HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS.

lain state of the mind accompanied with dyspepsy, in which thegreatest evils are apprehended upon the slightest grounds, and theworst consequences imagined from any unusual feeling even of atrifling kind; and as regards these apprehensions and feelings,there is always the most obstinate belief and persuasion.

All who have weak nerves are subject to low spirits in a greateror less degree. Generous diet, the cold bath, exercise, and amuse-ments, are the most likely means to remove this complaint. It isgreatly increased by solitude and indulging gloomy ideas, but mayoften be relieved by cheerful company and sprightly amusements.

When low spirits are owing to a weak relaxed state of thestomach and bowels, an infusion of the Peruvian bark with cinna-mon or nutmeg will be proper. Steel joined with aromatics maylikewise in this case be used with advantage ; but riding, anda proper diet, are most to be depended on. — When they arisefrom a foulness of the stomach and intestines, or obstructions inthe hypochondriac viscera, aloetic purges will be proper. I havesometimes known the Harrowgate or Tunbridge water of servicein these cases. — When the disease proceeds from a suppression ofthe menstrual or of the hemorrhoidal flux, these evacuations mayeither be restored, or some other substituted in their place, as is-sues, setons, or the like. Dr. Whyte observes, that nothing hassuch sudden good effects in this case as bleeding. — When it hasbeen brought on by long-continued grief, anxiety, or other distressof mind, agreeable company, variety of amuseir.ents, and changeof place, especially travelling into foreign countries, will afford themost certain relief.

Persons afflicted with low spirits should avoid all kinds of ex-cess, especially of venery and strong liquors. The moderate useof wine and other strong liquors is by no means hurtful ; but whentaken to excess, they weaken the stomach, vitiate the humours,and depress the spirits. This caution is the more necessary, asthe unfortunate and melancholy often fly to strong liquors for re-lief, by which means they never fail to precipitate their own de-struction.

Besides the usual symptoms attendant on this disease, hypo-chondriacs are apt to be troubled with pain in the head and stom-ach ; to relieve which it may be proper to give such medicines as¡ether, musk,* and opium, either separately or conjointly.

Hysteric Affections.

These likewise belong to the numerous tribe of nervous diseases,which may justly be reckoned the reproach of medicine. Womenoí a delicate habit, whose stomach and intestines are relaxed, andwhose nervous system is extremely sensible, are most subject tohysteric complaints. In such persons an hysteric fit, as it is call-

* Take Musa mixture, 1^ ounce.

Spirit of Sulphuric Ether, 30 drps.Make a draught to be taken three timesa-daw

T^ke Spirit of Caraway,Camphor Mixture,

¿ ounce.5 ounces.

Spirit of Sulphuric Ether, I drachm.Tincture of Opium,

—-------- of Lavender,

of each, 30 drops.

Make a mixture ; two table-spoonsfulthree or four times a-day.