396 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



attentive to every feeling, finds in trifles light as air, a strong 

 confirmation of his apprehensions. His cure, therefore, depends 

 especially upon the interruption of his attention, or upon its be- 

 ing diverted to other objects than his own feelings. 



MCCXLVI. Whatever aversion to application of any kind 

 may appear in hypochondriacs, there is nothing more pernicious 

 to them than absolute idleness or a vacancy from all earnest 

 pursuit. It is owing to wealth admitting of indolence, and lead- 

 ing to the pursuit of transitory and unsatisfying amusements, 

 or to that of exhausting pleasures only, that the present times 

 exhibit to us so many instances of hypochondriacism. 



The occupations of business suitable to their circumstances 

 and situation in life, if neither attended with emotion, anxiety, 

 nor fatigue, are always to be admitted, and persisted in by hy- 

 pochondriacs. But occupations upon which a man's fortune de- 

 pends, and which are always, therefore, objects of anxiety to 

 melancholic men ; and more particularly where such occupations 

 are exposed to accidental interruptions, disappointments, and 

 failures, it is from these that the hypochondriac is certainly to 

 be withdrawn. " We know that nothing is upon occasions more 

 powerful in debilitating, as we speak, in enervating the system, 

 and inducing the debility peculiar to hypochondriasis, than close 

 application to study ; and let it be observed, that wherever this 

 circumstance of the application of the mind takes place, it is 

 stronger as the application is confined to one or to a few objects 

 only ; and as the natural tendency of the melancholic tempera- 

 ment is to attach itself to one object, that very application 

 is an aggravation to the disease, and so is industriously to be 

 avoided." 



MCCXLVII. The hypochondriac, who is not necessarily, 

 by circumstances or habits, engaged in business, is to be drawn 

 from his attention to his own feelings, by some amusement. 



The various kinds of sport and hunting, as pursued with 

 some ardour, and attended with exercise, if not too violent, are 

 among the most useful. 



All those amusements which are in the open air, joined with 

 moderate exercise, and requiring some dexterity, are generally 

 of use. 



Within doors, company which engages attention, which is 



