ded
upon too great excitement; on the contrary, they have been
universally considered as originating in debility, and of course,
tonics were prescribed, which, though they produced the greatest
benefit in the other class of nervous complaints, in these they
occasioned the most serious evils, and often brought on real
inflammatory diseases, or even diseases of indirect debility, as I
have repeatedly seen.

These cases cannot at first sight, however, be easily distinguished
from those of the opposite class; the symptoms being nearly alike,
and the patient complaining of languor, debility, and extreme
depression of spirits in both. But by attending carefully to the
effects produced by the exciting powers, they may in general be
distinguished. A patient of this kind will tell you, that he does not
feel pleasant effects from wine, or spirituous liquors; instead of
exhilaration, his spirits become depressed by them; whereas, in the
contrary state, he finds almost instant relief. By attending to
circumstances of this kind, the nature of the complaint may in
general be ascertained.

Highly seasoned, and strongly stimulant foods should in the sthenic
hypochondriasis, if it may be so called, be avoided; but the most
mischievous agent of all, and which contributes to bring on the
greater number of these complaints, is wine. This, I believe,
produces more diseases, than all other causes put together. Every
person is ready to allow, that wine taken to excess is hurtful,
because he sees immediate evils follow; but the distant effects,
which require more attentive observation to perceive, very few see,
and believe; and, judging from pleasant and agreeable feelings, they
say that a little wine is wholesome, and good for every one; and
accordingly take it every day, and even give it to their children;
thus debauching their natural taste in the earliest infancy, and
teaching them to relish what will injure their constitutions; but
which, if properly abstained from, would prove one of the most
valuable cordial medicines we possess.

The idea that wine or spirituous liquors assist digestion, is false.
Those who are acquainted with chemistry, know that food is hardened,
and rendered less digestible by these means; and the stimulus, which
wine gives to the stomach, is not necessary, excepting to those who
have exhausted the excitability of that organ, by the excessive use
of strong liquors. In these, the stomach can scarcely be excited