76 on hard a'riniing. - J"^y iS^l 



that, in a moment's time, heavy prefsure has given no un- 

 easinefs. The legs, ?'^d the whcle lower extremities, lose 

 all power of action ; wherever they are placed, there they 

 remain till moved a^ain by the attendant ; the arms and 

 hands acquire the same palsified state, and the patients are 

 rendered incapable of feeding themselves. Thus for years 

 ' they exist, with no material alteration in the seize of the 

 body, or aspect of the countenance. 



" Whether they really undergo the agonies they appear 

 to suffer, I much doubt, as at this period their minds ap- 

 pear idiotifli ; they often fliriek out with a vehemence that 

 may be heard at a considerable distance, but upon inquiring 

 about the seat of pain, they have been vague and indeci- 

 sive in their answers. When a cramp comes on the low-, 

 er extremitks, involuntary motions draw up the legs, 

 and produce the most piercing (lirieks ; and the features 

 of the face, altered by convulsive twitchings, excite pain 

 in a spectator. For some months before they die, these 

 (hrieks are more incefsant, and as violent as the strength 

 will admit." 



After some other observations, which we are sorry our 

 limits prevent us from inserting, the author remark?,* 

 that " there is something i spirituous liquors so injurious 

 to the human frame, that too much attention cannot bs 

 T?aid to the discouraging the use of them. Many of the 

 unhappy victims I have attended, ascribe their suffering 

 to the unguarded advice of some medical practitioner, who 

 has, -.mder the idea of wine turning soiu- on the stomachy 

 permitted a little drop of brandy and water to be substitu- 

 ted. Seldom, indeed, a day pafses without introducing ma 

 to the sick bed of some deluded object of misery j and it 

 is from the most decided conviction of the injury, that I 

 ■would guard every perscn from beginning with even a 

 little drop of this fascinating poison, which once admitted, 

 .js seldom, if ever, afterwards overcome. Whenever I hear 

 the patient plead for some substitute for beer or wine, un- 



