to
action, without the assistance of such a stimulus. If the food wants
diluting, water is the best diluent. Water is the only liquor that
nature knows, or has provided for animals; and whatever nature gives
us, is, we may depend upon it, the best, and safest for us. Wine
ought to be reserved as a cordial in sickness, and in old age; and a
most salutary remedy would it prove, did we not exhaust its power by
daily use.

I am sensible that I am treading on delicate ground, but I am
determined to speak my sentiments with plainness and sincerity, since
the health and welfare of thousands are concerned. Most persons have
so indulged themselves in this pernicious habit of drinking wine,
that they imagine they cannot live without a little every day; they
think that their very existence depends upon it, and that their
stomachs require it. Similar arguments may be brought in favour of
every other bad habit. Though, at first, the violence we do to nature
makes her revolt; in a little time she submits, and is not only
reconciled, but grows fond of the habit; and we think it necessary to
our existence: neither the flavour of wine, of opium, of snuff, or of
tobacco, are naturally agreeable to us: on the contrary, they are
highly unpleasant at first; but by the force of habit they become
pleasant.

It is, however, the business of rational beings to distinguish
carefully, between the real wants of nature, and the artificial calls
of habit; and when we find that the last begin to injure us, we ought
to use the most persevering efforts to break the enchantment of bad
customs; and though it cost us some uneasy sensations at first, we
must learn to bear them patiently; a little time will reward us for
our forbearance, by a reestablishment of health and spirits.

I shall now proceed to examine the opposite class of nervous
complaints: or such as do really depend on debility, or an asthenic
state of the system. These may be divided into two orders; viz. those
of direct, and those of indirect debility. I shall first consider
those of direct debility.

Though these complaints originate from a deficiency of stimulus, yet
it is very seldom from a deficiency of the common stimulant powers.
The only people, who in general labour under this deficiency of the
common stimulants, are the poor; they are seldom troubled with
nervous complaints; their daily exercise, and constant attention to
procure common necessaries, prevent their feeling what