or if disease consist in the abnormal performance of any function, we cannot understand why, at one particular period of life, such abnormal action should commence, the organs being in the same condition as heretofore. But we may well understand how any one or more organs of the body may from the first, although normally constructed, be weaker than the rest, and therefore more liable to fall into a diseased condition on the occurrence of any exciting cause, either extraneous to the body, or from the over-exertion or misuse of these organs themselves, or of others. A state of debility then which renders peculiar organs, as the mammæ, the lungs, the kidneys, &c., prone to take on diseased action may be original and transmitted, and give rise to cancer, consumption, or calculus, at the period of life when exciting causes may occur, and this does not render it needful to suppose such diseases to have been actually transmitted ab ovo, and to have been lying concealed in the system from birth, inevitably destined to appear after a certain lapse of time.

The best mode of eradicating such family taints is by intermarriages with purer breeds, in which no such constitutional tendencies exist; and consequently, the continuous marriages within a confined circle tend most powerfully to perpetuate and increase those evils,

even, as farmers well know, that the breeding in and in will not only perpetuate the peculiarities of all races of animals, but also increase any evils to which the race may be obnoxious, and deteriorate greatly its general vigour and excellence. The best mode of improving the breed of animals is undoubtedly to cross it with others having different peculiarities, possessing in an eminent degree the qualifications which are required, and being free from those evils, the taint of which it is desired to obliterate. Let men then apply the same reasoning to themselves. Let them be but as careful to secure health and vigour in their own offspring, as in those of the animals under their care, and they will assuredly succeed as well. Let them break through the bondage of rank, family and condition, and by the judicious union of constitutions differing from each other, gradually eradicate all hereditary tendency to painful disease and premature decay.

This subject of counteracting or eradicating constitutional tendencies to disease deserves to be much studied by the physician and philanthropist. Judicious intermarriages may and certainly will gradually change the constitutional tendencies and amend the evils of any particular race; but this is a slow process, requiring perhaps several generations and continual

care, yet the very important question remains, how to amend the constitution of the individual. If a child be born of parents, one or both of whom are of a constitution predisposed to consumption, gout, or insanity, is there any mode of training by which this infant may be saved from the painful doom which seems, like the sword of Damocles, always hanging over it, ready, by the slightest moving cause, to be cast down on its victim? Much, I believe, may be done to alter the constitutional tendencies of the young being by a careful training, begun early in life, keeping constantly in view the object to be attained. I cannot here enter fully into this part of the subject,-it belongs rather to a work on the period of development than on the period of decline; but I cannot avoid referring to one prophylactic means, which seems to me highly important, and well worthy the consideration of parents and their advisers. Whenever any disease is known to have long existed in a family, and a tendency to which is therefore fairly presumable to be a part of the birthright of a newly-born infant, it is desirable that such infant should not be nursed or brought up by the parents, but that it should be confided to the care of and nourished from the breast of a well-chosen healthful female, alien to the family, and apparently of a constitution opposite to that of the parent: without

considering too deeply the difficult question of hereditary transmission of disease or of tendency to disease only, it may well be argued that if the infant organisation be affected by some hidden evil, the pabulum vitæ, by means of which that infant organisation is to be developed into maturity, should be derived from some other and purer source, with the hope that thus, by healthier additions, the original faulty conformation may be neutralised or overborne, and a constitutional condition result which may partake of the healthful means of development after birth, as much, or perhaps more, than of the faulty characteristics acquired whilst yet in utero.

Let the old man, then, whilst yet in robust health, carefully examine and inquire if he be, from personal peculiarity of constitution, or hereditary taint, peculiarly liable to any particular disease, and if so, adopt such a course of living as may prevent its Occurrence. If any disease do appear, or if signs of its approach become manifest, let him lose no time in using all the means which science may direct or skill apply for prevention or for cure. Let the enemy be driven from the door, for if once he be admitted, it may be impossible by any means to dislodge him altogether, and we may be well content to limit the extent of the mischief.

CHAPTER IV.

ON GOUT.

I shall now enumerate the principal diseases which occur after the meridian of life, as well as those peculiar to old age; and, as each one passes in review, offer some hints which may, I trust, be found useful to the afflicted.

Gout is a plethoric disease arising from indigestion, in some peculiar constitutions only; which peculiarity of constitution appears to be hereditary, for in others the same irregularities of diet, &c., will be followed by very different results. It appears to be essentially a disease of acidity; acid eructations are constant, lithic acid or lithates are found in the blood and in the urine. Indigestion is the constant forerunner or attendant of the attack: certain foods, and more especially certain wines, almost surely induce it, and a sedentary habit and plethoric condition most highly predispose thereto. Irregularity of the circulation is another most exciting cause, whether the circulation be accelerated by excitement or depressed by anxiety, or the insensible perspiration checked by