74 
MEMOIK OF JOHN HUNTER, 
there are few cases, the liistory of which has been 
more fully recorded ; a fact of which we cannot give 
a stronger proof, than by stating, that of the bio- 
graphy drawn up by Sir E. Home, more than a third 
part is occupied with tliis subject. 
We <lo not of course enter into medical details, 
and only remark generally, that Mr Hunter was a 
very healthy man for the first forty years of his life, 
and with the exception of the threatening on the 
lungs, which was the ostensible cause of his going 
abroatl, he had no complaint of any consequence du- 
ring that period. After this, followed the attacks of 
1 77.S and 1 776, which we have formerly described, and 
which appeared to leave few if any unpleasant traces 
behind them. In 1785, he suffered a third attack, 
which was again brought on by anxiety of mind, and 
which, though slight at first, became more and more 
formidable, and was in truth the first of a series of 
painful spasmodic attacks, arising from disease of the 
heart, which at last terminated fatally. We avoid 
particulars, and only remark that the attacks were 
frequently attended with severe pain, and fits of 
swooning. Towards the commencement they were 
usually brought on by sudden exertion, but ere long 
they were induced by the most trifling causes. 
Whenever his services were required, Sir E. Home 
was ready to act as his close attendant ; his active 
assistant, and the general superintendent of his va- 
ried pursuits. Though the attacks gradually be- 
came more frequent, yet their violence did not in- 
