>i* "*\ M-Jt &$"' " : * !, r>*i W', §, _: ^Nk ^wj *?.'->o.' ."iX/ocro cyuirorroLTc oo Surgeon General's Office —^ DISSERTATION INFLUENCE OF THE PASSIONS PRODUCTION AND MODIFICATION DISEASE. BY PETER S. TOWNSEND, A. B. Member Of the Literary Institution of Columbia CoHege, of the Medico-Chirurgicai Society of this city, and Honorary Member of the Columbian Peitho-Logian Society. ■'r»jv.. Passiones sunt tanquam rotae in curru quibus vehimur hoc mundo. Bzr.is ard. Ser. 35. NEW-YORK: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY VAN WINKLE AND WILEV, No. 3 Wall-Street. 1816. * ( AN INAUGURAL DISSERTATION THE INFLUENCE OF THE PASSIONS IN THE PRODUCTION AND MODIFICATION » OF ■■ ^ DISEASE. SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC EXAMINATION *■ * -. OF THE , s TRUSTEES AND PROFESSORS «■*■ NOF \ THE COLLEGE. OKNPHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF THE ** j ,. * »v ■» „■ UNIVERSITY OF NEW-YORK, SAMUEL BARD, M. D. &c. PRESIDENT, Degree of Doctor of Medicine, On the 6th day of May, 1816. 7+ v%- {T/L^t* (? S+t*s*S*^ s • TO DAVID HOSACK, M. D. F. L. S. LONDON; Profctsor of the Theory and Practice of Physic, Midwifery, and Clinical Medicine, in the University of the State of New-York; Vice President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New- York; Fellow of the American Philosophical Society, and of the College of Physicians at Philadelphia; Member of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Pres- ton, (Eng j) Honorary Member of the Royal Medical and Physical Societies of Edinburgh; Corresponding Member of the Medical Society of London, and of the Massachusetts Historical Society, kc. &c. Sir, - Whatever may be your opinion of my character, I wish it now to be solemnly understood, that I should consider it the very basest act in my whole life, were I ever, wilfully, to eulogize any one being in creation whom I knew to be destitute of merit. Thank heaven! affairs have not arrived to that state, at least in this country, to make it necessary for one man to prostitute himself at the footstool of another. What is said here must be said with frankness and truth, or the offender ' writhes under the lash of deserved ignominy. Nothing is more de- testable than the fulsome language of a European dedication; and I know you too well, sir, to suppose that you could ever expect from me the assumption of so degrading a vice. It will be my endeavour to show, that, at all events, the crime of perjury dare not be imputed to the person who now addresses you. After this exposition of my sentiments, I take this public method of expressing to you my sincere and unreserved thanks for the ardent, indefatigable, and devoted interest which you have constantly mani- fested, in the education of those who have had the happiness of being placed under your instruction; an interest, sir, that would have availed nothing, had it not been associated with politeness so unde- viating, and talents so commanding, as your's. That you may continue to shine with that halo of unsullied celebrity that now surrounds you, and that you may still, as heretofore, victo- riously oppose the machinations of Envy, Ignorance, and Malignity, is the undissembled wish of one who feels it an honour to adorn even t/tis fugitive essay with your name. Believe me to be, Sir, W ith the highest consideration, Vour friend and pupil, P. S. TOWNSEND. TO SAMUEL LATHAM MITCHILL, M. D. F. R. S. EDINBURGH ; Prifessor of Natural History inthe University oftheState of New-York; Fellowofthe Society of Arts at Albany; Member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences at Boston; Associate of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia; Member of the Wernerian Natural History, and of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh, and Honorary Member of the Society of the Antiquarians of Scotland; Corresponding Member of the Academy at Marseilles, of the Medical Society in London, and of the Institution for Arts and Sciences at Leghorn, also, of the Society for promoting Natural and Physical Scitnct at Paris, and of the Royal Medical Academy at Madrid, also, of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Preston, and of Uit Agricultural Society of Philadelphia; late a Member of the House of Assembly, bf the Con- gressional House of Representatives, and of the Federal Senate, for the State of New-York; Fellow of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New-York, and one of Us Corresponding Secretaries, &c. &c. A GENTLEMAN NOT LESS PRE-EMINENT FOR HIS INESTIMABLE PRIVATE VIRTOES, THAN FOR THE VARIETY, EXTENT, AND PROFUNDITY OF HIS GENIUS, THIS DISSERTATION IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, AS A HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF THE ESTEEM AND ADMIRATION OF HIS FRIEND, THE AUTHOR. A DISSERTATION ON THE PASSIONS. PART I. MAN is endowed with a faculty termed Volition, by which he is rendered a free agent, and made ca- pable, as a moral being, of choosing for himself the path which he shall pursue during his earthly resi- dence. The object of this faculty is under the dic- tates of the judgment, to control that great principle of attraction which naturally exists between the human mind and good and evil. This attraction, or love, or desire,* as it may be termed, not less extensive than the attraction which governs the phenomena of the inanimate world, is, as I have just hinted, divided into two great spe- . cies, viz., the Love of Good, and the Love of Evil. These appear under the various forms of Love of the Creator, &c., on the one hand, and the Male- volent Affections, &c, on the other; as in the fol- lowing table: f I make Love and Desire here synonymous with Attraction. o 10 TABLE I. DESIRE, LOVE, OR ATTRACTION. CLASS I. Love of Good. This class may be subdivided into the following Sections: LOVE OF 1. CREATOR. 2. COUNTRY. 1. Faith. 2. Zeal. 3. Piety. 4. Devotedness*. 5. Adoration. 6. Enthusiasm. 1. Obedience. 2. Patriotism. 3. Zeal. 4. Devotedness 5. Enthusiasm. 3. HUMAN SPECIES, OR SYMPATHY. a. Philanthropy, b. Natural Affection. 1. Regard. -f e-f $ Indulgence. 2. Esteem. °(S~f (Infatuation. 3. Reverence. 4. Admiration. 5. Devotion. a *> C a 6. Enthusiasm. I^f 7. The Bene-°|s| volent Affec- tions, strictly so called. 8. The Attri- butes of Good Breeding. Dutifulness. < Respect. ( Reverence. ( Fondness. ( Affection. Sexual Love. Fondness. Love. Enthusiasm. Infatuation. n 4. SELF. 5. NOVELTY. Pride. 1. Inquisitiveness. Vanity. 2. Curiosity. The Virtues. 3. Enthusiasm. 6. FAME. 7. SUBLIMITY. 8. BEAUTY. 1. Ambition. 1. Admiration. 2. Enthusiasm. CLASS II. Love of Evil. This class may be subdivided into the following Sections: 1. MALEVOLENT AFFECTIONS. a. Those founded b. Those founded c. Those founded on Malice pure- on Hypocrisy and on Pride and ly. Malice. Malice. d. Attributes of III Breeding. 2. VICES. Avarice, &c THE PASSIONS ARE, 1. JOY. 2. ANGER. 3. GRIEF. 4. FEAR. The existence of a Repulsive Principle in the mind, which has been asserted by some, is altogether un- founded. Where repulsion or aversion appears to 12 exist, it is only the effect of something more power- fully attractive than that from which we seem to be repelled. Hence it is, in fact, the most lucid exhi- bition of the operation of Attraction. Thus, in that state of mind called Rancour, where the greatest possible aversion or abhorrence is supposed to exist, its force is commensurate only with the protraction of revenge; it dies instantly when our eagerness to injure the hated object is glutted. This is the Attraction of the mind to Evil. The Passions, according to their general accepta- tion, are merely the intense exertion of some of these modifications of attraction; or where that at- traction is no longer obedient to the direction of Reason. In this state of over-exertion even the principle which naturally inclines us to good, often becomes as pernicious as that which makes us prone to evil. A Passion, in strict language, however, means a sudden and violent commotion of the mind, accompanied and distitiguished by certain preternatural phenomena of the voice, gesture, or expression ; and " opposed to that state of tranquillity wherein a man is master of himself'' The Passions, in this sense, are certain attributes of the mind, which, though in the mouth of every 13 one, and almost constantly before us, are but little understood. To form some notion of them, we may suppose them to have, in common, two states of ex- istence; first, that state where the passion causes no commotion in the mind, barely having existence there; or, in other words, where it is only latent: and, secondly, where, clothed in dictatorial robes, it rushes fearlessly forth in defiance and contempt of Reason, and imposes itself upon our observation by the most unequivocal phenomena. This is the state of a passion, strictly and properly so called, and which receives an easy solution by an attention to the various ramifications of that great principle of Attraction which determines the aspect and tenor of human conduct.* It will then be seen that the origin of those four great primary passions of the mind, which we have merely marked in this table, is explicable by the most simple deduction. Thus, since there exists in the mind this great attractive principle, it is rational to conclude that its action may either be accelerated or consum- mated, retarded or annihilated. Those causes which tend to accelerate or consummate it, must be in conformity or unison with the volition which directs that action; and hence a source of satisfac- tion, the prelude to Joy. Those causes, on the * See Table I. 14 other hand, which tend to frustrate or destroy its ac- tion, must, at the same time, contravene the opera- tions of the will. There follows, hence, a natural resistance to such obstacles, which resistance is dis- played under the shape of Fear, Grief, or Anger. To be a little more specific; whatever conspires with our volition, or wishes, may excite our Joy; whatever opposes them may excite our Anger, our Fears, or our Griefs. Our Joy fills the measure of our happiness when we have accomplished or obtained that which we loved, or to which we were attached, whether it be good or evil. Our Grief denotes the powerful attraction which existed between ourselves and something which we have now lost, or expect to lose. Our Fear discovers the strong prepossession we have that we are about to part with that to which we are vehemently attached; And our Anger expresses not only opposition or obstruction to our volition, but a strong determina- tion to avenge ourselves upon the offendino- ob- ject. Hence, they all spring ultimately from this great principle of Attraction.* * The only writer who seems to have formed an opinion of the Pas- sions, similar to the doctrine I have advanced, is the ingenious author of an anonymous work, printed at London, in the year 1772, in 2 15 All the passions (says Dr. Reid) imply the desire of some object. If he had meant that the existence of that original Desire, or Attraction, of which I speak, is implied in every Passion, this observation vols., 8vo., and entitled the " Philosophy of the Passions." " It seems to me," says this writer, " that they (meaning Plato and Aristotle) give several names to the same thing, that they divide the unity of Love, and take its various effects for different Passions. So that after a due examination of this matter, I am inclined to think that Love is the only Passion whereby we are agitated; for all those movements that trouble our soul are but so many distinguished loves ; our fears, and our desires, our hopes and our despairs, our pleasures and our pains, are visages assumed by Love, according to the good or ill success it meets with; and, as the sea bears different names, according to the differ- ent parts of the earth it washes with its waters, so love changes its names according to its different situations. In the Pagan mythology each perfection, of God passed for a divinity: in like manner the qualities of Love have been taken by the ancient philosophers for dif- ferent Passions; and those great men imagined that as often as it changed its way of acting, or employment, it also changed its nature and name. But if this argument were true, the soul must lose her unity every time she produces different effects ; whence she that di- gests meats, and distributes the blood through the veins, cannot be the same that speaks with the tongue, and hears with the ears." The same author, with equal perspicuity, confutes the objection which has been raised to this doctrine on the supposition of a principle of repulsion, or aversion, coinciding with myself in the opinion which I have already expressed on this head. " These cavillers forget (says he) that the same cause produces contrary effects; that the heat which melts wax, dries clay; that the mo- tion which raises our hearts to heaven, withdraws us from the earth ; that our inclination of self-preservation is an aversion from every thing that may contribute to hurt us, &c." 16 would have been correct. But when, immediately after, he observes that this desire cannot exist, with- out aversion to its contrary, it is clear that he could not have had a correct view of this part of his subject; for, admitting the existence of this aversion, or repulsion, how could the mind act under two principles directly the reverse? The result must be a state of quiescence; but this is incompatible with the idea of Passion. To repeat what I wish so much to enforce, whatever conspires with, or opposes, our volition, may excite our Pas- sions. Passion is the concordance or resistance of the mind to such causes, and he who tells what makes up that concordance or resistance, gives us an analysis of a Passion. If Dr. Reid had told us that this analysis proves that desire, or attraction, forms the chief constituent in a Passion, he would, with regard to Anger, Grief, and Fear, have spoken the truth. But when he attempts to accommodate Joy, also, to this definition, he assuredly fails; for who would be so inconsistent as to desire that which we have accomplished. Instead of Desire constituting the perfection of a Passion, or that characteristic mark whereby it may always be distinguished, (as Lord Kaims asserts,) it is, in regard to Joy, directly the contrary. Thus the attraction between parents and offspring, or Natu- ral Affection, (see Table 1.,) which no one calls Pas- 17 sion, prompts a devoted mother ardently to desire the return of a son who has been long absent. But when once returned, and in her embrace, what more can she wish! Desire can no more exist now than two bodies can occupy the same place at once. It is, in fact, superseded by the most ecstatic trans- ports of joy. "We have then only to feel; the gratified wish has no prospective object."* The same may be said of Sexual Love, the consum- mation of which is the most celestial and unadulte- rated Joy: far above desire, either mental or animal. Thus, listen to the language of a lover who had been seated by his mistress : fit 17<5co o-f, to»\iw nt tpwvSf OuSJv !t' iTmi, 'A\Ka xajijiiv yk&crcra. laq/f Awtov 5' AcWxa x?Jy breath was gone, my voice was lost, 3 18 Were we to coincide with Lord Kaims, in respect to Desire, we should have to believe, with Hume, that every principle of action is passion. We ac- knowledge that every principle of action, in other words, every species of Attraction comprehends Desire, but that desire itself points out the existence of passion we absolutely deny. The word Emotion, which, as well as Desire, has also given rise to much discussion, is a vague term, sometimes applied to simple sensation, sometimes to denote the degree of action in a passion, strictly so called. (See Table II.) Emotion should be made to signify the sudden conflict of contending passions and affections, pro- ducing, of course, a restriction of action. Thus the indignation of a father towards his son, counteracted My bosom glow'd; the subtle flame Ran quick through all my vital frame ; O'er my dim eyes a darkness hung; My ears with hollow murmurs rung : In dewy damps my limbs were chill'd; My blood with gentle horrors thrill'd; My feeble pulse forgot to play ; I fainted, sunk, and died away. (Spectator, No. 229.) 19 by Natural Affection, checks the arm of retribution. This is what should be termed an emotion of Indigna- tion. So the contemplation of grandeur and beauty raises an emotion of Awe mingled with Delight. More or less Gloom too may be blended with both. Thus, in that sublime and elegant passage in Con- greve's Mourning Bride, (a passage which was termed by Dr. Johnson the finest specimen of Poetry in the English language,) we find the mind struggling under the influence of all those three Passions at the same moment: " How reverend is the face of this tall pile, Whose ancient pillars rear their marble heads, To bear aloft its arch'd and ponderous roof, By its own weight made steadfast and immoveable, Looking tranquillity ! It strikes an awe And terror on my aching sight; the tombs And monumental caves of death look cold, And shoot achilness to my trembling heart," &c. When we speak of an emotion of Fear, we gene- rally mean a conflict in the mind, between the Pas- sion and the Affection Pride. Thus, though an officer, surrounded by his comrades on the field ot battle, should act in the most undaunted manner. yet, were he alone, and attacked by some ferocious animal, though armed and prepared, and even^papa- ble of destroying his antagonist, his Pride would 20 most probably yield to the overwhelming influence of Fear. In like manner, there may be an emotion of Grief, commingled with Joy only. Thus, " the memory of Joys that are past, (in the language of Ossian,) are pleasant, though mournful to the soul." So there may be an emotion produced by the syn- chronous action of Fear and Joy—as in that " be- lated peasant," whom Milton so elegantly speaks of in the following passage : " Like that pygmean race Beyond the Indian mount, or fairy elves, Whose midnight revels by a forest side Or fountain, some belated peasant sees, Or dreams he sees; while over-head the moon Sits arbitress and nearer to the earth Wheels her pale course, they on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear ; At once his heart with joy andfear rebounds." &c. But if the presence or absence of rationality, with- out regard to the duration of a Passion, be consi- dered the only test of its characer, the term Passion may be applied more extensively. Thus, in this sense, it may properly be made to include certain permanent habitudes and affections, which occasion- ally usurp possession of the mind. That this usur- pation takes place at the expense of Reason, is evi- dent, from the pervading influence which, when pre- 21 sent, they are seen to have upon all our actions. Thus, from among the malevolent affections, a man may have a Passion for Cruelty, Slander, Vulgar- ity, Insolence, Hypocrisy, Blasphemy, &c. ; from among the vices, a Passion for Obsequiousness* Ec- centricity, Procrastination, &c. ; from among the benevolent affections, a Passion for Benevolence, (called Prodigality,) for Hospitality, Gallantry, (or Chivalry,) Politeness, &c.; from among the virtues, a Passion for Honesty, for Candour, Chastity, &c. The continued propensity, or subjection of the mind to any of these affections, is what gives to them also, in common opinion, the character of a Passion. There are many other qualities of the mind, which are so frequently met with, under this modification, ihat they are by some always placed among the Passions. Such are Vanity, and Pride ; Love of Country, (or Patriotism,) of Wealth, (or Avarice,) of Fame, (or Ambition,) of Novelty, (or Curiosity,f) &c. Sexual Love,, which is invariably set down among the * " There are some minds which naturally sink into submission, which look on grandeur with undistinguishing reverence, and which can discover no defect where there is elevation of rank or affluence of riches." Dr. Johnson's Lives of the Poets. t I cannot pass by this opportunity of promulgating the following ingenious definition of this affection, by my friend and fellow student Dr. B. P. Aydelott: " Novelty, (says he, in a MS. letter to the au- thor,) you know, excites the curiosity, and thus becomes the keenest spur to mental exertion. How great, therefore, should be our admi- 22 Passions, has, in truth, no stronger claims to that title than those affections which I have just enumerated; for it never becomes, in strict language, a Passion, unless success crowns it with Joy, or disappoint- ment shrouds it in Grief. Hence, we naturally arrive at last to those four Primary Passions, only to which our definition may be applied in every par- ticular—viz. Joy, Grief, Anger, Fear. But since, from the predominating influence of Sexual Love upon the system, (more than almost every other species of Attraction,) it most usually presents itself to us as one of the continued forms of Grief or Joy, or as the theatre of all the Passions indiscriminately, we have thought proper to consider it, as regards its. Me- dical Influence, in the light of a Passion. To invariably connect, however, with our idea of a Passion that latitude of meaning of which we have just spoken, (see p. 20, 21.,) though, perhaps, in a mo- ral sense, highly proper, would involve us in a good deal of obscurity. It even throws a cloud over the distinction between virtue and vice. Thus, though ration and gratitude, when we consider what a listless, leaden- minded race we should have been, had not the Almighty endued us with Curiosity, or a capability of being excited by novelty__that relative attribute of existence." To which he annexed the following explanatory note : " Ideas or substances may be new to one and not to another ; hence, I say, novelty is relative, or, in other words, that. it depends upon the condition of the mind with regard to former per- ceptions. It is an attribute of existence, because it may be perceived in every thiugthat has being, both material and immaterial." 23 the opinion of the world may, on most occasions, be correct, who shall take upon himself to decide, in all instances, upon the rationality of a man's conduct ? who shall say where that system of Prudence which virtue and wisdom recommend becomes Parsimony, or even Avarice ? who shall tell when Politeness de- generates into Punctiliousness, or where Pride rises to Arrogance ? Though the true definition of a Passion is such as we have given it above, and though the four radical Passions, which I have just mentioned, (viz., Anger, Joy, Grief, and Fear,) are all measura- ble by this definition; yet, certain it is, that they are capable of appearing under a more permanent and continued form than that to which the defini- tion strictly applies. This state of the mind resem- bles that of an affection where it runs into a propen- sity, (see p. 20, 21.,) but it is more justly entitled to the appellation of Passion, because it is originally moulded in Passion. It is, in fact, a Passion " in ex- tenso." This form might have been inferred, when we brino- to our recollection that the Passions are capable, also, of combining with many of the Affec- tions.* The Passions vary, also, in their degree of action; this applies only to the action of a Passion, strictly so called. Hence the Passions are to be viewed under two important heads, viz., 1st, according to their dura- * See the following Table. 24 tion, whether transient or permanent; the first kind constituting the only true form of a Passion, and va- rying according to degree of action. And, 2d, ac- cording to their combinations. To make this sub- ject a little more plain, I subjoin the following Ta- ble : TABLE II. THE PASSIONS. « 8 ° a s < > S- 1. Disagreeable Sensation. 2. Irritated. 3. Indignant. 4. Enraged. ■ t B ■{ 5. Incensed. 6. Furious. 7. Mad. 8. Frenzied. 9. Outrageous. " Antipathy. Disgust. Animosity. Abhorrency Malignancy Revenge. Rancour. Mistrust. ) g Suspicion. > c Jealousy. ) % Emulous. ~\ Rivalling. f § Invidious. t 4 Envious. ) f Peevishness. j Fretfulness. ^ Disinterestedness. Churlishness. L Freakishness, &c. r Cholerickness. High-mettled. Passionate. Inflammable. Hasty. Quarrelsome. Distemperate, Lc. fo = 4) of 4) 1. Disagreeable Sensation. 2. Wonder. 3. Surprise. 4. Fluttered. 5. Startled. 6. Amazed. 7. Alarmed. 8. Astonished. 9. Shocked. 10. Terrified. 11. Horror. ^12. Dismay. r Skittish. 1 Irresolute. } Timorous. ' Faint-heartedness, &c. r Fearful. 1 Dread. i Shiness. ' Caution, &c. 1. Pusillanimity. 2. Spiritless. 3. Heartless. 4. Cowardly. 5. Dastardly, &c. Guilt. Repentance. Contriteness. Humility. Lowliness. Meekness, &c. 25 jsS a ° ° s *"i3 < Q !> ffl It ja o {& 1. Disagreeable Sensation, 2. Sorrowful. 3. Mournful. 4. Doleful. 5. Repining. 6. Distressful. 7. Comfortless. 8. Inconsolable. 9. Forlorn. 1. Sedateness. 2. Seriousness. 3. Solemnity. 4. Sad. 5. Gloomy. 6. Downcast. 7. Depressed. 8. Melancholy. 9. Desponding. 10. Dismal. | 11. Despair. *. 12. Desperation. «, 1. Disquietude. J 2. Solicitude. J 3. Anxiety. -| 1. Forbearance. And gives to every power a double power, Above their functions and their offices.* " Thus has it fortified the body against dangers, difficulties, and hardships, which appeared superior to human force."f That modification of Attraction which we have denominated Love of the Creator, (see Table I.,) it would seem, is on certain occasions also possessed of an analogous power. Thus, Dr. Clarke men- tions, in his " Travels to the Holy Land," that " the predestinarian Moslems, armed with a powerful faith that nothing can accelerate or retard the fixed decrees of Providence, pass unhurt through the midst of Contagion." The same learned traveller also mentions, that he " knew a Mahometan of high rank, who, when his wife was attacked by the plague, attended her with impunity until she died— and in the hour of death, imprinted a parting kiss upon her lips as he wept over her." But here the antidote diffused through the system was imparted by Faith and Sexual Love conjointly. Love is well *■ Love's Labour's Lost, [Act IV.] t Cogan on the " Passions." .40 known to be a valuable remedy in Chlorosis. It has also proved a remedy even in Consumption : Tissot knew a young man in the last stage of Con- sumption, who, happening to fall in love with a beau- tiful woman, and meeting with a corresponding attachment, was perfectly restored to health. To give an idea of the opinion which the ancients en- tertained of the salutary influence of Love;—Hippo- crates mentions, that " Eunuchi non laborant poda- gra, neque calvi fiunt," and that " Puer non laborat podagra, ante veneris usum."* Love seems to be the mental expression of one of our strongest appetites, or at least so intimately de- pendent upon it, that it cannot exist without it. It was indeed for the evolution of this Passion that the great division of the Sexes was established with all those endearing sympathies which render life so agreeable. Were it not for the existence of this Passion, the world would become a cold and dreary wild, void of every thing emulous or noble. Not to speak of the destitution of other manly quali- ties, the Warrior would lose his most powerful incen- tive to battle; and the Poet, deprived of the beam- *"EuvSxoi a jroSa-yyiwoiv, u5t (paWxjoi yivovrai." Alpo?. 28. Tjjiina Ektg. * liars H iro5o7f ia jrjo tb aq??c5iciasnou." A z$ a shaft, Im ejcj: bc-Uoto ana grid? to bebolu, t>\$ hue pale anu agljen to unfolo, 9nu solitarg be fna^ eber alone, Stofl baking all tlje nigljt, making moan.t ------------forgotten quite All former scenes of dear delight, Connubial love—parental joy— No sympathies like these his soul employ; But all is dark within. J: There is another species of Love or Attraction,^ which, from its singularly morbific operation on cer- tain occasions, deserves our notice. This is Love of * " MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures. ' f " Knight's Tale." J Penrose. § Pee Table L 50 Country. Under due regulation, it is the very ce- ment of Society. Existing in a greater degree, it is called Patriotism, but sometimes, though seldom, it is so intense as to produce disease. This disease is termed Nostalgia. But, like Love of the Sexes, before it proves so detrimental as this, it rather has assumed the shape of Grief or Despondency. An indulgence in so glorious a Passion as the Love of one's Country, though sometimes attended with solemn consequences, the sympathy of every generous Mind will know how to pardon. Though the devoted Patriot should even breathe his last on the altar of Suicide, " the Accusing Angel bearing to Heaven's Chancery a deed in so hallowed a cause, would shed a tear on the crime and blot it out forever."* 2d. THE DEPRESSING PASSIONS. The next class of Passions which I have propo- sed to consider, are those which depress the powers of the system. They are Grief and Fear, and their different varieties, by whatever term they may be distinguished. Like those which exhilarate their effects, are either transient or durable, according to * Sterne^. 51 the nature and duration of the object which calls them into action. Their sudden exertion, however, is not usually so powerfully depressing as that of the others is exciting. Consequently, their imme- diate effects are not so much to be deprecated. Whatever evils are to be attributed to this class of Passions as their source, for the most part arise from long-continued action, settled into a fixed habit. The Depressing Passions differ from those of the last class, in one important circumstance: viz. that their operation is more rarely, or never, salutary. Besides, the diseases which they induce are totally distinct, nay, even of an opposite character. While the Exhilarating Passions furnish too much excitement, and too much life, the Depressing, with a contrary tendency, ahvays diminish their quantum. The Depressing Passions lessen the force and frequency of the Heart and Arteries, paralysing the smaller, and, consequently, crowding the blood upon the larger vessels. They also powerfully de- bilitate the Nervous System. All the Functions both of Body and Mind, are thus retarded below the standard of Health. Obstructions in various parts of the system are the inevitable consequence; Constipation, Hemorrhage, Diseases of the Heart, &c. The greater number of Nervous Diseases, also, follow in the train of the Depressing Passions. 52 GRIEF. Grief is the opposite of Joy; it has a particular iiV fluence on the Heart and Arteries, and the various Se- cretions. Hence, the Bile is changed. " Hippocrates, Galen, Boerhaave, &c, observed this, but they erro- neously ascribed the affection of the mind to this change, whereas it is the contrary."* It assumes the milder form of Melancholy in the Temperament which bears that name, and which it characterizes. In such Temperaments the attending depression is the result of original conformation, in other habits it is accidental, and arises from some external cause. Grief, generally, is of considerable duration, and most violent in its commencement. Time gradually wears away the disagreeable impression, or some afflicting disease is induced, which, adding to the ex- isting miseries of the patient, strews his dying path with thorns. The effect of a sudden fit of o-rief upon the system, must, like the action of the exhila^ rating Passions, increase the velocity of the circula- tion ; but not as they do its impetus. The condition of the sanguiferous vessels, under such momentary distress, is generally that of a state of irritability rather than of fulness. Like the first stage of Ty- * Crichtonon " Mental Derangement," vol. ii. p. 191—? 53 phus, it is dependent upon, and merely symptomatic of, the previous debility and depression of the ner- vous system.* Hence, the diseases are more usually traceable to a derangement of the nerves, than to the faulty action of the blood vessels. In some habits, however, not only the rapidity, but the im- pulse, also, of the circulation becomes increased. And hence, merely by this violent impulse, we see this Passion sometimes the source of Apoplexy, He- moptysis, Active Hemorrhage, in general, Synochal Fever, Convulsions, and even Death; analogous in its effects to Anger. But this casual action of Grief Is not to be mistaken for its characteristic ope- ration. Its primary and distinctive effect is discover- able in the Nervous System. And what adds to the truth of this position, is the particular class of beings in whom this Passion is most prevalent. For it must be remembered that Grief is the bane of nervous and delicate habits.f It is from gradually wasting away the powers of the system, by long-continued Despondency, and not by any sudden or violent shock, that this Passion generally induces disease. * See Hosack's Observations on the Typhoid state of Fever, in the Appendix to his edition of Thomas's Practice. ■j- " Grief is a Passion to which the virtuous and tender mind is particularly subject."—-Dr. Johnson. 54 Grief breaks the seasons and reposing hours, Makes the night morning, and the noontide night.* " The mournful ideas, first violently impressed, and afterwards willingly received, so much engross the attention, as to predominate in every thought, to darken gaiety, and perplex ratiocination. An habitual sadness seizes upon the soul, and the facul- ties are chained to a single object, which can never be contemplated but with hopeless uneasiness."! A general torpor shows itself in the sanguiferous system. Obstructions in the Liver, and other dis- eases follow. " The mind being affected, the sto- mach and adjacent organs must also be affected, and the mind again operated upon by them."{ Hence, Dyspepsia, Dropsy, Jaundice, and Hypochondriasis.§ Palsy and Aphonia are also among its consequences.|| So also are Syncope, Asphyxia, Epilepsy, Catalepsy, Phthisis, Apoplexy, Hemoptysis, Loss of Memory, ManiaJL and even Death.** The Emperor Severus * " Richard III." Act I.—« Omnis perturbatio raiseria; etcamifi- cina est Dolor."—(Tully.) f Dr. Johnson. t "MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures." § See Bonetus, Trallien, Lorry, Baglivi, Hoffman, and Crichton. IIIbid- IT " MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures." ** "Worldly sorrow causeth Death."—(2 Ccr vii. 10—Ps-slm xxxi. 10.) 55 died of Grief, and how many myriads besides ! (says Burton.) Grief is sometimes followed, also, by Diseases of the Heart, as in the French Revolution.* " Cor refrigerat Tristitia, spiritus exsiccat, inna- tumque calorem obruit, vigillas inducit, concoctionem labefactat, sanguinem incrassat, exaggeratque me- lancholicum succum."f In the case of an unfortunate female of this city, whom Professor Mott, of this University, mentions in his Lectures,^ though her death was sudden, she had been for some time excessively desponding. On that fatal evening which closed her existence, her feelings were wound up to the highest pitch of Despair; her spirits sunk under the oppressive load; her blood curdled in its vessels, and the last contractile beat of the heart burst on its lifeless con- tents ! She literally and truly died of a broken heart, as was found on dissection. And there was every reason to believe that this consummation of her misery was the unavoidable consequence of her exquisite dejection of Mind at that particular mo- ment. Her previous sorrows paved the way for this sad event, and, though the remote, were indeed the true cause of her death. The bursting of her * Vid. infra. \ Fernelius, lib. i. c. 18. de morb. causis. J See the particulars of this case in the " New-York Medical Magazine," No. II. edited by Drs. Mott and Onderdonk. 56 heart would seem to denote some sudden and vio- lent action in that organ; but the undisturbed and natural posture in which she was found in her bed, clearly demonstrate the error of such an opinion. We have the strongest grounds, therefore, to con- clude, that this rupture of her heart was the imme- diate effect of the great accumulation of blood in that organ, caused by the depressing influence of the Passion.* There is a very singular symptom or effect of Grief, which, as it is not often noticed, deserves to be mentioned, and that is Profound Sleep. " I have often witnessed it (says Dr. Rush) even in mothers, immediately after the death of a child." Criminals, we are told by Mr. Akerman, the keeper of New- gate, in London, often sleep soundly the night be- fore their execution. The son of General Custine slept nine hours the night before he was led to the guillotine in Paris, and Marshal Ney reposed quietly for two hours immediately on receiving his sentence.! * Dr. Rush, in his work on the " Diseases of the Mind," mentions, that dissections of persons who have died of grief show also that there had been inflammation of the heart, as well as congestion of this organ. f It can hardly be supposed that one who met death with that un- paralleled heroism which is related of Ney, could at any time have given himself up to puerile lamentations. But it is extremely pro- bable, that the thought of so soon resigning "this pleasing, anxious being," must, at least, have overshadowed his mind with a degree of gloom. 57 Dr. Rush thinks that facts like these " will serve to vindicate the disciples of our Saviour from a want of sympathy with him in his suffering." They slept during his agony in the garden, because their " flesh was weak," and in consequence of " sorrow having filled their hearts." (P. 319. on the " Dis- eases of the Mind.") Grief also predisposes to Contagion.* FEAR. Fear is distinguished from other Passions by this peculiarity, that its effects are alike powerful upon the system whether it result from the actual percep- tion of terrible objects, or whether it be harrowed up by some horrible phantom of the imagination. The Power of the imagination, in fact, though it is generally treated as some separate influence, induces physical derangement only through the medium of the Passions, and most of all through the operation of Fear.f In either case, when fully excited, this Passion seems to have a peculiar operation upon the Ner- vous Influence. It strikes at the root of some of » Cogan. f This is confirmed by Burton. " But most especially in passions and affections, the imagination shows strange and evident effects." Vol. i. p- 135. 3 58 ' the noblest faculties of the Mind; depriving us of the power of Volition, and totally suspending our Judgment and Memory* The Perception, too, it per- verts, and the affrighted sufferer, as in a dream, imagines that he beholds the most terrific spectres ! Stat terror animis, et cor attonitum salit, Pavidumque trepidis palpitat venis jecur.f Some of the involuntary muscles, also, no longer obey the direction of their nerves. Thus, even the gallant soldier, " seeking the cannon's mouth," has often been checked in his noble career by the sud- den relaxation of his sphincters. u This is not to be ascribed to cowardice^ for many of these engage voluntarily; but the mind naturally recoils upon it- self at the thoughts of dissolution, and the stoutest hearts become appalled."^ Death itself not unfre- quently results from the violence of this Passion; as in the following cases : " The elder Clinc visited a young lady for tumour in the breast, and recom- mended extirpation. She freely consented to the operation, but assured her friends it would kill her The operation being trifling, it was urged by the Surgeons, and the young lady reproved by her * 6tOf 7&J ni'ivfinv ixjrXrio-fffi, tjxvt) Ji avtv a\*r,s a5i» co(pfAf7. Thucyd. lib. ii. c. 81.—Metus enim memoriam excutit, ars vero sine fortitudine nihil prodest. t Senec. " Here. Oet." \ " MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures." 59 parents for her timidity. She, however, still insisted that it would prove fatal, and, indeed, did die an hour or two after it was performed. So confident was she of her death, that she had arranged all her private affairs some time before it."* " I have known a man to be so much affected at the idea of losing a leg, as to die in less than twenty- four hours after the operation was proposed.""!- The celebrated Pott sounded a man for a Stone in the Bladder, and found it. The patient was so much agitated at the thought of a stone in the blad- der, and that an operation was necessary to remove it, that he died the same day. Diseases resulting from the influence of this Pas- sion, are Sudden Suppression of the Menses, or Milk, Apoplexy, Hemorrhage, Mental Derangement, Spasms, and Paralysis of different parts, as Apho- nia, &c.J At other times it produces Hysteria, Mis* carriage, Prolapsus Ani in children ;§ Syncope and Asphyxia.^ * Politely furnished the author by Valentine Mott, M. D. Profes- sor of Surgery in the University of New-York, &c. f Ibid. t See Unzer, Bonetus, Pechlin, Donatus, Scaliger, Plater, Schen- kius, Hildanus, Tralles, Schelhammer, Becker, Baglivi, Morton, La Motte, Rivin de Peste, Haller, Montaigne, Rhodes, Greding. &c. &c. &c. § « MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures." || Rush on the " Diseases of the Mind." 60 Mania was caused in a gentleman of Edinburgh on hearing of the earthquake at Lisbon.* Van Swieten tells of a boy who had Epilepsy brought on by the barking of a dog. " The cry of a female in the Infirmary of Edinburgh, I have seen cause con- vulsions in those who heard her shrieks."f Fear has ever been observed to powerfully pre- dispose to Contagious Diseases; as Yellow Fever, Plague,^ &c. It predisposes to Intermittens also. It retards the cure of Ulcers, and has occasioned Gangrene.^ " But pernicious as it usually is, it has been known (says Cogan) to relieve agonizing- fits of the Gout, to have rendered Maniacs calm and composed, and in some cases it has restored them to the regular use of their faculties." The effects of Fear in affording temporary relief in Odontalgia and Singultus, are well known. It is said, also, by some, to have cured Palsy, Dropsy, * " MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures." See also Burton's Me- lancholy, vol. i. p. 143., &c. f " MS. Notes of Hosack's Lectures." { " The Greeks and Franks, who turn pale at the very name of the Plague, are much more susceptible of this disease than the Armeni- ans, who have very little dread of it, and the Turks, who calmly take it as it comes." (Sulla Peste di Constantinopoli, del MDCCCIII. Giornale del Dottore Eusebio Valli, 1805, p. 81.) The distinguished author of this excellent work is now on a literary tour to this coun try. § See Brambilla. 61 Epilepsy, and Tertian Fever. But, though these cases be doubtful, I believe we may assert, with truth, that sudden Terror has sometimes so ex- cited the apprehensions of hypochondriacs, as to have obliterated all their former maladies.* How the operation of Fear sometimes produces a sud- den whiteness of the hair, or causes it to come out by the roots, has not been explained.! From what we have said of Fear, it is evident that its most striking operation on the system, though transitory in duration, if it be too often sus- tained, or of great intensity, may be the source of the worst of evils. When endured in a more mo- derate degree, its effects are but in a slight degree depressing, and it then better deserves the appella- tion of Dread. In a moral point of view, this degree of Fear is of great importance. " The dread of the magistrate, and the fear of future punishment, with those who cannot be restrained by nobler principles, are certainly most powerful motives to virtue;"^ and as such ought, undoubtedly, to be kept alive in every community. But that modification of Fear, combined with Grief, which arises from the Fear of Futurity, and which is so beneficial under proper restrictions, has * See Cogan. f See Borelli. J Reid on the " Mind." 62 been, alas! too often prostituted to the vilest pur- poses. In the hands of fanaticism and hypocrisy, by inculcating the most frightful despair, it has caused the untimely death of thousands of innocent beings. 63 PART III. Hitherto we have endeavoured to point out the force of each individual Passion, in as far as that force tended to the production or modification of Disease. This has been considered abstractedly, and as if the Passion, such as it was implanted in us by nature, had been directed in every instance, solely and uninterruptedly to the accomplishment of those changes. But this is taking too analytical a view of the subject. The power of the Passions may be compared to that of Affinity; it never acts without receiving some modification in its capacity from a variety of extraneous Agencies: such are Education and Climate. Of these, Climate is ever present, and, therefore, always energetic; but its influence is not very great, else why should we find nations, living under precisely the same climate, dif- fering so widely in their moral character. Education may be considered as fortuitous, though possessing, more than all other causes, infinite power in moulding the Passions. So great is this. indeed, that it is the origin of that great chasm in 64 society, between Refinement and Barbarity. Un- der Education I include the operation of Govern- ment, whether man be the nursling of Republican- ism or Monarchy. Unless, however, the human mind be subjected to the iron hand of Despotism, the Government of a People cannot be said to have any distinctly mor- bific influence upon the Passions. But with regard to Despotic Governments, where they do exist, their influence is most pointed. Themselves the offspring of diabolical Passions, in their turn, what Griefs! what Hatreds! what Horrors! have they not en- gendered ! Goaded on by their cruelties and enormities, the human mind has been wrought up to the most ex- quisite pitch of torment, and taught to glory in deeds that it else had never dreamt of. Passions have been roused, which hybrid-like, had no natural ex- istence, and whose nameless miseries have surpassed the conceptions of the most consummate fancy. How oft, too, have Passions been thus excited and let frantic into the world ; which, but for this cause, had for ever lain dormant, or never shot beyond their spheres! Better, far, that man had never existed, or never been torn from his primitive wilds, than that. he should ever have been the creature of slavery! It throws a stigma upon society and civilization 65 which has never been removed, but which the Ex- cesses and Outrages of the present day only tend to heighten. There are certain Passions which, when not ex- cessive, always raise agreeable sensations. Such are Joy, and its various modifications. But Anger, Fear, and Grief, on the other hand, always occasion distress. And such are the Passions which Tyranny calls forth in their most horrible forms. The Diseases which they occasion, must necessarily cor- respond ; hence, they are of the most dangerous and fatal kind that accompany those Passions: as Rupture of the Heart, and of the Large Blood Vessels, Diseases of the Heart, Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Hypochon- driasis, Syncope, Convulsions, &c. We should not be surprised therefore to meet death at these outlets, in all countries groaning under the sway of despo- tism. The same might be expected during revolu- tions resulting from such despotism. Hence, says Corvisart, Diseases of the Heart were observed to be particularly prevalent during the epoch of the French Revolution.* « I do not know whether the observation has been made by any other person, but it is probable that the history of almost every nation would furnish pa- rallel instances. * " Organic Diseases of the Heart," p. 276. 9 66 The Passions constitute the great Features in the Life of Man—-the Outlines of the Human Character. They are the chief springs to human action, and are of the utmost importance to society. To illustrate this subject still further, they may be considered in three different ways, viz: 1st. As they appear at different periods of life. 2dly. As they distinguish particular classes of individuals, (or the temperaments,)—and, Lastly, As they give a cast to national character, *. e. as they are modified by Education. The influence of Age or Temperament is depend- ent chiefly upon original conformation. That of Education, as has been already observed, is alto- gether extraneous. This view of the Passions is only introduced in order to show under Avhat cir- cumstances they and their effects may be rationally anticipated. 1st. Youth is proverbially the period of Passion. In the language of Horace, ----------1f:-------------Puer iram Colligit ac ponit temere, et mutatur in horas. But if the season of Youth be more strongly marked by the predominance of the Passions, they are transient in their stay, and leave no violent traces behind. They appear in quick succession, and as 67 soon retire. If not duly regulated, however, they are highly injurious, especially Anger, " which proves particularly dangerous at this time, from impairing the nervous system."* The same remark might have been made of Fear; which at this tender period of life, often so breaks down the mental faculties, as to leave behind it an incurable imbecility or even idiotism. The vile practice of impressing on the belief of children the existence of Ghosts, Hobgoblins, Witches, &c., has not unfrequently been the source of these, or more deplorable, calamities. After the age of Puberty, Love acts an important part in the affairs of man. The ancients considered it of so much importance at this period of our lives, that they called it " a remedy provided by the gods for the safety and preservation of youth."! This corresponds with the opinion of Theocritus: Oi St wottvvris, kv fycm yr\oa.erKa