ABDOMINAL TEMPERAMENT. 1001 



if anything, above the average size. But as it is 

 supported by a long and large thorax, compared 

 with the size of his spare body, he is endowed 

 with extraordinary mental activity, and the power 

 of long continued application, and a spasmodic 

 quickness of movement, which marks an exci- 

 table state of the nervous system. 



Again, if the chylopoietic viscera be more 

 highly developed than the brain, we have what 

 Thomas calls the " abdominal temperament," 

 which embraces that very large class of persons 

 described by Shakspeare, with " fat ribs and lean 

 pates." Even when the thorax is large, the head 

 of moderate size, and the body supplied with an 

 abundance of rich arterial blood, a large propor- 

 tion of it is expended in the secretion of fat, which 

 is deposited in the cellular tissue, where it hangs 

 as a burden on the system. But here again, it 

 is worthy of notice, that the accumulation of 

 fat indicates imperfect sanguification, owing to 

 excessive alimentation, want of exercise, or some 

 defect in the function of respiration. And that 

 this state is not natural, but acquired by over 

 indulgence, or the want of suitable exercise, would 

 appear from the fact, that many of the lower 

 animals when domesticated, highly fed, and pre- 

 vented from taking exercise, become very fat, 

 and much less active than in the wild state. Men 

 of the above class are generally good natured 

 and contented, while they have plenty to eat and 



