find it in Tome
places very thin and tranfparent, and in ocher places above an inch thick.
The omentum, or cawl, in calves, gives a very beautiful reprefentation of
this faft. The ufes of the omentum are firfi ta interpofe between the peri-
tonaeum, the inteftines, and the ftomach, to keep all rhefe parts moift,
warm, flippery, and to hinder their adhefion j but moft probably its chief
ufe is to furnifh oil to the liver to be converted into bile, which is com-
pofed of edhiVt («zot and hydrogen) and«7 (hydrogen and oxygen). For
the fat, though it is depofited in the cells of the omentum, yet muft it
have fome kind of circulation ; otherwife its ftorc would be continually
augmenting beyond meafure; and as there are here no other excretory dudls
but veins, and thefc all terminate in the vena portarum, which veflel
goes to tlie liver, carrying to its fecretory vefifels that fluid, from whence
in part bile is generated ; and hence it is a refervoir for the formation of
the bile, as the fplcen is for the formation of the pancreatic juice.

* The cellular texture is continued without interruption all
over the body, and is infinuated into every recefs. It is compofed, not of
fibres laid tt^clhcr or interwoven, nor of fmall tubes, or veflels, though
they run along it, being only adveotitious, and no part of its true flruiffure,
but of unorganized lamella:, like fine fcalcs. The lamellae receding
from one anotlicr, wLicli partly again uniting tranfvcrfcly, forms cells, in

fuch

xxxix

There is no doubt of the CUTICLE*, or fcarf-
fkin, being infenfible, feeing you may cut it, as with
corns, which is only an increafed cuticle, or burn it
with nitrous acid, until you give it a durable taint,
without occafioning the leaft pain.

fuch a manner as to communicate together all over from head to foot. If
we conceive a fpunge, in ^vhich every cell opens into all thofe that are con-
tiguous to it, we fliall form a juft idea of the cellular texture. Its cells
are in fomc places fmaller, in others larger j it is JiLitable by a very fmall
force, where it is not confined by the refiftance of neighbouring parts.
Where its cells are largeft, and its texture loc/eft, it contains fat, as im-
mediately under the Ikin, almoft over all the furface of the body,, between
it and the moftcxteuial mufcles; in the intervals, or interftices, between
one mufcle and another; in the omentum, around the kidneys, &c. This
membrane, web, or texture, by laborious diffeftion, by blowing air into
it, by inje£lions, by maceration, hath been found to follow every vifiblc
bundle of mufeubr fibres, every tendon, every veffel, even every the mi-
nuted nerve. We lhall fiud it confticuting a great part of the oefophagus,
ftomach, inteftincs, urinary bladder, &c. So that there is no phyfical
point in the whole animal fabric, in which there is not a portion of the
cellular texture. Its ufe and importance in the animal body is very great.
It ferves as a bond of union, by tying and faftening all the parts together,
yet in fuch a manner, as not to prevent or obftruift their neceflary mo-
tions ; to contain fat, if required; or marrow; or ferum ; or a thin va-
pour; to render parts fmcoth, and mc«ft, and flexible ; and to hinder them
from growing together. It yields a commodious way or road for vcflels
and nerves to glide along. It furnifties a confiderable part of the linings of
the great cavities of the body, and immediately covers and envelops each
particular vifeus of the body ; infomuch that Haller, who, of all ana-
tomifts, hath moft minutely examined, and moft fully and extenfivcly
confidered it, declares, “ that for certain the far greater part of the animal
“ body is compofed of it.”

* Vide page xxix

THIS

Tlx Cuticle

’^e Rite THIS GLUTEN * which divides the cuticle

Mucofum,

from the cutis vera^ or true fkin, as it cannot eaflly
be feparated from the cuticle, it becomes impoffible to
try experiments upon it; but one may reafonably fup-
pofe, like other fluids^ it has no feeling.

The FAT t is a fluid contained within the cellular
membrane. That this fluid may be pierced without
Inflicting pain, may be feen by a needle thrufi: into
the flefli of a hog, who will Ihew no figns of pain,
until it has got quite through the fat and reached the
flefli below.

ThcTendons. The conflant event of my experiments was, that
the animal whofe TENDON J was lacerated, burnt,
or pricked, remained quiet, without fliewing any
figns of pain, and when part of the wounded tendon
remained, it would walk without complaining. Af-
ter I was fully fatisfied of the event, I had no diffi-
culty in difcovering the caufe, there being no nerves

* Vide page xxix.

■f Vide V®1. 1, page 27.

+ "Ten'don's arc not condenfed mufcular fibres, but condenfed cellu.
lar membranes attached to mufcular fibres, for the convenience and beauty
of this elegant part of our machinery.

that

xli

that I could trace to that part. Seeing therefore in
the human body the nerves only are capable of fenfa-
tion, it is neither unnatural nor improbable that the
tendons being deflitute of nerves Ihould have no fen-
fatlon. I have oftener than once feen the tendons
laid bare m men, and) emboldened by the experiments
which I have made on brutes, I once laid hold, with
a pair of forceps, of the naked tendon of the flexor,
that bends the third joint of the fore-finger, without
the gentleman being in the leaft fenfible of it. I have
likewife feen the fupinator longus chafed with hot oil
of turpentine, in order to flop an haemorrhage ; it oc-
cafioned an acute pain in the fkin, but the patient
felt none in the tendon. Wherefore there is no need
of fear from the accident of the ruptured tendon. I
have feen a new cellular fubftance grow in a few
days, and unite the tendo achillis * that was cut
through in a dog. As foon as the edges were united,
the animal fuffered no inconvenience, and jumped
with the fame agility upon the chairs as before.

When we cutopcn, fays Bell of Edinburgh, a
fafcia or tendinous membrane, there is little pain :
when, as in amputation, we cut the tendons even

* The tendon of the heel.

* p

and

'The Cap-
fule.

xlii

and neat, there is no pain : when we fnlp with our
fciflars the ragged tendons of a bruifed finger to cut
it off, the patient docs not feei : and bltly, when we
fee TENDONS of fuppurated fingers lying flat in their
fheaths, we draw them out with our forceps, or
touch them with probes, without exciting pain. Oil
of vitriol has been poured upon each of the parts be-
longing to a joint, and a piece of cauftic has been
dropped into its cavity, but ftill no pain enfued; nay,
feme have been fo bold, may I not fay fo vicious, as
to repeat thefe experiments upon the human body,
pinching, pricking, and burning the tendons of
the leg, and piercing them with knives, in a poor
man, whofe condition did not exempt him from this
hard treatment ; who was ignorant of this injuftice
that was done him, while his cure was protiadifed,
and he was made a cruel fpedlacle for a whole
city !

In a cat I filled, fays Baron dc Haller, tlie arti-
culation of the femur with the pelvis with vitriolic
acid, without its feeming to feel this violent corrofive.
Sometimes inflead of cauflics I have tried the knife,
and have tranfpierced the CAPSULE of the knee,

and

xliii

and the LIGAMENTS, and fcraped the patella, The Liga.
without the animal fliewing the leaft fign of pain.

And indeed it is well ordered by nature, that thofe
parts which are expofed to continued fridlion fhould
be void of fen fat ion * **

The infenhbility of BONES is ftlll difputed, and Tie Bones.
indeed I have made no experiments upon this fubje£l:,
for in that cruel torture which is required to lay bare
the bones it is nearly impoffible to diiHnguifli the two
pains. In the large bones I never could find any
nerve entering the bone, and I have feen the opera-
tion of the trepan performed upon found perfons who
had the free ufe of- their fenfes, without their com-
plaining of any increafed pain during the perforation
of the cranium f.

Several authbrs have affirmed the MARROW to ThcMirrma
be extremely fenfible, but feeing no nerves enter the

* In a riatc of health thefe parts are certainly infenjtble. In the ftate of
djfcafe is the neighbouring and fenficnt parts alfo in a ftatc of difeafe, or
whence the pain from nvhite f-wellings, &c. ? This fubjcd dcferves the
moft ferious attention of ihe philofophic anatomift, and we lhall again re-
confider it when treating on difeafes.

In the cafe of noJes, &c. are not the bones fenftblc ?

*F 2

bones,

xliv

bones, and that it is of the fame nature as fat, it ap-
pears highly improbable.

The Teeth. The fenftbility of the TEETH * to heat and cold
is wifely provided, that nothing might pafs into the
flomach that might irritate fo important an organ.
But othervvife they are infenfible, being often fcaled
and filed without the perfon complaining in the
leafl.

The Gums. It is wifely ordained that the GUMSf fliould be
infenfible. Hence they ferve, when the teeth are re-
moved, the office of maftlfication, and are lanced or
cut without the leaft fenfation of pain

We have feen then there is a difference in the parts
of the human body, according to the feveral ufes

* Vide Vol. II. page 240. The teeth are of three kinds.

1. The incifores, or cutting-teeth, being made of the form of «

chifel.

2. The caninl, or dog-teeth, being pointed in the form of an awl.

3. The molares, or grinders, having a flat and uneven furfece for

grinding, )haj>ed like an .mvil.

f In the ftate of mjiatmnat'ion they feem to have fome fenfe of feel-
ing, and excite a dull fenfation of pain. Vide Vol. VI. O71 the Nature
of Dtjeafes and their Management.

for

xlv

for which they are defigned ; fome are vafcular and
foft, others bony and hard ; fome fenfible, and very
prone to inflammation and difeafe ; others callous
and infenflble, have little adtion in their natural
ftate, and little pronenefs to difeafe.

The greater part of the body is merely infenflble
and inirritable matter, united into a moving and per-
fect whole. In fome places there is fuch a conflux
of nerves, as form the moft delicate and perfefl fenfe,
endowing that part with the fulleft life ; while others
are left without nerves, almofl: inanimate and dead,
left feeling, where it ought not to be, fliould derange
the whole fyftem.

The living parts of the fyftem are the mufcles and
nerves ; the mufclcs to move the body, and perform
its offices, each mufcle * anfwering to its particular
ftimuli, and moft of them obeying the commands of
the will ; the nerves to feel, to fufler, and to enjoy,
to iflue the commands of the will, bringing the muf-
cles into a6lion : but ftill the mufcles have their own
peculiar life^ or irritahility, fuperior to the nerves, and
independent of them. It is a power which furvives
. that of the nerves, a6ling even when fevered from

* Including the hollavi mufcles, as the heart, arteries, lymphatics,
fl'omach, inteftines, &c.

the

Xivi

the general fyftem ; and adlng often on the living
body, without the impulfe of the nerves, and fome-
tiines in oppofition to the will.

The infenfible and inirritable' matter of the fyftera
joins thefe living parts, and performs for them every
fubfervient office, — forms coverings for the brain ;
•—coats for the nerves ; — fheaths for the muscles
tendons, — ligaments, — and all the apparatus for the
joints ; — ^unites them into one whole by a continued
tiflue of cellular fubilance, vvliich has no interruption,
and fufiers no change, but ftill preferves its own in-
fenfible nature, while it joins the fentient and moving
parts to each other. The tendons, ligaments, peri-
ofteum, and capfules of joints, are all eoinpofed of
this cellular fubftance, which by Its elajlicity^ binds
and connedls the parts, and by its dead and infenfible
nature, is lefs expofed to difeafe, and appears there*
fore to be the fitteft medium of conneiStion for the
living fyftem.

FIRST,

O F

DIRECT STIMULI.

DEFINITIONS.

STIMULI, are the exciters of actions in animated
bodies, and are of two kinds,

1. Direct, producing tone, or strength, in

the and an expenditure of, the ir-

ritable principle :

2. Indirect, producing atony, or weak-
ness, in the fibre, — and an increase of the
irritable principle.

ACTION, or EXCITEMENT, in animated bodies,
is the RETROCESSION of the fibre upon the application
of Jiimuli ; and is in proportion,

I ft. To the STRENGTH of the fibre,

2d. The quantity of irritable principle.

And 3d. The degree of Jiimulus applied.

THE LAWS OF THE ANIMAL CECONOMY,
are the changes that the fibre and irritable prin-
ciple undergo, upon the application of Jiimuli.

SECT. 1.

ON STIMULI.

It has beep lately /hewn, how certain parts of the
Jiving body poflefs the property of irritability^ or retro-
Cellion, upon the application of certain Jiimuli : a pro-
perty which the mimofa, and other plants, feem alfo to
partake, and which, being diftindl from fenjibillty, does
not depend on the fame organs. It has been ihevvn alfo
how irritability refides exclufively in the mufcular fibres^
whereas fenfibility was proved to depend on the nerves.
Thus if a nerve be divided, the fenfibility of the part be-
low the divifion will be loft, while its irritability ftill re-
mains. Hence we find thofe parts which are deftitute
of nerves are not fenfble, and thofe that are deftitute of
mufcular fibres are not irritable.

When Baron de Haller publilhed thefe difeove-
ries in the year 1747, he formed the aera of a revolution
in the fcience of medicine. He foon convinced the phi-
Ijcfophic world, that there exifted in the living body a

particular

136

particular property, which diflingullhes it {torn tht dead,
which may be regarded as the principle of all motion, a
power diffufed throughout every organ of the body, and
without which, tliefe could not perform their feveral
fundlions. The difciplcs of this great man have there-
fore the jullell reafon to boafl, that phyfiology, which
before had been too long built on metaphyfical and un-
certain ideas, might now be conlidered as truly fcienti-
fic, being ereded on the firm bafis of a^ual experiments.

After ajirommy had fiiewn, that the immenfity of
fpace was filled with innumerable worlds, revolving
round innumerable funs ; thofe worlds themfelves the
centers of others, fecondary to them, all attradling, all
attraded, enlightened, or receiving light, and at dif-
tances unmeafureable, did the immortal Newton dif-
clofe to the aftonilhed world the laws which these

OBEYED.

In like manner, after anatomy had demonfirated a
wonderful complicated firudlure of the human body,
the parts fo delicate, and their relations to, and influence
upon, each other fo immenfe, has another Newton,
as it were, demonfirated, that all thefe feveral parts obey

THE SAME GREAT AND FUNDAMENTAL LAWS.

S T his

137

This was the memorable clifcovery of the late Dr.
Brown, a noted author and teacher of phyfic, as he is
ftyled by Dr. Cullen, whom the prejudice of old age,
and the pride of celebrity, confpired from receiving his
do6lrines, and who would fain perfuade himfelf that the
author, whom he notes^ and againfl; whom he protells,
was really contemptible. For my part, fays the illuftri-
ous Dr. Beddoes, I confider Dr. Brown’s doctrine of
excitement as a moft perfe6l fpecimen of extenfive rea-
foning, truly calculated to afford the fulleft fatisfadion
to a juft thinker. He avoids thofe unmeaning and vague
terms, that had before been fo much ufed to flielter
ignorance from their employers and from others ; he ap-
peals to the phenomena of the living fyftem obvious to
the fenfes ; and adopts fuch principles of reafoning, that
if he has not always difeovered the truth, he is never
forfaken by the fpirit of a true philofopher. Dr. Dar-
win, who is no lefs eminent as a phyfician than a poet
entertains fimilar fentiments with refped to the Brunonlan
doflrine, and allows his work to be, with a few excep-
tions, a performance of great genius. I do not mean here,
however, to defend Dr. B.^owN’sperfonal condud, which
perhaps more than any thing elfe caufed his dodrines to

♦ The celebrated author of The Botanic Garden, or Loves of the Plants.

3 * be

be condemned unheard, as If the groflhefs of a man^S
manners affeded the conclufivenefs of his arguments.
If his imprudence, however, was highly blameable, and
his arrogance intolerable, the liberal will allow fome-
thing to the deep confeioufnefs of negledecf merit, and
to the irritating fenfations attendant upon declining
health : and pollerity will perhaps reproach an age, in
which a man, poflefied of powers, fo fvpcrior^ and fo
nobly exerted, was brow-beaten, defamed, even driven
from his country by fliamelefs perfccution *, and left
to perilh in London in extreme penury. But to return
to the main objed of this part, the of organic life.

■— Thank heaven 1 fuch arts ^annot now prevail. Knowledge and im-
provement gain ground every day. Men of fcience, not bred to the pro-
fcflion, have begun to exercife thur judgment ; and when that comes ge-
ncrally to be the cafe, true merit --uift be enemraged-, many abftrufe dodtrincs
of old phyf clans will be c.xp’.oded ; and the tyranny of empty pomp and learned
myjiery in phyfic will be driven out of the land, and forced to fcck (belter
among lefs cultivated focietiesof men. Phllofophlc injhufikns on the important
fubjea of health, delivered in a familiar way, cannot injure in the leaft medi-
cal men, who have the high advantage of ixperience together with edu-
cation 5 for no fober man of common fenfe will truft the fahatlcn of Ids
fold to a coSLER, nor employ a taylor to defend his property in Weli-
minlfer Hall. I am, therefore, fully perfuaded, fays Dr. Adair, that when
the thlnhng part of the nation arc taught what has hitherto l>ecn called the my-
fery of the profeflion, men in general will feel it their duty to fupport the
REGULAR FACULTY, and will bc wcaiied from being yr/ocifcif by M I s c R E-
ANTS, \!\\o 7X0. as llnle qualified to pra£llje phyfic, as a cobler is to preach,
or a TAYLOR to plead a caufc, or a mender of kettles to repair (an in-
llrument of far lefs complicated firunure than the human body) your watch.

SECT.

139

SECT. 11.

LAW I.

!• A DUE EXCITEMENT IS JNECESSARY EOl^ TK.E
JVIAINTAINANCE OF HEALTH AND VIGOUR

To obtain fome conception of tlie grandeur of this
fubjea, only imagine to yourfelf, by the 7\lmighty
Fiat, a flop put to the movement oi all things. There
would no longer be the fuccefiion of night and day, the
changes of the feafons, the growing of the different pro-
duaions of the earth, nor wind, nor rain, nor circula-
tion, nor fecretion, nor life. On the contrary, na-
ture is ever performing her eternal rounds, and obe-
dient loihe great eommand, vve pafs onwards from a fpeck-

Jike beginning to manhood, and from manhood to old

* The W of organic Vtfe, when fully explained, are fo obvious to every
thinking mind, that it feems furprifmg they were not earlier elucidated, and
brought forward to folve a number of difficulties rcfpeaing difeafes, and their
proper method of treatment. On account of their great ftraplicity, and their
cafy application in medicine, I durrt not, fays the learned Dr. Bf.udof.s, at
fiift believe them to be true. They apply ecjuallv to the mufeular and fen-
tient fibres, which therefore throw much additional light and confirmation on
each other.

140

age. While we are thus running our courfc of life,
every thing within us is in a conjlant movement. If we
have exifted even but a few years, the blood has been
circulating from the heart through the lungs, and the
body, countlefs times-, and the homacli and inteftines have
been performing innumerable wave-like motions.

We have before (hewn * tliat the motion of the heart
and arteries, the flomacli and intcllines, depended on
the retrocejjlon of irritable fibres from certain Jiimuli, in
tiie following fe6lio'ns we fliall confider the effects
OF DIFFERENT STIMULI f on the human body.

OF TEMPERAMENT.

Every age, every habit, if the excitement by Jlimuli
be properly dire£led, has its due degree of vigour arifing
from it. Childhood, as pofieffing abundant excitability,
admits of moderate Jiimuli ; with an under proportion,
it becomes languid ; with excefs, it fpcedily feels oppref-
Jcd. In the middle period of life, where the excitability is in

* Vide Scaion XI.

f As heat, light, air, food, cxercife, See.

due

I4I

due power, a moderate Ji'imidus is requlfite to ftir up all
tlie adlions of life. Old age, on the contrary, owing to
a deficiency of excitability, requires a great deal of ftiinu-
lus ; it becomes enfeebled by too little, and quickly over-
fet by more

In one word, excitement, \.\\q o( fiimulating

powers, when of a proper degree and fuited to the perfon,
conftitutes firm health ; when either exceffive or deficient,
proves the occafion of weaknefs and difeafe,

* This verifies the old adage, Milk is the food of infanty, and wine
of old age.” What calumnies have not been thrown out againft John Brown
for this do£lrine. If lo-w li-jifig and Jlarving are reprobated for the fiidts and
reafons that prcfcntly will be affigned, why, therefore, fliould he be called a
friend to Intemperance ? On the contrary, he only approves and tries to ad-
juft the proper Jlandard, condemning all extremes, and advifing the mean under
which VIRTUE takes her poft. If he has any ways erred in this difficult but
honourable attempt, as he certainly did not err nvilfully, I know not why he
fhould be held up as criminal, or cenfured with greater afperity than the ex-
ploded theories of Bo e rh a a v e or Cu l l e n. This knowledge will affuredly,
as Dr. Beddoes juftly obferves, become a part, and the moft important part,
of education. Phyfiological ignorance is the moft abundant fource of our fuf-
ferings ; every perfon accujiomed to the Jicli muft have heard them deplore
their ignorance of the necejfary conferiuences of thofe prablices, by which their
health has been dejlroyed ; and when men ftiall be deeply convinced, that the
eternal law of nature have connefted pain and decrepitude with one mode of life,
and health and •vigour with anotlur, they will avoid the former, and adhere to
the latter. And as ailions are often named immoral from their effefis, felf
love, or the enjoyment of health, are fofar the fame. Nor is this fort of mo-
rality likely to terminate in itfelf ; but flie habit of aifting with thought and
refolution, will extend from the fclfilh to the focial adlions, and regulate
the whole tenour of life.

SECT.

142

SECT III.

OF EXTREME HEAT.

Heat, vvlucli is ncccffary, when moderate, to the
produdlion, growtli, and the vigour * of animals and
vegetables, may, like other Jiimuli, have alfo a debili-
tating poiver ; as mull: be obvious to every one who pays
the leaf!; attention to the operations in nature. During
the fcorching heats of fummer, efpecially at mid-day, all
nature langui flies, and her energy is loft. The plants.

* Some years ago I cut out, fays Dr. Gardinor, the heart and part of
the large vefTcls of a turtle, with a view to examine the ftrufture of thefe parts,
and the cireulation of the blood in that animal. Having wiped off the blood
and other inoifture, the heart was wrapped up in a handkerchief ; but engage-
ments in the way of my profeflion obliged me to poftpone my curiofity till
about fix or feven hours after it was cut out. When I examined it, there ap-
peared not the figns of life. It was much (hrivelled and dried. But, by
putting it into water, nearly wi/i warm, it plumped up, and fomc of its parts
acquired a tremulous motion. Laying it on the table, and pricking it with a
large needle, it palpitated feveral times. The palpitations were renewed, as
often as the needle was pulhed into its fubftauce, until it became co/J, when it
feemed to be infenfible to every Itimulus. But, after warming it again in the
water, it recovered its irritabillly, and repeated its palpitations on the applica-
tion of the needle. Though no movement could be excited in it by any Ifi-
mulus when cold, yet it moved feveral times after being macerated in warm
water. This evidently Jhews the necejlty ^ heat for maintaining the full
j^ewers of the contraRile living principle. Vide Sciff. IX, Part JI.

8 exhaufted

143

exhaufted of their vigour, hang their heads ; their foli-
age droops : and among thefe the mimosa *, the Dio-
MUSCIPULA f, with the HEDYSARUM GY-
^ RANs;];, lofe their fenfibility and motion; whilft the
various tribes of animals, panting for breath, feek fomc
cool retreat. Even in our northern latitude this cannot
efcape our notice; but to fee it in perfedion we mull:
vifit the more fultry regions of the fouth, where the
African, patient of heat, is obliged to intermit his la-
bour, whilft the inhabitants of more temperate climates,
fuch as Italy and Spain, retire into fome dark rccefs and
fleep.

The learned profeflbr Boerhaave gives us fome ex-
periments, made by the celebrated Fahrenheit, with

* Seti/tfive plant.

-j- Inthe.DioN^A MUSCIPULA, or fly-trap, there is a moft wonderful
contrivance to prevent the depredations of infedVs : the leaves are armed with
long teeth, and lie fpread upon the ground around the Item. Thefe are fo ir-
ritable, that when an infedl creeps upon them, they fold up, and crulh, or
pierce, the poor animal to death.

+ The leaves of the HEDYSARUM cyrans, ox ’volurUnghaneyfuckle, are
continually in fpontaneous motion ; fomc rifing and others falling; and others
whirling circularly, by twilling their flcms ; this fpontaneous movement of
the leaves goes on when the air is pcrfc£tly Hill. A particular account, with
a good print of the hf.dysarum gyrans, is given by Monf. Broussonet,
in a paper on Vegetable Motions, in the Hiftoirc de I’Acadeinie dcs Sciences,
Ann. J784, p. 609.

U 2

a view

144

view to dlfcovcr the extent of heat living animals are
able to endure.

A Jparrovj^ fubjedled to air heated to 146 degrees of
Fahrenheit's, thermometer, after fome ftruggles, died in
lefs than feven minutes. A cat refilled this great heat
fomewhat above a quarter of an hour ; and a dog in about
28 minutes died, after difeharging a confider,able quantity
of a ruddy -coloured foam, which had fuch offenilve
qualities as to throw one of tlie affillants into a fainting
fit *.

MelTicurs Du-Hamel and Tillet, having been
fent into the province of Angoumois, in the years 1760
and 1761, with a view of endeavouring to deftroy an
infe6l which confumed the grain of that province, ef-
fedted the fame by expofmg the damaged corn in an
oven, where the heat was fufficient to kill the infedls
without injuring the grain. This procefs was performed
at Rochefoucault^ in a large public oven ; where, for
economical views, their firll; hep was to affure them-
felves of the heat remaining in it on the day after bread
had been baked. This they did, by conveying in

* Vide the ftory of the hole at Calcutta, 'v/hcrc z. pungent Jleam, like
hartlhorn, is faid to have iffued from tliofe who were at a diftance from the
window.

a ther-

145

a tliermometcr on the end of a fiiovel, which, on belr.j
withdrawn, indicated a degree ot heat confiderably alx>vc
o{ Lolling water . But Monf. Tii.i.et, conceiving
that tlie thermometer liad fallen many degrees at tlie en-
trance of the oven, and appearing under fome embar-
raffment on that fcore, a girl, one of the conftant at-
tendants on the oven, begged that flie might enter it,
and mark with a pencil the height at which the ther-
mometer ftood within the oven. The girl fmiled at
M. Tillet’s fears, and without hefitation entered the
oven, and with a pencil, given her for the purpofe,
mark'ed the thermometer, after flaying two or three
minutes at lOO degrees of Reaumur’s fcale, or, to make
■ufe of a fcale better known in this country,''at near 260
degrees of Fahrenheit’s. M. Tillet began to be
anxious for this girl, and to entreat her fpeedy return,
but the girl crying out, “ She felt no great inconve-
nience,” remained in her prefent fituation ten minutes
longer-, that is, near about the time when Boerhaave’s
cat parted with her nine lives under a much lefs degree
of heat. She then came out, her refpiration ejuiet,
with a hurried pulfe, and a complexion confiderably
heightened.

After

146

After M. '1’illet’s return to Paris, tlielc experi-
ments were repeated by IMonf. Murantin, at Rochc-
foucault, an intelligent and accurate obferver, on a
fecond girl belonging to the oven, who remained in it,
without much inconvenience, under the fame degree of
heat, as long as the other girl ; and afterw'ards even
breathed an air heated to about 325 degrees for the fpace
of five minutes.

Thcfe experiments foon excited other philofophers to
make llmilar trials, of which, the hrfl; on record in.
England, are thole of Dr. Dobson, at Liverpool, who
gives the following account of them in the Philofophical
Tranfadlions.

I. TRIAL.

The fweating-room of our public hofpital at Liver-
pool, fays he, which is nearly a cube of nine feet, was
heated till the quickfilver flood at 202 degrees of
Fahrenheit’s fcale. The thermometer w^as fufpended
by a firing fixed to the w'ooden frame of the fky-light,
and hung down about the centre of the roomi A piec?
of wax, in this hot fituation, began to melt in about

/even

147

fevcn minutes : anotlier piece lurpenilecl by a firing, and
a third piece put into a tin vefTcl and luipended, began
likewife to liquify in about the fame period of time.

My friend Mr. P.\rk, an ingenious furgeon of this
place, went into this llove, thus heated, with myfelf.
Kitev ten minutes, I found his pulfe quickened to 120
pulfations in a minute. To determine tlie increafe of
the animal heat, another thermometer was handed to
him, in which the quickfilver already flood at 98 de-
grees ; but it rofe only to 99 degrees and an half, whe-
ther the bulb of the thermometer was inclofed in the
palms of the hands, or received in the mouth. The
natural flate of this gentleman’s pulfe is about 65.

2. TRIAL.

One of the porters to the hofpital, a healthy young
man, and the pulfe 75, was enclofcd in the flove, when
the quickfilver flood at 210 degrees, and he remained
there, with little inconvenience, for 20 minutes. The
pulfe now was 164, and the animal heat, determined
by another thermometer, as in the former experiment,
was loi'i.

3. TRIAL.

3- TRIAL.

A young gentleman of a delicate and Irritable Iiabif,
whofc natural pulfe is 8o, remained in the ftove ten
minutes, when heated to 224 degrees, His pulfe rofe
to 145, and the animal heat to 102. This gentleman,
who had been frequently in the ftove during the courfc
of the day, found himfelf feeble^ and difpofed to break
out in fweats for 24 hours after the experiment.

Even thefe experiments, though more accurate than
the former, do not rtiew the ntmojl degree of hfeat which
the human body is capable of enduring.

Some other experiments, yet more remarkable, (as in
them the body was expofed to the heat without clothes)
are alfo related by Drs. Fordyce and Blagden, in the
Philofophical Tranfadions. They were made in rooms
heated by flues in the floor. There was no chimney in
them, nor any vent for the air, excepting through cre-
vices at the door. Of thefe experiments, the two fol-
lowing may be taken as a fpecimen.

I. TRIAL.

About three hours after breakfafl Dr. Fordyce,
having taken off all his clothes except hisfliirt, and being

furniflted

149

furnlflicd with wooden Ihoes tied on with lid, went into
one of the rooms, where he daid five minutes in a heat of
90 degrees, and began to fiweat gently. He then entered
another room, and dood in a part of it heated to iia
degrees. In about half a minute his Jlnrt became fio wet
that he was obliged to throw it afide., and then the water
poured in Jlreams over his whole body. Having remained
in this heat for ten minutes.^ he removed to a part of the
room heated 120 degrees ; and after daying there twenty
minutes^ found that the thermometer, placed under his
tongue, and held in his hand, dood at 100 degrees.
His pulfe had gradually rifen to 145 pulfations in a
minute. The external circulation was evidently increafed,
the veins had become very large, and an univerfial red-
nefis had diffufed itfelf all over the body, attended with
an uncomfortable fenfe of heat. He concluded this ex-
periment by plunging into water heated to 100 degrees;
and after being wiped thoroughly dry, was carried home
in a chair ; but the increafed circulation did not fubjidefor
two hours * .

* Vide Seft. X. page 103.

2. TRIAL.

Dr. Blagden took ofFhiscoat, waiftcoat, and fliirt,
and went into the room, when fome water in a metallic
veflel was obferved to boil quickly, and the thermometer
indicated a degree of heat above that of boiling water *.
The firji imprcjjion of this hot air upon the body was ex-
ceedingly difagreeahle ; but in a few minutes all his un-
eajincfs was removed by ^the breaking out of a profufe
fweat f . At the end of twelve minutes he left the room
very much fatigued, his hand (hook, and he was other-
wife fomewhat difordered. His pulfe beat 136 in a mi*
nute, and the thermometer had rifen to 220 degrees.

There feems, from thefe experiments, no longer any
doubt, but that heat is debilitating^ and deprives tlie body
of all vigour and ftrength, and that the evil effeds of

* when cold ’water is placed on the fire, it receives frefh acceflions of heat,
until the thermometer rifes to a 12 degrees: this is called the boiling
POINT, for the thermometer invariably flops at that point, never afeending
the leafl higher. The evaporation, or Jieam, that then evidently takes place
(which is proportioned to the acceffion of heat from the fire) folves to us the
prefent difficulty : for if the fleam be condenfed, it will be found to give out
that quantity of heat aflumed from the fire, which we were jufl now puzzled
to account for.

•j- Vide Se(fl. X. page 103.

fuper-

fuperabundant heat is carried ofF, in a great mcafure, by
fenjible perfplratlon. We have, alfo, every reafon to be-
lieve, that the faintnefs of the body is communicated
alfo to the mind. Under fuch circumftances, were you
topropofe a bold entcrprife, you would find, I believe, no
daring, no fplrit. His prefent weaknefs would render
him averfe to all exertions of both body and mind. His
only virtue would be paffive courage, and he would be
afraid at that time of every exertion, being in a ftate of
total Incapacity.

The efFerils of heat, in producing a noxious quality irj
the air, are well known.

In the Brasils, fuch are the putrefcent qualities of
the air, that white fugar will fometimes be full of
maggots.

In thefe tropical climates they are obliged to expofe
their fweetmeats by day to the fun, otherwife the night
air would quickly caufe them to putrefy Here life is
greatly abridged.

* On the contrary, in the cold ar£llc regions, animal fiibftanccs, during
4ic \v inter, are never known to futrejy j and meat may be kept for months,

% % without

At Senegal, I am told, the natives confider forty
as a very advanced time of life, and generally die of old
age at fifty.

At Carthagena, in America, where the heat of
the hottefl day ever known in Europe is continual, — ■
where, during their zvinter feofon, thefe dreadful heats
are united with a continual fucceffion of thunder, rain,
and tempeft, arifing from their intenfencfs, — the wan
and livid complexions of the inhabitants might make
firangcrs fufpcd that they were juji recovered from fome
dreadful dificmper : — the adlions of the natives arc con-
formable to their colour ; in all their motions there is
fomewhat relaxed and languid ; — the heat 'of the climate
even afieds their fpccchy which is foft and flow, and
their words are generally broken.

Travellers from Europe retain their Jlrength and
ruddy colour in that climate^ pofllbly for three or four
months ; — but afterwards fuffer fuch decay in both^ that

V'ithovit any fait whatfoever. This experiment happily fuccccdcd with eight
Englilhmcn that were accidentally left upon the inhofpitablc coaft of Green-
lanJ, at a place where feven Dutchmen had perilhed but a few years before ;
for killing fome rein-deer for their fubfiftence, and having no fait to preferve
the flellr, to their great furprife, they foon found it did not want any, as it re-
mained fwcet during their eight montlis continuance upon that fhorc. Go l d-
|.M1 X H.

153

they are no longer to be diftlnguiflied from the inhabi-
tants by their manners or complexion.

Few nations have experienced the mortality of
thefe coafts, fo much as our own : — in our unfuc-
cefsful attack upon Carthagena, more than thret
parts of our army were dejiroycd by the climate alone ;
and thofe tliat returned fi-oni tliat fatal expedition,
dragged on, ever after, a languid and fpiritlejs ex~
ifence.

In our more fortunate expedition, which gave us the
Havannah, we had little reafon to boaft our fuccefs ; —
inftead of a third, not a fifth part of the army were left
furvivors of their vidtory, the climate being an enemy
that even heroes cannot conquer*.

•

* Goldsmith.

SECT.

154

SECT. IV.

OF MODERATE HEAT,

AND

EXTREME COLD.

When the air is of that particular temperature,
which Is juft fufficient for carrying olF fuch a quantity
of the heat generated in the body, that the remainder
fhall exaftly fuit the different fundlions of life, we fay
fuch an air is mild, or it is temperate ; becaufe we are
not fenfible of any troublefome degree of heat or of cold.
This precife temperature varies in different people, ac-
cording to the climate, age, and conftitutlon, of the
individual ; but at whatever point of the thermometer
this temperature may be, if it falls a few degrees only
from that we have been accuftomed to, we then com-
plain of cold, and employ various ways of obviating its
difagreeable effe6ls.

Cold (that is to fay, the ab fence of a certain degree of
heat) ftrengthens the body, giving vigour to it, and
energy to the powers of the mind. Its firft effed is to
abate perfpiration. This is done by conftriding the
4 capillary

155

Capillary vcflels : hence the blood is propelled In an in-’
creafeci volume towards the heart. In confequence of
which, the reaHion of the heart and arteries fends back
the blood with an increafed velocity and power to the
furface of the body, fo as in a healthy fubjed to dlffufc
a genial warmth, and create a keen appetite for food,
with a fenfeoflightnefs, alacrity, and ftrength.

The effeds of temperature is, in a moft fatisfadory
manner, illuftrated by the learned and ingenious Dr.
Robertson, in his Hiftory of America, when taking a
view of the effeds of climate on the human body, he
fays, “ In every part of the earth where man exifts,
the power of climate operates with deeijive influence
“ upon his condition and charader. In thofe countries
which approach near to the extremes of heat or cold,
this influence Is fo confpicuous as to ftrlke every eye.
Whether we confider man merely as an animal, or
“ as a being endowed with rational powers, which fit
“ him for adivity and fpeculation, we Ihall find that
“ he has uniformly attained the greateft perfedion, of
which his nature is capable, in the temperate regions of
“ the globe. There his confiltution is moft vigorous,

“ his organs moft acute, and his form moft beautiful.
There, too, he poftefles a fuperior extent of capa-

‘‘ city,

IS6

** city, greater fertility of Imagination, more entef-
prifing courage, and a fenfibility of heart, which
gives birth to pafllons not only ardent, but per fevering.
“ In this favourite fituation he has difplayed the utmoft
“ elFedls of his genius, in literature. In policy, in com-
“ merce, war, and in all the arts which improve and
“ embellifli life.”

He accordingly divides tlie natives of America into
tvjQ d'ljiindi clajjes ; the one inhabits the tempei ate, the
other the torrid %ones, on both fide of the line. He
fays, “ that the human fpecies in the former appears
“ manifeftly more perfedl: that the natives are more
robuft, more intelligent, more adtive, and more
“ courageous. They poffefs, in the moft eminent de-
“ gree, that force of mind, and love of independence,
** which are regarded as the chief virtues ot man in his
“ favage ftate. Thefe natives accordingly, though fur-
“ rounded for feveral centuries paid by poli fired and
“ hoftile nations, have hitherto maintained, in a great
degree, their freedom and independence : but the
“ other clafs, from the debility of their mind and body,
“ their inadlivity, want of adtive courage, and of that
“ independence which charadlerifes thofe living in the
“ more temperate climates, have become fo dependent as

“ to

157

to be nearly In a (late of flavcry to thofc nations, who,
for the fake of mines or commerce, have taken pof-*
“ feffion of their territories.”

If we look around the world, we (hall be able to find
not more than Jix dljlln^ varieties in the human fpecies,
each of which is firongly marked, and fpeaks the kind
feldom to have mixed with any other. The race we
are at prefent about to confider are the men found near
the Pole. Thefe nations being under a rigorous climate,
where the produdlions of nature are but few, and the
provifions coarfe and unwholefome, their bodies have
fhrunk to the nature of their food. Thefe, therefore,
in general, are deferibed as a race of fhort ftature^,
and odd fliape, with countenances as favage as their
manners are barbarous. Gustavus Adolphus once
attempted to form a regiment of fuch men, but he found
it impoffible to accomplifh his defign ; for it fhould
feem, fays Dr. Goldsmith, as though they were un-
fitted for any other climate, or mode of life, but their
own.

In tliefe unhofpitable regions all is torpid. Here you
fee, in the greateft polfible perfedion, the fedative power

* They are ufu.nlly about four feet high, and the fallej} does not exceed
five feet. Goldsmith.

‘ Y

IS8

of extreme and continued cold. Here no vegetable thrives
except the lichen-, and no animal but the rein-deer*.
Nor is the extremity of cold lefs produdlive of the tawny
complexion than that of heat. The natives of the ardic
circle are all brown ; and thofe that lie mod to the north
are of a Jiill darker hue f. In this manner both extremes
are unfavourable to the human foim and colour, and
nearly the fame debilitating efFeds are produced under
Poles that are obferved at the Line.

* Mr. Townfend. f Cook’s Voyage.

SECT.

159

S E C T. V.

ON LIGHT.

Light, like air and water, is now known to be Hot
a fiinple, but a compound body. The all-penetrating
genius of Sir Isaac Newton* has demonftrated, by
undeniable experiments, that afingle ray of light, which
former philofophers imagined fo infinitely fine, is in re*
ality a colleftion of /even parts, which are perfeaiy
diftina, and compofed of as many different colours, and
fubjea to different refieaions and refraaions.

Some

* It appears to me, fays Lord Boltngbroke, that the Author of Na-
ture has thought fit to mingle, from time to time, among the focieties of
men, a few, and but a few of thofe, on whom he is gracioufiy pleafed to be-
llow a larger proportion of the ethereal fftrit than is given in the ordinary
courfe of his providence to the fons of men. Look about you from the palace
to the cottage ; you will find that the bulk of mankind is made to breathe the
air of this atmofphere, to roam about this globe, and to confume, like thccour-
tiers of A L c I N o u s , the fruits of the earth . Nos numerus fumus & fruges con^

Juincre nail When they have trod this infipid round a certain number of
years, and begot others to do the fame after them, they have lived : and if they
have performed, in fome tolerable degree, the ordinary moral duties of life, they
have done all they were born to do. Look about you again, nay look, per-
haps, into your own bread, and you will find that there are fuperlor fpirits,
men who fhew, even from their early youth, though it bs not always perceived

Y 2 by

i6o

Some modern philofophers have confidered heat and
light as one and the fame fubftance. Although, it mull
he confefTed, they are frequently found exifting together,
yet, on the other hand, mufl: it be allowed, that there is
often much dazzling fplcndour wli,ere there is little or no
heat. The Honourable Mr. 'Boyle draws a minute
coniparifon between the light of combuflible bodies, and
that of Ihining wood, &c. Among other things he ob-
ferves, that extreme cold extinguijhed the light of fliining
wood, as appeared when a piece of it was put into a glafs
tube, and held in a freezing mixture. He alfo found that
lotten wood did not ’luajie itfelf by fhining, and upon
the application of a thermometer he could not difeover
the fmallell degree of heat.

That thefe are dilVmfl fubflances, maybe alfo proved
from their diflindl operations on the living fibre.

The mufcular fibres of the retina are excited into in-
fiantaneous adion by the fmalleft variation in light: but

by others, perhaps not always felt by themfelvcs, that they were called into
this world for fomething more and better. Thcfc are they, who engrofs almoft
the whole reafon of the fpccies, who arc born to injlruli, who are defigned to
be the tutors and guardians of human kind. When they prove fuch, they ex-
hibit to us examples worthy of the higheft praife, and they deferve to have
their names recorded, inflead of a crowd of warriors, with whofc feat^ the
page of hilloi-y is crowned and difgraccd.

are

i6i

are infenfible to the grcateft changes in the circumam-
bientAloft of the difcous flowers, obedient to the
impulfe of lights follow the fun in his courfe. They
attend him in his evening retreat, and meet his riftng
luftre In the morning. If a plant be ftiut up in a dark
room, and a fmall hole be made in the ftiutter, through
whicli the light may penetrate, you would fee the dif-
ferent plants confined there, turn towards that hole, and
even alter their fiiape to creep through it, fo that though
thefe were Jlraight before, they would in a ftiort time
become crooked, to obtain the full enjoyment of light.
Thus if a GERANIUM be placed in any window for a cer-
tain time, the interior furface of every leaf would be
turned to meet the light ; and if you remove it to an
oppofite window, you would foon fee a fad contortion
and confufion among the leaves, until they had obtained
a right pofitlon with regard to light. To prove that it
\%v\oiheat, hviX. light, which plants covet, if this gera-
nium be placed near a fire, whicli gives a ftronger heat
than the fun, you would foon obferve it turn away its
leaves and flowers from the fire to the fun

To illuftrate this curious circumftance. Dr. Hill
placed a plant of abrus In a room, where it had moderate
day-light, without the fun fliining upon it. The lobes
8 of

iGi

of the leaves were then fallen perpendicularly from thfl
middle rib, and clofed together by their under fides/
Thus they continued all night. Half an hour after day-
break, they began to feparate, and a quarter of an hour
after fun-rife, were perfedly expanded. Long before
fun-fet they began to droop again, and towards evening
were clofed as at firft.

Next day the plant was placed where there was kfs
light. The lobes were raifed in the morning, but not
fo much : and they drooped earlier at evening.

The third day it was fet in a fouth window, open to
the-y«// fun. — Early in the morning the leaves had at-
tained their horizontal fituation : by nine o’clock they
were raifed above it, and continued fo till late in the
evening ; then they fell to the horizontal fituation, and
thence gradually to the ufual (late of reft.

Thefe experiments prove that tlie whole change is
occafioned by light only. To put this beyond difpute,
in the evening of the lixth day, the plant was fet in a
book-cafe, on which the morning fun ftione, the doors
ftanding open. The day was bright. The lobes,
which had clofed in the evening, began to open early in
the morning, and by nine o’clock, they were raifed in
the ufual manner. I then, fays he, Jljut the doors of

' the

163

die book-cafe : on opening them an hour after, the lobes
were all clofed as at midnight. On opening the door
they expanded again, and in twenty minutes they were
fully expanded. This has fince been many times re-
peated, and always with the fame fuccefs. We can
therefore, by admitting or excluding the light, make the
plant put on all Its changes. Hence we are certain,
that what is called the Jleep of plants, is caufed by the ab-
fence of light alone, and that their various intermediate
flates are owing to its different degrees.

Some experiments on plants give us reafon to believe,
that light combines with certain parts of vegetables, and
that the green of their leaves, and the various colours of
their flowers, is chiefly owing to this combination. This
much is certain, that plants which grow in darknefs are
perfe611y white, languid, and unhealthy, and that to
make them recover vigour, and to acquire their natural
colour, the diredl influence of light is abfolutely ne-
ceffary.

It would be difficult, in the prefent Hate of chemical
knowledge, to fhew the combination of light with our
bodies. But it cannot but be allowed, that light is a fli-
mulus, awaking us to mufcular adlion, and opening an

inlet

164

inlet to the ftimulusof the various palTions*, and more
efpcclally to the powerful influence of fight. The boy,
w’ho was couched for blindnefs by Mr. Cheselden,
had no great expe6lation of pleafure from a new fenfe ;
he was only excited by the hopes of being able to read
and write; he faid, for inftance, that he could have no
greater pleafure in walking in the garden with his fight,
than he had without it, for he walked there at his eafe,
and was acquainted with every turn. He remarked
alfo, with great juflice, that his former blindnefs gave
him one advantage over the reft of mankind, which was
that of being able to walk in the night, with confidence
and fecurity. But, when he began to make ufe of this
new fenfe, he feemed tranfported beyond meafure. The

* A thick and impenetrable cloud of darhiefs on a fudden enveloped the
Grecian army, and fufpended the battle. Ajax, perplexed what courfe to
take, prays thus.

Accept a warrior’s pray’r, eternal Jove ;

This cloud of darknefs from the Greeks remove ;

Give us but tight, and let us fee our foes,

We’ll bravely fall, tho’ Jove /«^-^oppofc.

The fentiments of Ajax are here pathetically expreffed ; it is Ajax himfclf.
He begs not for life : a requeft like that would be beneath a hero. But be-
caufe in tMt darknefs he could difplay his valour in no illuftrious exploit, and
his great heart was unable to brook a (luggilh inaaivity in the field of aaion,
he only prays for light, not doubting to crown his fall with fome notable per-
formance, though Jove Kimfelf fliould oppofe his efforts. Long i.^us.

brightnefs

165

brightnefs of the day, the azure vault of heaven, the
verdure of the earth, the cryftal of the waters, all
employed him at once, and animated and filled hirn
witii inexpreffible delight. He turned his eyes to-
wards the fun. Its fplendour dazzled and overpowered
him; he fliut them once more; and, to his great con-
cern, he fuppofed that, during this fiiort interval of
darknefs, he was returning to nothing. New ideas
now began to arife ; new pafiions, as yet un perceived,
with fears, and pleafures, all took pofleffion of his mind,
and prompted his curiofity : love ferved to complete his
happinefs and every fenfe was gratified in all its va-
rietv.

I had not, perhaps, been thus dilFufe on the article
of lights unlefs I had obferved, that all animals,
when afflifted with illnefs, fly inftindfively to fome
Jilent and dark retreat, where, unaided by art, they
quickly recover; and that man, left to the guidance
of reafon only, often fidls lliort in this refpe£l of
the brute creation, and frequently his powers, al-
ready weakened by difeafe, get flill the more cx-
haujicd by an imprudent admiflTion of company and
light.

Every

Every one, who has experienced a nervous fever,
fays the benevolent Mr. Townsekd, muft have felt
the diftrefs that is occafioned by thefe Jiimuli

* Vide The Guide io Health, Obfervation the Sixth, oi) Light.

SECT.

167

SECT. VI.

ON AIRk

As this fubjea has been already treated of in Part IL
of this work, I flaall only recapitulate what has been
before faid, giving, however, a few additional obfrva-
t'lom on the pernicious effetls of bad atr.

In Part II. ,Sect. I. it was fliewn, “ that air is ah-
folutcly necejfary for the prefervation of llfed'

In Sect. II. it was fliewn, from the dcftriiSiion in the
prifon of Calcutta, and the hlftory of the Lying-In Hofpital
at Dublin, where, in a few years only, 4OOO children
unnecejjarily perijhed, “ that a due f apply of air is indif-
penfabled'

In Sect. III. it was faid, “ that atmofphcrlc air confifed
df two parts, of which one is called vital, becaufe it con-
tributes to life \ the other azotic, bccaufe, being refpired
by animals, it produces in a few minutes death Thus when
thefe two portions are feparated, and confined within dif-
ferent jars ; a moufe, or any other animal, will live a con-
fiderable time in the one, being lively, brifk, and a£iive ;
whilji in the other he foon languifhes and dies.

Z 2

i68

In Sect. IV. it was fliewn, “ that the vitaly or oxygen,
portion of the atmofphcre zvcis by our breathing,

ill, Converted into fixed air (oxygen air and char-
coal thrown off from the blood), and

2dly, It was ABSORBED by the venal blood rendering
it arterial blood, and

3dly, ‘That the oxygen or vital portion of the air being
altered or abf orbed, nothing but an atmofphcre of FIXED
and AZOTIC airs was left behind, both of which are in-
capable of fupporting IfcP

In Sect. V. “ The animal machine was compared to a
clock : the' wheels whereof may be in ever fo good order, the
mechanifm complete in every part, and wound up to the full
pitch-, yet without (ome impulfe to the vjith-

out the incejfant ftimuhis of vital or oxygen air in the blood,
which alone fets the heart a going, the whole would re-
main motionlefs."

That air is a fiimulus to the lieart and arteries in pro-
portion to the oxygen air it contains (the effedls of
temperature lias been before confidered), is proved in
feveral fc6tions in Part II *. We need therefore only
introduce here the language of Dr. Thornton to Dr.
Beddoes, who fays, “ How great an advantage does

* Sec note page no.

the

169

tlie know ledge, of thib compofition and cffcHs of air pro-
mife to the world, fince, by means of modified air
under the condudl of the judicious phyfjcian, the ailions
the vital orgaus may be quickened or reiardedy and the
fecretlons changed.'''

Having fufficiently explained the Jllmulating effcHs of
a pure atmofpherCy we will now contemplate, for a few
minutes, the effedls of an impure or noxious air.

The queftion whether putrid marflies are, or are not,
unvvholefome, is of confiderable moment; Dr. Priest-
ley, therefore, by a clear and conclufive experiment,
has proved, that the vapour which arifes from putrid
water is exceedingly noxious, and thus guards us againfl:
the mifehief which might otherwife proceed from a
carelefs belief of the oppofite opinion. Happening, fays
Dr. Priestley, to ufe at Caine a much larger trough
of water, for the purpofe of my experiments, than I had
done at Leeds, and not having frelh water fo near at
hand as I had there, I negle£led to change it, till it be-
came ofFenfive, but by no means to fuch a degree, as to
determine me from not making ufe of it. In this flate
of the water, I obferved bubbles of air to rife from it,
and efpecially in one place, to which fome fhelves, that
; 8 I had

1^0

I had in it, directed them ; and having fet an inverted
glafs veflcl to catch them, in a few days I colledled a
confiderable quantity of this air, which iflued fpontane-
oufly from the putrid water ; and putting nitrous air ^ to
it, I found that no change of colour or diminution enfued,
fo that it mull: have been in the higheft degree noxious.

The celebrated Dr. Franklin has llkewife pointed
out the pernicious effedls of air from ftagnant waters.
Speaking of the flame which may be lighted up on the
furface of fome waters in America ■ I have frequently,
fays this excellent philofopher, tried the experiment in
'England. One day being employed in flirring up the
ftagnant water at the bottom of a deep ditch, I was feized
foon after with an intermitting fever , which I can aferibe
to no other caufe, than to my breathing too much of
that foul air which I ftirred up from the bottom, and
which I could not avoid while I Hooped in endeavouring
to kindle it.

Contagion\% the infeparable attendant on the plague,
or PUTRID FEVER. The winds may ditFufe the fubtle
venom ; but, unlefs the atmofphere be previoufly difpofed
for its reception, they would foon expire in the cold and
temperate climates of the earth.

* Sec fage 59.

Such

Such was the rmivcrfal corruption of the air, that the
peftilence which burft forth in the fifteenth year of Jus-
tinian was not checked ox alleviated h'j any difference of
ihe feafons. In time its firft: malignity was abated and
difperfed ; the difeafe alternately languiflicd and revived;
but it was not till the end of a calamitous period fifty
years that mankind recovered their health, and the air
refumed its pure and falubrious quality.

No fadls have been preferved to fuftain an account, or
even a conje6lure, of the numbers that periflied in this
extraordinary mortality.

I only find, fays our elegant hiftorian *, that during
three months 5,000, and at length ic,ooo perfons died
each day at Constantinople, — that many cities of
the East were left vacant, — and that in feveral diftri6ls
of Italy the harveft qnd the vintage withered on the
ground.

In 1720, the plague fwept away from Marseilles
50,OOO.inhabitants, though this city contains at prefent
no more than 92,000 fouls.

In that great plague which defolated the city of Lon-
don, the conftitution of the air previous to it was fin-
gular a hard froft during the winter, lafiing till near

*■ Gibbon.

the

172

the end of Marcli, — a fudden thaw, — the ground covered
with water from melted fnow and ice, — and great heats
fucceeding ; — men were living, as it were, in a room
flooded with water, with a great fire.

As foon as the nature of the difeafe was known,
40,000 fervants were difmifled, and turned into the
flreets to perifh, for no one would receive them into
their houfes ; and the villagers near London drove them
away with pitch-forks and fire-arms.

Sir John Lawrence, “ London’s generous mayor,’*
fupported them all, as well as the needy who were fick,
at firft by expending his own fortune, till fubferiptions
could be folicited and received from all parts of the

nation.

“ Raifed the weak head, and flayed the parting flgli,

“ Or with new life reliinicd the fwimming eye.”

Dr. Darwi.v.

A pit 40 feet long, 16 feet wide, and about 20 feet
deep, was dug 'in the Charter-house, and in two
W'eeks it received 1,114 bodies.

During this dreadful calamity there were inftances of
mothers carrying their own children to thofe public
graves, and of people delirious, or in defpair for the lofs
of their friends, who threw thcmfelves alive into thefe
pits,

“ One

(

173

“ One fniillng boy, her laft fwect hope, Ihe warm’d,
“ hulh’d on her bofom, circled in her arms,

“ Daughter of woe ! — ere morn, in vain carefs’d,

“ clung the cold babe upon thy miiklcfs bread,

“ witli feeble cries thy laji fad aid required,

“ ftretch'd its ftilT limbs, and on thy lap expired !”

“ Long with wide eye-lids on her child Ihe gazed,

“ and long to heaven their tearlefs orbs Ihe raifed }

“ Then with quick foot and throbbing heart Ihc found
“ where Chartreuse open’d deep his holy ground ;

“ Bore her laft treafure through the midnight gloom,

“ and kneeling dropp’d it in the mighty tomb ;

“ I follow nixt! the frantic mourner faid,

“ and living plunged amid the the fettering dead.”

Darwin.

A pious and learned fchoolmafler, who ventured to
ftay in the city, and took upon himfelf the humane of-
fice of vifiting the fick and dying, who had been deferted
by better phyficians, averred, that being once called to
a poor woman, who had buried her children of the
plague, he found the room where flie lay fo little that it
fcarce could hold any more than the bed whereon flie
was ftretched. However, in this wretched abode, befide
her, in an open coffin, her hufband lay, who had fome
time before died of the fame diftemper ; and whom (he,
poor creature, foon followed.

A a

What'

174

"VVhat fiiewecl the peculiar maligMy of the air, thus
fufFering from human miafmita, or effluvia, was, that
tlie contagious Jieams, had produced spots on the very
wall of their wretched apartment: and Mr. Boyle’s
own fludy, which was contiguous to a peft-houfe, was
alfo fpotted in tlie fame frightful manner *.

In the year 1793, the manufadlures, trade, and com-
merce, of Philadelphia, were flourifiiing in the
grcateft degree. Tlie number of coaches, chairs, &c.
lately fet up in that city by men in the middle rank of
life, is hardly to be believed. And although there had
been a very great increafe of hackney chairs, yet was it
next to impofflble to procure one on a Sunday, unlefs it
was engaged two or three days beforehand. Luxury,
the ufual, and perhaps inevitable concomitant of prof-
perity, had eradicated the plain and wholefome manners
of an infant town. Every one looked forward to the
full harvefl of profperity. But how fleeting are all hu-
man views ! how uncertain all plans founded on earthly
appearances ! All thefe flattering profpedls, as Mr.
Carey beautifully expreffes it, vaniilied like the bafe-
lefs fabric of a vlfion.

In July 1793 arrived the unfortunate fugitives from
Cape Francois. And on this occafion, the liberality

* Goldsmith.

175

of Philadelphia was difplayccl in a moll: refpedlablc
point of view. Nearly 12,000 dollars were in a few
days colle6led for their relief Little, alas ! did many
of the contributors, then in eafy circumflances, imagine,
that a few weeks would leave their wives and children
dependent on public charity, as has fince unfortunately
happened. An awful inflance of the rapid and warning
viciflitudes of aiTairs on this tranfitory ftage.

At this feemingly propitious moment, the deftroying
fcourge* crept 'in among us, and nipped in the bud the
fairefl: blofibrns of hope. And, oh ! what a dreadful
contrail fuddenly took place ! ,

Difmav and affright are vifible in Q\'ery one’s coun-
tenance. Molf people, who can by any means make it
convenient, are Ifying from the city. Of thofe who rc-

* The privateer Sams Culottes Marseillois, with her prize the
Flora, which arrived the 22d of July, introduced fhe coriiageous fever.
The privateer was in a foul, dirty condition, her hold was fmall, and perhaps
as ill calculated for the accommodation of x\\c great number of people that were
pn board, as any veffel that ever croffed the oepan- All her filth was emp-
tied .at a wharf between Arch and ILtce-Jlreet. A dead body, fuppofed to have
died of A FEVER, covered withcanvafs, lay on board the F lor a, for fomc time,
and wasfeen by Mr. Lemaigne, and other gentlemen. It is certain that the
mortality began about that part of Water-lfrcet where the Mary, thepLORA,
and the Sans Culo ^ tes lay. Almoft every death which at firft occurred
could be without difficulty traced to that ftreet. Some French lads were alfa
among the earlieft vi£lims.

A a 2

mam,

176

main, many liave fhut themfelves up in their houfes,
and are afraid to walk the ftreets. Thofe who venture
abroad, have handkerchiefs or fpunges impregnated with
vinegar or camphor perpetually at their nofes, or elfe
are fmelling at bottles with the thieves’ vinegar. Others
carry pieces of tar in their hands or pockets, or camphor
bags tied round their necks. Many never walk on the
foot path, but go into the middle of the ftreets to avoid
being infedled in palling houfes wherein people have
died. Acquaintances and friends avoid each other in
the ftreets, and only ftgnify their regard by a cold nod.
Every one appears to fliift his courfe at the fight of a
hearfe coming towards him. A perfon with a crape, or
any appearance of mourning, is Ihunned as a viper. In-
deed it is probable London did not exhibit ftronger
marks of terror, than were feen in Philadelphia from
about the middle of Auguft till pretty late in Septem-
ber. Many of our firft commercial houfes are totally
diflblved, by the death or flight of the parties, and their
affifirs neceflarily left in fo deranged a ftate, that the
lofles, and protefts of notes, which have enfued, are be-
yond eftimation.

While affairs were in this deplorable ftate, and people
at the loweft ebb of defpair, we cannot be aftonifhed at

the

^11

the frightful fcenes tliat were a£lcd, which feemed to
indicate a total diflblution of the bonds of fociety in the
neareft and deareft connexions. Who, without horror,
can read of a hulband deferting his wife, united to him
perhaps for twenty years, in the laif agony ; — a wife un-
feelingly abandoning her hufband on his death-bed ; —
parents forfaking their children : — children ungratefully
flying from their parents, and religning them to chance ;
— mailers hurrying off their faithful fervants to the hof-
pital, ellablllhed out of the town, even on fufplclon of
the fever, and that at a time when, like Tartarus, it
was open to every vlfltant, but never returned any;—
fervants abandoning tender and humane mailers, who
only wanted a little care to reflore them to health and
ufefulnefs : — who, I fay, can even now refle£l on thefe
things without horror? Yet fuch were the daily fpec-
tacles exhibited throughout our city. IVIany men of
affluent fortunes, who have given employment and fuf-
^tenance to multitudes, have been abandoned to the care
of a hired negro, after their wives, children, friends,
clerks, and fervants, have fled away, and left them to
their fate. With the poor the cafe was, as might be
expelled, infinitely worfe. Many of thefe have perillied
without a human being to hand them a little water,

to.

178

to admililller medicines, or perform any charitable of-
fice for them. Various inftances occur of dead bodies
found lying in the llreets, of perfons who had no
houfe of their own, and looking ill, could procure no
fhelter.

The number of the infedled daily increafing, and
every one affli6led with this difeafe being refufed admit-
tance into the alms-houfes, as fome temporary place was
requifite, three of the guardians of the poor took pof-
feffion of the Circus, in which Mr. Ricketts had lately
exhibited his equeflrian feats, being the only place that
could be procured for the purpofe. Thither they fent
feven perfons afflided with the malignant fever, where
they lay in the open air for fome time, without afliftance,
for nurfes could not be procured them, though high
wages were offered. Of thefe, one crawled out on the
common, where he died at a diftance from any houfe.
Two died in the Circus, one of whom was feafonably
removed, the other lay in a ftate of putrefadion for
above forty-eight hours, owing to the difficulty of pro-
curing any perfon to remove him.

The inhabitants of the neighbourhood of the Circus
took the alarm, and threatened to burn or deAroy it,
unlcfs the fick were removed ; and it is believed they

would

179

would have actually carried their threats into execution,
had a compliance been delayed a day longer.

A fervant girl, belonging to a family in this city, in
which the fever had prevailed, was apprehenfive of dan-
ger, and refolved to remove to a relation’s in the country.
She was, however, taken fick on the road, and returned
to town, where llie could find no perfori to receive her.
One of the guardians of the poor provided a cart, and
took her to the alms-houfe, into which fhe was refufed
admittance. She was brought back, and the guardians
offered five dollars to procure her a fmgle night’s lodg-
ing, but in vain. And, in fine, after every effort" to
provide her flielter, fhe abfolutely expired in the cart.

I'o add to the dreadful afflidlion of the inhabitants of
Philadelphia, the alarm was fpread throughout the
difl'erent flates of America. The inhabitants of New
York firffc came to a refolution to flop all intercourfe
with the infe61ed city ; and for this purpofe guards were
flationed at the different landings, with orders to fend
back every perfon coming Philadelphia. All
perfons taking in lodgers, were called upon to give in-
formation of all people of every defeription, under pain
of being profecuted according to law. All good citizens
8

were

i8o

were required to give information to the mayot, of aiiy
breach of thefe premifes.

All thefe ftridl precautions being eluded by the anxi-
ous fugitives from Philadelphia, there was a fecond
meeting held, of the delegates from the feveral wards of
the city, in order to adopt more efFe£tual methods. At
this meeting, it was refolved to eftablilh a night watch
of not lefs than ten citizens in each ward, to guard
againfl fucli as might efcape them by day. Not yet
eafed of their fears, they next day publifhed an addrefs,
in which they mentioned, that notvvithftanding their
utmoft vigilance, many perfons had been clandejilnely
landed upon the fliores of New-York Island. They
therefore again called upon their fellow citizens to be
cautious how they received ftrangers into their houfes;
not to fail to report all fuch to the mayor immediately
upon their arrival ; to remember the importance of the
occafon ; and to confidcr what reply they Jhould make to the
JUST refentment of their fellow citizens whofe lives they
might expoje by a criminal ncglc^l and infidelity. They
likewife refolved, that they would confider and publilh
to the world, as enemies to the welfare of the city^ and the
lives of its inhabitants, all thofe who fliould be fo felfilh

and

i8i

and hardy, as to attempt to introduce any goods, wares,
merchandizes, bedding, baggage, 6cc. imported from, or
packed up in, Philadelphia, contrary to the rules
prefcribed by that body, who were, they faid, deputed to
exprefs the will of their fellow citizens.

While our citizens were thus, continues Mr. Carey,
profcribed in feveral cities and towns,— hunted up like
felons in fome,-— and debarred admittance and turned
back in others, whether found or infedted, — it is with
extreme fatisfadlion I am able to record a few inftances
of a contrary procedure.

A refpe61able number of the inhabitants of Springfield^
in New Jersey, after a full confideration of the dif-
treffes of our citizens, pafled a refolve, offering their
town as an afylum to the people flying from Philadel-
phia, and directing their committee to provide a fuit-
able place, as an hofpital, for fuch of them as might be
feized with the prevailing malignant fever , An afylum
was likewife offered to the Philadelphians by feveral of
the inhabitants of Klkton^ in Maryland ; and the offer
was couched in terms of the utmoft fympathy for the
diflreffes of the Philadelphians.

At this time the diforder was raging with increaflng
vehemence. By order of the mayor the bells were flop-

B b ped'

i82

pcJ from tolling'. This was a very expedient meafurc ;
as they had before been kept pretty conftantly going the
whole day, fo as to terrify thofe in health, and drive the
fick, as far as the influence of imagination could produce
that efFedf, to their graves. An idea had gone abroad,
that the burning of fires in the ftreets would have a ten-
dency to purify the air, and arrefl: the progrefs of the dif-
order. The people had, therefore, almofl: every night
large fires at the corners of each ftreet. The mayor
publithed alfo a proclamation forbidding this dangerous
pra£lice. As a fubftitute, many had recourfe to the
firing of guns, which was imagined a fure preventative
of the difordcr. This was carried fo far, and attended
with fo great noife, that it was alfo forbidden by an order
from the mayor.

The fituation of the public hofpital was mofl dreadful.
A profligate and unfeeling fet of nurfes (none of good
chara6ler could be procured at this moment) rioted on
the provifions and comforts prepared for the fick, who
(unlefs at the hours the dodlors attended) were left al-
mofl entirely deftitute of every alfiflance. The dying
and dead were indiferiminately mingled together. The
ordure and other evacuations of the fick were often al-
lowed from inattention to remain. Not the fmallcft
4 order

i83

order or regularity cxilled. It was, in fa£l, a great hu-
man Jlaughter-houfe ^ where numerous viftlms were im-
molated at the altar of riot and intemperance. No
wonder, then, that a general dread of the place prevailed
throughout the city, and that a removal to it was con-»
fidered as the feal of death. In confequence, there were
various inftances of fick perfons locking their rooms, and
refilling every attempt to carry them away. At length
the poor were fo much afraid of being fent to Bush-
hill, that they would not acknowledge their illnefs,
until it was no longer polTible to conceal it. For it is
to be obferved, that the fear of the contagion was fo
prevalent, that as foon as any one was taken hek, an
alarm was fpread among the neighbours, and every effort
was ufed to have the fick perfon hurried olF to Bush-
hill, to avoid fpreading the diforder. The cafes of poor
people forced in this way to that hofpital, though labour-
ing under only common colds, and common fevers of
irritation, are numerous and afflidling. There were not
wanting inllances of perfons, only llightly ill, being fent
to Bushhill, by their panic-llruck neighbours, and
embracing the firll opportunity of running back to PhIs.

LADELPHIA.

At this time a circumllance however occurred, whicK

B b 2 alone

184

alone would be fufficicnt to refcue the charadier of man
from obliquy and reproach. As a human being, I re-
joice, favs the benevolent Mr. Carey, that it has fallen
to my lot, to be a witnefs and recorder of the fa£t.
Stephen Gerard, a wealthy merchant, and native of
France, touched with the wretched fituation of the fuf-
ferers at Bushhill^ voluntarily and unexpedbedly of-
fered to fuperintend that hofpital. The furprife and fa-
tisfadtion excited by tliis extraordinary effort of huma-
nity, can be better conceived than expreifed. Peter
Helm, a njitiveof Pen/ylvanla, adfuated by the like be-
nevolent motives, offered his fervices alio in the fame
department.

To form a juft eftimate of the value of the offer of
thefe good men, it is neceffary to take into full confide-
ration the general confternation, which at that period
pervaded everv quarter of the city, and which made at-
tendance on the fick be regarded little lefs than certain
Jacrifice. Uninfluenced by any refledfions of this kind,
without any poffible inducement, but the pureft motives
of humanity, they came forward, and undertook what
would by others be deemed a forlorn hope. They un- ,
derwent a laborious round of duty. They Inceflantly
encouraged and comforted the ftek, they gave tliem ne-

ceflaries

185

ceflaries and medicines, they even performed many dif-
gufting offices of kindnefs, which nothing could render
tolerable, but the exalted motives that impelled them to
this heroic conduit.

On the contrary, the ^<2// of Philadelphia is under
fuch excellent regulations, that the diforder made its ap-
pearance there only in two or three inftances, although
fuch abodes of mifery are the places where contagious
diforders are moftly generated. When this putrid fever
raged moft violently in the city, there were in the jail
one hundred and fix French foldiers and failors, confined
by the order of the French conful, befides eighty con-
victs, vagrants, and perfons for trial ; all of whom ex-
cept two or three remained perfectly free from the com-
plaint. Several circumftances confpired to produce this
falutary efFeCt.

The people confined are frequently cleanfed and puri-
fied by the ufe of the hot and cold bath ; — they are kept
conftantly employed ; — vegetables form a confiderable
portion of their diet in the yard vegetation flourifiies;
— and many of them being employed in ftone cutting,
the water, conftantly running, keeps the atmofphere in
a moiji and pure ftate. Whereas the inhabitants of
dirty and confined ftreets have feverely expiated their

ncgleCt

i86

ncgledl of clcanlinefs and decency, by the number or
them that have fallen facrifices. Whole families in
fuch houfes have funk into one filent and undiflinguifhed
grave.

As I have been obliged to note a variety of horrid cir-
cumftances, which have a tendency to throw a fhadc
over the human charader, it is proper to refleft a little
light on the fubjecl, wherever juftice and truth will
permit it. Here it ought to be recorded, that fomc of
the convidfs in the jail voluntarily offered themfelves as
nurfes to attend the fick at Bushhill, and have in that
capacity conduced themfelves with fo much fidelity and
tendernefs, that they have had the repeated thanks of
the managers.

In the progrefs of this dlforder, from the numerous
deaths of heads of families, a great number of children
were left in a mofl; abandoned and forlorn Bate. The
bettering houfes, in which fuch helplefs fubjedts have
been ufually placed, was barred againfl; them. Many
of thefe little innocents were adlually fullering for want
of even common neceffaries. The deaths of their pa-
rents and protedois, which fliould have been the
flrongen; recommendation to public charity, was the
very reafon of their diflrcfs, and of their being fliunncd

as a peftllence. The children of a family, once in af-
fluent cirtumfliances, were found, their parents being
dead, in a blackfmith’s fliop, fqualid, dirty, and half
Ifarved, having been for a confiderable time without even
a talfe of bread. This early caught the attention of the
humane, and 160 children were foon refcued from this
forlorn condition, and lodged in a building called the
Loganian Library.

Rarely has it happened, that fo large a proportion of
the gentlemen of the faculty have funk beneath the la-
bours of their very dangerous profejjion^ as on this occa-
fion. In little more than a month, exclufive of medical
Undents, no lefs than ten phyficians have been fwept off.
Hardly any of the apothecaries^ who remained in the
city, efcaped from indifpofition, T he venerable Sa-
muel Robes AN has been, like a good angel, inde-
fatigably performing, in families where there was not
one perfon able to help another, even the menial offices
of the kitchen, in every part of his neighbourhood.
John Connelly has fpent hours befide the flck, when
their own wives and children had abandoned them.
Twice did he catch the diforder,— twice was he on the
brink of the grave, which was yawning to receive him,—

- * yet.

i88

yet, unappalled by the imminent danger he had efcaped,
he again returned to the charge.

To habits defeHively oxygenated, as with tiplers,
and drunkards, and men of a corpulent habit, and wo-
men with child, this diforder proved very fatal. Of
thefe many were feized, and the recoveries were very
rare

If you examine the regifter of the weather, you will
find there was no ram from the 25th of Auguft until the
1 4th of Odtober, except a few drops, hardly enough to lay
the duft in the ftreets, which fell on the 9th of Septem-
ber, and the 12th of 06Iober. In confequence of which,
the fprings and wells failed in many parts of the coun-
try. The duft in fome places extended two feet below
the furface of the ground. The paftures were deficient,
or burnt up, and there was a fcarcity of autumnal fruits
in the neighbourhood of the city. The regifter of the
weather fhews alfo hoiv little the air was agitated by
windi during the above time. In vain were the changes
of the moon expelled to alter the ftate of the atmofphere.
The light of the morning, as conftantly mocked the

• VKlc the Seflion on Frvfr.*, in Pai't IV. On the Nature or Dis-

BACES, ANU THEIR PROPER TREATMENT.

hopes,

189

hopes, which were raifed by a cloudy Iky in the even-
ing. Hundreds fickened each day beneath the influence
of the fun ; and even when his beams did not excite dif-
eafe,* they produced a languor in the body, and to ufe
the country phrafe, the labourer in the field gave in,
and that too when the mercury in the thermometer was
under 80 degrees. On the 12th of September a meteor
affrighted the inliabitants. Afufehetoes were uncom-
monly numerous. Here and there a dead cat added to
the impurity of the air of the fl reets ; for many of thofc
animals periflied with hunger in the city, in confe-
quence of fo many houfes being deferted by the inhabi-
tants who had fled into the country.

However inoffenfive uniform heat, when agitated by
gentle breezes, may be, there is I believe no record,
where a dry and ftagnating air has exifled for any length
of time\vithout producing difeafe. Hippocrates, in
deferibing a peftilential fever, fays, the year in which it
prevailed was without a breeze of wind. The fame ftate
of the atmofphere for fix weeks, is mentioned in many
of the hiftories of the plague which prevailed in London
in 1 665. Even the fea air itfelf becomes unwholefome
by ftagnating ; hence Dr. Clark informs us, thatfailors
become fickly after long calms in their voyages to the

*■ 2 Eaft

190

Eaft Indies. Sir John Pringle delivers the following
aphorifm from a number of fimilar obfervations upon
this fubje6t. “ When the heat comes on foon, and con-
“ tinues throughout autumn, not moderated hy winds, or
“ rams, the feafon proves Jickly, dijlempers appear early,
* ‘ and are dangerous . ’ ’

A TABLE OF DEATHS.

Au«ust I

Die

•d.

Died,

—

I I

—

119

—

III

—

104

—

Rain, 14

—

IS.

—

2 1

—

Cloudy, 2 5

—

Cloudy, 26

—

Rain, - 27

—

Rain, - 28

—

Fair, - 29

—

Rain, - 30

—

Rain, - 31

—

Novem. Rain, i

—

Fair, - 2

—

Cloudy, - 3

—

Rain, - 4

— *

—

October i

—

Rain, — 5

—

Cloudy, - 6

—

Fair, but cold, 7

—

Fair, - 8

—

F'air, - 9

—

Septem. j

—

Fair, - 10

—

Fair, -11

—

102

Total -

4000

From

I9I

From this table it appears that the principal mortality
was In the fecond week of Odlober. A general expec-
tation had obtained, that cold weather was as deftrudtive
of the contagion of this fever as heavy rains. The ufual
time for its arrival had come, but the weather was ftill
not only moderate, but warm. In this awful fituation,
the flouted hearts began to fail. Hope fickened, and
defpair fucceeded diflrefs in almoft every countenance.
On the 14th of Odiober it pleafed God to alter the date
of the air. The clouds at lad dropped health mjhowers
of rain, which continued during the whole day, and
which were fucceeded for feveral nights afterwards by
cold zndifroj}. The efFedls of this change in the weather,
appeared fird in the fudden diminution of the fick, for
the deaths continued for a week afterwards to be nearly
as numerous, but they were of perfons who had been
confined before, or on the day in which the change had
taken place in the weather.

The appearance of this rain was like a dove with an
olive branch in its mouth, to the whole city. Public
notice was given of its beneficial effedls in a letter fub-
fcribed by the mayor of Philadelphia, who acted as
prefident of the committee, to the mayor of New
York.

i88

To Richard Vanche, Esq^

“ Sir,

I am favoured with your letter of the I2th inftant, which I have
communicated to the Committee.

“ The part, Sir, which you perfonally take in our affliftions, and which
“ you have fo pathetically expreffed in your letter, excites in the breafts of the
“ Committee the warmeft fenlittions of affection. The fubfeription made in
New York is a balm to the fores of our dUlrefled city.

“ I am overjoyed as I inform you, that the refrelhing m/’k which fell on
** the 14th, though light, and the coal ivealher which hath fucceeded, appear
“ to have given a check to the prevalence of the fever. Few lince appear to
“ have taken the infe(£lion; the applications for the hofpital are few, and the
“ funerals are decreafed.

“ With feutiments of the greatell efteem and regard, Ac."

On the 30th and 3 ill; of 061ober there was a confider-
able fall of rain. The fever was in confeqnence wholly
fubdued A vifible alteration foon took place in the city.
Every hour long abfent and welcome faces appear, — and
in many inftances, thofe of perfons whom public fame has
buried for weeks paft. The flores, fo long clofed, are
opening fall:. Some of the country merchants, bolder
than the reft, are daily venturing into their old place of
fupply. Market-ftreet is almoft as full of waggons as
ufual. The Cuftom-houfe, for weeks nearly deferted
by our mercantile people, is thronged by citizens enter-
ing their veflels and goods:— the ftreets too, long the
abode of gloom and defpair, have affumed the buftlc
fuitable to the feafon. The arrival in the city of our
beloved Prelldent, continues Mr. Carey, gives us a
I flattering

189

flattering profpefl of tlie next feflion of congrefs being
here. And, in fine, as every tiling in the early fiage of
the difordcr, feemed calculated to add to the confierna-
tion; fo now, on the contrary, every circumftance has
a tendency to revive the hopes and happinefs of our af-
fliclied city

In the year 1732-3, there happened throughout Eu-
rope an epidemic of a mofi: dreadful nature.

The previous conjiitution of the air occafioned a great
drought, which may be inferred from the failure of the
fprings, and the abatement of frefh water in all its ufual
currents and refervoirs.

In Engla'nd we had little if any froft ; great fogs
were much noticed in Germany and France.

In the latter kingdom there was, about Chriftmas, a
trifling fall of fnow. This was fucceeded with conftant
foutherly winds, and ojfenfvc fogs, during which there
was obferved by fome furgeons a great difpofition in
wounds to mortify.

Both before and during the continuance of the epidemic
in England the air was unufually warm for the time of
the feafon, with forms of wind from the fouth-weft,
lightnings, and thunder.

* This fever fwept oflF about 4,000 perfons. Vide note *, page 41.

C c The

The time of invajion was different in different coun-
tries.

An uniformity of fymptoms, however, was remarkable
every where.

A fmall rigour ox chilllnefs^ — fucceeded by a fever oi
a duration (in fuch as recovered) feldom above three
days.

This fever was attended with headaeh, — pains along the
back, — -flight thlrji, — fncezlng, — a thin dejluxion from the
nofe and eyes, — a cough, with expedioration of phlegm, and
when this matter became purulent, the difeafe proved
fatal. — The cough continued with fome fix weeks or
two months.

This epidemic invaded Saxony, and the neighbouring
countries in Germany, about the fifteenth of No-

vember.

It was earlier in Holland than in England ; earlier
in Edinburgh than in London.

It was in New-England before it attacked Bri-
tain ; in London before it reached fome other places
wejiward, as Oxford, Bath, See. — and, as far as I
can colledi from accounts, it invaded the northerly parts
of Europe before the foutherly.

It lafted in Its vigour in London — from about the
middle of 'January 1733 for about three weeks: — the
Bills of Mortality, from Tuefday the 23d, to Tuefday
the 3:th of January, contained 1,588 perfons, being
higher than any time fince the plague.

There was, during the whole feafon, a great run of
hyfterical, hypochondriacal, and nervous diftempers.

I lliall only add, that the horfes were feized with the
catarrh before men, and that dogs were reported to have
gone mad long before the autumn.

The epidemic catarrh, whenever it appears, fpreads,
from province to province, till it has extended over Eu-
rope, or even crolTed the Atlantic to America. A few
years back I had, fays the Rev. Mr. Townsend, a
mod ftriking demon ftration of its progreffive march. I
was at St. Agnes., in Cornwall, but before it reached u
I removed with all my family to LanUverj. There we
continued fafe, whilft the dlfeafe was fpreading in the
parifla of St. Agnes-, and on our return we found that
few perfons had efcaped, but that it had quitted them,
and was extending weftward to the extremity of Corn-
wall.

Dr. Cullen has colle6led a regider of epidemical
catarrhs to the amount of twenty-five, betw^een the years

C c 2 1323

192

1323 and 1767: but ether pradlitloners have greatly
increafed tliis lifl.

Lime-kilns throw ofF large quantities of fixed air ;
and thofe wlio incautioufly lay themfelves down either
on the walls of the kiln, or fo near as to be expofed to
the vapour which rifes from the burning lime-ftone,
often experience its pernicious eff'e6ls. Some years ago,
I remember a poor family, fays Dr. Falconer of Bath,
who lodged in a room adjoining to a lime-kiln ; during
the night, the vapour of the burning lime made its way
into the room, and the four perfons of which the family
confilled were all killed. In the morning they were
found lying as in a compofed fleep, without any appear-
ance of having gone through either pain or ftruggle.

In the fpring of the year 1778, two diforderly young
women, after rambling about the town for a conhder-
able part of the night, crept early in the morning into a
little hovel which was contiguous to a Umc-kiln. I'he
kiln was charged and burning, and the vapour of the
lime was forced through fome crevices into the hovel.
After fome hours, the maiv who had the care of the kiln
came to look after his work, and finding thefe women
as he fuppofed afleep, went away without difturbing
them. Some time after he returned, and feeing them

flill

193

ftill in the fame place, endeavoured to awaken them,
but in vain ; they were cold and motionlefs. In one
tliere did not appear to be the Jeaft remains of life ; and
in the other there was only a flight and indiftindl move-
ment about the heart. This patient was foon conveyed
to the hofpital. By proper means fhe was recovered,
and ran away from the hofpital, without exprefling the
leafl: fenfe of gratitude for the care and humanity which
had been exercifed towards her. The other was not
conveyed to the hofpital fo early, and the fame means
were ufed, but without fuccefs.

The moft: neat and delicate perfon, after having paflTed
the night in his bed-chamber, docs not, when he awakes,
difcover any faint fmell in, his room: but if he quits it
only for a few minutes, and returns to it, after having
been in the open air, and before frefh air has been ad-
mitted, he will quickly difcern an eflfential difFerence.

If thefe evils arife from animal effluvia, in apartments
frequented by the opulent, nice, and elegant, who have
the means and difpofition to promote neatnefs and clean-
linefs; how much more injurious mufl; Jlagnant air
be in the hovels of the indigent, who are deflitute of
all the conveniences, and many of the neceflaries, of
life.

194

In order to be fatisfied of the truth of this obfervation,
v;e need only look into the great manufacturing towns,
where we fliall find a puny degenerate race of people,
•jLxak and fickly all their lives, feldom exceeding the mid-
dle period of life ; or if they do, being unfit for bufmefs,
they become a burthen to fociety. Thus arts and ma-
nufadlures, though they may increafe the riches of a
country, are by no means favourable to the health of its
inhabitants.

Unwholesome air, fays Dr. Buchan, author of
the Domeftic Medicine (a work fliewing accurate ob-
fervation, and great experience, but incapable of form-
ing the pradlitioner is a very common caufe of

dlfeafe.

• This work, always purs me in mind of the Edinburgh Phiimacoptcta
Tauprrum, and the ILred'iiary Shop I found in Ireland where each drawer
containing medicines was carefully labelled. “ For fevers, fits, sore

T-YES, &c. !” When Dr. , who gave his advice for one (hilling, died

ar Marlborough, his stable-boy married his widow, and continued in his
houfe, and therefore naturally fucceeded to his bufmefs. E^nfortunately the
prefeription-book. of the deceal'cd was not Uiled, and a patient would therefore
frequently come for a cure of the gripes, and he was given jalap ; for t'o-
mit'nig, and he had antimonial wine; for pain in the fiomach, whether
arifing from nvind or infuimmaihn, and he had peppermint water; and the
dofes were the fame, however tlie conftitutions might differ. The late cele-
Dr. Hugh Smith ufed to robe a man of an impofing countenance, who, when
he was abfent at a fox-chaf.-, heard his home (aiienls with fignificant attention,

and

195

dlfeafe. Few, fays he, are aware of the danger arlfing
from bad air. People generally pay fome fmall atten-
tion to what they eat and drink ; but feldom regard what
goes into the lungs, though the latter proves often more
fuddenly fatal than the former.

and would take out the Doftor’s prefcription, which was previoufly writ-
ten, and receive the fee. When a Jlranf'er came on fuch days he was de-
fined to go to the PLACEBO drawer in the next room. Seeing, at laft, How
EASY IT WAS TO BE A DOCTOR, //d'j Wrt;/ traiifci ibcd ihefe formula, sx\dL {c.t
up for himfelf. Rut being afterwards taken very bad, he did not hazard on
klmfelf one of the folen formula, and fortunately for fociety he was taken off
by this difeafe, but not before he had fet up hhcharioi. Smith’s Formula
are now publilhed, and was bought lately at an auction, lotted with Killing
Ko Murder, for ttv* JbilUngs.

The province of every teacher of phyfic is to difeov'er and explain the
caufesoi difeafe, as well as the remedies. Thus jau.ndicf. is an obJlru6lion of
the gall du£}. This duff is of the fize of a crow quill. Tt may be obftrufted,

Causes.

1. by fpafm, - - -

Z. by gall fones,

3. by vifeid mucus, - “

4. by hardened feces, -

5. by an induration of the liver,
&c. &c.

Remedies.

I. Antifpafmodics.

z. The warm bath, emetics, bleeding.

3. Alkaline remedies.

4. Laxatives.

5. Small dofes of mercury.

As there arc five caufes of this difeafe enumerated, no one remedy is a fpecific,
applicable to every cafe of jaundice, and it is therefore at lead four to one
againd the patient in the hands of an unlkilful practitioner. This equally
applies to every other difeafe. Dr. Rowley deferibes no lefs than one
HUNDRED and EIGHTEEN principal difeafes of the eye. Neither is knowledge
fufficient o/" itfelf: for 1 doubt much whether even Sir Isaac Newtox
would have fupplanted the fimple Jleerfman in the conduit of a vcffel.

196

If frefh air, continues this benevolent, but unpbilo-
fopbic writer, be neceffary for pcrfons in health, it is
flill more fo for fuch as labour under difeafe, who often
lofe their lives by thofe methods, which an over anxious
care too frequently contrives in the chambers of the fick.
The notion that their rooms mufl: be kept very clofe, is
fo common that we can hardly enter the chamber, where
a patient lies, without being ready to faint, from the
noxious air in the room. How this mufl act on the Jick
is left for the difeerning to judge. Tome, it appears,
fays he, that no medicine is fo beneficial as a cautious and
clijiant adrni(fion di frejh air. When administered
WITH PRUDEKCE IT IS THE MOST REVIVING OF ALL
CORDIALS.

SECT.

197

SECT. vn.

ON EXERCISE. >

•V

• t

This fubje£l has been already confidered in a philo-
iophic point of view in Seif. XII. page 126.

It was there fhewn, that when mufcular intumefcence
took place, certain chemical combinations were formed,
produ6tive of the vital flame.

If I wall^ flowly along, for the fpace of a quarter of a
mile upon even ground, my breathing and pulfe are but
little accelerated, and the heat of my body remains nearly
the fame as before. But if I walk at the fame pace, and
for the fame diftance, up a Jiecp hill, or bearing a heavy
burthen, my breathing becomes Jloort and full, and my
heart beats frong and quick, and the hecet thrown off from
my body correfponds with thefe increafed internal move-
ments.

It is natural to aflc, what is the caufe of this differ-
ence, when the fpace, ihc fpeecl, and the adual movement
of the mufcles are the fame ? It certainly arifes from the
quantity of nervous eleflrlclty tranfmitted from the brain
to the mufcles in the latter cafe, where the body was

D d ralfea

198

raifcd on high, or where a weight was carried, being
much greater than when tine body is only moved, without
being lifted up, or without any additional weight upon
it. For though the motion of the mufcles be the Jamc
in both cafes, yet the increafed weight to be moved, re-
quired the nervous exertion to be much greater in the
latter inftance than in the former ; and therefore the
will, or determination of the mind, propelled a greater
quantity of nervous eledricity, from the BRAIN to the
mufcles employed.

To the increafed demand on the fyftcm of oxygen
AIR, to be dccompofcd by the nervous eledricity*, the ac-
celerated refplration muft be attributed ; and from the
increafed quantity of oxygen air in the blood, we can
account for the improved digeftion t, and a more rapid
circulation ; and from all thefe caufes, concurring with
the eledricity of the nerves, we are able to fee clearly the
reafon of the increafe of the vital flame.

* The ox^'gen air thus procured to the blood from the ■want of the fyflem,
is faid to proceed from the vh medicairix nalurcr, and by others from ajfocla-
tion or Sympathy. Thus the call of the ftomach for food after a fever does not
arife from the ftimulus of the gaftric juice, but from the ’want of the fyftcm.
Thus a ftimulus on the fuciderian membrane of the nofe occafions fneex^
ing, See. Sec.

•j- Vide Seft. VIII. on tho Balance betwixt Refpiration and Digeftion.

Obfervation

199

Obfervatlon r. If an animal, a man, for inftance, in
good healtli, be expofed to a temperate ah ., in a ftate of
rg/f, the quantity of vital heat, generated by the conti-
nued attra6lions of oxygen going on in the body, will
be fufficient, with a certain quantity of clothing, for
maintaining the temperature of about qy degiees, by
which the folids receive their natural ftimulus, the fluids
retain their proper fluidity, and all the fun6lions of life
are duly performed, and a fufficient quantity abounds to
carry off the perfpirable fluid.

Obfervatlon 2. If a man, expofqd to a frojiyair, con-
tinues at reft, the principles in his body attraclive of
OXYGEN, cannot generate a fufficient quantity of vital
heat to keep every part of the body at its right tempera-
ture ; becaufe the coldnefs of the furrounding medium
carries off the beat fafter than they can produce it ; con-
fequently the folids and fluids of the extremities, and at
the furface of the body, will become frigid, and the
fibres torpid, and the death of the extreme, and laftly of
the vital parts, enfue.

Obfervatlon 3. But, on the contrary, when a man
expofed to "^frojly air, perceives the coldnefs, and torpor,
arifing from his body being deprived of its heat, fafter
than the principles in his body attradlive of oxygen »

D d 2 can

200

can furnlfli It; If he throws the voluntary mufcles into
atSlion, the quantity of heat generated by the nervous
eknricity^ will be fufficient to warm every part, and re-
cover and maintain the natural temperature; although
the air fliall iVill continue to withdraw rapidly the vital
heat from the furface of the body.

Some very pleafmg experiments are related by Dr.
Peart (whofe name would be oftener mentioned with
Jlill higher refpcil, were we fortunate enough to rank
him among the many illuftrious converts to the neiu che-
mijiry), which prove that partial cxereife conveys a glovj
over the ivloolc body.

1. EXPERIMENT.

I put my hand, fays he, firft into cold water at 56
degrees of temperature. After fifteen minutes I with-
drew it, and found the temperature of the water raifed
to 65.

It had gained therefore, in fifteen minutes, 9 degrees
of heat.

2. EXPERIMENT.

The fame day I put my hand as before, but inflcad of
keeping it, and my body, in a flate of perfect reft, I
8 threw

20t

threw many of the voluntary mufcles into a£l;ion, and
in fifteen minutes the water at 56 degrees was raifed
to 73.

Here it had gained 1 7 degrees of heat.

3. EXPERIMENT.

To prove that the exertion of any fet of mufcles af-
feds the quantity of heat generated within, and thrown
off from the whole body, I introduced my hand into the
fame quantity of water, and at the fame temperature as
in the firft experiment, and 1 puflied my feet againft a
large book-cafe, firmly fixed by its own weight, and my ,
arms were forcibly ftretched out. By the exertion of
thefe few mufcles only, without any motion of the
fibres, fo much of the dearie fuiid'*' was tranfmitted to
thefe parts, and fo much heat difengaged that its Jlimulus
extended over the whole body^ and the water in fifteen
minutes rofe in confequence to 14 degrees, that is, five
degrees more than where the body was in a flate of per-
fect reft f.

. ^

* Dr. Peart has the nervous fluid.

4 The fame is proved, though not quite fo philofophically, by the vulgar
mode of warming the body by throwing the arms acrofs, or by the more ele-
gant, but partial, exercife of what are called dumb bells.

202

To fliew the ahfolute neceffity of exercise in cold
dhnatcSy I mufl beg leave to relate the botanical excur-
lion of Dr. Solander, Sir Joseph Banks, and others,
on the heights at Terra del Fuego. Dr. Solander,
who had more than once crofled the mountains which

divide Sweden from Norway, well knew that extreme cold
produces a torpor and fleepinefs almoll; irrefiftlble, he
therefore conjured the company to keep always in mo-
tion, whatever pain it might cofl: them, and whatever
relief they might be promlfed by an inclination to reft :
“ Whoever Jits down, fays he, vjill Jlecp ; and whoever
Jlceps, will wake no more.” Thus, at once admoniflied
and alarmed, they fet forward ; but while they were ftill
•upon tire naked rock, and before they had got among
the bullies, the cold was fo intenfc, as to produce the
effedls that had been moft dreaded. Dr. Solander
himfelf was the jirji who found the inclination, againft
which he had warned others, irrcfiftible ; and infifted
upon being fuffered to lie down. Mr. Banks (now Sir
Jofeph Banks) intreated and remonftrated in vain : down
he lay upon the ground, though it was covered with
fnow; and it was with great dllaculty that his friend
kept him from Jlccplng. One of his black fervants alfo
began to linger, having fuftered from the cold in the

fame

203

fame manner as the Do«^or. Partly by perfuafion, and
partly _ by force, the company made them go forward.
Sooti, however, they both declared “ they would go no
farther.” Mr. Banks had recourfe again to intreaty
and expollulation, but thefe produced no efte6l : when,
the black was told, that if he did not go on he would in a
fliort time be frozen to death ; he anfwered, that hedefired
nothing Jo mnchas to he down and die ; the Dodlor did not
fo explicitly renounce his life ; he faid he would go on,
but that he muft firft take fome JleepJ though he had
before told the company that “ to Jlecp was to perljh'’’
They both in a few minutes fell into a profound lleep,
and after five minutes Sir Joseph Banks happily fuc-
ceeded in waking Dr. So lander, who had almofi: loft
the ufe of his limbs, and the mufcles were fo ftirunk,
that his ftioes fell from his feet ; but every attempt to
relieve the unfortunate black proved unfuccefsful.

It was a principle among the ancients, that acute dif-
cafes are from heaven, and chronical from ourfelves; to
die, fays Dr. Johnson, is the' fate of man, but to die
with lingering anguijh is generally his own folly. Inac-
tivity never fails to Induce an univerfal relaxation of the
contradlile fibres. When thefe fibres are relaxed, neither

the

204

the digfjiion^ the circulation, nor the pcr[ftciltlc motion,
can be duly performed.

It is abfolutely iinpo.Tible to enjoy health, where the
perfpiration alfo is not duly carried on ; and that can
never be tlie cafe where cxcrcije is negleiSled.

The neceflTity ot action is not oirly denionftrable from
the fabric of the body, but evident from the obfcrvatlon
of the univerfal practice of mankind, who for the pre-
fervation of health in thofe, whofe rank or wealth ex-
empts them from the necefiity of lucrative labour, have
invented fports and divcrfions, though not ci ecjual ufc
to the world with agricultural employments, yet of equal
fatigue to thofe who pradlife them, and differing only
from the diudgery of the hufbandman, as they are adts
of choice, and therefore performed without the painful
fenfe of compulfion. The huntfman rifes early, purfues
his game, through all the dangers and obflrudlions of
the chace, fwims rivers, and fcales precipices, till he re-
turns home, no lefs harafled than the foldier, and has,
perhaps, fometimes incurred as great hazard of wounds
or death : yet he has no motive to excite his ardour ; he
is neither fubjedl to the commands of a general, nor
dreads any penalties for neglcdt and difobcdience ; he lias

neither

205

neither profit nor honour from his perils and his con-
quelT;, but toils without the hopes of mural or civil gar-
lands, and muft content himfelf with the praife of his
tenants and companions.

But fuch is the conftitution of man, that labour may
be ftyled its own reward-, nor will any external excitements
be requifite, if it be confidered how much happinefs is '
gained, and how much mifery efcaped, by frequent and vio-
lent agitation of the body.

The defire of exercife is coeval with life itfelf. Were
this principle attended to, many difeafes might be avoid-
ed. But, while indolence and fedentary employments
prevent two thirds of mankind from either taking fuf-
ficient exercife themfelves, or giving it to their children,
what have we to expedl but difeafe and deformity ? The
rickets, fo deftrudlive to children, called by the French
the Englijh diforder, never appeared in Britain till
manufaddures began to flourifli, and people, attraded by
the love of gain, left the country to follow fedentary em-
ployments in great towns *.

Every animal makes an early ufe of its organs of mo-
tion ; and many young creatures, even when under no

* Dr. Buchan.

neceffity

2o6

ncceflity of moving in quell of food, cannot be rcflrained
without force. This is evidently the cafe with the calf,
the lamb, and the kitten. If thefe harmlefs animals
were not permitted to frljk about and take cxerclfe^ they
would foon die, or become difeafed ; and fo flrong is this
principle implanted in the human breafl, that a healthy
youth can hardly be kept from excrcife. This love of
motion is furely a flrong proof of its utility. Nature im-
plants no difpofitlon In vain. It feems a catholic law
throughout the whole brute creation, that no creature,
without exerclfe^ fhall be able to find fubfiflence. Every
creature, except man, takes as much exercife as his na-
ture requires. He alone fleeps till late in the morning
in beds of down, and often lolls all day in eafy chairs,
and, deviating from the great law of his Creator, he fuf-
fers accordingly.

If fafliion muft prevail, and young children be fent
to crowded fchools, we would recommend it to their
teachers, as they value the lives of thofe entrufed to their
care, and the account they muji one day give, that they
would allow' their pupils a fufficient time to run and frl/k
about, inflead of keeping them hour after hour in
clofe and irkfome confinement, which fubjedls them to

a dreadful train of difeafe, flatulence, indigeflion, colics,

wonns^

207

Worms, See. See. and hinders them hereafter from bfeing
happy and ujeful members of fociety. From this criminal
folly ^ fays the emphatic Dr. Johnson, proceed moft of
thofe pains whicli wear us away flowly with periodical
tortures, and which, though they fometimes fuffer life
to be long, condemn it to be ufelefs, chain us down
to tlie couch of mifery, and mock us with the hopes of
death .

Certainly man was never defigncd to be fitting all day
crojs-legged on a board. The majleiy who denies a fut-
ficient time for exerclfe to thofe unhappy beings, whom
Providence has fubje6ted to his will, has a dreadful
reckoning to make, when each individual fliall leceive
from the fame meafure he has meted out to others.

Were fedentary employments intermixed with a du«
quantity of exercife, they would never do much hurt.
It is conftant confinement that ruins health. A man
will not be injured by fitting at his work three or four
hours at a time; but if he be obliged^ by an unfeeling
mafer, to fit eight or ten, he will foon be faid io drag on
life inftead of enjoying it. Weak and ailing he will lan-
guifh out a few miferable years, and at laft fmk into an
untimely grave.

E c 2

Weak

2o8

f'Vcak fibres are the conhant companion of ina^ivHf.-
Nothing but daily exerc'ife in the open air* can biacc and
ftrengthen the powers of tire Jlomach, and prevent there-
fore an endlefs train of difeafes, which proceed from a
relaxed ftate of that organ. We feldom hear the adlive

or laborious complain of what are called nervous difeafes ;

thefe are referred for the fons of idlenefs. Many have
been completely cured of thefe diforders by being re-
duced, from a ftatc of opulence, to labour for their daily
bread. This plainly points out the fources from whence
nervous difeafes flow, and the means by which they may
be prevented f.

Dr. Cheyne, in his excellent Treatife on Health,
fays, that the weak and valetudinary ought to make ex-
ercise a part of their religion. We would recommend
this, not only to the weak and valetudinary, but to fe-
dentary artificers, fliopkeepers, fiudious perfons, &c. &c.
Such ought to confidcr exerclfe as necefiary a duty as to

* The oxygenation of the blood has been before fhewn to be one of the great
reafons for the ncceffity of daily exercife, and this will be fooncr and better ef-
fected the purer the air. Dr. Beddoe^ after breathing each day fome pure
OXYGEN AIR, fays he felt himfelf not anly warmer, but certainly more dif-
pofed towards, zni capable of , muscular exertion. Vide his Letter to
Dr. Darwin. ‘

f Dr. Buchan.

tabs

209

take food ; and tliis might be nfually done without any
great lofs of time or interruption to bufinefs.

Every man, in fliort, Ihould oblige himfelf by fomc
abfolute rule to engage in daily exercife. Indolence^ like
other vices, when indulged, gams ground, and at length
becomes agreeable. Elence manv who were fond of ex-
creife in the early part of life, become quite averfe to it
afterwards. Difeafes are engendered deflrudlive of the
refolution of the mind. Naufeous drugs are had re-
courfe to. The ftimulus at the flomach fpreads its in-
fluence for a time over the whole body. It at lafl:
lofcs its efficacy, or becomes prejudicial, and tlie pale^
flatulent, and bloated hypochondriac, flies from phyfician to
phyfician, none of whom dare advife him exercise,
which he is averfe to, and fays he cannot take, and he
falls at lafl into difeafes of a more ferious afpesSl, and
dies of fpafm in the flomach, or dropfy, or aflhma, or
jaundice, or a cough with mucous expectoration, or
palfy, or hasmoptoe, or fome other difeafe that either
arifes from, or is always engrafted upon, a ’■Meak and debi-
litated frame *.

I fliall conclude this long but ufeful cffiiy with fome
beautiful lines from Akenside, whofe poem, entitled

* Vide Brown’s Elements.

the

ihc Art of Prefrvlng Health, miglit have pofli^Iy pfcr-
moted the difcoverics of die late Dr. Brown.

The fliades defeend, and midnight o’er the world
expands her fable wings. Great Nature droops
through all her works. How happy he whofe toil
has o’er his languid powerlefs limbs diffus’d
a fleajiug Uijfitude. He not in vain
invokes the gentle deity of dreams.—

By toil fubdud, the warrior and the hind

fleep jCj/? and ; — their active functions sooi»

WITH GENEROUS STREA.MS THE SUBTLE TUBES SUPPLTf

Eire morn the ionic irritable nerves

feel the frelh impulfe, and awake the foul.

* Vide Law III. ’The Accumdaiion of Excitabiliy^

2II

SECT. vm.

ON FOOD.

At firft, the food taken into the fiomach retaining its
peculiar properties, irritates the inner coat of that organ,
and occafions a contradlion of its two orifices. The
food, thus confined, then undergoes a conflant agitation
by means of the abdominal mufcles, and of the dia-
phragm, and by the motion of the fibres of the ftomach
itfelf. By thefe movements, every part of the food is
expofed to the adlion of a fluid fecreted in the ftomach,
called the gajlric juice, which (as water diflblves fugar)
gradually diflTolves and attenuates the food (as prefently
will be proved *), and prepares it for its paflage into,
and farther change in, the inteftines.

The painful fenfation of hunger, which is the irrita-
tion of the gaftric juice on the inner coat of the ftomach,
or the fenfation of a defe61;ive fupply of chyle in the ar-
terial fyftem f, being removed by the food, we foon feel

a mild

* Vide Sea. IX.

•)• Nothing better illuftrates this, than what happened to Admiral Byron,
paptains Cheat and Hamilton, when fhipwrcckcd on the weft coaft of

South

212

a mlliil and undefcrlbable delight, firft from the ftimulus
of the aliment ; and fecondly, from the diftenfion of
this, and the increafed a£tion of other parts

If it fhould feem hrange that pleafure arifes from the
Jiimuhis of food on the fentient nerves of this important
organ, let us recoiled only the effed of a moderate dofe
of opium to thofe unaccuftomed to that Jilmulus. They
are commonly fo tranfported with the pleafmg fenfation
it induces, that they feel, as they oftentimes exprefs
themfclves, as though they were in heaven, and enjoy fo
perfed a pleafure, that no happinefs in the world can
furpafs the charms of this agreeable ecftafy. On the
other hand, what a teirible agony will two or three
grains of crocus mctallovum throw the whole fabric into ;
this part being of fo acute a feeling, that fome phllofo-
phers have for this rcafon thought it to be the feat of the
foul itfelf.

Befidcs this confideration, we muft here take notice.

South America ; who, after fuffering months of hunger and fatigue, were re-
duced to Ikin and bone. A table, fays Byron, was fpread out for us by the
Indians, with cold ham and fowls, which only we ilirce fat down to, and in a
Ihort time we difpatched more than ten men with common apprtites would
have done, and yet we complained of beiog unfathfied. For a long while we
got up two or three times in the night to cram ourfelvcs. Captain Cheat
ufed to declare, that he was quite alhamed of himfclf.

* Vide Law II.

that

213

that the ftomach, being diftcnclcd with food, preffes on
the fpleen *, and thereby occafions a greater quantity of
blood to pafs into the pancreas, and confequently a
greater increafe of the fecretion from that vifcus ; — and
by obftrudfing in fome degree the paffage of blood in the
dcfcendino: trunk of the aorta, caufes an increafed flux
of blood to the head, and hence, after a full meal, inac-
tivity and drowfinefs t, and fometimes apoplexy |, en-
fue ; and hence alfo proceed thofe flufhings or red-
nefs in the face, fo confpicuous in weak and exhaufted
perfons.

The increafed oxygenation of the blood from the fame
circumftance has been before noticed, when on the fiib-
jedb of ANIMAL HEAT, and the balance, that is con-
Ifantly found to take place, betwixt the hydrogen received
in the flomach, and the oxygen air drawn into the blood

* The true office of tfie splf.f.n was the happy difcovcry of the ingenious
Dr. Haichton, Lefturer on Phyfiology to the Pupils of Guy’s and St.
Thomas’s Hofpitals. It did not cfcape the penetrating mind of the Reverend
Mr. Townsend, and this coincidence of thought is a further proof of its
truth. See the Guide to Health, page 33. Vide note f, page 215.

-)' Mr. Brindley, the famous canal engineer, mentioned to Dr. Dar-
win that he had more than once feen the experiment of a man extending him-
felf acrofs the large ftone of a corn-mill, and that by gradually letting the ftone
tvhirl, the man fell fall ajleep. Dr. Darwin.

J See the Guide to Health.

F f

while

214

while pafTing through the lungs. Probably, from tills
caufe it was, that more of Sir Joseph Banks and Dr,
Solander’s party did not perilh at Terra Del Fuego
Hence the importance of the confideration of food f in
all inflammatory Bates of the body. And hence the con-
fideration of a peculiar diet for the removal of many dif-
orders incident to the human frame.

We will now attempt to trace the food in its digefled
form, after it is thrown out from the ftomach into the
mtejilnes,

. The aliment having remained during two or more

hours in the {lomach is converted, fiift, into a greyifl;

* They had witli them a bottle of rum, and a Tailor, who was feized as
bad as the black, recovered fiom his torpor by drinking of the rum. Vide
CooVs Voyuges. See alfo the Sedtion on Animal Heat, page 8 1.

•J- Mr. Sutton, in the vicinity of Plymouth, inoculated a lady, who on
the third day after the commencement of the irruptive fever, had live or fix red
pimples, which formed gradually into puftules.

During the progrefs of the difeafe, as (he fat at table, fhe ex prefled unea-
finefs, and wiflied to have flrongcr evidence, than yet appeared, that Ihe had
the fmall-pox. Mr. Sutton told her, that the had only to eat a portion of
fiare, which was on the table, and drink one glafs of wine, and Ihe would have
fufficient evidence to fatisfy her mind.

She accepted the propofal ; the fever increafed ; and the fmall-pox, frortt
being diferete, became conjluent.

Mr. Sutton then took fright, and delivered her to the care of Drs. Mudge
and Huxham, by whofe watchful attention Ihc was carried fafely through the
Secondary fever. Vide the Guide to Health, page 156,

flulp, vvliicli is ufually called chyme. This chyme, or
fluid, pafles. outof x\\t pylorus, or right orifice of the fl;o-
mach, the fibres of which relax to afford it a paflage ;
while the grofler and lefs altered particles remain in the
living retort, to adopt the expreflion of the Reverend Mr.
Townsend, till they acquire a fufficient fluidity to pafs
into the inteftinal canal. As the digefled food enters
the duodenum *, it flimulates the common du6l of the
gallbladder and the liver, and from a law in the ani-
mal oeconomy, which has given the higheft fenfibi-
lity to the nerves at the mouths of the feveral du6ls,
which, by a fympathetic communication, occafions their
feveral glands either to fecrete or pour out a greater
quantity of fluid, the chyme receives a full fupply of bile,
and of faltva, fecreted from the pancreas ; it alfo inter-
mingles with mucus from innumerable exhalent arteries^
which {fill farther anamalizes the chyme,

* The commencement of the inteftines.

•j- The pancreas is a large gland, which lies near the ftomach, and dif-
charges, by a fhort duft, into the inteftines, a liquor, which it feparates from
the blood. It is difficult to colleft any quantity of this juice, becaufe it is n-t
lodged in any particular receptacle, but flows from the gland into the inteftines,
near the upper orifice of the ftomach. However, in dogs this has been exe-
cuted by tying a bottle near the du£t of the gland, while the animal was
living, by which a quantity of the juice has been collected, and found in ap-
pearance to refemble the faltva.

F f 2

The

2I6

The intcjllnal canal is five or fix times as long as the
body, and forms many circumvolutions in the cavity of
the abdomen, which it traverfes from riglit to left, and
again from left to right. The inner coat of the intef-
tines, by being more capacious than their exterior tunics,
occafions a multitude of plaits *, at certain regular dif-
tances from each other, and thefe become lefs and lefs,
and at farther intervals, as they defeend. This difpofi-
tion will be found to afford a (fill farther proof of that
diviiie wifdom, which the anatomiff and phyfiologifl
cannot fail to obferve in all their purfuits; for if the in-
tefiinal canal was much fliorter than it is ; and if its in-
ner furface was fmooth and deftitute of plaits ; the ali-
ment would confequently pafs with great rapidity to its
termination, and fufficient time would be wanting to af-
fimilate the chyme, and for the neceflary abforption of
it by the numerous villi, or hair-like projedfions f,
which terminate in laicals: fo that the body, unlefs
conftantly replenifhed, would be deprived of the fupply
of nutrition, which is fo effential to life and health : —
but the length and circumvolutions of the inteftines, the
inequality of their internal furface, and the courfe of the

* Called by aaatomifts valvtila; conmvenies.

•j- Vide the Sc(ftion on Animal Heat, and note *, page 87.

aliment

217

aliment tlirough tliem, all concur to perfetSl: the repara-
tion of the chyle from the f^ces, and to afford the neccf-
fary ncurilhment * to the body.

* Mr. Belcher hnppening to dine at .1 callico printer’s, was furprifed t<y
find the bones of the pork, at table of a very red appearance. They had eat
madder. This eminent furgeon mixed that fubftance with different foods, and
gave it to fowls, and other animals, and a fimilar change of colour in all the
bones, and even in the teeth, took place : but, after a certain time, if thefe
were fed on food containing no madder, the bones regained their natural ap-
pearance. To prove that the different parts of the body are renewed, John'
Hunter fed two ducks, the one with barley, the other w'ith fprats, for
about a month, and killed both at the fame time. When they were dreffed
and ferved at bistable, that fed wholly with fprats hardly eatable, \itafled
fo Jlrongly of fjli. Thefe fafts prove, that our fabric is ever being pulled to
pieces and renewed ; that the matter is continually changed, though the fame
remains ! They alfo prove that our body may be compofed of parts
unajfmilated, though changed by the wonder-working powers of the body fron»
inanimate to animate matter !

SECT

21B

SECT. IX.

OF THE GASTRIC SOLVENT^

AND

THE RELATIVE DIGESTIBILITY OF FOOD.

In ferpents, fome birds, and feveral kinds of
Xvhich fvvallovv whole animals, and retain them long in
their flomach, digcjlion feems to be perfortned, fays
Cheseldenj by fome unknown menjlruum\ for we fre-
quently find in their ftomachs animals fo totally dlgefl;ed,i
before their form is dcjlroycd, that their very bones are
made foft. One may indeed draw very plaufible infer-
ences concerning human digeflion, from obfervation on
other fpecies of animals, efpecially from birds of prey,
the cat and dog, which refemble us fo much in the
flru6lure of the flomach. But analogical arguments are
probable indeed, but not conclufve. And it is an objedl
of much higher importance to attain certainly in man
than in animals. In the writings of ancient and modern
phyficians no topic is more frequently difeuffed, yet
there is little elfe befide fuppojition : diredf experiments

upon

219

upon man arc entirely wanting, and their refearches arc
jlluininated only by the twilight of conjefture, and fup-
ported hy precarious hypothejis. Upon reflexion, fays
the celebrated Spallanzani, it appeared that direct ex-
periments might be made on man, and for this pnrpofe it
was neceffary to fvvallow tubes full of various vegetable
and animal fubftances, in order clearly to afcertain the
changes they undergo in the ilomach. I will candidly
own, fays he, that this experiment gave me at firft fome
apprehenfion, The hiflories of indigeftible fubflanccs
occafioning troublefome fymptoms, and being vomited
up after a confiderable time *, occurred to my imagina-
tion. I alfo recolledled inftances where fuch bodies had
flopped in the alimentary canal f, Other fadls however,
where the refult was contrary, and of more frequent
occurrence, gave me alfo fome confidence, Thus wc

* Vide Baron Haller, T. 6.

•j- Dr. Coe, in his Trcatife on Biliary Concretions, gives an inftanceofa
woman, from whofe rectum was extradted a concretion, the nucleus of which
was a plum-Jtone. In the Edinburgh Medical Effays, we have an account of a
fimilar fadt. In the Effays and Obfervations, Phyfical and l.iterary, there is the
hiftory of a boy who had three ftones extradted from the redtum, the nuclei of
which were the i'mall bones oijheep’s trotters. In the Philefophical Tranfac-
tions, we have an account of a concretion formed upon a plum-Jione, and re-
tained in the blind gut : and in the London Medical Journal, Mr. Johnson
relates the cafe of a woman, who paffed a ball of hardened faeces, weighing
pjice quarters of an ounce, the nucleus of which was a plum-Jione.

every

220

every day fee tlie Hones of cherries, medlars, plums,
<kc. fwallovved and voided with impunity. I'his con-
fideration at lafl determined me to make the trial with as
great caution as pofllble.

I fwallowed, in the morning fafling, a linen bag,
containing 52 grains of majiicated bread. I retained the
purfe 23 hours without experiencing the fmallefl incon-
venience, and then voided it quite empty. The ftring
ufed for fewing and tying it was entire, nor was there
any rent in tlie bag itfelf. The fortunate rcfultof this
experiment gave me great encouragement to undertake
others.

From vegetable I proceeded to animal fubHances. In
a fimilar bag 60 grains of boiled veal wei'e enclofed, pre-
vioufly mafticated. The purfe was voided in 18 hours
and three quarters, and the flefli was confumed. Only a
few fibres remained, and thefe were void of fucculency,
as if they had been fet under a prefs.

My next experiments were made to fee, whether di-
geftion was accompllflied or aided by a triturating poveer
in the ftomach.

Boerhaave, neither fatisfied with the fyHem of di-
geflion in the human ftomach by heat, as fuggefted by
Caletiy and adopted by his followers ; nor yet better

pleafed

221

pleafed with attributing this procefs to the vital energy
of the foul refuling in the ftomach, as conceived by the
fertile imagination of Fan Hclmont ; invented a fyftem
of his own, in which he attributes the digeftion of our
food partly to fermentation^ but principally to triture,
prejjure, and powerful quafjation. He deferibes the folds
of the flomach as grinding the more folid parts of the
aliment ; and, to affid in this procefs, he calls in the aid
of its external coat, with the diaphragm, and the nu-
merous mufcles of the abdomen. Not fatisfied with
thefe, he takes into his account the violent pulfations of
the fubjacent aorta, with the vibrations of innumerable
furrounding arteries, which he eftimates at no lefs
than three thoufand lix hundred pulfations in the
hour.

This diftinguiflied phyfician reafoned from analogy,
and took particular notice of the of rich, which he had
obferved to fwallow pieces of iron and of glafs, evidently
for the purpofe of triture, becaufe the found of grinding
was perceptible to thofe who liftened.

In the graniverous birds he had remarked, befide the
crop, furniflied with falivary glands to mollify their food,
a gizzard, or fecond ftomach, provided with ftrong muf-

G g • cles

222

’ cles to triturate tlie grain ; and the avidity W’itli which
tliey fwallow gravel to aflift the operation had not
efcaped his notice. Having examined the ftruclure of
tlie lohjler, he faw at the mouth of the ftomach a cu-
rious mechanifm, three teeth, of which one, moved by
a Ifrong mufcle, triturates the food againft the other
two.

In the larger craivfiJJj of the fea, he might have no-
ticed a ftru6lure fomewhat different, wliere to anfwer
the fame intentions, inflead of -three teeth, we obferve a
fejllc fupplied with a ftrong mufcle and placed between
tvjo mortars.

No wonder, then, that this great mechanic on the
fubjedl of digeftion had mechanical ideas.

To prove that digeflion in the human flomach is not
aided by triture, I was under the neceffity, fays Spal-
lanzani, of fwallowing thin tubes. Thefe tubes were
voided in about 22 liours. Among the tubes employed
in tliefe experiments I procured fome to be made fo thin
that the fiighteft preffure would have crufhed them to
pieces, or have bent in their edges ; but thouglr I fre-
quently ufed them, not one was ever broken, nor on ex-
amination could I perceive the fmalleji fijjure.

Having

223

Having thus eftablirtied this fundamental propolition,
viz. THAT DIGESTION IS PRODUCED BY THE GASTRIC
FLUID INDEPENDENTLY OF TRITURATION, I had
before me, fays he, a fine field for experiments, which
could not fall to fuggeft fome important truths.

T'hc neceffity of majiication delerves to be well known.
There is, perhaps, no perfon who has not fome time or
other been fubjedl to indigeftion for want of having
chewed fufficiently his food. I took tu!o pieces from a
pigeon’s heart, each weighing forty-five grains, and
having chevoed one as much as I ufed to chew my food,
enclofed them in two fpheres, and fwallowed them at
the fame time. Both thefe tubes happened to be voided
at the fame time, and I then faw hovj much d'lgefiion is
promoted by mafiicatlon. Of the majlicated flefh there re-
mained only 4 grains, whereas of the other there were 1 8
left. This was confirmed by two other experiments,
one made with mutton, the other with veal. The reafon
of this is obvious. Not to mention the faliva which
molftens and attenuates the food, it cannot be doubted,
tliat when it is reduced to pieces by the adion of the
teeth, the gafiric juice meets it at all points, and there-
fore the more fpeedily diflblves it, jull as other menftrua

G g 2 diflblve

224

dlflblve fooneft thofe bodies that have been previoufly
broken into fragments *.

I now wifhed to make fome experiments witli tlie
gaftric fluid out of the body. A fuflicient quantity could
not be obtained by killing birds and other animals, and
it became neceflTary to invent a contrivance for obtaining
it from them alive. Three tubes containing Jpuuge
were therefore introduced into the flomach of a crow,
and after four hours thefe were vomited up. The pieces
of fpunge being faturated with the fluids of that cavity,
were then taken out and preflTed between the fingers.
Thefe aflbrded 37 grains of gafr'ic liquor of a tranfparcnt
yellow colour, poflefling a fomewhat bitter and faltifli
tafte.

I now attempted, fays the Abbe, to produce artificial
digejiion with the gaftric juice thus obtained.

It was January, and Fahrenheit’s thermometer, placed
near the veflTel ufed for the experiment, flood at 42 and
43 degrees. For greater certainty in thefe experiments,
I eflablilhcd a term of comparifon, by employing fimilar
veflels, containing the fame flefli, infufed in water. I
alfo took care, upon the prefent occafion, that the flefli

* ViJc what has been faid page 219.

flioulcj

1225

flioulcl be completely immeiTed in their refpeflive li-
quors, and that the phials fliould be clofed with flop-
pies. For fevcn days the fieJJ? kept in the gcijir'tc juice, and
in water continued the fame. On the eighth I pciceived,
fays Spallanzani, a flight folution, for upon agitating
both liquors, feveral particles feparated from the largev
mafs, and fell down to the bottom of the phials. No
further progrefs was afterwards madej and the gaflric
fluid did not feem at all more efiicacious than common
water ; only the flefli immerfed in the former in afiir-
prifing manner zvas preferved from putrefaction. In
this experiment 1 had ufed beef ; I verified the flime ob-
fervation upon the more tender flelh of calves, chickens,
and pigeons ; the temperature of air was about 48 de-
grees of Fahrenheit’s thermometer. — While I was
making thefe experiments in the natural temperature of
the air, I was employed about others ot a like nature in
a warmer medium, viz. in a flove, in which the heat
varied from 79 degrees to 80 of heat. And now the ef~
fetls produced by the gaflric fluid, greatly differed- from
thofe produced by water. In the latter the flefli began to
be a little diflblved in two days ; this was the efFe6t of
incipient putrefaiSlion from heat and moiflure *. The

# Vide page 151, line ii.

foetid

226

foetid fmcll continued to increafe during the following
day, and in a week became intolerable, when the flefh
was reduced to a naufeous pulp. In the gajhic juice the
folution was more rapid, and exhibited very different phe-
nomena ; twenty-five hours were fufficient to decompofie the
flefh contained in it, and in a little more than two days there

remained only a very fimall morficl entire, Thefe folutions
never emitted any bad fmell ; whence it is evident, that
they did not arife from incipient putrefaclion, like thofe
in water, but from a more efficacious and a different
menflruum, viz. the gastric liquor*.

To Edinburgh there came by accident a huffar, a
man of weak underftanding, who gained a miferablc
livelihood by fwallowing pebble-ftones, and chewing
flints t, for the amufement of the common people. The
ftomach of the flone-eater, as he chofe to ffyle himfelf,
was fo much dillended, that he was able to fvvallow a

* This is a very important experiment, and confirms what has been before
faiJ, when treating on Animal Heat, and the balance betwixt digestion
and the oxygenation of the blood. Vide p. 91.

•f- His front teeth were filed Jewn, and he liad the art of fplitting into pieces
fiint fiones, by ftriking them with his fore-teeth in a parlicular direHion, juft
as they faftiion jihiU for guns. Thcfc picers he would (hew to his aftonilhed
vifitants, put them under his tongue, and pretending to have fwallowed them,
he would then proceed aftually to gulp down fame fmoolh pebble-fiones, which
kc took, care to have by him on the table.

great

227

great number of pcbble-flones daring the day ; and
thefe might be plainly felt, and be chinked, if you prefled
forcibly with your hand below the fliort ribs on the left
fide.

Dr. Stevens tried many experiments, fimilar to
thofe above related, with this man, who fwallowcd
filver fpheres, which were perforated fo fine as hardly
to admit a needle into each opening, and he always
found the food that he enclofed in thefe bodies dif-
folved. He next turned his attention to the different
degrees of folubility ; or, as it was formerly called, to the
hard or eafy digejiion of different fubjiances, and the
refult of his experiments are equally curious as im-
portant.

Having procured a whelp five months old, it was
kept faffing fixteen hours, and four of the globes, as
ufed in the foregoing experiments, each containing a
like quantity of food, were forced into its ftomach. The
fubftances had been previoufly cooked, and weighed
each 1 6 grains. Seven hours afterwards the animal was
killed, and the globes were taken out of the flomach ;
when the beef was found to have lofi: lOj grains, the
mutton 6 grains, the potato 5 grains, the fowl 4 grains,
and the parfnep o.

228

To another dog that liad faftcd twelve lioiifs I
fliyshe, 1 6 grains of roajlcd beef, in a feconcl fphere the
fame quantity of veal, in a third only fat, and in a
fourth vjheaten bread. In ten hours the animal was
killed and opened, and the tubes w’cre taken c^it of
its ftomach. T he beef and bread were quite dif-
folved ; the veal had loft only iO grains, and the fat 8^
grains.

As in the laft experiment the veal was not fo foon dif-
folved as the beef, I began, fays he, to fufpcdl that the flefh
ol young anhnals in general is lefs eafy to digeft than that of
old ones. I therefore took care to repeat the experiment
with lamb and mutton, which were put m equal quan-
tities into two tubes. The refult W'as as before. In
feven hours the mutton w^as quite dijfolved, whereas the
Iamb had loft only lO grains.

Having kept a dog falling eighteen hours, that his
ftomach might be free from the remains of food, I killed
it, and collected about half an ounce of pure gaftric
fluid, which was put into feparate phials. I then made
trial of mutton, veal, lamb, chieken, and other animal
and vegetable ftibfances, and imitating the heat of the
ftomach, they were all readily diflblved ; but the time
lequiftte for the completion of this procefs was diflerent,

and

^nd anfvvered exa£liy io the rcfidts of the preceding experi^
merits *.

The hufk of the feeds of plants appears to be indi-
gehlble in its natural flate ; whether this arifes, fays the
celebrated John Hunter, from the nature of the hufk
itfelf, or from its compaiinefs \ , I am not certain, but
am inclined to fuppofe the laf ; as we find the cocoa,
which is only a hufl-i, to be digeflible, when ground to a
powder and well boiled. We know, likewife, that
cuticle, horn, and bone, although animal fubfiances,
are not affected, in the firft inllance, by the gallric
juice; yet if reduced in Papin’s digefter J to a jelly,

that

* We .ire apt imagine, that tiarJ TubAances arc more difficuldy diffolved
than foft, but a little attention (hews us that llie mcnjhuum being adapted to
the fubjedt, harJneJs has noOfing to Jo in it: oil of vitriol diirolves Jieel,
and vet does not touch -wax, and oil dilTolves tuax, and docs not touch ion ;
and lo in a thoufand iiiftanccs. Nurfes call lamb harmlcfs only from the na-
ture of the animal. Dr. Suebbf. are. .

f This doubt, the author of the prefent work would have anfwered him-
flttf-by experiment, but having felt the tortures of pain, he could not bear to

inflidt death on any animal incapable of doing him an injury from its nature,

unlcfs where the importance of the fubjedt had juftified, or rather had demand-
ed, the cruelty.

J The advantage of Papin’s digeftcr is to give boilings nvater a greater
heat than it is capable of naturally having. To do this, the vapour mud: not
be fuffered to efcape. The lid is fo contrived as to open inwards, that the
fteam may not force its way out. There is a ftopple, however, on the lid,

H h to

230

that jelly can be adlcd upon in the ftomach ; we muix
therefore fuppofe that a certain natural degree of folidiiy
in animal and vegetable fubftances render them indigef-
tible. This compadtnefs in the hulk feems to be in-
tended to preferve, while under ground, the farinaceous
part of the feed, in which the living principle is placed ;
the hulk having probably no other power of refilling pu-
trefa61ion than what arifes from its texture. Ot twenty-
five ripe grapes, which Spalanzam fwallowcd, by
way of experiment, eighteen were voided entire^ of the
other feven the yX’m only appeared. He made the fame
experiments with cherries, and currants, as well ripe as
xmripe, and by far the greater number were voided
entire. Although moft hulks are not capable of being
dilTolved in the gallric juice, they generally allow of
tranfudation ; and that the feed is in fome degree af-
fe6led, is known by its fwelling in the Homach ; yet it
. can only admit by that means a certain portion of the:

to whicli is fixed the arm of a lever, fi’fpended on a balance. Weights are ap-
plied at the end neareft the ftopplc. Now when the water within is fo very
much heated, that the fteam -wUl force open the ftopplc, and fo raife up the arm
of the lever, by knowing what weight is fufpended, we can determine exailly
the degree of heat. Vide what was before faid on the cooling cffedls of rva~
foration, or the quantity of caloric lhatcfcapes when water is aerialtxed or con-
■»crtcd iTAoJieam, page 103.

gaftric

231

■gaflrlc juice, and that not fiifficient to convert It into
cliyle ; therefore we fee grain when fwallowecl whole,
unlefs in birds, vvliofe gizzards ferve them as our teeth,
to giind or divide the grain, pafs entire, thougli much
fwellcd ; and even the kernels of forae nuts, as Spani/h
chefiiuts, are not digcftlble when eat raw.

But not only very compa£l fnhjlanccs are difficult of di-
geflion, but alfo thofe that are fluid are fo likewife : and
we may obferve, that nature has given us very few fluids
as articles of food, and to render the few fitter for the
digefllve powers, a coagulating principle is provided to
give them fome degree of folidity*.

The LUNGS being defigned as the organ for the oxyge-
nation of the blood, nature has wifely ordained, that we
Jhall not oxygenate the blood by the flomach, unlefs it be in
ihofe climates, where we are opprejfed by cxceflive heat ;
hence in cold climates tlie evil effedls of nitre, of acids,
even of punch f, and of what is called a cooling diet :

and

* All milk turns in the ftomach into curds and whey. The property of
waives rennet is well known. Wlien too much acidity prevails i.i tlie ftomach,
a little nmgr.cga corrects it, and prevents the curd from being too hard, and con-
fequently difficult of digeftion. It is oltcn proper to dilute milk, in order that
the coagula may be broken into very fmrll fragments.

f By eating an exotic fruit, fays Dr. Brown, which had a mixture of
the qualities of the •water-melon, the orange and lime, in a quarter of an hour

H h a I i,a4

232

nnd lienee the nccelTity of condiments when ufing fuch

weak and unwholclome food.

I had <r« attack in my^mach in tlie middle of my leaurc. By means of a
cordial Jiimulm I repelled it, and went on very well with my leaure.— At:
other times 1 have prevented fnch an effc-a, by anticipating the remedy.—
This doarinc puts much in our power : but we ilioulu not therefore play
irich with it. On the contrary, we have great realon, fays he, to be thank-
ful for the command it gives us over our health, and that alfo, by the ufe of
means not inelegant, naufeous, and clumly ; but quite the contrary.

One gentleman excepted, fays Dr. SHEUBEAitE, and 1 never faw a gentle-
man or lady who wholly abftaincd from animal food look like other people;
nothing is fo eafy to diftinguilh ’vegetable man, by his phyfiognomy, the
fittea appellation by which they can be dillinguilbcd ; he neither looks, talks,
or moves like other people ; his face conveys a declaration of his whole body
being out of order, by the lifclcfs infipidity which is in it, as his convcrfation
does'of his mind being difiurbed, his whole time being taken up in recounting
to the world his manner of living, his feelings, his weak Ifomach, his diaurb-
ed Beep, his watchings, how he fences out the cold air, what Ihocs and waift-
coats he has on, and every other ridiculous particularity of his whole life; if
he pretends to have fpirits, it is no more than a ceruin equability of a lifelefs
inanimate ftate, like that of the dormoufe amongft animals, or thcyev!-1rce in
winter amongft vegetables ; the warmth of the one, and the green of the other,
juft Jhnv they are alme, with this difference however, that the fummer will
wake the two latter into aflual life and motion ; whereas, to the man of ve-
getables, the fummer never eomes, that comes to all ; and the very power of
vegetation and recovery from fleep, which is beftowed on the plant and dor-
moufe, arc forbidden him by the regimen he purfucs.

SECT.

. 233

SECT. X.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

In page 140, when treating of temperaments^ we rcr
parked that the mufcular hbres of the body, at different
periods of life, pofTeffed different degrees of excitability.

This will lead us to confider the aliment proper for
the diffeient flages of life.

I. OF THE FOOD PROPER FOR CHILDREN.

Nature not only points out the food fit for infancy,
but alfo kindly prepares it. When the babe, foon after
it is born in this cold world, is applied to its mother’s
bofom, its fenfe of perceiving warmth is fit ft agreeably
affeded ; next its fenfe of Jmell * is delighted with the

* Any one may obferve this, when very young infants are about to fuck j
for at thofe early periods of life, the perfume of the milk affedts the organ of
fmell, much more powerfully, than after the repeated habits of fmelling has
inured it to odours of common ftrength, and the lacrymal fack empties itfelf
into the noftrils, and an increafe of tears is poured into the eyes. And in our
adult years, the ftronger fmells, though they are at the fame time agreeable
to us, as of volatile fpirits, continue to produce an increafed fecretion of tears.
Pc. Darwin.

A calf difeovers its mother by its fenfe of fmell, and each pig has its pecu-
liar teat to which it always goes. What is very remarkable, when a lamb dies,
to make the ewe take to another lamb, it muft be covered for a few days with
{he fleece of the dead one,

odour

^34

O(lour of the milk; then its tafie is gratified by the
flavour of it ; afterwards the appetites of hunger and of
thirji afford pleafurc by the poffelfion of their objeds,
and by the fubfequent digeftion of the aliment ; and
laftly, the fenfe of touch is delighted by the foftnefs and
fmoothnefs of the milky fountain, which the innocent
embraces with its hands, preffes with its lips, and watches
with its eyes. Satisfied, it fmilcs at the enjoyment of
fuch a variety of pleafures. It feels an animal attrac-
tion, which is love ; a fenfation, when the objed is pre-
fent, a defirc, when it is abfent ; which conflitutes the
pureft fourcc of human felicity, the cordial drop in the
otherwife vapid cup of life, and which overpays the fond
mother for all her folicitudes and care.

It appears from the annual regifters of the dead, tliat
almoft one half of tlie children born in Great Britain
jof' great families die in their infancy. To many, in-
deed, this may appear a natural evil ; but on due exa-
mination, it will be found to be one of our own cre-
ating. Were the deaths of infants a natural evil, other
animals would be as liable to die young as man, but this
we find is by no means the cafe.

A mother who abandons the fruit of her womb, as
foon as it is born, to the foie care of a hireling, hardly

deferves

2^5

ilcfervcs that tender appellation. Nothing can be fo prtf-
poflerous than a mother who thinks it below her to take
care of her own child. If we fearch nature throughout,
wc cannot find a parallel to this. Every other animal
is the nurfe of its own offspring, and they thrive accord-
ingly. Were the brutes to bring up their young by
proxy^ they would flrarc the fame fate with thofe of tlie’
human fpccies

Connubial fair ! whom no fond tranfport warms

to lull your infant in maternal arms ;

who, blcfs’d in vain with turriid bofom, hear

his tender wailing with unfeeling ear ;

the foothing kifs and milky rill deny

to the fwcet pouting lip, and gliftcning eye ! —

Ah ! what avails the cradle’s damalk roof,
the eider bolftcr, and embroider’d woof ! —

Oft hears the gilded coach, unpity’d plains,
and many a tear the taffel’d cufhion ftains I
No voice fo fwect attunes his cares to reft,
fo foft no pillow, as his mother'^ breaft !—

Dr, Darwin.

A child, foon after the birth, fliews an inclination to
fuck ; and there is no reafon why it fhould not be gra-
tified. It is true, the mother’s milk does not always
come immediately after the birth ; but this is the way to

* This general rule admits- of but feta exceptions.

bring

bring It * 1 bcfitks, the Jji^I milk that the child carf
Ajueeze out of the breaft anfvvers the pu.rpofe of clcmf-
ing, better than all the drugs in the apothecary’s rttop,
and at the fame time prevents inflammations of the
breafl, fevers, and other dangerou$ difeafes, from the
fuppreffion of this natural fecretion, It is flrange how
people came to think that the fird thing given to a child
fliould be drugs. This is beginning with medicine by-
times, and no wonder that they generally end with it.
It foinctimes happens, indeed, that a child does not dif-
charge the meconium fo foon as might be wifhed ; tliis
has induced phyficians, in fuch cafes, to give fomething
of an opening nature to cleanfc the firft paflages. Mid-

* Dr. Armstrong, Fhyficimi to the Erir-(h Lying-in Hofpital, in this
particular, feconds tlie advice given to mothers by the benevolent Dr. Bu-
chan. An infant, fays he, although for fome time it has no great need for
food ; yet doubtlefs ought to be laid to the brealt, as foon as the mother may,
ly lleep, or otherwife, be fufficicntly refrelhcd to undergo the little fatigue
that an attempt to fuckle may occafion. This method, ho^-ever unufual with
fome, is moft agreeable to nature. Ey means of putting the child etirly to the
breali, efpccialiy the firft time of fucUling, the nipple will be formed, and the
milk gr.adua'dy brought on. Hence much pain, and its confequenccs, will be
prevented, as well as the frequency of fore nipples, which, in a firft lying in>
have been wont to occafion no fm.ill inconvenience. To teach the child how
to fuck, a little milk and water, fweetened with white fugar, may be given
jt at tbc end of a tca-fpoon, which the innocent will clafp in its mouth ; or a
finger wetted with it may be frequently put between its gums.

Wives

237

wives have Improved upon this hint, and never fail to
give fyrups, oils, &c. &c.' whether they be neceflary or
not. Cramming an infant with fuch ind'.geji'iblc Jluff,
as foon as it is born, can hardly fail to make it lick, and
bring on a real occafion for medicines.

Almofl as foon as the babe is born the officious nurfe,
knowing what is comfortable to herfelf, imagines that
what is good for her, and her miflrefs, cannot be bad for
the poor Infant. This naturally fuggefls the idea of cor-
dials. Accordingly wine is univerfally mixed by nurfes
with the firft food of children, or Daley’s Carminative
is adminiftered. Nothing can be more fallacious, than
this mode of reafoning, or more hurtful than the con-
du61; founded on it. Children need very little food for
fome time after their birth ; and what they receive
Ihould be light and of a cooling quality. A fmall quan-
tity of WINE hurries on the refpiratlon, and confequently
the circulation^ which nature for wife purpofes has made
already very rapid*'.

If the mother or nurfe has enough of milk, the child
will need no other food. Milk itfelf is produced from

* In a new-horn infant the pulfe is about 134 in a minute, in middle age
from 60 to 80, and in extreme old age from 50 to 24. Dr. Ao a I R .

I i

food

food taken in by the mother. It is in her ftomach tlrat
the aliment is dilTolved, or digefted, which by a combi-
nation of powers in the chylopoicilic vifcera, or parts pre-
paring the chyle, is fo far animalized as to be con-
verted into a kind of white blood. Hence it is veiy ap-
parent, that previous to an infant having acquired
ilrength enough to convert fohd food into bland and
wholefome chyle, and while the fibres of the flomach
and inteflincs are peculiarly irritable^ the parent, by a
wife fubftitution in nature, has previoufly accompliflied
this work for the infant (he is about to nourifli.

After the third or fourth month, it may then be pro--
per to give the child, once or twice a day, a little of fome
other food f. This will eafe the mother, will accuftoin
the cliild by degrees to take food, and will render after

* We may obfcrve the hen hunting after -womn and tittle tnjeas for its.
ymng\ and poulterers follow without the bias of theory the fame method of
Tearing them. Reaumur gave two ducks, the one animal, and the other -ve-
getable food, and having killed them, he found the animal fubllances al-way-.
fooner digefted than the grain. Thus then it feems, that animal food is
much eafier digefted and tranfmuted in clwldren into animal fuhjiance, by the
powers of digeftion, than the vegetable ; and this plainly appca.r3, if you
begin from the firft moment of the foetus increafing in the womb, where, tifl
its coming int* light, it is formed entirely of animal fubftance.

f As Jojt hifeuit or cruji of bread (which arc eafier digefted than crumb')
with milk and tvMer,

weaning

^39

weaning both lei's difficult and lefs dangerous. Nature
abhors all fudden tranhiions. For this purpofe, the
food of children ought not only to be hmple, but to re-
femble, as nearly as poffible, the properties of milk. In-
deed milk ffiould make a principal part of their food,
not only before they are weaned, but for a long time
after.

Bread may be given to a child as foon as it fliews an
inclination to chew. The very chewing of bread will
promote the cutting of the teeth, and the difcharge of
faliva. Children difcover an early inclination to chew
whatever is put into their hands. Parents obferve the
'inclination^ but know not how to apply the remedy. In-
ftead of giving to the child fomething which may at
once exercife its gums, and afford it nourifhment, they
.commonly put into its hands a piece of hard metal, or
impenetrable coral. A cruft of bread, or a piece of
ftick liquorice, is the bell: suck-thumb. It not only
anfwers the purpofe better than any thing elfe, but has
the additional properties of nourilhing the child, and
carrying the faliva down the ftomach, which is a great
promoter of digeftion.

It is foon enough to allow children animal food., when
^hey have got teeth to tear it. Then we Ihould remem-

I i 2 her

240

her that their pulfe is ufually at 1 30, and from the ob:;

fervation of Mr. Townsend and others, the pulfe is
quickened by animal food, and the fame is not obferved,
when we have been eating only vegetables *. We
fliould therefore employ a due mixture of vegetable with
their animal food, which, as the proper food of man-
hood, tlie formation of his teeth f naturally points out
to the phyfiologifts, and the experience of ages has
proved to be tlic mofl conducive to health T
machs of children cannot bear repletion, becaufe of their
temperament, and as they require food not only to keep
up the parts already formed, but alfo to make an addi-
tion to them, they ought therefore to have /lender, but
frequent meals,.and this in proportion to their tender age,

* Vide ihe Guide io Health, page 27*

f He has tl^e canine or tearing teeth, the incifon or clippers, and the
grinders. Thofe animals that have only the canine teeth, as the lion, &c. have
a gajlric juice that does not dKTolve -vegetables ; and on the reverfe, thofe that
have only the incifors and grinders, as the horfc, &c. have a gajlrit juice that
only dilTolves -vegetable fuhjiances.

%.Tovert^', fays the celebrated Adam Smith, thovgh it n* doubt dif-
courages, docs not always prevent marriage. It fienis even to be fa-vourable
to generation A half-llai ved highland woman, frequently bears more than
i-jventy children, while a pampered fine lady is incapable of bearing any, and
is generally exhauded by two or three. Eut/>oavr^>, though it quickens the
powers of generation, is alfo extremely unfa-vourable to the rearing of children.
'Jhe tender plant is proiluced in fo cold a foil, that it Joon -withers and diis. It is
not uncommon in the highlands if Scotland, fora mother -who has borne twenty
children to hu-ve but 1 w o ali-ve.

%. or

241

2. OF THE FOOD PROPER FOR MANHOOD.

It is an ancient and approved maxim, that a life guided
entirely according to the diredlions of art, mull: be a
miferable one, and the mofl judicious pradlitioners, fen-
fible of the juflnefs of the obfervation, and that what is
prohibited is often the more eagerly coveted, have en-
deavoured, even to perfons labouring under dlfeafe, to
give as great latitude as polTible in the articles of diet,
and to reconcile every part of the regimen they preferibe,
as nearly as they can, to the common mode of living,
in order that the patient may be reminded as little as pof-
fible of his misfortune Our direfUons therefore fhall
not be frivoloufly minute, but as Ihort as poffible on this
fubjedl.

In the firfl: place we ought carefully to chew our food,
otherwife we lhall impofe much unnecelTary labour on
the ftomach, and retard digeftion.

With refpedl to quantity, it is evident that this mull
)3e regulated by our feelings. A healthy man cannot be

• Vide page 223.

faid

laid to exceed in the quantity of his meal, if he finifhes
it with a relifh for more i if, immediately after eating,
he can, if required, follow any employment, that does
not demand hrong exercife or violent exertions ; which
to perfons in eafy circumftances will rarely be neccflary,
and ought in general to he avoided, as it difturbs digei-.
tion * ; though daily pradtifed from necclTity, by the la-
bouring poorf-

Gluttony isfo ungentlemanly a vice, that it would be
an affront to fuppofe that perfons of polifltcd manners,
who are the perfons who will probably read this book,
could be capable of it. 1 fhall therefore forbear to men-
tion the innumerable train of evils that in time is certain
to attend this beaftly pradllce.

With refpedl to the prf^per times for eating, firff.

Dr. Adair.

This has been before ferlcujly ad\ erted to in page 207, and it is hoped wiil
finally have its due -iUtight, the conduft of maltcrs being here (like the traffic
in human flclh) both cruel and impolitic. Dr. Harwood, the Profeffor of
Anatomy at Cambridge, took two pointers equally hungry, and equally well
fed ; the one he fuffered to lie quiet after his meal, the other he kept for above
two 'hours in covjiant exercife. On returning home he had them both killed.
J/i ihejlom.ich of the dog that •a\:s quiet and afleep, all the food mw digejied ; but
in the Jlomach of the other dog that proceji nvas fcarcely begun.

243

Ol' BREAKFAST.

As our anceftors breakfalled early, they dined alfo
early, and had at lead; two meals after this, as appears
from the allowance appointed for a Lady Lucy, who
feems to luve been one of the maids of honour in the
court of Henry the Vlllth. I may be allowed to men-
tion their articles of food, as a matter of curiofity, tO'
fiiew in what manner the fine ladies lived in thofe days-

This lady was allowed for breakfast,

f a chine of beef,

•s a loaf, and
L a gallon of ale.

We have an account alfo of the breakfast of an
earl and countefs in the lent feafon, viz.

'a loaf of bread,

2 manchettes (which feems to have been loaves-
of a coarfer bread),
a quart of beer,

■d a quart of wine,

2 pieces of fait fifh,

6 baconed herrings,

4 white herrings, and.

^ a di/h of fprats.

Wid.

244

With refpect to the quality of our clifl'crent meals, we
feem to depart more from tlie cuhom of our liardy an-
ceftors with regard to hrcakfaji, than any other meal.
The contrail; at firll fight appears truly ridiculous. A
maid of honour , in the court of Queen Elizabeth,
hreakfaftcd upon beef^ and drank ale after it ; wliilft the
fportfman^ and even the day-labourer, now breakfall; upon
tea.

The philofopher liere humbly attempts to vindicate
the prefent race j he believes that Jlecp, which hereafter
will be fully confidered accumulates the irritability of
the fibre, difpofing it to be more readily affe6led by lllmuli
of all kinds, hence the violent effedls of all cordials
taken in the morning, and licnce perhaps the propriety
of the gently llimulating power of coffee or bohea tea f .
He would alio recommend here bread moulded into
fuch lliapes as to produce a great deal of crufX, and

lie

* Vide Law III. on the Accumulation of Exc'iUthiViiy.

.j- Tka, whether or is the produce of the fame plant, the

green tea being the Ihoots and earlier leaves, and bihea thofe more advanced
and expanded, l.ike other llimuli green tea made very ftrong is an emetic,
or occafions tremors', if moderately ftrong agreeably rejre/hes after a fatiguing
journey, and from its excitement is produdlivc of -wakefulnefs to hab;ts unac-
cuftomed to tluit Jhmulus. Green tea is fuited only to old age, and cold
unirritable habits.

+ We faw before that foUd fubjiances are cafter adted upon than glutinous.

Thus

245

lie would recal the reader, who reckons health as the
firft bleffing, and as the means of enjoying and height-
ening all other bleflings to refleft on the utility of the
falivay and to remember tliat bread when buttered abforbs
little or no faliva, while a pound of dry bread carries
down with it the fame weight of this neceffary moif-
ture*. We would here, therefore, only caution the
reader againfl: taking his tea too hot, and if he has been
engaged throughout the preceding day, or that morning,
in much exercife, to join with this neceffary meal one
or two foft boiled eggs-^.

Thus hot •water fooncr dHTolvcs •white fugar than foft gum, and aquafortis cor-
rodes copper, though it does not touch •wax. It is lefs fubjedt to acefcency,
and does not fwell in the ftomach.

* Pieces of meat, that may happen to get between the teeth, arc dif dvcd.
by this menftruum, or at any rate are fo foftened, and their texture broken, that
this inconvenience is fpeedily removed. If not a fluid, poflefling properties
the fame as the gajlric fluid, it muft be allowed, certainly, that it greatly aids
that folvent. Vide page 222. If this penance be too great for the niiddle pe-
riod of life, and muffins and crumplets foaking in butter muft be indulged in,
children, however, may be prohibited butter, and be made to have good confli-
iutions, by which the contagion of bad example will afterwards be lefs fevercly
felt.

f This cuftom univerfally prevails in Ireland, and is better than hung-
beef zxA anchovies, which accompany the Scotch breakfaft.

2-^6

OF IJINNER.

- a piece of boiled beef

■ a flee of roafed meat, and

- a gallon of ale.

IN THE AFTERNOON,

^ a manchette, and
I half a gallon of ale.

FOR SUPPER,

'a mefs of porridge,
a piece of mutton,
a cheat (or finer loaf),

_ and a gallon of ale.

To be fociable after fupper, there was left on table,

/- a manchette loaf
^ a gallon of ale, and
L half a gallon of wine.

This lady had therefore four heavy meals. Inflead
of this we are led to recommend the modern pradtice of
late dinners. — But becaufe long falling is injurious, and
when very hungry we may be induced to eat more at
this principal meal than can be properly digefted, we
would recommend cold meats or foups by way of colla-

tion.

For

247

For dinner we would advlfe to thofe, who have a due
fenfe of the importance of health, to keep as much as
poffible to one dijh. To prefer mutton* to lamb,
lamb to chicken or veal^ and beef, if tender, to either
of the three lafl:, and as fijh is foon digefted, to unite
fome flefh meat with it, and to add to thefe vegetables.
Could I believe I fhould be liftened to with indulgence,
and not incur the general cenfure of prejudice, having
nothing but philanthropy and the improvement of fcicnce
for my objedf, I would condemn, for convalefcent and
weak perfons, thofe heterogeneous combinations called
puddings and am inclined to condemn alfo, though
not the fruit, yet the cruf of all pies. Let my readers
here call to mind, that eggs and milk are both reckoned
wholefome feparate^ but when combined, form a com-
pound fuited only for frongfomachs j:.

* VVlica Sanctorius eat mutton, which was a food peculiarly grate-
ful to his ftomach, his feelings were pleafant, and his perfpirniion copious ; —
when he eat pork, goose, duck, mushrooms, or melons, he was
heavy and opprejfed ; and found, by the balance, that his perfpiraiion was di-
minijhed one half. This proves that even the perjpiratory difeharge is very
much under the influence of the stomach.

-|- Very few exceptions to this rule. The plained puddings are generally
very compound.

J The art of cookery I am apt to liken to the diabolical art of mu
demining a iemm. Wc all avoid the red poifon berries, and caution others againd

K k z tliem.

248

OF DRINKING AFTER MEALS.

A foreigner was invited to a party confifting, as he
was told, of Englijh philofophersy of whom he conceived
a great deal. After a very plenteous dinner the cloth
was cleared, and the bottles were placed on the table.

them, though we give our friends potfoned pickles, and preferves made In
copper faucepans, &c. and hold out fuch temptations to over-gorging, which
weak, minds cannot refift.

They dine

with dilhes tortur’d from their native tafte,

and mad variety, to fpur beyond

its wifer will the jaded appetite 1

Js ihisfor plcnfure f — Learn a jufter tafte ;

and know, that temperance is true luxurV.

O?' is it pride ? — Purfue fome nobler aim.

Difmifs your parafites, who praife for hire ;
and earn the fair efteem of honeft men,
whofe praife is fame; Formed of fuch clay as yours,
the fick, the needy, Ihiver at your gates.

Even modeft want may blefs your hand unfeen,
though hufti’d in patient wretchednefs at home.

Is there no virgin, graced with every charm
but that which binds the mercenary vow ?

No youth of genius, whofe neglcfted worth
unfofter’d fickens in the barren ftiade i
No worthy man, by fortune’s random blows,
or by a heart too generous and humane,
conftrain’d to leave his happy natal feat ?

There are, vhiie human mlferies abound,
a thoufand -U'ajs to •wajle JuperJiuous ’scealih.

Armstrong.

249

He was prefled after five glafles to drink on ; but the
flranger perfifted in afluring the company “ he felt m
droughty Thefe phllofophers began then to be angry,
and the foreigner rang the bell, and inffled on another
courfe, for they ought, as much to eat againfl reafon and
inclination, as he to drink.

I would here recommend the excellent faying, a glafs
for dlgejiion, another for my relations, a third for my king,
a fourth for my country, and a fifth for my enemy.

It will not, I think, admit of a doubt, that beer or
v:ater is the only drink neceflfary in early youth ; and that
vjine, and fpirituous liquors, of which luxury has intro-
duced a variety, ought to be appropriated folely to the
middle period, to the comfort of invalids and the in-
vigoration of old age.

* The great objeaion, however, againft gtnrua and tuaUr, and brandy
and 'Water, is, that htvalids are very apt to increafe the proportion of the fpirit
ordered, and the great Dr. For hero ill, who was among the firft who gave
fanftion to this pra£lice, declared, fome time before his death, that lie re-
pented of having done fo, from the unfortunate habit that had foie on fome of
his patients. '

On pleafure’s floweiy brink wc idly flray,
mailers as yet of our returning way.

Seeing no danger — we difarm our mind,
and give our condudl to the waves and wind.

Then

250

To the credit of the prefent age, hard drinking is
rarely praftifed by perfons of liberal education ; though,
'from the habit of fitting at table fome hours after dinner,
we are tempted to exceed in the quantity of wine ; which
even with perfons in health too frequently deftroys in
time the tone of the flomach.

T-Vere the pleafure of the palate lajiing^ fays CoR-NARo,
there would he fome excufe for inebriety, but it is fo tranji-
iory, that there is fcarce any difinguijhing between the be-
ginning and the ending ; whereas the difeafes it produces are
very durable. This fad is well known in the diftilleries,

Then in the flowery mead, or verdant fhade,

to wanton dalliance negligently laid,

we weave the chaplet, and we crown the bowl,

and fmiling fee the nearer ^waters roll,

till the Jh-ong gujl of raging pajfiom rife,

till the dire tempeft mingles earth and Ikies,

and fwift into the boundlefs ocean borne,

our ftoltjh confidence too late we mourn ;

round our devoted heads the hillorivs heai,

and from our troubled view the Uffening lands retreat.

Prior,

Spirits, fays the AbbcRAYNAL, were the gift the moft fatal the old
world ever made to the new. It was foon obferved, that it difturbed their
domeftic peace, deprived them of their judgment, and made them furious. In
vain did fome Frenchmen cxpoftulate with them, and endeavour to make
them alhamed of iheje exccjfcs. “ It is you,” anfwcrcd they, “ who have
taught us to drink this liquor, and we cannot do without it. You have done the
t( mifehief, and it admits of no remedy.”

^ where

251

where the swine which are fattened by the fpirituoua
fediments of baiTels, all acquire difeafed livers.

Mark what happens to that man who drinks a quart
of wine or of ale, if he has not been habituated to fo
violent and exhaufling a flimulus. He lofes the ufe
both of his limbs and of his underflanding ! He becomes
a temporary idiot, and has a temporary llroke of the

palfy ! And though he llowly recovers after fome hours,
is it not reafonable to conclude, that a frequent repeti-
tion of fo powerful a poifon mull at length permanently
affedt him ? — If a perfon accidentally becomes intoxicated
by eating a few muflirooms of a peculiar kind, a general
alarm is excited, and he is faid to be poifoned ; but fo
familiarized are we to the intoxication from vinous fpi-
rits, that it occalions merriment rather than alarm.

The flory of Prometheus feems to have been invented
by phyficians in thofe ancient times, when all things
were clothed in hieroglyphic, or in fable. Prometheus
was painted as Healing fire from heaven, which might
well reprefent the inflammable fpirit produced by fer-
mentation; which may be faid to animate or enliven
the man of clay : whence the conquefl: of Bacchus, and
heedlefs mirth and noife of his devotees. — But the after
puni/hment of thofe, who fical this accurfed fire, is a vid-

ture

tun gnawhig the liver ; and vjell allegorizes the poor ine-
briate lingering for years under painful hepatic difeafes *.

Drinking is undoubtedly the moll miferable refuge
from misfortune. It is the mod; broken of all reeds.
This folace is truly lliort lived ; when over, the fpirits
commonly fink as much bclouu their ufual tone, as they
had before been raifed above it. Hence a repetition of-
the dofe becomes necelTary, and every frefh dofe makes
way for anotlier, till the miferable wretch is rendered a
Have to the bottle ; and at length falls a facrifice to what
at firfl, perhaps, was taken only as a medicine. No man
is- fo deje6l;ed as the drunkard when the debauch is over.
Hence it is, that thofe who have the greateft flow of
fpirits while the glafs circulates freely, are of all others
the mofl: hipped when fober. It may be pleafant to get
drunk, but the next day is a day of uneafinefs, and the
third ought to be a day of repentance. To thofe who
drink to drive away care, I would recommend the
careful perufai of ‘the following lines.

Unhappy man, whom forrow thus and ragfy
two difFcrcnC ills, alternately engage.

Who drinks, alas ! but to forget, — nor fees
that melancholy, floth, fevere difeafe,

* Dr. Darwin.

memory

memory confufcd, and interrupted thought,

Death’s harbingers, lie latent in the draught,

AND IN THE FLOWERS THAT WREATH THE SPARKLING BOWt.
FELL ADDERS HISS, AND POISONOUS SERPENTS ROLL.

Prior,

OF SUPPER.

A late dinner gives a long morning, and preclades the
jleceffity of a hearty fupper, and tea may become its
fubftitute, and call together, to a cheap entertainment
and the pleafures of focial intercourfe, a meeting of
cheerful friends. Abftradted from the cares of the bufy
day, having no variety of objedls to draw off the atten-
tion, viewing the expreffive and brilliant countenance
of thofe he is in converfe with, with fpirits gently agi-
tated, and cares difpelled, he returns with the partner
of his choice, from the fplendid circle, and wakes the
next morning refrellied by a found and tranquil lleep.'

3. OF OLD AGE.'

The food proper for old age has been before cbnfidered,
Ivlieii difcourfing on temperamentSi

254

SECT. xr.

ON Vital, or oxygen, air entering

INTO

THE COMPOSITION OF OUR BODY.

A LAD, af Newmarket, having been almofi: fiarved*
in Older that he might be reduced to a proper weight tor
riding a match, was weighed at 9 o’clock in the morn-
ing, and again at 10 o’clock, and he was found to liave
gained near 30 ounces in the courfe ot an hour, though
he had only drank half a glajs of wine in the interval
A gentleman in the city was lately weighed betore din-
ner, and was highlv offended to find from his weight,
not long after dinner, that he rnufi. have eat, unlefs fomc
deceit was played on him, above tu:o pounds of beef-
fleaks.

The reader will here call to mind the Se^ion “ On the
Balance betvcixt Refpiration and DigcJiion\," and will
dil'cover, perhaps, the folulion in part of this difficulty

froiii

^ From Dr. Watson's Chemical Eflavs.

•)■ The quantity of air confumed in a minute by us is a gallon: under cer-
tain circumllancos it is more, according to the c/uaniity and nature of the food.

The

^55

fiom the Increafed attra6tlon of the blood for the vitaU or
oxygen, portion of the air : for, from careful and repeated

experiments, it appears, that the abforbents of the fkia
do not a6l, unlefs when violently irritated, the cutis
ferving as a covering to the mouths of thefe veffels **

It is Impofllble, fays the author of the Medical Spec-
tator, indeed, to perufe the following extraff from a late
publication of Dr. Beddoes without feeling the warm-
eft approbation, and the moft anxious delire to co-operate
with him and Drs. Darwin, Ewart, Thornton,
and thofe other phyficians whofe letters he has publiftied,
in their laudable attempts to render the pneumatic
’CHEMISTRY ufejul to mankind. — Thefe, I am well per-

Thc quantity of airr then confumed in. an hour, anii.tlie weight of the oxygen
fortion being deducted, and added to the weight of the food taken into the fto-
mach, would give fome ground for conjedturinj; the weight of air acquired in
a day.

* The hands and arms of feveral perfons were plunged into water in which
tmiriated mercury was diffolved, and no effedls were produced where the fkin
was entire : but the fame quantity of water and mercury remained. Again,
fcammony was applied to the body by means of a plafter : but it produced no
vi-hble effedl. However, when an irritation was made, and the rampart of the
.fkin was deftroyqd, it operated, as though it had paffed into the bowels by-
means of the ftomach. No water was abforbed either in the cold or hot bath-
Sqe the Memoir of Monf. Secuin, in La Medecine Eclaire'e par les Sciences
^hyjiques.

L 1 2 fuaded.

fuaded, muft be the fentiments of every medical man^
vjho pojjejjes a ray of true fcience ; and to me, it is par-
ticularly pleaiing, becaufe I alfo have many years ago
entertained an opinion nearly hmilar. “ A firm per-
“ fuafion,” fays Dr. Beddoes, “ had long fettled on
“my mind, that the fyjiem might be as powerfully and as
variQufy affedled by means of the lungs as of the fomach.
And the more knowledge we have acquired of the proper-
“ ties of elaflc fluids^ the more has this my opinion been con-
firmed. Of all the fun^lonsy respiration /V, I thinks
“ the bcf underfood-, and it will alfo be found in philofo-
“ phic and cautious hands to be the mof eafily managed. It
“ is Impofible, adds Dr. Beddoes, now to doubt, that
“ we are nourished BY the lungs, as truly, as
BY THE STOMACH ; and that what we take in at the
^’■former entrance becomes, like our food, a part of the fub~
fane e of our folids as well as ourfuids. — ’By the lungs
“ we can alfo introduce effectual alteratives of
“ the blood, and by confequence ad on all the parts nourif)-
“ ed by the blood. For fame timef adds this illuftrious
philofopher, “ I breathed oxygen air, with a certain
portion of atmofpheric air, and I felt at the time
“ of inspiration that agreeable glow and

LIGHTNESS OF THE CHEST, WHICH HAS BEEN

“ DESCRIBE^

DESCRIEFiD BY Dr. PrIESTLEY AND OTHERS.

“ In a very short time I perceived a geni-

AL WARMTH, AND A GREATER FLOW OF SPI-
RITS THAN USUAL, AND BY DEGREES MY COM-
** FLEXION FROM AN UNIFORM BROWN BECAME
“ FAIRER AND SOMEWHAT FLORID. I PERCEIVED
ALSO A CARNATION TINT AT THE END OF MY
FINGERS, AND MY LIPS BECAME OF A BRIGHT
RED.”

“ I even think It probable, that oxygen, or vital
AIR, which, by uniting with the blood, creates Jack
“ a beautiful colour to the complexion, may fuperfede all
“ other cofmctics ; one deeijive advantage it will cer-
tainly have over them all, for while tt improves the
looks, it will, if rightly adminifered, amend the health
alfo *. The latter part of this experiment points out
the analogy there is betwixt exercife f and our inhaling
a fuper-oxygenated atmofphere •, and places, in the
flrongeil: point of view, that oxygen, or vital, air, by
I)lending with the blood, becomes one of the consti-
tuent PRINCIPLES of our body.

* From Dr. Bf.ddoes’s Letter to Dr. Darwin, on the New Method of
curing Pulmpnary Diforders.

•f- Vide the Sedlion on Exercife, and the Experiment which proves that
vital air is abforbed by the blood, page 70.

SECT.

ON CLOTHING,

SECT. XII.

I . Of the Clothing of Infants.

Midwifery was firft pra6lifed by women. Hence
elie clrefTing of children became an art which few could
attain unto. Eadi midwife ftrove to outdo all Others in
•tliis pretended knowledge. Thefe attempts were fecond-
cd by the vanity of parents, who, too often defirous of
making a Iliow of the infant as foon as it was born,
were ambitious to have as much finery heaped upon it as
pofTible. Thus it came to be thought as neceffary for a
midwife to excel in bracing and drcfling an infant, as
for a furgeon to be expert in applying bandages to a
broken limb ; and the poor child, as foon as it came Into
the world, had as many rollers and wrappers applied to
the throat * and body, as if every bone had been frac-
tured in the birth ; while thefe were often fo tight, as
jpot ordy to gall and wound its tender frame, but

* As the long Jiay to hinder the child from bending back the head
l^rcaking its neck !

(Cveii

259

^ven to obllruft the motion of the organs neceflary for
life.

Nature knows no other ufe of clothes but to keepi
the body warm. All that is neceffary for this purpofe,
is, when the child is born, to excite the external circu-
lation by rubbing it with brandy and water with the
warm hand, and having affixed the belly-hand made of
Jleecy hojiery to wra^r it in a loofc covering of the fuiie
foft material ; and then to lay if by the fide of the fond
mother to partake of her vital warmth f. Were parents
left to the di6tates of nature alone, they would certainly
follow this method. If we confidcr the body of an in-
fant as a bundle of foft pipes, replenilhed with fluids in
continual motion, the danger of prejfure :{: will appear in
the flrongeft light. Nature, in order to make way
for the growth of children, has formed their bodies foft
and flexible ; and left they fliould receive any injury
from preflure in the womb, has furrounded the feetus
every where with yielding fluids. This ftiews the care

* More will be faid hereafter of this happy difeovery. At the fame time
that it is •warm and unirr'itaUng, it is pcrfedlly elajiic.

•j* Vide Sedfion VII. Pait II. Ido'w I'tje drpcfids on a certain degree
heat in the body.

Some allowance ought likewife to be made for the fwelling of the muf-
clcs during fleep.

which

266

nliicti NATURE takes to prevent all unequal preflTure cni
the bodies of infants, and to defend them againfl; every
thing that might in the leaft cramp or confine their mo-
tions.

Not only the analogy of other animals, bat the very
feelings of infants, inform us, they ought to be kept eafy
and free from prefTure. They cannot indeed tell us their
complaint ; but they can flievv figns of pain ; and this
they never fail to do, by crying v\'hep pinched by their
clothes. No fooner arc they freed from their bracingsy
than they feem pleafed and happy; yet, flrange infatu-
ation ! the moment they hold their peace, they are again
committed to their chains. I have known, fays the be-
nevolent Dr. Buchan, numerous children feized with
convuljion-fits foon after the midwife had done fwaddling.
them, who, upon taking off the rollers and bandages,
were immediately relieved, and never had that difeale
afterwards.

SECT.

SECT. XIII.

2. Of the Clothing of Adults.

have before feen the benevolent care of Provi-
dence to the lower order of creatures in providing
them with clothing futted to the climate and the feafon
cf the year*. The horfe, the deer, and birds, double
their covering in the beginning of the cold feafon, and
Jhcd it in the fpring when a warm garment is no longer
fervlceable. — The beaver removed to the higher lati-
tudes exchanges its fur, and the flieep its wool, for a
coarfe hair, to allovj of the efcape of heat. The coarfe
and black lhag of the bear, on the contrary, is converted
in the ar6lic regions into the fmeft and whitefl; fur to re-
tain the vital flame. — In fliort, the foftnefs and denfity of
hair in animals feems always in proportion to the cold-
nefs of the country. The Canadian and Ruffian furs
are therefore better than the furs of climates farther re-
moved from the north. It, is well known that the fur

* Vide what was faid Soft. II. Part 11. 0/t A7nmnl Heat ■ alfo Sc<fl. Ill,
H-.’w Life depends ett a certain Degree of Heat in the Body ; and Scdl. IV. On
the Mlethod Nature takes to increafe or rid herfeJJ of this Jubtle and penetrating
fiuid.

IVI m

262

of the ermine is the mod valuable of any hitherto dif.
covered : and it is in winter only that this little animal
has it of the proper colour and confidence. Nature
has provided fome animals with another refource ; when
the feafon becomes too cold for their conditutions, they
deep t or emigrate into warmer climates.

Pliny ^ one of the mod celebrated natural! ds of anti-
quity, pathetically laments, “ that v/hild nature ha?
“ given various clothing to the brute creation, and even
fenced plants and trees with bark, againd the injuries
“ of the cold and heat, die would have cad man into
“ this world naked and unprovided againd the incle-
“ mency of different climates and feafons.” But in-
dead of agreeing with that philofopher, that nature
lias, in this particular, ailed more like a cruel dep-
mothcr, than a kind and indulgent parent to man, we
cannot fufficiently extol her providence and wifdom. It
was no more than confident with equity to provide the
irrational part of her works with clothing fuitable to
their circumdances ; but man, whom die endued with
the tranfcending faculty of reafon.^ die hath very wifely
left to accommodate himfelf to the difference of feafons
and of climate, and to clothe himfelf accordingly with

•}• Vide notc’'^, page 95.

the

the plumes, the fleeces, the fklns of animals, and the
produ6ls of various plants and trees. This would inva-
tiably be found to be the cafe, were not man, alas ! fei>
vilely imitative, and in the highefl: degree capricious in
the ornaments of his perfon ! Hence it is, that the na-
tions beyond the Indus, as well as the Tartars, are at
great pains to comprefs their eyes at the corners, and to
flretch their ears by heavy weights appended to them,
and pulling them frequently with the fingers, fo that
they may hang down to their fhoulders, which they con-
fider as the highefl beauty. On the fame principle,
they extirpate the hair from their bodies ; and, on the
face, they leave only a few tufts here and there. The
Tartars frequently extirpate the whole hair of the head,
except a knot on the crown, which they braid and adorn
in different manners. Some, and among others the
*Turks, cut the hair off their heads, and let their beards
grow. The Europeans, on the contrary, fliave their
beards, and wear their hair. Every nation feems to have
entertained different prejudices, at different times, in
favour of one part or another of the beard. Kinp-fon
aflures us, that a confiderable part of the religion of the
Tartars confills in the management of their whifkers ;
and that they waged a long and bloody war with the

Mm2 Ter dans.

264

Peyjia-:s, declaring them infidels, merely becaufe they
would not give their whilkers the orthodox cut. Peter
the Great had nearly occafioned a revolution in his
kingdom, by wifiiing to have his fubjeiSts firaved. In

our country we daily fee men, who encourage the
growtii of the hair on the check, below the ear, to look
fierce, while others again wifii to have the fize of their
onderfiandlng mcafured by the fize of their heads. The
largenefs of the doflcr’s wig* arifes evidently from the
fame caufe as the fmallncfs of the beau’s queue. In
Andna and Greece large eyes are efieemed beautiful ; and
in thefc countries tltey take extraordinary pains to firCtch
the lids, and extend their aperture. Among fome Indian
tribes in Amerlea they flatten the forehead in Infancy by
the application of broad plates of lead, and file to a point

* The t5-e-wig was difufed in England through the humour of Dr. Somer-
ville. Some of tlie faculty having t.iken oflcnce, that he came not unfre-
qutntly to Gi'orgt-’% unarrayed with the fword, and in c.olourcd clothes, and
being on that account one day openly infulted by his indignant brethren,
he came the next day to the cofFcc-houfe, having on the jehu of his coachman,
who, on the contrary, had on the doftor’s tye. “ Here, genticmfn,” he faid,

‘ ‘ it art argumeni to the purpofe, that hio^atltdge does not cori/ijl in exteriors. T/u re
‘s are none of you, nvho nuould truji me to drive you, atki the veorld Jfutll foon
« fee, alfo, as I pafs through the Jlreets of London, that the wio does
« NOT CONSTITUTE THE PHYSICIAN.” ^laving made for fevcral days
this curious exhibition, the tyc-wig was quiddy converted into a fubjed of
ridicule. '

alT

all the teeth to imitate the canine. In Africa they flat-
ten die nofe, to accomplilli their idea of beauty. TIic
ikin in many nations is darkened by art ; and all favagcs
eftcem certain kinds of deformity to be perfedfions ; and
Itrive to heighten the admiration of their perfons, by
augmenting the terror of their features. In China, the
reigning fafliijon is ftill more contemptible, to appear
ever idle, they fufFer their finger nails to grow to an
enormous length, and pinch their feet into the fmalleft
fize imaginable. The latter cuflom has unfortunately
reached thefe kingdoms. Inflead of having the flze and
figure of the Ihoe adapted to the fliape of the foot, the
toes mull be crampt, and deprived of all feparation,
which the perfpiration of that part feems to demand
and nine tenths of mankind are troubled with corns, a
complaint that is feldom or never occafioned but bv
narrow and pointed fhoes. The ladies, who ever im-
prove on the fafliions of the time, to gain a little in
height, lengthen cut the heel, and conflantly walk on
tiptoe. The confequence of which is, adling contrary
to the intentions of kature, they never feem to walk
well, and as the fibres of the mufcles of the calf are not

* Dr. Vaughan, of Rochefter, recommends ftockings to be made \vi:h
the feparation like gloves.

drawn

266

^rawa into tlieir due tenlion, they become fubje£l tci
frequent and Incurable cramps, wliicli, as difturbing
fleep, is again the remote caufe of other dreadful dif-
orders.

The fliape God has given is too often attempted
to be mended by drefs, and tliofe who know no better,
believe that mankind would be frights without its af-
fiftance. The bones of growing perfons are fo cartila-
ginous, tliat they readily yield to the flightefl preffure,
and eafily aflume the flrape of the mould in which they
are confined. Hence it is that fo many girls in pro-
portion to boys are misfhapen Deformity of body
may indeed proceed from weaknefs or difeafe ; but in
general, fays Dr. Buchan, It is the efle£t of improper
clothing. The preffure of the abdomen by flays im-
pedes the adlion of the flomach and bowels, and the mo-
tion necefliiry for refpiration, and confequently the jufi:
circulation of the blood. Hence a train of dreadful dif-
orders enfue. The pliancy of the body, and the natural

* A lady in the city, who had had no girls, though her family was nu-
merous, but were mhjlmpen, confultcd the celebrated anatomift Mr. Cline,
on the prevention. “ To have no Jiays — and io lei the next girl run about like the
hoys,” was the excellent advice of this gentleman, which being complied with,
neither Ihc or any of the future children were afterwards marred by the ill-placed
attention of the ignorant mother. This ftory Mr. Cline is very careful to
deliver in his public Icftures at St, Thomas’s Hofpital twice a year.

grace

267

grace of the female form, is prevented by tills rigid coat
of mail. The imprudent zeal of the mother for a fine
fiiape performs another mofi: unkindly office to the child.
She frequently becomes either incapacitated for mar-
riage, or dies in child-birth. The madnefs in favour of
flays feems, however, to be fomewhat abated ; and it is
hoped the world will, in time, become wife enough to
know, that the human lhape does not folely depend upon
whale-bone and bend-leather.

In England we feldom enjoy any continuance of fettled
weather, except towards the^clofe of fummer, and the
beginning of autumn, and even then we are frequently
balked in our expedations. The fudden changes that
take place during three fourths of bur year may be
regarded as no lefs prejudicial to the health, than dif-
agrceable to our feelings ; and our terrors of catching
cold, which have frequently appeared ridiculous to fo-
reigners, are really better founded than we ourfelves are
apt, mofi: of us, to apprehend ; colds in their confe-
quences proving fatal to thoufands every year. Though
we cannot hope entirely to efcape the unpleafant fenfa-
tions, or altogether to ward off the fatal effeds occa-
sioned by this caprice of our climate ; yet confidering
jiropcrly the nature of clothing, we may avoid much of

thf

268

the danger. If ladies are fubjed to catch 'cold more fre-
cuently than men, it is not alone their delicacy of coii-
llitution, or their being more confined within doors ; but
the frequent changes they make in the quality or quan-
tity of their garments, and fometimes, however fearfulof a
partial current of air, bccaufe they expofe even thofe parts
of the body, that a little before had been warmly covered.
If a greater proportion of females fall vi6Iims to con-
fiimpt'ion, is it not becaufe, loiing fight more than men
of its primary purpofe, lays Dr. Beddoes, they regulate
their drefs folely by fantallic ideas of elegance? If happily
our regret flrould recal the age of chivalry, — to break the
fpellof fafiiion would be an achievement worthy the moll;
<rallant of our future knights . Common fenfe has always
•fiiiled in the adventure ; and our ladies, alas ! arc fllll
compelled, whenever the enchanticfs waves her wand,
to expofe .themfelves, half undrefied, to the fogs and
frofis of our ifiand.

It is, I believe, adds the celebrated Dr. Britdoes,
unfortunate for the inhabitants of this country, that wc
are not fubjecl to Inch a continued feverity of cold, as
firould oblige us regularly to fortify ourfelvcs by warm
clothing. By linen, worn exclulively, we lofe more in
liealth than we gain in comfort ; which comfort is,
{ perhaps,

269

perhaps, after all, is merely imaginary ; for from the re-
prefentation of Dr. Thornton, he appears to have fup-
ported the remarkable heats of a very hot fummer, bet-
ter than mofl: other perfons, by having on, inftead of
linen next his Ikin, a Jleccy hojiery •waljlcoat

It is a millaken notion, fays Sir Benjamin Thom-
son, that flannel is too warm a clothing for fummer. I
have worn it, fays he, in the hotteft climates, and in all
feafons of the yeai', and never found the leafl; inconveni-
ence from it. Sir Benjamin moreover adds, I fhall be
happy if what I have faid or done refpe6ling flannel f
Ihould induce others to make a trial of what I have fo
long experienced with the greatefl: advantage, and which
I am confident they will find to contribute greatly to
health, and confequently to all the other comforts and
enjoyments of life. As being the mofl; e£fe61;ual method

* Vide his Letters as publifhed by Dr. Beddoes, in which he adds, and
Jince myjirjl ujing this under garb, I am not fubjeH to catch cold as formerly
“ from the ’viciffttudes of the •weather”

Had Sir Benjamin Thomson known the fleecy hflery, he would
moft probably have recommended it in preference to flannel. It equally
attracts and imbibes the moifture of the Ikin : but the former as being elaflic
embraces the body, as being from an animal fubftance is -warmer and lighter
for wear than flannel, and as being of zfofter texture docs not unpleafantly and
jnjurioufly irritate the fkin.

N n

270

to efcape the influence of fudden changes of atmofpherl-
cal temperature, and becaufe flannel is fo much lefs un-
pleafant, when moifl, .than linen. Fleecy hojiery or
flannel Ihould be worn during every feafon in Great
Britain ; and thofe who feel it neceflary may add above
the linen in winter a cotton under waiftcoat, which he
may put ofF during the warm weather, and refume again
in the autumn. The philanthropic Jonas Hanway
was a very great advocate for warm clothing. Being in a
decline, he was ordered by his phyficians to the foutli
of France : but fome very urgent bufinefs calling him to
vifit Holland, in the moifl: air of that country he fpcedily
recovered, and remarks that the Dutch are free from
this dreadful calamity, which he attributes partly to the
air and partly to their warm method of clothing. He
adds, if a number of perfons meet in a room, where there
is no fire, and they feel cold, no pleafant converfation
takes place, and warm clothing ought therefore to be u(cd^

* Thofe confumptive patients, whom ive hurry off to tl-.e clear air in the
foiith of France, the French fhyftcians, on the contrary, order to the foggy air
of Lyons. As they cannot both be right, and as the hot wells favours the
fcivanients of the latter, being near a great town, where innumerable works
are carrying on, and fituated on the borders of marthy ground, and a river the
molt choaked up with mud of any in the world, there is fome probable grounds
for doubting of the juftnefs of our prevailing prac'llcc. Vide the Seftion on
i'htlufn Piilmonalis. ..

7 '

271

if for no other reafon than for the prefervation of good
humour . Boerhaave’s favourite receipt for health was,
“ to leave off our winter clothing on Midfummer day,
and to refume it the day following.”

To keep an animal in health, befide the retaining: of

a due degree of animal heat*, there mud be a con-

tinued generation of new juices, and a perpetual dif-
charge of the old. Without the due quantity of per-
spiration, which in a great meafure depends on our
clothing, neither the vegetable or animal can continue
in^^health ; a plant whofe perfpiratlon is ftopt becomes
fickly and dies ; and an egg whofe (hell has been co-
vered with a varnifli, and the perfpiratlon ftopt by this
means, will produce no living animal, either by the ap-
plication of common heat, or that of incubation from
the hen. The celebrated Sanctorius affirms, that
the infenfible perfpiratlon alone difcharges more than all
the fenftble evacuations together ; and that the propor-
tion of this to all the other evacuations, is as 5 to 3 :
though this proportion varies in different ages, climates,
and conftitutions, yet is it of fuch importance in all,
that where it is in '^any confiderable degree deficient, a

* Vide Seft. IX. on the Neccffity of a due Quantity of Animal Heat to
ftipport the Vital Funftions, p. 93.

N n 2

difeafcd

(lifeafetl ftate of the body muft enfue. The matter of
infenfible prfpivatiqn, or in other words, the fubtile va-
pour that is continually exhaling from the furface of the
body, is not fecreted by any particular glands, but feems
to be derived wholly from the extremities of minute ar-
teries, that do not terminate in veins, and are every
where difperfed on the furface. Thefe exhaling vcjfels
are eafily demonflrated in the dead fubjcdf, by forcing
water into the arteries ; for then fmall drops exude from
all parts of the Ikin, and raife up the cuticle, the pores
of which are clofcd by death ; and in the hving fubjedf,
a looking-glafs placed againft the Ikin, is foon obfcured
by the vapour. When the perfpiration is by any means
increafed, and feveral drops that were infenfible when
feparate, are united together, they form upon the fkin
thofe vifible drops called yiym/. This particularly hap-
pens after much exercife, or whatever occafions an in-
creafed determination of fluids to the furface of the body ;
a greater quantity of perfpirable matter being in fuch
cafes carried through the paflages that are deftined to
convey it off.

Now the rcafon of the propriety of Jleecy hojieyy in
jummcr is, that though it promotes the perfpiration, it
equally favours its evaporation : and we know that eva-
poration

273

poration produces pojttlve cold, the aqueous difcharge
being the means defigned by Nature lor carrying oft'
the fuperabundant heat* whether arifing from climate,
exercife, or fever.

Ill CHILDREN, where the food Is continually combining
with oxygen, and the fibres are irritable, it is of the ut-
•moft confequence to keep the body temperate, but never
to fulFer it to get chilled. Thus, without being ener-
vated, they may efcape the bad confequenccs arifing
from the hidden changes in this inconftant climate ; for
it is not true, that cold hardens children as it hardens
Jieel. If delicate children are fubje6l to difeafes and dan-
ger in England, to which they would not be fubjedt
in the warmer climate of Italy, is it not evident that
the difference between the climate of England and
Italy is the caufe of thefe difeafes and dangers? I firm-
ly believe, fays Dr, Beddoes, that the greateft morta-
lity is among thofe children who are hardily brought up.
Nearly one third of the poor, born in this ifland, fink
into the tomb, as foon almoft as they have catched a
few glimpfes of the lighj of heaven. And even when

* Vide SedV. X. p. 96. on the Means Nature employs to rid herfelf
“ of too much internal Heat." When dogs arc exercifed, who do not perfpire,
they carry off the fuperabundant beat by tlie kidneys, as well as by the tongue.

they

274

they have weathered out the early inclemencies of thelf
ftation, unlefs they afterwards wear warm and com-
fortable clothing they enjoy no fuch advantage of
freedom from pulmonic complaints as we are taught to
imagine. Among the peafantry of J'VarwickJhlre and
Staff'ord/hire, I am creditably told that confumptions are
not lefs frequent, than among the better order of people
who are more delicately bred up;

Fat people need a lefs warm raiment than thofe that
are lean ; for oil, as being a bad conductor of heat, a61:s
as a fleecy hofiery waiftcoat, refledfing back the vital
warmth. Here we cannot but admire the benevolent
care of Providence to the lower order of animals, by-
giving the whale, the bear, and other animals who in-
habit the colder climates, a deep covering of fati

Old people, as requiring abundant excitement, ought
more efpecially to be warm clad, and rather to exceed,
than to be deficient in the quantity of their clothing,
and to wear that which affords them the greateft warmth
with tlie leaft; poffible weight. They will not then be
liable to be injured by fitting all day in the chimney

* No people arc better clothed than the farmm in this ifland, who ufu-
ally enjoy ruJe health.

cornet,

275

corner, breathing an unwholefome air, and in a current
of wind. A perfon fufficiently clothed with the ficecy
hofiery next his Ikin may wear any flight fubftance for
ornament above it, and will, I am certain, feel more
comfortable even at fome diftance from the fire, than
when he was fcorching on one fide, and felt half frozen
on the other.

The under garment of fleecy hoflery ought to be fre-
quently changed, as it promotes the perfpiration, and is

continually abforbing it, Difeafes of the fkin are chiefly
%

owing to want of cleanlinefs. They may indeed pro-
ceed from other caufes ; but they Jeldom continue long
where cleanlinefs prevails. To the fame caufe mufl; we
impute the various kinds of vermin which infefl; the
human body, &c. Thefe may always be. baniflied by
cleanlinefs alone, and wherever they abound, we have
every reafon to believe it is negledled. It is remarkable
that, in mofl; eaftern countries, cleanlinefs makes a great
part of their religion. Indeed the whole fyftem of the
Jewifli laws has a manifeft tendency to promote clean-
linefs. Whatever pretenfions people make to politenefs

and

276

and civilization, I will affirm, that as long as they ne-
negledl cleanlinefs and appear nally, they are ffiiled
Goths and barbarians, Cleanlinefs is certainly agree-
able to our nature. It fooner attrads our regard
than even tinery itfelf, and often gains efteem where
that fads. It is an ornament to the higheft as well as
the lowcfl ftation, and cannot be difpenfed with in
either.

Few tilings arc more unreafonable, than the dread
of cleanlinefs in fick people. They had rather wallow
in all manner of filth, than change a tatter of their ap-
parel. Yet how refreflied, how cheerful, how com-
fortable do people feel when in health upon being
fliaved, walhed, and Ihifted ! If cleanlinefs be proper
for perfons in health, it is certainly more fo for the
fick. By being negle6led the ffighteft diforders arc
often changed into the mofi; malignant. The fame
niiftaken care which prompted people to prevent the
leaf! admiffion of frcflj air to the fick, feems to have
induced them to keep them dirty If the Jleccy

hojiery

* Dr. Buchak.

I here take my final leave of the Domcjiic Medicine, a work certainly of
merit : yet 1 cannot help remarking, that the benevolent author of it lias
idly attempted to make ignorant old women Ikilful pra£iilioiiers, and that

I’HYSIG

277

hofloy waiftcoat was changed on going to bed, which
is the time w'^e are in the habit ot being expofed to
cold, tliere can be no danger of catching cold, nor
can there be any impropriety of doing this at lead
twice a week in the fummer, and once in the win-
ter. The only caution neceffary, is to fee, pre-
vious to its being put on, that it contains no damp-
nefs.

PHYSIC WITHOUT PHILOSOPHY is mere quackery, and the de-
struction OF THOUSANDS. Vidc Law 11. On the State of ExlMuJimt
produced in the irritable Fibre by the injudicious adminillration of Stimuli.

The difeharge from the 1km is, ilt, two parts fixed air and, idly,
one part azotic air j and, ® ijuancity of aqueous fiuidf containing

the different tails of the body.

The furface of the body is alfo found to feparate the oxygen air from
its combination with azotic, and to imbibe it.

T/jefe difeovertes, begun by Mr. Cr uicksh anks, and confirmed by
Mr. Abernf.thy, both eminent teachers of anatomy in have

led fome able phyfiologW of the prefent day to fufpect that, i. fitted air,
2. azotic air, and, 3. water, are fent forth at each expiration from the
lungs, while the oxygen air, in lieu of thefe, is imbibed by the blood,
and they have inculcated a new theory of refpiration.

Experiments, we are informed, have been inftituted by Dr. Beddoes
at the Hot Wells, Briftol, and Dr. Thornton in London, to afeertain the
produfts of expiration after inhaling different kinds of air, which will pro-
bably decide this controverfy. (Compare with this note Sedt. \T, Part II.
On Respiration.

O o

OF MENTAL STIMULI.

SECT. XIV.

OF VISION.

When the fun rifes on the face of the earth, all na-
ture feems to have received a new creation. "W hat ma-
jejly ! — What fplendoiir ! — What beauty !

We will attempt, in as familiar a manner as poffible,
to explain to the attentive reader, the nice mechanifm by
which the fight is tlius capable of communicating to the
mind thefe lively^ varied^ and abundant perceptions.

In relarion_to the following law, “ that the rays of
light arc refracted (or turned inwards) according to the
denfity of the medium through which they pafsf our eyes
confift of 3 dif inbl humours of different denfties^ each
lodged in a tranfparent capfule, viz.

1. The e:^ternal, or aqueous ;

2. The central, or crystalline ; and

3. The INWARD, or vitrious.

Becaufc

279

Bccaufe light is fubjedled alfo to another law, the law
of reflexion, a DARK MEMBRANE lines the whole of
the infule of the globe.

The OPTIC NERVE expands itfelf over the concave
bottom of this darkened fphere, whofe fibres, in a col-
leited body, terminate obliquely * in the brain.

At the fore part of the eye there is, as it were, a par~
tition, in the center of which i round orifice, called the
PUPIL t, is feen, which contrails or dilates itfelf, to ad-
mit of more or a lefs degree of light, by means of the
mufcular fibres of the iris or uvia

* This might be adduced as a beautiful illuftration of the beneficent inten-
tion of THE DIVINE Architect. A vein and artery accompany this
nerve, fo that when an objeft ftrik.es upon it, fight is prevented. From the
obliquity of the entrance of the optic nerve this does not often happen, but may
be made to appear, if you form a dark fpot on a piece of paper, and fliutting
one eye, turn this paper about, until the fpot ftrikes on the trunk of the optic
nerve, when it will immediately difappear.

•j- This is the fmall black circle in the middle of the eye.

J Called uvia from its fuppofed refemblance to a grape, being ufual-
ly grey or black. This part is furrounded externally by the white of
the eye, and internally by the pupil. The iris or uvia of a greyhound
being put into an alkalefcent mixture by Dr. Haichton, the longi-
ituiinal fibres were rendered vifible. Thefe Jympathize with the optic nerve ;
for in gutta ferena, or decay of energy in that nerve, the pupil remains un-
altered in dimenfions, however the light may vary. The fympnthy of parts
was before Ihewn, when difeourfing on the fynchronous aftion of the oppoficc
fidcs of the heart, and is alfo difplayed, when we irritate the noftrils, and excite
into aftion the mufcles of expirationj or when exciting the ftomach by an
emetic, the abdominal mufcles, to favour each rejection, arc thrown into con-
vulfive efforts.

O O 2

Six

28o

Six musclf.s* are placed behind, fo as to turn this
beautiful and ufeful organ on every fide.

Thus have we a pcrfedl camera obscura, witli its
diiTerent lenfes ; and the image painted in the darkened
chamber of the eye (owing to the reflexion ot the rays
of light from the obje.ifts around), by afFe6ling the optic

* The four right mufclcs arife near together from the bottom of tlip orbit,
where the optic nerve enters, which they furround The or,< hits the eye di-
rcdtly upwards, another turns it downwards, a third draws the light toward the
nofc, and the fourth trims it the contrary way. They terminate each in a
broad, flat, and very white tendon, which covere all the fore part of the eye,
up to the circle of the cornea (or outer convex capfuleof the aqueous humour) ;
a.nd their white and ihining tendons form that enamelled like part which
furrounds the coloured circle, and which is, from its colour, named the -jehite
of the eye, or the tunica allugufia, as if it were abfolutcly a dilVinft coat.

So pcrfedlly balanced are thefe mufclcs, that if they aft all at once the eye
is imraoveably fixed. So that fometimes in an operation the eye is found more
firmly fet than it could be either by inftruments or the linger.

The two oblique mufcles deferve alfo particular attention. The inferior
oblique arifes from the orbit, and obliquely defeends into that cavity to be in-
ferred under the eye -ball ; and the fuperior oblique, on the contrary, arifes
along with the refti mufclcs, but fends forth a long tendon, which paffes
through a ring near the nofc, and by this beautiful contrivance, it gets inferred
into the upper part of the eye ball. They projeft the eye forward, as when
we ftrain to fee diflant objefts.

Brutes have another mufcle not found in our eyes. A furgeon attempting
to extraft the cataraft from the eye of a blind horfc, difeovered this by acci-
dent, for as foon as the eye was touched, it receded deep into the head. This
could be cfTcftcd only by this feventh mufcle ; which therefore feems to be
provided for defending the eye, by drawing it thus into the orbit, in creature^
who have no hand, like us, to Ikrccn the e^e upon the approach of danger.

nerve,

nen-e, prefents to the mind the varied and agreeable im-
preffion.

Should it be inquired, “ in ivhat way the optic nerve
conveys the image of the objedls around ; and whether
this arifes from vibration, or the motion of fome Jluid
The anfvver is, it muft be confefTed, of very difficult
folution. But it feems highly Improbable that a foft in-
elajiic cord, like a nerve, can vibrate, and no inert heavy
fluid can equal the quicknefs of perception.

We are then Induced, fays the celebrated naturalill
Bonnet, to admit that there is a fubtle fluid in the
nerves, whofe tenuity prevents our feeing it ; and which
ferves alike for the propagation of fenflblc impreffions,
as mufcular motion. The inflantancoufnefs of this pro-
pagation, and fome other phecnomcna, indicate that there
is a certain analogy between this fluid and the elediric >
fluid ^ ,

As we know, indeed, that a flxth part of the whole
mafs of blood is driven to the brain from the heart in an
oxygenated form, and quickly returns thence unoxy-
genated t, and is as fpeedily fupplied by frefli oxygenated

* Vide Part II. Sc£I. XII. an Mufcular Mot'ion.

f Vide the reprefentation of the heart, and a'aitxst z caroiul arUries,

ivhofc blood is returned by the 4 jugulars.

blood,

282

blood, It would be a pleallng, but difficult, attempt to
prove that this quantity of blood, when paffing Into fo
fmall an organ as the brain, cannot be intended by fru-
gal NATURE folely for nouriflament, and the generation
of vital heat, but muft emit its caloric to be formed by
the a6lion of the brain Into the ele£lric fiuid.

As the nerves of fight, and the other organs of fenfc,
terminate in the brain, we have thehigheft reafon to

believe that the soul is feated there.

A fubftance, therefore, indifferent to motion and refl,
is related to a fubftance that thinks, and though unagi^
taled by external impreffion, can generally at will legaln
the former connection. From this furpriilng bond there
fprings a reciprocal commerce between two diftinct be-
inos, a kind of adion and readion, which conftitutes the

✓

life of organized fentient beings.

The brain may therefore be compared to a cart blanch,
receiving every impreffion ; and to a cabinet, wheiein
the different portions of the univerfa are painted in mi-
niature, and may be drawn out at pleafure.

SECT.

SECT. XV.

OF HEARING.

As we faw different humours in the eye in relation to
/

the laws of light, fo we find a no lefs complicated ftruc-
ture of the ear in reference to the vibrations of the air.
The ufes, however, of tlie feveral parts forming the
ear is not fo well underftood : but it behoves us, in con-
templating the work of the Creator, not to quef-
tion the utility of any part ; but to fay, we find it here
in this particular form, and therefore it mufl: have
its ufe.

The tremulous motions of the air are fir ft received by
the external ear. In men this part is much flatter than
in brutes, but formed with certain folds, or inequalities,
conftituting a kind of winding paffagc for the air into
the canal, which leads to the internal part of the ear.

This canal by its form would probably invite in-
fedls to make a lodgment in it, were it not defended by
a tenacious and bitter fubftance, called the wax of the
ear. But in birds, whofe organs of hearing are fuffici-
ently defended, no fuch fecretion is obferved.

Through

284

Through tills canal the pulfations of the air are con-
veyed to a membrane, called membrana tympani,
ftretched acrofs it, and dividing the external from what is
called by anatomifts the inter?ial ear.

From the tympanum, or drum, is ah opening into
the mouth. On one fide of this paflage, called the
EUSTACHEAN TUBE, there is a cartilage, to which
there is affixed a mufcle, by which the paflage may be
varied, juft as the mufcular fibres of the uvia vary the
dimenfion of the pupil for the admiffion of light. This
opening is of fo much Importance towards hearing, that
thofe who are in fome meafure deaf, are generally ob-
ferved to open their mouths when they liften, whereby
^he vibrations of the air have a freer paflage to the tym-
panum *.

Within the tympanum are lodged four small
BONES fubfervient to the office of hearing. Thefe com-
municate with certain bony and winding cavities f

* The charming contrivance for preventing the food from pafling into the
wind-pipe by means of a flexible covering, was before obferved, and we may
remark here a no lefs kind intention in Providence towards man in fur-
nilhing him with the irvula, which, as the food is pafling into the oefophagus,
is drawn back, and clofcs the opening into the nofc and Euftachean tube. Ani-
mals who are prone, not being fubjeft to have any of their aliment pals
through the nofc, want therefore this defesice.

•)- To wit, the <vfjiibulum, femictrcular canaJs) and cochlea,

lined

lined on tlieir InfiJe with nervous .filaments,' whldl
go to tlie brain by a common trunk.

It is generally believed, that the tympanum of the ear
vibrates mechanically, when expofed to audible founds,
like the firings of one mufical inflrument, when the
fame notes are llruck upon another. Nor does this
opinion feem improbable, as the mufcles and bones of
the ear feem adapted to increafe or diminifh the tenfloii
of the tympanum for the purpofes of mechanical vibra-
tions.

But It appears from difTeftion, that the tympanum^' is

not

* The fituation of the tnembrana iympant is nearly horizontal in men and
in brutes, which is the bell pofition to receive founds reverberated from the
earth. In them it is conCiWe outward j but in birds it is convex outward, fo as
to make the upper part of it nearly perpendicular to the horizon, which is bell
fitted for the receiving of founds in the air. I'his membrane does not entirely
clofe the palTage, but has, fays Cheselden, on one lide a fmall aperture
covered with a valve. I found it, fays he, once half open in a man that I
diffcifted, who had not been deaf ; and I have feen a man fmoak a whole pipe
of tobacco through his ears, which muft go from the mouth, by the paffage of
the Euftachean tube, through the tympanum ; yet this man heard perfe<5lly
well. Thcfc cafes occafioncd me to break the tympanum in both oars of a dog,
and it did not dcltroy his hearing, but he was much Ihocked at any loud
founds. In very young children I have always found this membrane covered
with a thick mucus, which feems kindly provided for them, to prevent loud
founds from affeifting them too much. A gentleman well known in this city,
having had four children born deaf, was advifed to lay blifters behind the ears
of the jiext children he mi^ht have, which he did to three which were born

P p afterwards.

286

not the iniinccliate organ of hearing, but that like the
humours of the eye, it is only of ufe to prepate the object
for the immediate organ. For the auditory nerve
is not fpread upon the tympanum, but upon the ver-
TiBULUM, and cochlea, and semicircular canals
of tlie ear ; while between the tympanum and the ex-
panfion of the auditory nerve the cavity is faid, by Dr.
Meckel, to be filled with water-, as he had frequent-
ly obferved by freezing the heads of dead animals before
he dlflcdled them ; and water being a more dettfe Jluid

a.'^iCTwards, and every one of thefc heard pcrfeftly well. It feemed not unrea-
fonable to fuppofe that too greater a quantity of this mucus upon the drum, or
the depofition of coagulable lymph thrown out by inflammation, might be the
caufe of denfnefs in the four children, and that the difeharge made by the blif-
ters in the three latter cafes, was the caufe of their efcaping the fame misfor-
tune. From thefe, and other like cafes, it may be concluded, that the
niemhrana tympani, though ufeful in hearing, is not the feat of that fenfe ; and
if any difeafe in that membrane fhould ohjirucl the paffage of founds to the in-
ierual parts of the ear, which are the feat of that fenfe, an artificial paflage
through that membrane might recover hearing, as the removing the chyjialine
humour, when that obflrudbs the light, recovers fight. Some years fince a
malefadiror, who was deaf, was pardoned on condition that he fufl'ere dthis ex-
periment. As foon as this was publicly known, Mr. Cheselden, the lec-
turer on anatomy and furgery, and furgeon of St. Thomas’s Hofpital, was
hooted and infultcd in the ftrccts, and having entered the theatre, the play was
arrefted by the ciy of drum ! drum ! and he was obliged to leave the theatre,
fo violent .at all times has been the indignation againft: men, who are in-
clined, from a philofophic convidtion of truth, to innovate, or rather I might
fay, to improve the routine of things, and he was conflrained by the public
voice to dcfift from the attempt, and it is probable that the w'orld will lofe for
ever the benefits that might have rcfulted from this e.xpcrLmcnt !

tluiv

287

than air, is much better adapted to the propagation of
vibrations.

I fliall not expatiate on thefe reclufe parts ; only there
is one fpecial contrivance of the nerves miniftering to
this fenfe of hearing, which I think ought not to be
pafled by. One of the branches of the auditory nerves is
diftributed partly to the mufcles of the ear, partly to the
eye, partly to the tongue and inftruments of fpecch *, and
inofculated with the nerves that go to the heart and hreaji.
By which means there is an admirable and ufeful confent
between tbefe parts of the body ; it being natural for
moft animals, upon hearing any flrange found, to eredl
their ears, to open their eyes, and to be ready with the

* Every one in his childhood has repeatedly bit a part of the glafs or
earthen veflcl, in which his food has been given him, and has thence had a very
difagreeable fenfation in the teeth, wliich fenfation was deligned by nature to
prevent us from exertmg them on objefts harder than themfelves. The jarring
found produced between the cup and the teeth is always attendant on tliis dif-
agrceable fenfation : and ever after, when fuch a found is accidentally pro-
duced by the contlidt of two hard bodies, we feel by aflbeiation of ideas the
concomitant difagreeable fenfation in our teeth. Others have, in their infancy,
frequently held the corner. of a filk. handkerchief in their mouth, whilft their
companions in play have plucked it from them, and have given another dif-
agrceable fenfation to their teeth, which has afterwards recurred on running
the finger along thofe materials. Dr. Darwin*.

A confent of parts may alfo exift, where the nerves cannot be traced as
conneiftcd together. Vide note *, p. 132.

P p 2

mouth

288

mouth to call out, or utter what the prefent occafion
lhall diclate. And accordingly it Is very common for
moft animals, when fuddenly furprifed in fleep with any
loud noife, prefently to flirlek and cry out, and difplay
a great palpitation of the heart.

Hearing is a fcnfe much more neceflary to man than
to animals. With thefe it is only a warning againll
danger, or an encouragement to mutual airiftance. In
man, it Is the fource of moll of hh pleajures-, and with-
out which his reafon would be of little benefit.

A man born deaf mufi; neceflarily be dumb ; and his
whole fphere of knowledge will in all probability be
bounded only by fenfual objeds. W'e have an inftance
of a young man, who, being born deaf, was reflored, at
the age of twenty-four, to perfedl hearing : the account
is given in the Memoirs of the Academy of Science,
1703.

A young man of the town of Chartres, between the
age of twenty-three and twenty-four, the fon of a tradef-
man, and deaf and dumb from his birth, recovered his
hearing, and In three months, by unremitting diligence,
he underfiood what was faid to him, and could join to-
lerably well in converfation. Soon after, fome divines
^ueftioned him concerning his ideas of his paft ftate ;

and

289

and principally with refpedl to God, his foul, and the
morality and turpitude of a6lions. The young man,
however, had not driven his folitary fpeculations into
that channel. He had gone to niafs, indeed, with his
parents, had learned to fign himfelf with the crofs, to
kneel down and aflume all the grimaces of a man that
was praying ; but he did all this without any manner of
knowledge of the intention or the caufe ; he faw others
do the like, and that was enough for him ; he led a life
of pure animal inftin6l ; entirely taken up with fenfiblc
objedds, and fuch as were prefent, he did not feem even
to make fo many refledilions upon thefe, as might rea-
fonably be expedited from his fituation ; and yet the

young man was not in want of underftanding ; but
the underfianding of a man deprived of all commerce
with others is fo very confined, that the mind is in
fome meafure totally under the control of its immediate
fenfation.

All nations, even the mofl: barbarous, have their in-
firuments of mujic\ and what is remarkable, the pro-
portion between their notes is in all the fame as in ours.
This, however, is not the place for entering into the
nature of thefe founds, tlieir elFedts upon the air, or
1 their

290

tlicir confonances with each other. We are not now
giving an liiflory of found, but of human perception.

All countries are pleafed with mujic ; and, if they
have not flcill enough to produce harmony^ at lead they
fcem willing to fubftitutc yioifc. Without all queftion,
noife alone is fufficient to operate powerfully on the
fpirit; and if the* mind be already predifpofed to joy,
I have feldom found noife fail of increafing it into rap-
ture. The mind feels a kind of diflradted pleafure in
fuch powerful founds, braces up every nerve, and riots
in the excefs. But, as in the eye, an immediate gaze
upon the fun will dihurb the organ-, fo, in the ear, a
loud unexpe6ted noife diforders the whole frame, and
fometimes difturbs the fenfe ever after.

SF.CT.

291

SECT. xvr.

OF THE TOUCH.

T HE peculiar organ of this fenfe is the fk'in^ which
covers the whole body, it being needful that the furface
fliould be provided with this fenfe, that nothing might
come into contact with any part of our body, without
being perceived.

If we confider the Ikin only, and refledi how accurate-
ly the mind diftinguilhes each particular portion, which
is preffed by the feveral parts of any objedl, hovv fur-
prifing muft it appear, that the nerves we find affigned
to the fkin, can fupply fuch numbers of feparate fibres,
as are neceffary for diftingulflring in this manner the ac-
tion upon each almofi: infinite minute part of fo very ex-
tended a furface ?

As one office of the fkin is to be an emundlory, by
which the redundancies or effete parts of the blood are
thrown forth * ; for this end it is furnifhed with nu-
merous pores in every part of it.’ But between thefc

* See page 277.

pores

pores ai lfe, from the external furface of the Ikin, KER-
vous PAPILLAE, very minute and contiguous to each
otlier, by which the office of touch is performed.

Thefe are defended by a mucous fub_ftance fpread be-
tween the EXTERNAL and internal skin, which belno-
every where pierced through by thefe papilla, receives
the name of rete mucosum.

Befides the pain confequent upon injuries done to the
lldn, the primary object of fenfation in thefe papilla
feems to be hardnefs and foftnefs : fuch bodies as give way
to the touch, we call foft ; others, which refill; preffure,
fo as to caufe the Ikin to yield under them, w,e call hard.
And how happily Is this fenfe tempered between the two
extremes ; being neither too acute nor too obtufe !

By the touch, we corred the error of vifion. Na-
turally every objed we fee appears to be within our
reach, for a child, who has as yet made but little ufe of

* This gKicy matter, foon after birth, grows of liyeUcrw tinge, which irt-
cteafes in our riper age. It is darker, as the climate is hot, and as we become
more expofed to it, and under the line it is of a perfeft black colour, forming the
chief contrail between i/uci and ‘K'/i/Zc men. Dr. Heddoes, in the prefeiKc
of fomc pupils who attended his chemical Icdturcs at Oxford, having direded a
Hack to immerlc his hand in diluted oxygenated marine acid, the hand quickly
became milky •ivhite- but the piebald negro refilled any further attempts. On
the contrary, a French phyfician, it is faid, by giving a reverend divine filver
dilTolvcd in the nitrous acid, converted him wholly into a black. Vide Dr,
Efddocs’ Works, and La Medicine Eclairec par Ics Sciences.

his

293

his fenfe of feeling, would equally grafp at tlie moon as
at objects within his reach. Air. Cheselden, having
couched a boy of thirteen for a cataradl, who had hither-
to been blind, and thus at once reftored him to light,
has curioully marked the progrefs of his recovery. He
was, at fii'll:, couched only in one of his eyes; and,
when he faw for the firft time, he was fo far from judg-
ing of dilliances, that he fuppofed his eyes touched every
objefl that he faw, in the fame manner as his hands
might be faid to feel them. It may be for this reafon
that we often fee horfes frighted at things, which they
have not become acquainted with by means of their
noftrils, which ferve them in fome refpefts like our
hands.

It has been remarked, that even brutes are intellio-ent
in proportion to the accuracy of their feeling, or as their
extremities approach in refemblance to the human hand.
The horfe and the bull, whofe feet are covered with' cal-
lous hoofs, are lefs intelligent than the dog, and the dog
is inferior in accutenefs to the ape, who poflefles a rude
kind of hand.

This fenfe is the peculiar amufeinent of infants, and,
as we before obferved, perfedls the fenfe of vifion.

Q.q

SECT.

294

SECT. XVII.

OF PAIN.

But different from this, and conflitutlng another fpe-
cies of feeling, are thofe fenfations arifing from different
diflurbances in the animal machine.

All thefe various fenfations are fo diflindl one from an-
other, that fcarce any two parts of the body feel the
fame fpecies of pain. The head-ach, tootk-ach, ear-ach,
though ranged under one general name, are yet very
different kinds of fenfation. The pain which the bowels
feel in colics, is totally different from any of thefe ; and
the affedlion of the ftomach, called Jickncfs *, is peculiar
to that part, this organ being liable to other fpecies of
pain alfo. Again, the pain felt in the hreaji from the
breath being ftraitened, has no kind of analogy with
any of thefe, the bread: being alfo fubjedl to other pains,
inflammation, and the like. Nor are the feveral modes

• arifes from fenfation: hence it is al^^ays preceded by rwa/e/r.

Van Swicten relates that Sydenham was once fick. on feeing a putrid dciid dog ;
coming paft the fame place many yean afterwards, he felt a fimilar inclination
to vomit. Hence if we cut the par vagum, the nerve leading to the ftomach,
no ficknefs carrbe excited in the dog by the rooft violent emetics.

295

of pain, to which our perifliing bodies are fubje6l in all
their diverfe parts, eafily to be enumerated*. But thefe
variations principally merit our attention, as the different
fenfatlons in the pains the fame part is fubjedf to, may,
fo far as they can be defcribed, point out the caufe of
eacl), and dlredl to the proper methods for removing
them.

Thefe Jiimulate in proportion to their intenfity and the
fenfibility of the part affedled, and accordingly convey
their imprelfion to the fenforium, .which has a power
even to ftifle a part of the ftimulus by refrgnation, or elfc
add to it by the impatience of the will.

* It is not meant that the nerves are difFcrcnt, but that they are like the
nerves adminiftering to tafte, differently a£Fe£led according to the ftimuli ap-
plied ; and poflefs alfo a difference in fonfation, arihng from the variety of
ftrudlure. in thofe organs to which they are conneded. Vide the Sect. Om
THE Sentient Principle.

Q^q 2

SECT.

2g6

SECT. XVIII.

OF THE SENSATION OF HEAT AND COLD.

There are many experiments In chemical writers,
that evince the cxiftence of heat as a fiuid element^
which covers and pervades all bodies, and is attraiicd by
the folutions of fome of them, and is detruded from the
combination of others. Thus from the combinations of
metals with acids, and from thofe combinations of anlntal
duids, which are termed fecrctions, this f.uid matter of
heat is given out amonglT: the neighbouring bodies ; and
in the folutions of falts in water, or of water in air, it is
abf orbed from the bodies that furround them ; uuhilj} in
its facility in paffing through metallic bodies^ and its diffi-
culty in pervading reJins and glafs, it refembles the proper- ‘
ties of the electric aura; and is like that excited by
fridion^ and feems like that to gravitate amongft other bodies
in its uncomhined Jiate^ and to find its equilibrium

There is no circumflance of more confequence in the
animal oeconomy than a due proportion of this fluid of
heat ; for the digeftion of our nutriment, and the con-

• Vide page 282.

verfion

297

verfion of it into chyle in the bowels, and the proper
qualities of all our iecreted fluids, as they are produced
partly by animal and partly by chemical procefTes, de-
pend much on the quantity of heat ; the excefs of which,
or its deficiency, alike give us pain, and induces us to
avoid the circumflances that occafion them.

And in this the perception of heat efifentially differs
from the perceptions of the fenfe of touch, as we receive
, pain from too much preflTure of folid bodies, but none
from the abfence of it. It is hence conjeflured that our
Creator has provided us with the nerve of touch J, as
diftinft in itfelf as the optic, or any other nerve of fenfe,
and a Jet of nerves for the reception of this fuid, which
anatomifts have not yet attended to.

There is another circumrtance which would induce us
to believe, that tlie perceptions of heat and cold do not
belong to the organ of touch ; fince the teeth, which are
the lead adapted for the perceptions of folidity and figure,
are the mofl; fenfible to heat or Cold ; whence we are
forewarned from fwallowing thofe materials, whofe de-
gree of coldnefs or of heat would injure our flomachs.

+ Vide note *, p. 295, and the Stdl:. JOn the Sentient Principle.
This fubjedt deferves to be more fully confidered by both anatomifts and phy-
fiologifti.

The

The following is an extra6l from a letter of Dr.
Darwin of Shrewjbury^ when he was a fludent at Ediri'
burgh, to his friend Dr. Darwin of Derby.

Dear Sir,

I MADE an experiment yefterday in the hofpital,
which much favours your opinion, “ that the fenfation of
HEAT and of TOUCH* depend on different Jets of nerves.

A man who had lately recovered from a fever, and
was hill weak, was feized with violent qrainps in his
legs and feet ; which were removed by opiates, except
that one of his feet remained infenfible.

Dr. Ewart, of Bath^ pricked him with a pin in five
or fix places, and the patient declared he did not feel it
in the leaft, nor was he fenfible of a very fmart pinch.

I then held a hot iron at fome diftance, and brought
it gradually nearer, till it came within three inches,
when he aflerted he felt it quite diftindlly.

I HAVE THE HONOUR TO BE, &C. &C.

* Might not this difference arife from the fenfibility of the part being jfi
fome degree reftored by the application of heat ? Vide note *, page 142.

SECT.

299 '

SECT. XIX.

OF SMELLING.

The infinitely fmall particles that are continually de-
tached from the furface of odoriferous bodies, float in
the air, which tranfports them every where, and being
drawn into the noftrils by the breath, are applied to the
membrane that is diftributed in the bony cavity in the
infide of the nofe. This membrane is totally covered
with infinite ramifications and convolutions of the ol-

FAC rORY NERVES.

The great Creator, ever attentive to the eafe and
convenience of his creatures, has furniflied the noftrils
with a number of glands, or fmall arteries, which fe-
crete a thick mucus, which defends the nerves from the
flighter a6lion of the air, or the too powerful ftimulus of
acrid odours.

Of all the fenfes, perhaps, there is not one in which
man is more 'inferior to other animals than in that of
fmelllng. A dog fcents various kinds of game at con-
fiderable diftances ; and, if the fa£k were not confirmed
by daily experience, it could hardly gain credit, that he

can

300

cnn trr.cc the oJour of his mafter’s foot through all the
winding (Irects of a populous city !

In the feleaion of food, men are greatly affificd,
even in the moll luxurious hate of fociety, by the
fenfe of fmelL By fmelllng we often rejea food as
noxious, and will not rifk the other tell of tailing.
Viauals, which have a putrid fmell, as equally ofFen-
fivc to our noftrlls as hurtful to our conftitution, we
avoid with abhorrence ; but w^e are allured to eat fub-
fiances which have a grateful and favoury odour. The
more frequent and more acute difeernment of brutes in
the exercife of this fenfe is chiefly owing to their free-
dom, and to their ufing natural produdions alone. But
men in fociety, by the arts of cookery, by the unna- '
tural affemblage of twenty ingredients in one dlfli, blunt,
corrupt, and deceive, both their fenfes of Jmelling and
of tajilng.

It is not unworthy of remark, that, in all animals,
the organs of feeing^ fmelhng, and tajling, are uniformly
fituated very near each other. Here the intention of
NATURE is evident. The vicinity of thefe three fenfes
form a triple guard in the fele6lion of food.

But affiflance in the choice of food is not the only

advantage that men and other animals derive from the

fenfe

301

o^fmellmg. When our fenfes are not vitiated by un-
natural habits, they are not only faithful monitors of
danger, but convey to us the moft exquifite pleafures.
The fragrance of a rofe, and the perfume of many other
flowers, is not only pleafant, but gives a refrelhing and
deHghtful_/?/w«/«j to the whole fyftem, and may be con-
fidered therefore often as a Ipccies of wholefome excite-
ment.

SECT.

• I’

SECT/ XX.

OF TASTE.

The fiTifeli, as was before obferved, has great con-
nection with the tafte. We often are direded by it in
judging of our foexi ; and that part of tafle which we
ufually call flavour^ is a mixed kind of fenfation com-
pounded after fome manner from both. By the com-
munication between the nofe and mouth, the olfac-
tory nerves feem capable of being afFe6te3 that way ;
infomuch, that perfons who are at the pains to prevent
the accefs of air by the noltrils, fwallow naufeous
draughts without tailing them.

The gustatory nerves, by which this fenfation

is received, rife upon the body of the tongue in a manner
fomewhat {Imilar to thofe in the Ikin; for papilLjE
more vifible than thofe of the fkin (otherwife alike)
appear in thofe parts of the tongue that are endued
with this fenfe. Thefe are always eredled on the ap-
plication of fapid or llimulating fubfl:a.nces. This ele-
vation and extenfion of the papilla, by bringing larger
portions of the nerves into contacSl with the fubftances

1 ’ 5 applied

303

applied to the tongue, give additional ftrength to thf
fenfation, and enable us to judge with greater accuracy
concerning their natnrd and qualities. The faliva)
which perpetually moiftens the tongue, is a liquor,
•W'lnch, though inCpid itfelf, is found in all animals to
be a very powerful folvent. Every fubdance applied
to the tongue is partially diflblved by the faliva before
the fenfation of tafte is excited. And hence when
the tongue is rendered dry by difeafe, or any other
caufe, the feofe of tafte is either vitiated or totally de-

The fenfes of fmcll and tajie in many other animals
greatly excel thofe of mankind, for in civilized fociety,
as our viftuals are generally prepared by others, and
are adulterated with fait, fpice, oil, and empyreuma,
we do not heficate about eating whatever is fet before
us, and negle6l to cultivate thefe fenfes : whereas other
animals try every morfel by the fmell^ before they take
it into their mouths, and by the tajle before they fwal-
low it ; and are led each to his proper nourifliment by
his organs of fenfe.

Neverthelefs we may obferve that children^ having
abundant excitability, are naturally inclined towards
thofe ibods which contain but little ftimuli. And, on

R r 2 - the

304

the contrary, thofe who are more advanced in life, and
whofe excitability is blunted, are fond of the moft poig-
nant dilhes. Every one muft remember how great a
pleafure he found in fweets and milk while a child. As
he grew older he infenfibly calls to his afliftance fpices,
falts, and aromatics ; and delights in thofe tafles which
in childhood he was unable to endure.

SECT.

305

SECT. XXL

CF IMAGINATION.

An animal may be faid to fill up that fphere which he
can reach by his fenfes ; and is adtually large in propor-
tion to the fphere to which its organs extend. — By Jight^
man’s enjoyments are difFufed into a wide circle; — that
of hearings though iefs widely difFufed, neverthelefs ex-
tends his powers ; — the fenfe of fmelllng is more con-
tradled ftill ; — and the tajle and touch are the moft con-
fined of all. Thus man enjoys very dijiant objeds^ but
with one fenfe only ; more nearly he brings two fenfes at
once to bear upon them ; his fenfe of fmelllng alfifts the
other twoy and at its own diftance.

Each fenfe, however, the more enlarged its fphere,
the more capable it is of making combinations ; and is,
confequently, the more improveable. Refined imagina-
tions, and men of ftrong minds, take more pleafure,
therefore, in improving the delights of the dijiant fenfes^
than in enjoying fuch as are fcarce capable of improve-
ment.

By combining the objeSls of the extenjive fenfes, all the

arts

3o6

arts of poetry, painting, and harmony, have been dif-
covered ; but the clofer fenfes^ if I may fo call them, fuch
as fmelling, tailing, and touching, are, in fome inea-
fure, as fimple as they are limited, and admit of little
variety. The man of Imagination makes a great and an
artificial happinefs, by the pleafure of altering and com-
bining ; the JenfualiJi juft ftops where he began, and cul-
tivates only thofe pleafures which he cannot improve.
The fenfualijl is contented with thofe enjoyments that
are already made to his hand; but the man of refined plea-
Jure is beft plcafed with happinefs of his own creating.

SECT.

307

SECT. XXII.

r ^ «

. ,j I , OF ANGER.

Anger ^ ill its operation on the animal oeconomy, is one
of the ftrongeft of the mental Jiimuli. It roufes the heart
and arteries into greater a6tion, produces an ardent glow
over the whole body, but more efpecially in the face ;
the eyes look red, ^the voice is loud, and the mufcular
powers are increafed hence gout, palfy, &c. have been
all removed by violent paroxyfms of rage.

’ But this ftimulus is ufually too adlive in its operation
to be friendly to health.

Where revenge cannot be indulged, a palenefs of the
Ikin and cheeks quickly fucceeds, the voice faulters,
and the limbs are affedfed with tremor. But where the
objedl' is perpetually calling for refentment, and this
pafllon is not confumed in violent adlion, it then gives
tone to the mufcular fibre.

Upon the Britifh fleet coming into the Bay of Hieres
(February 1744), our men, fays Mr. Ives, underftood
that the enemy’s fleet’ and ours were foon to engage.

There

3o8

There appeared, not only in the healthy^ but alfo
in the Jicky the higheft mark of fatisfailion ami plea-
fure, and 'thefe laji mended JurprlJtngly dally^ infomuch
that on the i ith of February, the day we engaged
the combined fleets of France and Spain, we had not
above four or five but what were at their fighting
quarters.

The Philadelphia militia who joined the remains
of General WaJh'mgton% army, in December 1776,
and fliared with them, a few days afterward, in the
capture of a large body of HeJJians at Trenton, con-
fided of 1500 men, mofl of whom had been accuf-
tomed to the habits of a city life. Thefe men flept
in tents and barns, and fometimes in the open air,
during the ufual colds of December and January ; and
yet there were only two inftances of ficknefs, and
only one of death, in that body of men in the courfc
of near fix weeks, in thofe winter months. This
extraordinary healthlnefs of fo great a number of men,
under fuch trying circumftances, can only be aferibed
to the vigour infufed into the body from the ftrong paf-
fions of the mind rendering It infenfible to the ordinary
caufes of difeafe.

Militia officers and foldiers, who enjoyed good

health

309

Keaith during the campaign, were often afFe£led by
fevers and other diforders, as foon as they returned tb
their refpe6live homes. I knew one inftance, fays
Dr. Rush, of a militia captain, who was feized with
Convulfions the firft night he lay at eafe, after having
llept feveral months on a mattrafs upon the ground;
Thefe affections appear to have been produced only by
the fudden abflradtion of that tone in the fyftem which
was excited by a fenfe of danger, and the other invi-
gorating objedts of a military life.

The patience, firmnefs, and magnanimity, with
which the officers and foldiers of the American army
endured the complicated evils of hunger, cold, and
nakednefs, can only be aferibed, continues this faga-
clous phyficlan, to an infenfibility of body, produced,
by an uncommon tone of mind, excited by the love
of liberty and the hatred of the enemy ; for the war
was carried on by the Americans againft a nation, to
whom they had long been tied by the numerous obli-
gations of confangulnity, laws, religion, commerce,
language, intereft, and a mutual fenfe of national
glory ; the refentment of the Americans rofe of courfc,
as is ufual in all difputes, in proportion to the number

and

310

and force of thefe ancient bonds of affedlion and union.
On this fame principle it is, that favages, to fatiate-
their revenge, bear with uncommon patience, , and
without injury, all the feveritics of cold and hunger,
and have been known to wait even eight or ten months
in ambudi to deftroy an adverfary.

SECT. XXIII. .

ON ENTHUSIASM.

It is well known that perfons under Iliong prepof-
feffions of mind, have expofed themfelves* to extreme
bodily tortures without expreflion of pain, and have alfo
endured long fallings, the extremities of heat and cold,
the infection of contagious diflempers, and other hazard-
ous experiments, without feeling the confequences that
would moll probably have taken place, had not the ner-
vous feelings been more forcibly pre-occupied.

* Hoffman, AffeS. maniac, fcnjmm aug. ffipat. Tolcrantia mediae atquc al^
goih mirabil^i Boerhaavii Aphorifm. iizo.

SECT.

SECT. XXIV.

OF LOVE. ^

Love,, the moft univerfal and grateful paffion of hu-
man nature, which, in general, neither affumes the
violence of anger, nor links into the depreffion of grief,
may be confidered as a temperate flmulus ; but in its vi-
ciffitudes and extremes, it may acquire the impetuofity of
the firf, or the defpondency of the latter.

In love, in propitious love, the heart beats with joy ;
vivacity* cheers the countenance, the eye is brilliant,

lociety is courted, language is animated, and vigour
augmented.

But when this paffion has taken deep poflelTion

of the heart and foul, with a dubious, or adverfe
return, it is cxprelTed by deep involuntary fighs ; every
incident that excites emotion, efpecially the tender
emotions of fympathy, make the heart palpitate, and
fulFufes the face with faint blulhes ; the voice is low,
languid, flow, or faultering ; the eyes are downcafl:
or penfive; and the breafl: heaves and falls, like the
motion of gently diflurbed waters. Solitude, lhades,

S f a and

312

and evening walks, are frequented ; obje61:s of pity
are cherillied, and all the effufions of fentiment arc
tender, fedate, and fympathetic. The face at length
becomes pale and wan, the eyes fink, the appetite
for food is obliterated, and frightful dreams invade the
tedious night.

SECT. XXV.

OF SOCIAL AFFECTION.

This is the mildeft and mod agreeable of all the men-
tal ftimuli.

Sweet is the breath of mom, her rifing fweet,

■with charm of earlieft birds : pleafant the fun,

when firA on this delightful land he fpreads

hi* orient beams, on herb, tree, fmit, and flow’r,

gliftn’ing with dew : fragrant the fertile earth

after foft Ihow’rs 5 and fweet the coming on

of grateful evening mild : then (ilent night,

with this her folemn bird; and this fair moon, 1

and thefe the gems of heav’n, her Aarry train.

But neither breath of morn, -when fie afeends
tulih charm of earlief birds : nor herb, fuit, flam' r,
gifl’ning mith dem : nor fragrance after fam'rs :
nor grateful ev'ning mild : mrfllent night,
mith this her folemn bird: nor mail by noon ;
or glitt' ring far -light, — WITHOUT thee is fweet.

Milton.

SECT.

313

SECT. XXVI.

OF VIRTUE,

Virtue, the ftrength and beauty of the foul,
it pleafes and it lafts : — a happinefs
that even above the fmiles and frowns of fate
exalts great Nature’s favourites : a •wealth
that ne’er encumbers, nor to bafer hands
can be transferr’d: it is the only good
man juftly boafts of, or can call his oivn.

Riches are oft by guilt and bafenefs earn’d j
or dealt by chance, to fhield a lucky knave,
or throw a fairer funihine on a fool.

But for one end, one much-negledted ufe,
are riches worth your care ; (for Nature’s wants
are few, and without opulence fupplied.)

This noble end is, to produce the foul ;
to Ihcw the virtues in their fairell light;
to make humanity the minifter
of bounteous Providence ; and teach the breaft
that generous luxury the good enjoy.

Oh! bleft of heav’.i, whom not the languid fongs

of luxury, not the inviting bribes

of fordid wealth, nor all the gaudy fpoils

of pageant honour can feduce to leave

thofe ever-blooming fweets, which from the ftore

of Nature fair imagination culls

to charm th’ enliven’d foul ! For him, the fpring
dilHls her dews, and from the filken gem
its lucid leaves unfolds : for him, the hand
of Autumn tinges every fertile branch
■with blooming gold, and blulhcs like the morn.

Each paffing hour (beds tribute from her wings ;

and (fill new beauties meet hh lonely walk,

and loves unfelt attradf him. Not a breeze

flics o’er the meadow, not a cloud imbibes

the felting fun’s effulgence, not a flrain

from all the tenants of the warbling fhade

afeends, but whence hh bofim can partake

frclh picafure, unreprerued. — Or when lightnings fire

the arch of heav’n, and thunders rock the ground ;

when furious whirlwinds rend the howling air^

and ocean, groaning from the loweft be.1,

heaves his tempeftuous billows to the fky ;

amid the mighty uproar, while below

the nations tremble, he, ^ood man, looks abroad,

from fome high cliff, fuperior, and tnjoys

tlie elemental war.

Armstronc-.

SECT

3T5

SECT. XXVI.

OF HOPF.

There furely never was a greater number of cures
afcribed to one perfon, than thofe, which were lately'
laid to have been wrought in France upon the tomb of
Abbe Paris, the famous Jansenist, with whofe fanc-
tity the people were fo long deluded. The curing of the
lick, giving hearing to the deaf, and fight to the blind,
were every where talked of as the ufual efFedts of that
holy fepulchre. But what Is more extraordinary ; many
of the miracles were immediately proved upon the fpot,
before judges of unquelFioned integrity, attefted by wit-
nefles of credit and diflindlion, in a learned age, and on
the moft eminent theatre that is now in the world. Nor
is this all : a relation of them was publiflied and dlfperfed
every where ; nor were the Jefuits, though a learned
body, fupported by the civil magiftratc, and determined
enemies to thofe opinions, in whofe favour the miracles
were faid to have been wrought, ever able diftindlly to
refute or detedf them *,

Where

♦ This book was writ by Monf. Montgeron, counfellor or judge of
the parliament of Paris, a man of figure and charafter, who was alfo a martyr

3i6

Where fhall vvc find fuch a number of circumftanccS,
agreeing to the corroboration of one fa6l? And what
have we to oppofe to fuch a cloud of witnefTes, but the

abfolute

to the caufe. There is another book in three volumes (called Recutil des JVli?-
racles de I' Abbe V giving an account of many of thefe miracles.

Many of the miracles of Abbe Paris were proved immediately by wit-
neffes before the officiality or bifliop’s court at Paris, under the eye of cardinal
Noailles, whofe charafter for integrity and capacity was never conteftej
even by his enemies.

His fucceffor in the archbilhopric was an enemy to the Jansenists, and,
for that reafon promoted to the fee by the court. Y et zz reftors or cures of
Paris, with infinite earneftnefs, prefs him to examine thofe miracles, which
they aflert to be known to the whole world, and indifputably certain : but he
wifely forbore.

The Moeinist party had tried to diferedit thefe miracles in one iftftance,
that of Madamoifelle le Franc. But, befides that their proceedings were in
many refpedls the mod irregular in the world, particularly in citing only a
few of the Jansenists’ witneffes, whom they tampered with : befides this 1
fay, they foon found themfelves overwhelmed by a cloud of new witnefles, one
hundred and twenty in number, mod of them perfons of credit and fubdance
in Paris, who gave oath for the miracle. This was accompanied with a folemn
and earned appeal to the parliament.

All who have been in France about that time have heard of the reputation
of Monf. Heraut, the lieuienani de Police, whofe vigilance, penetration, ac-
tivity, and extcnfive intelligence, have been much talked of. This magidratc,
who by the nature of his office is almod abfolute, was inveded with full
powers, on purpofe to fupprefs or diferedit thefe miracles ; and he frequently
feized immediately, and exarr ined the witnefles and fubjeits of them : but never
could reach any thing fatisfaftory againd them.

In the cafe of M.idamoifelle Thibaut he font the famous de Svlva to
examine her ; whofe evidence is very curious. The phyfvian declares, that it
was impofliblc (he could have been fo ill as was proved by witneflTcs ; bccaufo

317

abfolute impoflibillty or miraculous nature of the events,
whicli they relate ? And this furely, in the eyes of all
reafonablc people, will alone be regarded as a Jufficicnt
refutation.

The hege of Breda, in the year 1625, affords an

it was impolTible Ihc could, in fo Ihort a time, have recovered fo perfedUy as
he found her. He re afoned, like a man of fenfe, from natural caufes ; but
the oppofitc party told him, that the whole was a miracle, and that his evi-
dence was the very beft proof of it.

No lefs a man than the Due dc ChatilLon, a duke and peer of France,
of the higheft rank and family; gives evidence of a miraculous cure, performed
up<in a fervant of his, who had lived feveral years in his houfe with a villble
and palpable infirmity.

i lhall conclude with obferving, that no clergy are more celebrated for
ftridinefs of life and maimers than the fecular clergy of France, particularly the
redtors or cures of Paris, who bear tellimony to thefc cures.

The learning, genius, and probity of the gentlemen, and the aufterity of
the nuns of Port-royal, have been much celebrated all over Europe. Yet
they all give evidence for a miracle, wrought on the niece of the famous Pas-
cal, whofe fandfity of life, as well as extraordinary capacity, is well known.
The famous Racine gives an account of this miracle in his famous hiftory of
Port-royal, and fortifies it with all the proofs, which a multitude of nuns,
priefts. phyficians, and men of the world, all of them of undoubted credit,
could beftow upon it. Several men of letters, particularly the bilhop of Tour-
nay, thought tljis miracle fo certain, as to employ it in the refutation of athe-
ilfs and freethinkers. The «nueen-regent of France, who was extremely pre-
judiced ag.iinll the Port-royal, fent her vwn phyjictan to examine the miracle,
who re.urneJ an abfolufe convert. In fhort, the fupcrnatural cure was fo in-
contclfable, that it faved, for .a time, that famous monaftery from the ruin
With which it was threatened by the Jcfuits. Had it been a cheat, it had cer»
t.iinly been detcdlcd by fuch fagaciousand powerful antagonills, and mull have
hallcncd tlie ruin of the contrivers. , ,

example

3i8

example almoft equally ftrlklng. “ That city, from a
loiig ficge, fufl'ered all the miferies that fatigue, bad
provlfious, and dlftrefs of mind could bring on its inha-
bitants. Among other misfortunes the feurvy made its
appearance, and carried off great numbers. This, added
,to the other calamities, induced the garrifon to incline
towards a furrender of the place, when the Prince of
Orange, anxious to prevent its lofs, and unable to re-
lieve the garrifon, contrived, however, to introduce let-
ters addrefled to the men, promifing them the moil:
fpeedy alTiftance. ^hefe were accompanied with niedl-

cines againji the feurvy, faid to be of great price-, but
of fill greater efficacy, many more were to be fent there.
'Three fmall vials if medicine were given to each phy-
(iclan. It was publicly given out, that three or four drops

were fufficlcnt to Impart a healing virtue to a gallon of

liquor. W e now difplayed our wonder-working balfams.
Nor even were the commanders let into the fecret of
the cheat upon the foldiers. Tiiey flocked in crouds
about us, every one who had the feurvy foliclting
that forae part might be referved for his ufe. Cheer-
fulnefs again appears in every countenance, and an unl-
verfal faith prevails in the fovereign virtues of the re-
medies. The efl'edl of this delufion was truly aftonilh-

ing.

319

ing, for many ^vire quickly and perfeflly recovered. Such
as had not moved their limbs for a month before, were feen
’talking the f reels with their limbs found, fraight, and
%vhole. They boafted/of their cure by the Prince’s
REMEDY, the motion of their joints being reftored by
limple fri(Slion with oil, and the belly now of itfelf per-
formed its office, or at leall; with a fmall affiflance from
medicine. Many, who had declared that they had been
rendered worfe by all former remedies, recovered m a few
days to their inexpreffible joy, and the no lefs general
furprife, by their taking what we affirmed to be their
gracious Prince’s cure. “ This curious relation,’’* adds
Dr. Lind *, “ would hardly perhaps gain credit, were it
not in every refpedt confonant to the mof accurate obferva-
tions, and bef attefed deferiptions^ of that d'lfeafe. It is
given us by an eyc-witnefs, an author of great candour and
veracity , who, as he informs us, wrote dozvn every day the
fate of his patients, and feems more to be furprifed with
their unexpected recovery than he probably would have been,
had he been better acquainted with the nature of this fur-
prifing malady. An important lesson in physic,”
adds this excellent writer, “ is hence to be learned,
the wonderful and powerful influence of

* Lind on the Scurvy, p. 349.

' * T t 2 THE

320

THE PASSIONS OF THE MIND ON THE STATE AND DIS-
ORDERS OF THE BODY. This is too opten over-
looked IN THE CURE OF DISORDERS, MANY OF
WHICH ARE SOMETIMES ATTEMPTED BY THP: SOLE
MECHANICAL OPERATION OF DRUGS, WITHOUT CALL-
ING IN TO OUR ASSISTANCE THE STRONG POWERS OF
THE IMAGINATION, OR THE CONCURRING INFLUENCES
OF THE SOUL. HeNCE IT IS, THAT THE SAAIE RE-
MEDY WILL NOT ALWAYS PRODUCE THE SAME EP'-
FECT, EVEN IN THE SAME PERSON, AND THAT COM-
MON REMEDIES OFTEN PROVE WONDERFULLY SUC-
CESSFUL IN THE HANDS OF MEN NOT OF THE FACUL-
TY, WHICH DO NOT ANSWER THE PURPOSE IN A
TIMOROUS AND DISTRUSTFUL P.ATIENT.”

SECT.

SECT. XXVIIT.

OF FEAR,

Exertion of Adind.

In chronic difeafes, as in hyfteria and hypochondriac

patients, in perfons afflicted Vv'ith aflhina, or with a fit

of the gout, tooth-ach, ague, or rheumatifm, I have

knov;n thefe feveral diforders fufpended for a time, and

often entirely cured, when the mind has been under the

influence of fear, furprlfe, or roufed to a fixed attention
to fome interefting obje6t.

I have frequently obferved delicate hyfterical women,
who, for many months, had feldom enjoyed one day’s
health, fuddenly relieved from every complaint when a
favourite child was attacked with a difeafe in which dan-
ger was apprehended, and they continued, in appear-
ance, to be in perfeft health during the whole courfe of
the illnefs) and exhibited an unufual alertnefs in dif-
charging their duty as nurfes and as parents. But when
tliey underfiood that the danger of the difeafe was over,
their former complaints gradually returned, to their great
furprife ; for, from fo complete a fufpenfion of their com-
plaints

322

plaints as they had lately enjoyed, and for fo confider-
able a time, they believed themfelves pcrfe6lly cured.

I have been alfo informed, from the beft authority,
that during the troubles in Scotland, in the years 1745
and j 746, hyfterical and nervous diforders fcarcely ever
made their appearance.

A very remarkable inflance of the influence the mind
has upon diforders of the body occurred to the celebrated
Boerhaave. a perfon fell down in an epileptic fit in
the fight of the other patients. The effedl of this ope-
rated fo ftrongly, that great numbers of them became
immediately affe£ted in the fame manner. The opinion
of the great phyfician above mentioned was requellcd on
this occafion. He judicioufly refledled, that, as thefe
fits were originally produced by an impreffion on the
mind, that the moft proper means of cure would be to

eradicate thefe impreflions by others fllll more powerful.
He therefore direcSled a£iual cauteries to be prepared, and
kept hot, in readinefs to be applied to the perfon who
fhould next be afFedbed. The confequcnce ivas, not one
perfon was fcl%ed.

A gentleman of great courage and honour, who had
become valetudinary, and fubjedt to the aflhma, by long
fervice in India, as an officer in the land forces, told me,

4 I’Q

3^3

he was attacked with a fevere fit of tliat diforder durinnr
tlicir encampment, which ufually lafted from ten to
twelve days : that, upon the third or fourth day of his
illnefs, when he could only breathe in an eredl pofture,
and without motion, imagining that it was not in his
power to move fix yards to fave his life, the alarm guns
were fired for the whole line to turn out, becaufe a party
of the IVdahrattas had broke into the camp ; and fearing
certain death if he remained in his tent, he fprung out
with an alacrity that amazed his attendants-, injlantly
mounted his horfe, and drcvj his fword with great eafe,
which the day before he could not move from its fcahbard,
though he had ufed his whole frength in the attempt. From
the inftant of the alarm and furprife, the debility left
him, together with the afhma ; nor did the diforder re-
turn for fome time after.

SECT.

324

SECT. XXIX.

OF HABIT.

A rp.oPENSiTY to acquire habits, anti to a6l from
tlicin, when the original incentive has long fince ceafed,
is 7i general lazv of tlic animal oeconomy, which though
fometimes the fourcc of evil, is in the great tenor of life
proclu6live of much good.

The favage may fall; many hours and then feed vo-
racioufly, without fuffering either by inanition or re-
pletion : but they wdio, in civilized fociety, have ac-
quired the hahii of eating hve times every day, cannot
pafs one meal, nor without impatience wait five minutes
beyond the ufual time of eating. In both, the appetite
for food and the powers of digefiion depend on habit.

In cafe of great mental excitement, a man may con-
tinue many days without rcjiofe ; but if he has acquired
the habit of fleeping at a certain hour, and for a certain
length of time, fleepinefs at that hour will return, and
at the accitjiomcd hours he will awake from flccp.

Both the defirc for fleep, and the difpofition to aw’ake.

may.

325

may, by hahit, become as regular as the rifuig and the
fetting of the fun.

The fame holds good with refpecSl to evacuations I
had a nurfe for my children, fays the fagacious author of
the Guide to Health, who was fo perfedlly fatisfied of
this, that Ihe governed them by the clock, and in their
earlieft infancy taught them the vafl: influence of habit.

. By abftradlion of fome of the neceflTary ftimuli, as food,
Jofs of blood, exhaufting difeafes, indolence, and pro-
tradled fleep, the irritable fibres, from being elaftic and
robuft, and patient of labour, become flaccid, tender,
and liable to be foon fatigued.

A generous diet, with the afliftance of bark, chaly-
bcates, cold bathing, and fufficient exercife, foon how-
ever reftore the tone to the fibre. Thefe feveral ftimuli
dilhibute, impacl, condenfe, and accumulate energy to

every part ; and bracing up the animated fibre, make it
tenacious of vitality.

But when the fteel, and bark, and bathing, are left
off, how is the impulfe to the movements conftituting
health kept up ?

Arif. The adlions which thefe occafioned become af-
fociated with the other a6tions in the frame, and though
a link or two in the cliain of motions be removed, the

U u circle

326

circle of motions will neverthelefs proceed for a time in
due order Thus when a child revolves fome minutes
on one foot, the fpe6lra of ambient obje6^s appear to
circulate round him fome time after he falls upon the
ground. Thus the ftomach feels fqueamifh, and the
obje6ls dance about, to thofe who are jufl: come on fliore
after a long voyage. 7 hus the palpitation of the heart
continues fome time after the obje6t of fear which occa-
fioned it is removed. And thus the blurti of /liame,
which is an excefs of fenfation, and the glow of anger,
which is an excefs of volition, continue fome time,
though the affedfed perfon finds, that thofe emotions
were caufed by mifiaken fadls, and even endeavours to
extinguilh their appearance.

Befides, during this interval of increafed adtion, the
difeafe is baffled, and the fibre is invigorated, and the
conftitution being fet to rights, naturally continues to
go on well by means of the natural Ifimuli, which are
fufficient for the purpofes of the animal economy in a
ftate of health.

Every part of the fyftem is, as we have feen, under
the influence of habity and even the mind itfelf is not
exempt from it.

* Dr. Darwin.

Some

Some affociated motions are governed by the will, as
in playing the violin or flute, and the arts of turning,
fpinning, and of weaving.

Motions are eafily affociated, if they ferve the pur-*
pofes of life ; but not if they go counter to natural com-
binations, as when the filver-fniith, for the firft time,
attempts to infpire by his noftrils whilft he is blowing
through his lips. Yet by frequent repetition the habit
is obtained, and the confent of parts is effeaually efla-
blilhed. One combination, however, is fo perfectly
unnatural, that no one has yet been able to deferibe at
the fame time two circles in oppofite diredbions, one
with his foot, the other with his hand.

Some afibciated motions, although at firft either vo-
luntary or accidental, become at laft wholly independent
of volition. Thus it is, that by habit we acquire tricks.

Other affociated motions are from the beginning in-
dependent of the will, fuch as the vital motions, and
thofe which are eftablifhed by difeafe.’

The generous fteed, once fet in motion, no longer
needs the whip and fpur, nor yet the curb, unlefs it be
to make a change, and either to quicken or retard his
motions. And the rider himfelf, if he has been accuf-
tomed to travel on one road, may wholly occupy his

U u 2

328

mind about a thoufand fpeculations, or with intcnfitv

t •'

of thought, purfue one continued feries of Ideas ; and
yet, although he may often cliange his diredlion, never
wander from his wav.

All animals have their haunts and home-bufh. Their
firft obje6l of purfuit is /oo^/,'and with regard to this
they have all their haunts.

riie fportlman knows where to look for the covey of
partridges to-day, which yefterday he moved, wliilft
they were feeding In the flubble ; and we have every
reafon to believe, that even birds of paffage return an-
nually to their accuftomed fpot.

The next obje6l of purfuit to animals is fome fnfe re-
treat^ in which they may quietly repofe, fome hiding-
place, in which to fleep. In the choice of a fequeftered
fpot, it is probably accident which firfi: determines them ;
but the choice once made, they habitually return to it,
unlefs fear, or fome motive more powerful than habit,
determines them to change it. ,

When they are to pafs from their place of reil in
fearch of food, the choice of a path is not a matter of
indifference, but it is influenced by habit. If one of the
fame Ipecies has pafTcd before them, they follow in his

fleps.

329

fteps, and having once paflTed unmoleftcd in this patli,
they tenacioufly adhere to it.

Hares have their track, with which the poacher is
well acquainted, for it is here he fixes up his fnare.
Sheep and horfes have each their peculiar track ; and it
is well known that men will tread where men have trod
before, infomuch that if a drunken clown makes a
crooked path over a new ploughed field, the next who
follows will inadvertently trace his footfieps ; and, having
once paffed by a given track, men habitually refort to it
again.

I have frequently remarked the force of habit in large
_ companies, who dine together at a public table, for every
man, even without intending it, returns to the fame feat
he occupied the day before.

And in a farmer’s liable, or in his died, his horfes and
his cows pertinacioufly retain each one its peculiar place ;
and Ihould it be occupied by fome impertinent intruder,
this will be a fufficient fubjedl of contention.

In their friendlhips animals are governed by the force
of habit, for any two which meet accidentally, at a time
and place diftant from eaclt. other, and fuppofing them
not to be reftrained by fome more powerful influence,
will immediately become aflTociates.

330

If two holies, Grangers to each other, travel together
to a fair, although they iliould have formed aa ac-
quaintance only for ten minutes, they will find each
other out among a thou fund others, and will quickly
come together.

Hence it is, that nature learns in a meafure
to provide for habitual drains, and ufually feels bur-
thened if thefe are intermitted. This obfervation ex-
tends to haemorrhages, whether artificial, natural, or
morbid; to perfpi ration ; to ulcers; toiflues; and in
fiiort to every other drain, as the expeiSloration of
mucus, &c.

'The habits acquired by the conflitution depend on fuch
nice circum fiances, that when one kindoi fiimulus ceajes
to roufe the excitability into the neceffary quantity of
exertion, it is often fufficient to produce the defired ef-
leiSt, to change the fiimulus for another apparently iimllar
in quantity and quality.

An agreeable iliufiration of this is given us by tlie
learned and elegant Dr. Darwin. A little boy, who
was tired with walking, begged of his papa to carry
him. “ Here,'' fays the reverend divine, “ ride on my
gold-headed cane-," and tlie pleafed child, putting it be-

tween

33t

tvveen Ills legs, galloped away with deliglit, and com-
plained no more of his fatigue.

Here the aid of another excitement, that of plcafure^
able fenfation, fuperadded vigour to the exertion of ex-
haujied volition ; which could otherwife only have been
excited by additional pain, as by the lafli of flavery.
Thus a perfon, who has dined fully, or is either fatigued
in body, or tired with intelledlual exertion, and there-
fore under a great difpohtion to fleep, will be recruited
by coffee ; and when the laft fails, the more diffufive
ftimulus of opium will aroufe him. Even after opium
fails, and he is left heavy and opprefTed by the fame pro-
penfity to fleep, the tiding of fome unforefeen accident,
demanding his inflant attention, will remove this in-
clination for a time.

A gentleman engaged in a literary compofition, which
required uninterrupted exertion of his mental faculties
for more than 40 hours, was enabled to go through it
by fupporting himfelf in this manner. After dinner,
commencing his bufinefs, he took a glafs of wine every
hour. Ten hours after he ate fomething nouriJJnng, but
fparing in quantity, and for fome time kept his attention
alive by means of punch not made too ftrong. When,’
however, he found himfelf at laft. nigh to be overcome

332

by fleep, he changed this ftimuli for an opiate^ and
ed his bufmefs in 40 hours. He then took a glafs of
wine, and converjed five hours with his employer. Xhe
fucccjfion of flimuli in this cafe was firfi: food, next tlie
lliinulus of excYtion, then wine, then food varied,

then punch, then opium, then wine again, and la/Uy
plcafureahlc converfation. .

Some years after that, fays Dr. Browk, I walked
and wandered in all forts of ground, in roads an<l out of
them, over fmooth and plain, and heathy and moun-
tainous trails, from four o’clock after mid-day to tvvo
o clock the next day, with only an hour’s reft,' and one
hearty meal at betwixt ten and eleven in the forenoon,
when I was now within fix miles of my deftination.
The hills over which I wandered iti the courfe of the
night are thofe called Lamrner-Muir, fituated betwixt
Eaft-Lothian and the Mers : the places I travelled be-
tween in this route were Edinburgh and Duns. In this
«

great exertion I was fuftained by different ftimuli,
which made me infenlible to fatigue, the fuccejjion of ob^
Jecls, high animal fplrits, and love. At the end of my
long journey, finding myfclf among my friends, and the
ohjecl of my affedion, I had ftrength enough full re-
maining io dance with the latter.

The

333

The fame may be obferved with regard to medicines,
when we wifh to Incrcafe the tonic power of any ftimulus
we ftrould change it, and thus JuhJiitute bitters for bark,
and then recur again to bark or fteel. Thus when wine
ceafes fufficiently to itimulatc the conftitution, opium
or aether, in appropriate dofes, fuppiles the dcfedb ; and
the contrary. This is alfo obferved in the cifedls ot ca-
thartic medicines, for when one lofes its power, another
apparently lefs efficacious will fueceed.

An Exception to this Ltflucncc of Habit.

When the/i-y? ImpreJJion, however, is veryjirong, and
the effe^i produced very violent, a force or power inferior
to the original one will produce the fame effe^.

Thus it has often been remarked, that it a perfon,
unaccuftomed to the ufe of purgatives, was to take at a
dofe 20 grains of aloes, the fmartnefs of the operation
would leave fuch a lading impreffion, that an equal ef-
✓fedl would afterwards be produced by one half, one
fourth, or even one tenth, of the fame quantity ; where-
as, had the original dofe been only a grain and a half, it
might have been neceffary to increafe it to ten or fifteen
grains, to produce any the lead effect.

To explain this curious and perplexing phaenomenon,
we mud remind the reader, that the chain of aflbeiated

X X aclious

“1

334

V acllons when weak, being broken, the conilhution Is
eafily difturbecl. Thus when a perfon is beginning to
learn the alphabet, or the mu-ltiplication table, the ideas *
firfl get aflbeiated in the order of the table ; but fliould
the young fcholar fkip over three or four fleps, his re-
covery would be then impradlicable. And, again, per-
fons, by a ftrong emetic, have had their ftomach render-
ed fo Irritable, that afterwards one twentieth of the firft
dofe has proved a fufiicient emetic. It is thus alfo that a
fudden and flrong terror makes a coward for life ; and fits
that have been brought on by fright, recur when even a
lefs occafional caufe (hould chance to prefent itfclf.

A black fervant in the country, on going to his pan-
try in the hall, was fuddenly Aiot at by a robber who lay
lurking behind a fereen. The family being alarmed,
found the fervant to all ap[>earance dead. lie pafiTed
nearly the whole night in fits, and ever after, whenever
it thundered much, or lie was furprifed by a fiafli of
lightning, he was fure to be thrown into fits.

In fuch cafes perhaps the fibre is weakened, and the
(onjiltutlon or temperament is entirely changed ; but of this
more will be laid when we come to treat on the Nature
of Difcafe.

END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

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Full text of "Medical extracts: on the nature of health, with practical observations: and the laws of the nervous and fibrous systems"

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