183 {urr. 
2.—That diet composed of a large proportion of 
animal food tends to lessen the deposition of lithic 
acid, and to increase that of the phosphates. 
3.—That every thing which promotes the action of 
the skin, tends to prevent the deposition of lithic 
acid, and to occasion that of the phosphates. 
4.—That dyspepsia tends to increase the deposition 
of the lithic acid, and to lessen that of the phos- 
phates, both by producing acidity in the prime- 
vie and by rendering the skin inactive. 
5.—That indolence has the same tei:dency both by 
inducing dyspepsia and by lessening the activity 
of the skin, in proportion agit impairs the vigour. 
of the circulation. : 
§.—That an acid passes by insensible as well as 
sensible perspiration.” 
Since these effects of diet embrace the two pre- 
valent taints of lithia, it is plainly the duty of the 
practitioner to enquire minutely into the errors of 
repletion, which have had the effect of disordering 
or violating wholly, the process of healthy chyli- 
fication. _ It is equally his duty to enforce rigidly, 
such amendment in the unwholesome ingesta, as 
may be calculated to restore the healthy func- 
tions. on the morbid aberrations of which, lithia 
depends. But he must not stophere. The moral 
causes already hinted at. are actively prejudicial. 
Excessive mental exertion or excitement, grief, 
anxiety, nervous irritation induced by intemperate 
indulgence of passions—all exert a ruinous action 
on the digestive functions, and it has been shewn, 
consequently, in the production of lithia. - Physi- 
cal causes, as irregular repletion, interposed with 
protracted fasting ; or any other irregular alter- 
nations of excess and deficiency, take their part 
in the morbid conditions favourable to lithial de- 
positions. Mechanical irritants, as injuries dene 
? 
