THEREOLOGY. 421 



and digestibb ; and the same may be said of starch, which abounds 

 in all kinds of grain, and especially in rice and the potato, as well as 

 in sago and arrowroot. Fruits, containing mucilage, as the melon ; 

 or sugar, as the grape ; or acids, as the apple ; are healthy and 

 digestible, if taken when ripe, and in moderate quantities. Sweet- 

 meats, spices, and other stimulants, tend to weaken the digestive or- 

 gans; and should therefore be taken sparingly. 



Besides receiving nourishment, the vital organs require to be sti- 

 mulated by frequent, but not too violent exercise. This is best taken, 

 when the weather permits, in the open air ; and the greatest care 

 should be taken by all persons to breathe a pure and fresh air ; as 

 being absolutely necessary to vivify the blood, and to preserve the 

 system in a healthy state. A due degree of moisture, in the air, so 

 that it be not too damp, is also favorable to health. Extreme, or 

 sudden changes of temperature, should be avoided ; especially after 

 exercising, or when in a state of debility ; lest the perspiration should 

 be checked, and colds, coughs, fever, or consumption ensue. For 

 the same reason, the clothing should be properly regulated, and 

 cleanliness be carefully attended to ; as essential to a healthy cuta- 

 neous action. Regular intervals of rest and sleep, are also among 

 the requisites of long continued health. In general, those occupa- 

 tions are the most healthy, which furnish due exercise both to the 

 body and mind, in a pure atmosphere, and with moderate exposure. 

 Regular and cheerful habits, are highly conducive to health and lon- 

 gevity ; but the indulgence of violent and exhausting passions, fre- 

 quently causes disease, and aggravates it when otherwise produced. 

 On some of these points we have already spoken, and more fully, in 

 treating of Physical Education, (p. 93.) 



2. We come now to the study of diseases ; commencing with 

 Febrile Diseases, as forming the most numerous and important divi- 

 sion. They are classed as Pyrexix, or inflammatory diseases, by 

 Cullen ; and as Hsematica, or sanguineous diseases, by Good ; and 

 are generally characterized by chilliness at the commencement, fol- 

 lowed by preternatural heat, and acceleration of the pulse, denoting 

 an irritated state of the system. The Febres, or fevers proper, are 

 called intermittent, when they return at stated intervals ; as quoti- 

 dian, returning every day ; tertian, returning every other day, or 

 every third day, inclusive ; and quartan, returning every fourth day, 

 or with intervals of two entire days ; these returns being followed 

 by stages of perspiration, and of ague, or chilliness. Fevers are 

 called remittent, when, although continued, they present periodical 

 abatement ; as the bilious, or gastric fever, connected with derange- 

 ment of the liver and alimentary canal ; and the yellow fever, very 

 similar to the bilious, but often more violent, and less remittent. 

 Continuous fevers, are those which have no marked abatement ; as 

 the synochal, or inflammatory fever, with strong pulse ; and the 

 typhus fever, characterized by great debility, and a morbid state of 

 the animal fluids. 



The second division of febrile diseases, consists of the Phlegma- 

 six, or inflammations ; usually manifesting themselves locally, or in 

 some particular part; though accompanied by general irritation, pro- 



2 N 



