Violent anger excites powerfully the caloric in the human system, boils the blood, and in this state throws it suddenly upon the brain.  The powerful shock propels it instantly to the exterior surface, and torrent-like contracts it back again in redoubled fury upon the brain, and leaves the countenance pale and ghastly.  It deranges in a great measure the mind, and unfits it for useful action.  It darts its electric fire of vengeance along the optic nerve, expands the retina, and gives to every object a magnified and false appearance, while the very eye-balls by a wild and savage glare proclaim the dreadful storm that is raging within, and pouring the poisonous streams of premature death through all the healthful channels of existence!  It suddenly braces the nervous system, and then on the opposite extreme leaves it depressed and weakened.  It gradually brings on rheumatic complaints, and lays the whole system open to the most formidable and painful disorders that afflict the human race.  It cannot have escaped medical observation that fevers and consumptions are much more frequent among persons who are very irritable and exercise little or no rule over their passions, than among those who are of a mild temperament, either naturally, or from early restraint and education.

There is a connexion between the mind and the body so subtle that it has hitherto eluded the eagle-eye of Physiology, and will perhaps remain inscrutible forever to human comprehension.  But that this connexion exists is fully demonstrated by medical experience, and observation.  Many bodily disorders derange the mind, and have in many instances totally destroyed it.  So on the other hand diseases of the mind effect the body in return, and grief, despair and melancholy have so preyed upon the vitals as to emaciate the body, and bring it to the grave.  It is not uncommon that consumptions are brought on by trouble of mind, by guilt, and by melancholy and grief.  And many instances have occurred, where persons in excessive violent anger have dropped down dead.  What is so dreadful, when carried to extreme, must be very injurious to health, and long life, when indulged frequently and even moderately.

There being then such an intimate connexion between the mind and body, and so many thousands of ways in which one alternately acts upon, and effects the other, and brings millions to an untimely grave, we see at once the propriety of not only guarding our health by temperance in eating and drinking, but more particularly by avoiding troubles of a mental character.  These are generally brought upon individuals, families and neighborhoods, by the bad use of the tongue.  Would you live long that you may see good days?  Then keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile, seek peace and pursue it.  Avoid every species of iniquity that would have a tendency to blast your own or the peace of others.  Avoid it as you would the poisonous exhalations of the Bohon Upas, and fly it as you would the dreadful Samiel of the Arabian desert.