per'd with by any thing elfe that has the leaft tendency to irritate or disturb them. The patient should lofe blood at the arm, live on flender diet, and keep her bowels laxative; her pores fhould be kept gently open by nitrous Drinks, and if neceffary to mitigate pain or procure fleep, fhe may occa fionally take an Opiate.

I cannot conclude this fubject without remarking the extraordinary effects of Lightning in dispersing a schirrous tumor of the breast, in a gentlewoman, who from thence received a stroke as she was standing at a window obferving a heavy thunder fhower: The lightning fet fire to the thatch of the house, at the fame time, forced the chimney-piece from the wall, and raised the car pet from the floor.

This cafe was communicated by Dr. Eafon of Dublin to Dr. Duncan, and appeared in the fourth Volume of the Edinburgh Medical Commentary: It deferves the

attention

attention of the curious, whether confi dered in a philofophic or medical view.

By fome Experiments made at Upfal, feve ral years ago, it appear'd, that knots or Ganglions of the tendons were perfectly difperfed by Electricity, which in its nature, as far as we know, is fimilar to that of Lightning. In indurated, glandular swellings of the neck or breafts, I would therefore recommend a trial of its effects, as ingenioufly fuggefted by the author of the preceding, extraordinary cafe. Besides, fe véral modern inftances have occurr'd, where Electricity has been found an effectual remedy in obftinate obstructions of the Menfes.

SECTION

SECTION XIV.

Influence of the Paffions on the Body and Mind; and Effects of Climates, or fudden Changes of Weather on delicate Conftitutions.

IN

the course of the preceding work, I have had frequent occafion to remark the general influence of the paffions, effects of weather, and the falutary power of fresh air, fimple diet, and moderate exercise; but as I could not without tedious digreffions, fufficiently expatiate on their nature and manner of acting on the body and mind; several particulars equally applicable, and essential to the health of botb Sexes, were reserved for the fubject of this, and the following fection.

By the Paffions of the Mind, is meant, thofe faculties with which it is endowed, and when naturally exerted, conftitute the very Elements of Life; but if perverted, or erring in extremes, become deftructive to

its existence. Thus the extravagance of Hope may be exalted into enthusiasm little fhort of madnefs; and exceffive Fear may fink into defpair.

The human body is made up of fuch frail materials, that they must neceffarily decay, and often be put out of order. We are not only subject to pain and diseases, but to irregularities of the paffions, and influence of weather; all which affect the spirits, intellect, and memory, so as to render the same perfon very different at different times, in thinking, fpeaking, and acting; as any one, who is not robustly infenfible, must naturally discover from his own feelings.

Confidering its admirable structure, the number and exquifite fineness of its movements, that in a healthy ftate, all its parts, must confpire to perform their proper office, and that the leaft failure occafions fome disease; it appears matter of astonishment that we are more than the tranfitory beings of a day.

The

The periods of human life distinguished by Youth, Maturity, and old Age, are not inaptly compared to the feafons of Spring, Summer, and Winter; each being attended with certain peculiarities which fenfibly affect the conftitution.

In Youth or the firft ftage of life, the circulating force of the blood being more than equal to the refistance of its veffels, the folids are thrust out and extended in growth. After Maturity, the power of the folids and fluids continue nearly equal for feveral years, and this period conftitutes the prime or fummer of life. In the laft, the quantity and circulating power of the blood is every day diminishing, and in time, overcome by the increasing resistance of the folids, which introduces old Age.

Every period has its attendant Disorders; the firft fubjects the patient to Fluxes of Blood from the nofe or other parts, in confequence of the ftrefs laid upon the vafcular fyftem. Glandular complaints and eruptive

A a