NERVOUS DISEASES.

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Exercise in nervous disorders is superior to all medicines. Rid-ing on horseback is generally esteemed the best, as it gives motionto the whole body, without fatiguing it. I have known some pa-tients, however, with whom walking agreed better, and others whowere most benefitted by riding in a carriage. Every one ought touse that which he finds most beneficial. Long sea-voyages havean excellent effect; and to those who have sufficient resolution, wewould by all means recommend this course. Even change of place,and the sight oí new objects, by diverting the mind, have a greattendency to remove these complaints. For this reason a long jour-ney, or a voyage, is of much more advantage than riding shortjourneys near home.

A cool dry air is proper, as it braces and invigorates the wholebody. Few things tend more to relax and enervate than hot air,especially that which is rendered so by great fires, or stoves insmall apartments. But when the stomach or bowels are weak, thebody ought to be well guarded against cold, especially in winter,by wearing a thin flannel waistcoat next the skin. This will keepup an equal perspiration, and defend the alimentary canal frommany impressions to which it would otherwise be subject upon eve-ry sudden change from warm to cold weather. Rubbing the bodyfrequently with a flesh-brush, or a coarse linen-cloth, is likewisebeneficial, as it promotes the circulation, perspiration, &c. Per-sons who have weak nerves ought to rise early, and take exercisebefore breakfast, as lying too iong a-bed cannot fail to relax thesolids. They ought likewise to be diverted, and to be kept as easyand cheerful as possible. There is not any thing which hurts thenervous system, or weakens the digestive powers, more than fear,grief, or anxiety.

Medicines. — Though nervous diseases are seldom radically cur-ed, yet their symptoms may sometimes be alleviated, and the pa-tient's life rendered at least more comfortable by proper medi-cines.

When the patient is costive, he ought to take a little rhubarb,or some other mild purgative, and should never suffer his body tobe long bound. All strong and violent purgatives are, however,to be avoided, as aloes, jalap, &c. I have generally seen an infu-sion of senna and rhubarb in brandy answer very well. This maybe made of any strength, and taken in such quantity as the patientfinds necessary. When the digestion is bad, or the stomach relaxedand weak, the following infusion of Peruvian bark and other bit-ters may be used with advantage :—

Take of Peruvian bark an ounce, gentian-root, orange-peel, andcoriander-seed, of each half an ounce ; let these ingredients be allbruised in a mortar, and infused in a bottle of brandy or rum, forthe space of five or six days. A table-spoonful of the strainedliquor may be taken in half a glass of water, an hour before break-fast, dinner, and supper.

Few things tend more to strengthen the nervous system thancold bathing. This practice, if duly persisted in, will producevery extraordinary effects ; but when the liver or other viscera areobstructed, or otherwise unsound, the cold bath is improper. It is