in high Northern Latitudes . 105 
fatisfadtion on the confirmation this opinion re¬ 
ceives by the events in thefe narratives. 
Indeed, from reafoning alone, we might 
naturally be led to the fame conclufion. \ 
great degree of cold renders the fibres rigid; 
and, by repelling the blood and nervous principle 
from the furface of the body, increafes the vital 
energy of the internal organs. Hence, the heart 
contradts more forcibly, and the domach has its 
warmth and mufcular adtion augmented. In 
thefe circumdances, dimulants and adringents 
feem by no means indicated; but rather fub- 
ftances of an oppofite nature. We have acquired, 
by aflociation, the idea of oppofing actual cold 
by matters ■potentially or metaphorically hot; but 
this is in great meafure a fallacious notion. On 
the contrary, it is found that the effedts of exceffive 
heat are bed refilled by warm and acrid fubfiances, 
fuch as the fpicy and aromatic vegetables which 
the hot climates mod abundantly produce, and 
which are fo much ufed in the diet of the inhabi¬ 
tants. And if it be admitted as a general law of 
nature, that every country yields the products 
bed adapted to the health and fudenance of its 
inhabitants, we Ihould conclude, that aromatic 
vegetables, and fermented liquors, are peculiarly 
appropriated to the warmer climates; while 
bland, oily animal matters are rather defigned 
for the ufe of the frigid regions. Spirits, as 
{intifeptics, may, indeed, feem to be indicated, 
where 
