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HYPOCHONDRIAC AFFECTIONS.

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cramps in the legs are prevented, and sometimes removed, by tightbandages ; and when convulsions arise from a flatulent distentionof the intestines, or from spasms beginning in them, they may beoften lessened or cured by making a pretty strong compression up-on the abdomen by means of a broad belt. A roll of brimstoneheld in the hand is frequently used as a remedy for cramps.Though this seems to owe its effect chiefly to imagination, yet, asit sometimes succeeds, it merits a trial.* When spasms or convul-sive motions arise from sharp humours in the stomach or intes-tines, no lasting relief can be procured till these are either cor-rected or expelled. The Peruvian bark has sometimes cured pe-riodic convulsions after other medicines had failed.

Hypochondriac Affections. (Hypochondriasis.)

This disease generally attacks the indolent, the luxurious, theunfortunate, and the studious. It becomes daily more common inthis country, owing, no doubt, to the increase of luxury and sed-entary employments. It has so near a resemblance to the imme-diately preceding, that many authors consider them as the samedisease, and treat them accordingly. They require, however, avery different regimen ; and the symptoms of the latter, thoughless violent, are more permanent than those of the former.

Men of melancholy temperament, whose minds are capable ofgreat attention, and whose passion* are not easily moved, are, inthe advanced periods of life, most liable to this disease. It is usu-ally brought on by Jong- and serious attention to abstruse subjects,grief, the suppression of customary evacuations, excess of veneiy,the repulsion of cutaneous eruptions, long continued evacuations,obstructions in some of the viscera, as the liver, spleen, <fec.

Hypochondriac persons ought never to fast long, and their foodshould be solid and nourishing. All acescent and windy vegeta-bles are to be avoided. Flesh-meats agree best with them, andtheir drink should be old claret or good madeira. Should thesedisagree with the stomach, water with a little brandy or rum in it.may be drank. *>

Cheerfulness and serenity of mind are by all means to be cul-tivated. Exercise of every kind is useful. The cold bath is like-wise beneficial ; and, where it does not agree with the patient, fric-tions with the flesh-brush or a coarse cloth may be tried. If thepatient has it in his power, he ought to travel either by sea or land.A voyage or a long journey, especially towards a warmer climate,will be of more service than any medicine.

The general intentions of cure in this disease, are to strengthenthe alimentary canal, and to promote the secretions. These in-tentions will be best answered by the different preparations ofiron and the Peruvian bark, which, after proper evacuations, maybe taken in the same manner as directed in the preceding disease.

If the pati«nt be costive, it will be necessary to make use ofsome gentle opening medicine, as pills composed of equal partsof aloes, rhubarb, and asafcetida, with as much of the elixir propri-

* Some persona afflicted with cramps pretend to reap great benefit from small bun-dles of rosemary tied all night about their feet, ancles, and knees.