Volume 1

Domestic medicine : or, a treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix, containing a dispensatory for the use of private practitioners / by William Buchan.

  • Buchan William, 1729-1805.
Date:
1791
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Domestic medicine : or, a treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix, containing a dispensatory for the use of private practitioners / by William Buchan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    a ft'cret. It is fufficient for us to know, that there is eftablifhed a reciprocal influence between the men- tal and corporeal parts^ and that whatever injures the one diforders the other. Of Anger, The pafflon of anger ruffles the mind, diftorts the countenance, hurries on the circulation of the blood;^ and diforders the whole vital and animal fundtionSi It often occafion^ fevers, and other acute difeafes ; and fometimes even fudden death. This pafflon is peculiarly hurtful to the delicate, and thofe of weak nerves. I have known fuch perfons frec]uently lofe their lives by a violent fit of anger, and would ad- vife them to guard againft the excefs of this pafflon with the utmofl care. It is not indeed always in our power to prevent being angry j but we may furely avoid harbouring refentmenc in our breaft. Refentment preys upon the mind, and occafions the moft obftinate chronical diforders, which gradually wafte the conftitution. Nothing Ihews true greatnefs of mind more than to forgive injuries; it promotes the peace of fociety, and greatly conduces to our own eafe, health, and felicity. Such as value health fiiould avoid violent gufts of anger, as they would the mofl: deadly poifon. Neither ought they to indulge refentment, but to endeavour at all times to keep their minds calm and ferene. Nothing tends fo much to the health of the body as a conftant tranquillity of mind. Of Fear, The influence of fear^ both in occafioning and aggravating difeafes, is very great. No man ought to be blamed for a decent concern about life; but tgo great a dcfire to preferve it is often the