28 Comments on Corpulency. 



acid, found in the primae vise, in some cases of debility, and in 

 the weakness of infancy, do not occasionally produce very active 

 constitutional diseases. 



Sir Anthony Carlisle, who has paid great attention to the 

 eftects of acids, and has given a scientific analysis of acid sub- 

 stances, says, '^ that acids not only act upon the stomach and 

 its contents, but they likewise pervade the whole body." Many 

 people are affected with pimples shortly after taking acids ; very 

 many are affected with burning heat in the face, immediately 

 after taking vinegar ; gouty pains, spasms, and itching over the 

 whole body, are inevitable consequences of the taking acids, 

 with a great portion of mankind. My own father was a sin- 

 gular example of the deleterious effects of acids ; and he found, 

 from experience, so much relief from preparations of chalk, that 

 he was never without a box of the Creta preparata in his pocket. 



Alimentary acidities are also the causes of erysipelas, and 

 many herpetic diseases ; and those who are subject to eruptions 

 on the face, experience a sensible aggravation immediately after 

 taking acids. 



External heat may be ranked among the causes that alter 

 fat. Fat people are much incommoded by any sudden transition 

 from cold to heat. In a very hot season, if a fat person under- 

 goes violent exercise, it is possible for the fat, not only to become 

 putrid, and produce petechial fever, but it may become in some 

 parts rancid and soapy, particularly after a previous dry season — 

 at least, so says Monsieur Lorry. 



Aromatic substances are also supposed to give a character to 

 fat. From the aptitude of fat to imbibe aromatic particles, it 

 is natural for it to partake of the qualities of the aliment. Thus 

 the odour from the fat of those who live solely on animal food 

 is very foetid ; so with birds, living entirely on fish. It is re- 

 ported of the French prisoner, who cat many pounds of animal 

 food in the course of the day, that it was scarcely possible to 

 approach him. The odour of garlick remains with those who 

 have eaten it for many days. 



Mr. Hunter says, ** The essential oils of vegetables and 

 animals, indigestible, are soluble either in gastric juice or chyle, 

 by which means they become medicinal, from their stimulating 

 powers. The essential oil of vegetables, but more particularly 



