272 Facts relative to the Diseases common to 



other animals, whose mode of generation is nearly allied 

 to that of the opossum. 



III. Affections of the nerves. 



This section, in Mr. Blumenbach's book, contains 

 the following diseases, viz. : 



1. Hypochondriasis, 



2. Hysteria; 



Diseases of the mind, properly so called; such as 



3. Melancholia, 



4. Nostalgia, &.c. ; perhaps also 



5. Satyriasis, 



6. Nymphomania, 



7. Cretinismus. 



I will not, in a formal manner, undertake to show, 

 that dogs, cats, and many other animals, are really sub- 

 ject to morbid states of the system, very nearly allied to 

 those which we call Hypochondriasis and Hysteria. But 

 - I think I could render it somewhat probable, that the 

 latter of these affections, in particular, is not peculiar to 

 the human kind. Will this be doubted, when we re- 

 flect (and we have facts abundant to guide us with 

 some safety in the reflection) upon the extreme tenuity, 

 flexibility, and delicacy, of the constitution of some of 

 the mammalia, with which we arc acquainted : especially 

 - :ine of the Feline animals f We have opportunities of 

 observing the remarkable 



