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CHAP. X.

OF THE PASSIONS.

THE passions have great influence both in the cause and cure ofdiseases. How the mind affects the body will in all probabilityever remain a secret. It is sufficient for us to know, that there isestablished a reciprocal influence between the mental and corporealparts, and that whatever injures the one disorders the other.

OF ANGER.

The passion of anger, ruffles the mind, distorts the countenance,hurries on the circulation of the blood, and disorders the whole vitaland animal functions. It often occasions fevers, and other acute dis-eases ; and sometimes even sudden death. This passion is peculiarlyhurtful to the delicate, and Jiose of weak nerves. I have known suchpersons frequently lose their lives by a violent fit of anger, and wouldadvise them to guard against the excess of this passion with the ut-most care.

It is not indeed always in our power to prevent being angry ; butwe may surely avoid harbouring resentment in our breast. Resent-ment preys upon the mind, and occasions the most obstinate chro-nical disorders, which gradually w?ste the constitution. Nothingshews true greatness of mind more than to forgive injuries; it pro-motes the peace of society, and greatly conduces to our own ease,health and felicity.

Such as value health should avoid violent gusts of anger, as theywould the most deadly poison. Neither ought they to indulgeresentment, but to endeavour at all times to keep their minds calmand serene. Nothing tends so much to the health of the body, as aconstant tranquility of the mind.

OF FEAR.

The influence of fear, both in occasioning and aggravating dis-eases, is very great. No man ought to be blamed for a decent 01,-cern about life; but too great a desire to preserve it is often the causeof losing it. Fear and anxiety, by depressing the spirits, not onlydispose us to diseases, but often render those diseases fatal which anundaunted mind would overcome.

Sudden fear has generally violent effects. Epileptic fits, andother convulsive disorders, are often occasioned by it. Hence thedanger of that practice, so common among young people, of fright-ening one another. Many have lost their lives, and others have beenrendered miserable, by frolics of this kind. It is dangerous to tainper with the human passions. The mind may easily be thrown intisuch disorders as never again to act with regularity.

But the gradual effects of fear prove most hurtful. The constantdread of some future evil, by dwelling upon the mind, often occasionsthe very evil itself. Hence it cemes to pass, that so many die o-fthose very diseases of wliich they long had a dread, or which had