The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-02-13
MISCELLANY.
From the yNet0 York journal of Commerce.
INTEMPERANCE.

Physicians have generally written the
most on the debasing wee of intemperance
because the effects of it most frequently
bring the victim to thei1 notice, laboring UNI
der consequent disease. Dropsy, diseases
OF the liver, tremors, delirium and madness,
have been mentioned to us as following the
too free indulgence in spirituous liquors. It
has also been stated to us, that the stomach
is often seriously affected, and that the inc
briate deceives himself, and his friends by
calling his complaint Dyspepsia. This is
SAID to be more prevalent complaint than
formerly, because in many cases it is a gen.
tie name applied to a burning disease
Hence the distressed and lingering COM
plainant receives the sympathy ofhis friends,
who regret that his Dyspepsia Tor bad di-
gestion) has taken away his appetite, and
they recommend mustard, and pepper, and
horse-raddish, or little gin or brandy, or
some good old rum, or something else of a
warming nature, to coax the stomach to
perform its natural function. But these
kind prescriptions only add fuel to the fire
burning within.
The following observations have been
pointed out to us as having been made by
the celebrated DIR. Darwin, which are appli-
ed to this subject. 81 shall conclude (says
he) this section on the diseases of the liver
induced by spirituous liquors, with the well
known story of Prometheus, which seems
to have been invented by physicians in those
ancient times when all things were clothed
in hieroglyphic or in fable. Promethus was
painted as stealing fire from Heaven, which
might well represent the infiammable spirit
produced by fermentation, which may be
said to animate or enliven the man of CLAW
whence the conquests of Bacchus, as well
as the temporary mirth and noise of his
devotees. But the after punishment Of
those who steal the accursed fire, is vul-
ture knawing the liver; and well allegor-
ICES the poor inebriant lingering for years
under painful diseases of the liver or stom-
ach, or BOTH"
The effect of these unlawful rotations is
not always slow and lingering, as this
Promethean fire sometimes produces rapid
commissioned which the following instan.
ices may give some idea.
Bartholine relates the case of person
who having drank large quantity of bran
dy for wager, died, after an eruption of q
flame of fire had first issued from his mouth
The infammable woman of Coventry, as
described by Mr.. Wilmer, appears also tc
have reduced herself by dram drinking, tc
such state as to be capable of being sci
on fire, and burning away like match.
An instance of the same kind occurred al
ChFist's Church, in Hampshire. One John
Hitchell, a Carpenter of that parish, great
drunkard, having ended his days work came
home and went TO he'd. He felt so extreme.
ly hot it was impossible to touch him. He
lay burning for three days, nor was there
any appearance Of fame outwardly, but on.
ly smoke or mist ascending from his
mouth till he was onsumed-E,0el'S Med.
acdL Companion.
On the night of the 10th of March, 1902
In one of the towns of the state Of Massa.
chusetts, the body of an elderly woman
evaporated and disappeared, from some in.
ternal and unknown cause, in about one
hour and half. Part of the family were