sted with wind, in addition to the 
have always observed the greatest benefit from the elixir o aoe : 
It may be taken in quantity of fifteen, twenty, or thirty drops, twice’ 
or thrice a day ina glass of water. This both expels wind, strength. _ 
ens the stomach, and promotes digestion, ae ae 
Opiates are generally extolled in these maladies; but as they only 
palliate the symptoms, and generally afterwards increase the disease, 
the patient should be extremely sparing in the use of them, lest habit 
should render them at last absolutely necessary. é 
It would be an easy matter to enumerate many medicines which 
have been extolled for relieving nervous disorders; but whoever 
wishes for a thorough cure, must expect it from regimen alone; we 
shall therefore omit mentioning more medicines, and again recom-_ 
mend the strictest attention to diet, air, exercise, and amusements. 
* 
MELANCHOLY. 
Metancnroty is that state of alienation or weakness of mind, which 
renders people incapable of enjoying the pleasures, or performing the 
duties of life. It is a degree of insanity, and often terminates in 
absolute madness. ee ce 
Causes.—It may proceed from an hereditary dispos - 2 
‘thinking, especially where the mind is long occupied with one ob- 
ject; violent passions or affections of the mind, as love, fear, joy 
grief, pride, and such like. It may also be occasioned by 
venery, impotence ; narcotic and stupefactive poisons; a 
life; solitude; the suppression of customary evacuations; a fe-- 
vers; or other diseases. Violent anger will change melancholy into 
madness ; and excessive cold, especially of the lower extremities, 
wall force the blood into the brain, and produce all the symptoms of 
madness.. It may also proceed from a callous state of the integu- 
ments of the brain, or a dryness of the brain itself. ‘To all which we 
may add, gloomy and mistaken notions of religion. 
toms.— When persons begin to be melancholy, they are dull ; 
; watchful; fond of solitude; fretful and fickle ; captic 
| uisitive : sometimes niggardly and at other times prodigal. 
ite Body is. generally bound, because the nervous power is princi- 
pally ended in the head ; the urine thin and small in quantity : 
the stomach and bowels inflated with wind ; the complexion pale ; 
the pulse slow and weak. The functions of the mind are also great- 
ly perverted, insomuch that the patient imagines himself dead, or | 
changed into some other animal. Some have imagined their bodies — 
were made of glass, or other brittle substances, and were afraid 
move lest they should be broken to pieces. The unhappy pati 
in this case, unless carefully watched, is apt to put an end to his own — 
rnen this disease is owing to any bodily disorder, it | 
when it proceeds from affections of the min 
- 4 * 
Symp 
