Diseases > Domestic medicine

446 BUCHAN'S
In all persons afflicted with nervous disorders,
there is a great delicacy and sensibility of the whole
nervous system, and an uncommon degree of weak¬
ness of the organs of digestion. These may either be
natural or acquired. When owing to a defect in the
constitution, they are hardly to he removed; but
may be mitigated by proper care. When induced by
diseases, as long or repeated fevers, profuse hsemor-
rhages, or the like, they prove also very obstinate,
and will yield only to a course of regimen calculated
to restore and invigorate the habit.
But nervous alfections arise more frequently from
causes, which it is in a great measure in our own
power to avoid, than from diseases, or an original
fault in the constitution, &c. Excessive grief, intense
study, improper diet, and neglect of exercise, are the
great sources of this extensive class of diseases.
It has been already observed, that grief indulged
destroys the appetite and digestion, depresses the
spirits, and induces an universal relaxation and de¬
bility of the whole system. Instances of this are
daily to be seen. The loss of a near relation, or any
other misfortune in life, is often sufficient to occasion
the most complicated series of nervous symptoms.
Such misfortunes indeed are not to be avoided, but
surely their effects, by a vigorous and proper exertion
of the mind, might be rendered less hurtful. For
direction in this matter we must refer the reader to
the article Grief, in the chapter on the passions.
The effects of intense study are pretty similar to
those occasioned by grief. It preys upon the animal
spirits, and destroys the appetite and digestion. To
prevent these effects, studious persons ought, accord¬
ing to the Poet, to toy with, their bookt. They should
never study too long at a time ; nor attend long to
one particular subject, especially if it be of a serious