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OP THE KNOWLEDGE

A proper attention to the patient's age, sex, temperof mind, constitution, and manner of life, will likewisegreatly assist both the investigation, and treatment ofdiseases.

In childhood, the fibres are lax and soft, the nervesextremely irritable, and the fluids thin; whereas, in oldage, the fibres are rigid, the nerves become almost in-sensible, and many of the vessels im per viable. Theseand other peculiarities render the diseases of the youngand aged very different, and of course they must requirea different method of treatment.

Females are liable to many diseases, which do notafflict the other sex; besides, the nervous system beingmore irritable in them than in men, their diseases re-quire to be treated with greater caution. They areless able to bear large evacuations; and all stimulatingmedicines ought to be administered to them with asparing hand.

Particular constitutions not only dispose persons topeculiar diseases, but likewise render it necessary totreat these diseases in a peculiar manner. A delicateperson, for example, with weak nerves, who lives mostlywithin doors, must not be treated, under any disease,precisely in the same manner as one who is hardy androbust, and who is much exposed to the open air.

The temper of mind ought to be carefully attendedto in diseases. Fear, anxiety, and a fretful temper, bothoccasion and aggravate diseases. In vain do we applymedicines to the body, to remove maladies which pro-ceed from the mind. When it is affected, the best me-dicine is, to sooth the passions, to divert the mind fromanxious thought, and to keep the patient as easy andcheerful as possible.

Attention ought, likewise, to be paid to the climateor place where the patient lives, the air he breathes,his diet, &c. Such as live in low marshy situationsare subject to many diseases, which are unknown to theinhabitants of high countries. Those who breathe th*impure air of cities have many maladies to which iaemore happy rustics are entire strangers. Persons who