BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 377 



drinks is among the most powerful in its influence over 

 those who indulge it. This is not a natural want. It is 

 artificially created and encouraged, until it is strong enough 

 to take care of itself and compel its gratification. It is then 

 in vain that the man thinks and says, he will not desire to 

 drink ; the stomach and the nervous system are so changed 

 as to kindle and keep up this burning thirst for alcoholic 

 stimulants. The man may have moral force sufficient to 

 prevent the gratification, but one may as well say that the 

 parched tongue of fever shall not be dry and crave cold 

 water, as that the stomach, excited and disordered by in- 

 temperance, shall not thirst and crave its accustomed in- 

 dulgence. 



876. The irregular habits of the mind sometimes over- 

 power the will. Some individuals exhibit a propensity to do 

 strange things, and to utter startling opinions. They have a 

 fondness for attracting attention by their oddity of manners, 

 or thoughts, or language. At first, these singularities are 

 assumed and put off at pleasure ; but, if they are allowed to 

 come often, they establish a habit which cannot be resisted. 

 The man is then compelled to exhibit his oddities at times 

 when he would be glad to appear like other people. In 

 other matters, his brain and his mental operations may be 

 manageable, and he may be sound in mind ; but so far as he 

 cannot or does not regulate his thoughts, his mind is not 

 sound. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Day-Dreaming. Fits of Passion. Intoxication. Fright may 

 cause Insanity. Various Grades of mental Health between Sani- 

 ty and Insanity. No sound Mind without sound Body. Most 

 Causes of mental Disorder within our Control. 



877. SOME take great pleasure in day-dreaming. They 

 Jove to abstract their minds from the facts and things about 

 them, from subjects of real existence, and, creating an 

 32* 



