III.  I shall conclude this section on the diseases of the liver induced by spirituous liquors, with the well known story of Prometheus, which seems indeed to have been invented by physicians in those ancient times, when all things were clothed in hieroglyphic, or in fable.  Prometheus was painted as stealing fire from heaven, which might well represent the inflammable spirit produced by fermentation; which may be said to animate or enliven the man of clay:  whence the conquests of Bacchus, as well as the temporary mirth and noise of his devotees.  But the after punishment of those, who steal this accursed fire, is a vulture gnawing the liver; and well allegorises the poor inebriate lingering for years under painful hepatic diseases.  When the expediency of laying a further tax on the distillation of spirituous liquors from grain was canvassed before the House of Commons some years ago, it was said of the distillers, with great truth, “They take the bread from the people, and convert it into poison!” Yet is this manufactory of disease permitted to continue, as appears by its paying into the treasury above 900,000l. near a million of money annually.  And thus, under the names of rum, brandy, gin, whisky, usquebaugh, wine, cyder, beer, and porter, alcohol is become the bane of the Christian world, as opium of the Mahometan.

          Evoe! parce, liber? 
  Parce, gravi metuende thirso!—­Hor.

* * * * *

SECT.  XXXI.

OF TEMPERAMENTS.

I. The temperament of decreased irritability known by weak pulse, large pupils of the eyes, cold extremities.  Are generally supposed to be too irritable.  Bear pain better than labour.  Natives of North-America contrasted with those upon the coast of Africa.  Narrow and broad shouldered people.  Irritable constitutions bear labour better than pain. II. Temperament of increased sensibility.  Liable to intoxication, to inflammation, haemoptoe, gutta serena, enthusiasm, delirium, reverie.  These constitutions are indolent to voluntary exertions, and dull to irritations.  The natives of South-America, and brute animals of this temperament. III. Of increased voluntarity; these are subject to locked jaw, convulsions, epilepsy, mania.  Are very active, bear cold, hunger, fatigue.  Are suited to great exertions.  This temperament distinguishes mankind from other animals. IV. Of increased association.  These have great memories, are liable to quartan agues, and stronger sympathies of parts with each other. V. Change of temperaments into one another.

Antient writers have spoken much of temperaments, but without sufficient precision.  By temperament of the system should be meant a permanent predisposition to certain classes of diseases:  without this definition a temporary predisposition to every distinct malady might be termed a temperament.  There are four kinds of constitution, which permanently deviate from good health, and are perhaps sufficiently marked to be distinguished from each other, and constitute the temperaments or predispositions to the irritative, sensitive, voluntary, and associate classes of diseases.