182 KEGIMEN SAMTATIS SALEUMTANUM. 



good unless there be shown invariable sequence. The man who, in 

 the story, literally swallowed the prescription, under the impression 

 that it was a cabalistic formula, could give an unhesitating testimony to 

 its efficacy. But the spontaneous return to health will be retarded or 

 accelerated by the circumstances of the individual, and among these, 

 none are more important than the three mentioned in the aphorism ; the 

 meaning of which is, that in the absence of judicious medical care, a 

 calm mind, rest and diet may be regarded as medicine, while they are, 

 under all circumstances, powerful adjuvants to other treatment. 



The mens hilaris cannot be too much insisted upon. Care, anxiety, 

 grief, fear and remorse are frequent sources of disease, and always in- 

 crease its intensity and danger when arising from other sources. Men 

 do really die from the effects of the depressing passions in other places 

 than in novels. The venerable man, from whom I received the first les- 

 sons in my profession, used to tell us, in his quiet way, that he could 

 not say much, from his own experience, about broken hearts, but he 

 had seen a good many cases of Iroken stomach. Under distress of mind 

 the digestive powers fail, and, if long continued, there is laid the foun- 

 dation of incurable dyspepsia. If it can so seriously affect the healthy, 

 we may readily comprehend its influence upon the sick. Hence the 

 sick-room should be made an abode of cheerfulness. Its gloom should be 

 dissipated as far as possible. The conversation should be cheerful, yet 

 placid and unexciting. I have no sympathy with the feeling that would 

 hang the skull and cross-bones as a memento -mar i before the eyes of 

 every sick man. Let him contemplate them, when in health and full 

 vigor of mind. I would put a vase of fresh flowers in their place, and 

 by all means, lighten the heart of its load, that the body also may have 

 rest. Hence the gravest philosophers have not disdained occasional 

 recreation. We all know the story of jEsop and hfs bended bow. A 

 more striking figure to me is that of Socrates, in Valerius Maximus, 

 when " interposita arundine cruribus suis, cum filiis ludens, ab Alcibiade 

 risusest. " We must not, however, confound cheerfulness with mirth. 

 To be happy and to be merry are two different things. Pougens well 

 observes that the truly happy man is he whom wisdom has raised above 

 the influence equally of desires and fears. Hector Boethius, (Z)e Con- 

 sol. Philos.) has a similar thought, 



Quid tanlum miseri feros tyrannos 

 Mirantur sine viribus furenteis ? 

 Nee speres aliquicl, nee extimescas : 

 Exarmaveris iinpotentis iram. 



In disease, this tranquil mind is a powerful promoter of recovery, 

 while a perturbed, anxious and distressed condition as much retards a 



