SJTCT. XXX. 3: PARALYSIS OF THE LIVER. 407 



to their being previously habituated to too great fti- 

 mulus ; which in this country is generally owing to 

 the alcohol contained in ale or wine ; and hence 

 muft be regiftered amongft the difeafes owing to 

 inebriety; though it may be caufed by whatever 

 occasionally inflames the kidney ; as too vio- 

 lent riding on horfeback, or the cold from a damp 

 bed, or by flecping on the cold ground ; or 

 perhaps by drinking in general too little aqdeous 

 fluids. 



JII. I fhall conclude this fetion on the difeafes 

 of the liver induced by fpirituous liquors, with the 

 well known llory of Prometheus, which feems in- 

 deed to have been invented by pbyiicians in thofe 

 ancient times, when all things were clothed in 

 hieroglyphic, or in fable. Prometheus was painted 

 as dealing fire from heaven, which might well re- 

 prefetit the inflammable fpirit produced by fermen- 

 tation ; which may be faid to animate or enliven 

 the man of clay : whence the conquefts of Bacchus, 

 as well as the temporary mirth and noife of his de- 

 votees. But the after punifhments of thofe, who 

 Heal this accurfed fire, is a vulture gnawing the li- 

 ver ; and well allcgoiifes the poor inebriate linger- 

 ing for years under painful hepatic difeafes. When 

 the expediency of laying a further tax on the dif- 

 tillation of fpirituous liquors from grain was can- 

 vafled befoie the Houfe of Commons fome years 

 ago, it was faid of the diftillers with great truth, 

 " They take the bread from the people, and convert it 

 into poifon!" Yet is this manuiadory of difeafe 

 permitted to continue, as appears by its paying into 

 the treafury above 9co,coo/. near a million of mo- 

 ney annually. And thus, under the names of rum, 

 brandy, gin, whifkey, ufquebaugh, wine, cyder, 

 beer, and porter, alcohol is become the bane 



of 



