A Cnfi of Melancholia. ^ci 



able. Mr. Blundel's only relief was a journey into the 

 country, which he was aceuftomed to take every year. 

 Having two very eminent phyficians as half-brothers, the ce- 

 lebrated chemift Dr. Bryan Biggins, and Dr. Haighton phy- 

 fician to the Eaftern Difpenfary, the nioft eminent phyfiolo- 

 gi ft of this country, every thing that the art of medicine could 

 do had been employed, but without any material advantage. 

 Mr. Blundel wiihed, therefore, to make trial of the vital air; 

 and he inhaled it at firft under the management of a felf-taught 

 genius, his neighbour Mr. Varley, of Hatton-Houfe, Hatton- 

 Garden, and found at that time " an increafe of firength" 

 and " his fpirits mended." But what (truck him moft was, 

 '•' an iffiie which ufed to difcharge was, fince his commencing 

 the air, completely dried up. Another thing he remarked, 

 '•' that after walking he had varicofe tumours in the veins of 

 his legs ; but that thefe did not appear, even after a long 

 walk, fince he had inhaled the vital air." I will fekct a few 

 more obfervations, as made by Mr. Blundel. 



" September 20. Spirits much enlivened after taking the 

 vital air. 



" September 22. The fame good fenfations have conti- 

 nued, although I did not take the air yefterday. 



" September 23. Found my mind tranquillized, and 

 fomewhat elated towards evening ; and when I awoke the nex t 

 morning, perceived a general glow over the body ; the feet, 

 which ufed before to be always cold, were comfortably warm ; 

 the fingers glowed to their extremities, and I could cFafp 

 them with firmnefs ; before, they would feel cold and numbed, 

 and I was obliged to rub them before I could clofe them. 

 All my family obferve that my countenance looks lefs fallow. 

 " September 25. Spirits continued throughout the day 

 rery good. Sleep grateful. 



'' September 26. The fame to-day. 

 " September 27. The fame obfervations to-day." 

 I fliould mention, that when Mr. Blundel applied to me, 

 I dcfired him to continue the air with Mr, Varley^ and or- 

 dered 



