PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. SECT. XXVI. THE EFFECTS OF DRUNKENNESS. THE ftate of the frame, in confequence of frequent inebriety, confifts in the end, if it does not occafion immediate death, in the paralysis which ufually fucceeds long and violent excitement. Sometimes the ftomach is more materially affected, and paralyfis of the lacteal fyftem is induced; whence a total abhorrence from flesh food and general emaciation. In others, the lymphatic fyftem is affected with paralyfis, and dropfy is the confequence. More frequently the fecretory veffels of the liver become first paralytic, and a torpor, with confequent gall-ftones, or fchirrus, of this vifcus, is induced with concomitant jaundice; or it becomes inflamed in confequence of previous torpor, and this inflammation is frequently tranf ferred to a more fenfible part, which is affociated with it, and produces the rofy eruption of the face, or fome other eruption on the head, or arms, or legs. In fome inebriates the torpor of the liver produces pain without fchirrus, gallftones, or eruption, and in thefe epilepfy, or infanity, are often the confequence*. * Darwin. PRACTICAL PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. SECT. XXVII. THE ART OF PROLONGING LIFE. VARIOUS have been the panaceas for the prolonging of human life. Sage was fuppofed by the ancients to have this virtue*: but the *Hence the following verfe, Cur moriatur homo, cui falvia crefcit in horto? How can man die, in whose garden there grows fage? in allufion to its many virtues.—What a fhameful abuse of this pretended property was lately made by the late Sir John Hill, in his patent Tincture of Sage for the prolonging of human life, and warding off old age, is known to every one. This conduct could not fail to draw upon himfelf the pen of the wits of the age, and Garrick, with Thompfon, conjointly, published the following Epigram: Thou effence of dock, valerian, and fage, At once the difgrace and the peft of this age, The worst that we wish thee, for all thy bad crimes, Dr. Hill made the following reply: Ye defperate junto, ye great, or ye fmall, Who combat dukes, doctors, the deuce, and 'em all; The reader will please to call to mind what has been faid on quackery, Vol. I. p. 201. Such fhameless impofitions on com, mon sense deserve more than ridicule; for deceiving the fick and helpless, they merit the execrations of every man who has one fpark of humanity. fecret fecret lies in a very narrow compafs, a temperate use of all the means of excitement. Old age happens to mankind at different periods of life, earlier, if they have given themselves up to pleasure and a variety of exceffes, and later with those who have followed a moderate way of living, and been generally temperate in their enjoyments. ! O! TEMPERANCE! thou fupport and attendant of other virtues! Thou preferver and restorer of health, and protractor of life! Thou maintainer of the dignity and liberty of rational beings, from the wretched inhuman flavery of Senfuality, Taste, Custom, and Example! Thou brightener of the understanding and memory Thou fweetener of life and all its comforts! Thou companion of reason, and guard of the paffions! Thou bountiful rewarder of thy admirers and followers! how do thine excellencies extort the unwilling commendations of thine enemies! and with what rapturous delight can thy friends raife up a panegyric in thy praife! CLASS |