Hypochondriasis—Spleen—Vapours—the Blue Devils—the Bile—Nervous Debility, &c. are but so many different names for those Disorders which arise either from Chronic Weakness of the Constitution—or an inconsiderate management of it.—A man who has a strong stamina will bear irregularities with impunity—which will soon destroy a more delicate frame.
We do not laugh at the melancholy of the Hypochondriac,—or consider his Complaints as merely the hallucinations of un Malade Imaginaire; but trace the cause of them to either some Indigestion interrupting the functions of the Alimentary Canal—which a gentle Aperient would immediately remove—or the ineffective performance of the Restorative Process—insufficiently nutritive Diet—or depression of the vital and animal functions from anxiety or over-exertion of either the Mind or the Body:—which nothing but Rest and nutritive Food can repair.
The Editor of this little treatise has had from his Youth to bear up against an highly irritable nervous system,—the means he has found useful to manage and support it, he is now recording for the benefit of other Nervous Invalids.
We advise our Friends—never to call in even the gentle aid of Peristaltic Persuaders,—but when Instinct absolutely insists upon it—some of the Indications of which are, “A disagreeable taste in the Mouth—Eructations—Want of Appetite—Sensations of distention in the Stomach and Bowels—Pains in the Stomach or Head—Vertigo—Feverishness—Restlessness—Peevishness,” &c.—but these will often disappear by taking a liquid meal, instead of a solid one, or using more exercise, will often answer the purpose.—Mr. Jones very sensibly observes, “if people will by no means rest from constantly tampering with laxatives, instead of using exercise, the habit of using the Lavement every evening cannot be so destructive, as it irritates only twelve inches of intestine, and spares raking down the other thirty-nine feet.”—See Med. Vul. Errors, p. 44.
Relaxed Bowels[102] are often extremely unmanageable, and difficult to regulate—and are the principal cause of that Chronic Weakness which is so generally complained of, and of many other distressing Nervous Disorders.
If the Bowels are unfaithful to the Stomach, and, instead of playing fair,—let go their hold of the “Pabulum Vitæ,” before the Absorbents have properly performed the process which that grand organ has prepared for them—Nutrition will be deficient; and Flatulence, &c. &c. Giddiness,—Spasms,—Head-ache,—and Back-ache,—and what are called Bilious and Nervous Disorders,—and all the Diseases incident to Debility, will attack you on the slightest cause.
Those who are afflicted with a relaxation of the Bowels, are advised to a Dry diet, rather than a Liquid one, and must submit to a Regimen diametrically contrary to that we have recommended to cure Constipation.
“Since I lessened my Drink I have been much more costive than I was before, and have for two years past freed myself from a Diarrhœa. Costiveness generally attends dry food in other animals as well as men.”—B. Robinson, on Food and Discharges, p. 82 and 64.
Live principally upon Animal Food sufficiently cooked, and Stale Bread, or biscuit;—instead of Malt liquor (unless it be very mild and good Homebrewed Beer, which is the best of all Beverages) drink Beef-Tea, (No. 563), or well made Toast and Water[103] (No. 463*), with about one-fourth part of Wine, and a little Sugar and grated Nutmeg or Ginger in it;—if the Stomach be troubled with Acidity, or great Flatulence, one-eighth part of Brandy may agree with it better:—whatever You eat and drink should be Warmed.—See [page 94] on Siesta, and [page 158].