Anger may be defined to be a violent passion of the poind, aris from a sense of personal injury, and attended with an ardent desire of
It is either deliberative or instinctive; in the latter case, it is rash and precipitate, and blindly operates, regard present, future consequences ; in the former, anticipates the moment of revenge, and meditates retaliation. It is not always, however, a selfish passion, since it is as frequently excited by injuries offered to others as to ourselves, and is the distinguishing characteris-tic of a susceptible and vigorous mind.
Indulged to excess, and excited by every, petty provocation, it be-comes comes habitual, and is sometimes productive of the most fatal effects. independent of its moral conse-quences, excessive anger produces modic contractions, and stagnations in the liver and its vessels; and, by these means, renders them schirrous, often generating stones and gravel in the gall-bladder and biliary duels. When accompanied with affliction, it usually occasions paleness of the countenance, pal-i of the heart, faltering of iongue, trembling pf the limbs, and jaundice. When the hope of revenge is the predominant feature -in anger, it causes-, violent commotions of the whole system, strong pulsation of the arteries, and a quick circulation; the vital spirits flow rapidly and irregularly through the whole body ; the muscles are contracted, an.! some of them ap-.pear almost palsied; the chare flushed, the eyes sparkle with additional lustre, and the whole frame feels unusual animation, and a desire of motion.
Anger is particularly injurious to infants, who, from the sensibftily their frames, are extremely sus-ceptible of this passion, and are so seven . die suddenly in convulsions.or to retain, evr after, an imbecility of mind and body, arising from its powerful impression. Person an irritable habit are more fre quently liable to its attacks; hence it generally appears in individuals who are. troubled with nervous hysterical, and hypochondriacal complaints. Those of a hot and dry temperament, of strong black hair, and great muscular strength, are likewise much exposed to its influence.
We ought, as rational . agents to beware of encouraging structure emotions ; tor it is certain, that men and women, possessing an irascible, temper, generally die of pulmonary consumptionsj and young person should be informed, that independently of its moral turpitude, it de forms the face, steals the rose from the cheek of beauty, and not only tends to extinguish tin most tender affections, but sometimes even pro-due on.
On its first approach, persous subject to the invasion of this turbulent passion, should, as much as possible, divert their attention from the cause, by an application to some other object. A propensity • to auger is increase d by want of sleep, stimulant food, spices; wines, and such tilings as have a tendency to inflame the blood. Hence ! ought to make use of diluent, aci-dulated, and gently aperient drink; -and in every respect observe the most rigid temperance : they should allow themselves more sleep, employ the luke-warm bath, and indulge in the eating of fruit, buttermilk, whey, vegetable aliment. etc —See Grief, Passion, Revenge, Terror.