In this state of things every thing which is eaten or drank becomes instantly acid; and even the saliva in the mouth, I have often observed to have an acid taste. I have made repeated inquiries of others who were habitually subject to Night-Mare, and have always found them to be complaining of the same symptoms, although they had no idea that these were any way connected with the disease in question. A closer examination into the state of my own health, soon convinced me that my Night-Mare, which was become so alarming as to induce the greatest fear of epilepsy, was altogether depending on the state of dyspepsia under which I was labouring, and which was always greatly increased by remaining at sea, until at length it incapacitated me for my duty; attacking me in the daytime, affecting my memory, and threatening the most serious consequences. Under these circumstances I was twice invalided, and on retiring into the country, in a few months recovered my health, so that the Night-Mare, which was before habitual, and made its attacks whenever I went to sleep, was now become in a measure accidental, and depending upon causes more within my command. It was still however very severe, and returned on the slightest degree of irregularity of living, and on going to sea again, became worse than ever, accompanied with severe palpitations of the heart, and great irregularity in the pulse. It was under these circumstances that I began first to pay attention to that acidifying principle which I found to exist in the organs of digestion, and to try upon myself the effects of those remedies which have proved so successful in combating this monster, that has so long proved the enemy of my repose.