PHYSIOLOGY. 217 



the body soft and plump, after the period of manhood disposed 

 to obesity, and at all times readily sweating upon exercise ; the 

 strength of the whole body is moderate ; and the mind sensible, 

 irritable, cheerful, and unsteady. 



Before going further, it is necessary to observe, that as no 

 exact measure can be had of the different degrees in which the 

 qualities we are to mention take place, I suppose a middle state 

 very nearly ascertained by observation ; and I am unable to 

 give any other measure of qualities than merely by marking 

 them as below or above the middle state, 



Upon this footing, I would explain the sanguine tempera- 

 ment as consisting in the following state of the several chief 

 circumstances of the economy. I suppose the simple solids to 

 be lax, the mass of blood to be of a moderate consistence, the 

 red globules and serum to be in large proportion, and the seros- 

 ity to be of moderate acrimony. I presume the heart to be 

 active, and rather strong with respect to the system of blood- 

 vessels ; the quantity of blood in the arteries large with respect 

 to that in the veins ; and the quantity of fluids in the whole 

 body large in proportion to the quantity of solid ; the state of 

 the nervous system to be sensible and irritable, but in every 

 state readily changeable. This temperament is most exquisite 

 from the time of puberty to that of manhood, but continues 

 its character in some measure throughout the whole of life. 

 This temperament is liable to haemorrhagy, inflammation, and 

 hysteria ; and with the ancients made the temperamentum call- 

 dum et humidum. 



The other temperament distinguished by the ancients, 

 which I can characterize most distinctly and explain most clear- 

 ly, is that which has been very constantly named the Melan- 

 cholic. In this, the external appearances are the following : 

 The hair is hard, black, and curled; the skin is coarser, and of 

 a dun colour, with a corresponding complexion ; the eyes very 

 constantly black ; the habit of the body rather hard and mea- 

 gre; the strength considerable; the mind slow, disposed to 

 gravity, caution, and timidity, with little sensibility or irritabi- 

 lity, but tenacious of all emotions once excited, and therefore 

 of great steadiness. In this temperament, I judge the simple 



