326

HYPOCHONDRIAC AFFECTIONS.

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etatis as is necessary to form the ingredients into pills. Two,three, or four of these may be taken as often as it shall be foundneedful to keep the body gently open. Such as cannot bear theasafcetida may substitute Spanish soap in its place.

Though a cheerful glass may have good effects in this disease,yet all manner of excess is hurtful. Intense study and every thingthat depresses the spirits, are likewise ^Cínicious.

Though the general symptoms and treatment of nervous disor-ders were pointed out in the beginning of this chapter, yet, for thebenefit of the unhappy persons afflicted with those obstinate andcomplicated maladies, I have treated several of their capital symp-toms under distinct or separate heads. These, however, are notto be considered as different diseases, but as various modificationsof the same disease. They all arise from the same general caus-es, and require nearly the same method of treatment. There aremany other symptoms that merit particular attention, which thenature of my plan will not permit me to treat of at full length. Ishall therefore omit them altogether, and conclude this chapterwith a few general remarks on the most obvious means of prevent-ing or avoiding nervous disorders.

In all persons afflicted with nervous disorders, there is a greatdelicacy and sensibility of the whole system, and an uncommondegree of weakness of the organs of digestion. These may be ei-ther natural or acquired. When owing to a defect in the consti-tution, they are hardly to be removed ; but may be mitigated byproper care. When induced by diseases, as long or repeated fe-vers, profuse haemorrhages, or the like, they prove also very ob-stinate, and will yield only to a course of regimen calculated torestore and invigorate the habit.

But nervous affections arise more frequently from causes, whichit is in a great measure in our own power to avoid, than from dis-eases, or an original fault in the constitution, &c. Excessive grief,intense study, improper diet, and neglect of exercise, are the greatsources of this extensive class of diseases.

It has been already observed, that grief indulged destroys theappetite and digestion, depresses the spirits, and induces an uni-versal relaxation and debility of the whole system. Instances ofthis are daily to be seen. The loss of a near relation, or any othermisfortune in life, is often sufficient to occasion the most compli-cated series of nervous symptoms. Such misfortunes indeed arenot to be avoided, but surely their effects, by a vigorous and prop-er exertion of the mind, might be rendered less hurtful. For di-rections in this matter we must refer the reader to the articleGrief, in the chapter on the Passions.

The effects of intense study are pretty similar to those occasion-ed by grief. It preys upon the animal spirits, and destroys the ap-petite and digestion. To prevent these effects, studious personsought, according to the Poet, to toy with their books.* They shouldnever study too long at a time ; nor attend long to one partic-ular subject, especially if it be of a serious nature. They oughtlikewise to be attentive to their posture, and should take care fre-

1 Armstrong on Health.