This is certainly a just account of the appearance of the Stomach, when it is distended in a dead Body, where the Integuments of the Abdomen, and all resistance to the Stomach’s rising, is taken away: but, if we consider the Stomach distended by any means in a living Body, where these Integuments still remain in an active state, and resist the motion of the Stomach forwards and upwards; then a great part of its pressure must fall on the Aorta, and confirm the old opinion. That part of the Diaphragm, through which the Oesophagus passes, must be the center of motion in this case; and allowing, that the Stomach moves a little upwards and forwards, in a distended state, yet, as the Abdominal Viscera are in such a fluid or fluctuating condition, that place, which may be deserted by the distention of the Stomach, will be fill’d up by the Pancreas; and by this means, the Aorta may suffer as great a pressure as if it was immediately in contact with the Stomach: the argument, which that industrious Gentleman adds, may be owing to the peculiarity of his own constitution; viz. “Imo vero aucti a pastu veneris stimuli demonstrant, eo tempore motum Sanguinis in Aortam descendentem potius majorem esse, quam minorem[24]”. Doctor Haller seems to have levell’d the force of this argument against a full Stomach being any cause of the Nightmare; but I might mention many facts here to prove the contrary, and among the rest, might add my own case; but, to avoid prolixity, I shall confine myself to one instance. A corpulent Clergyman, about fifty years old, who is very fond of strong beer and flesh suppers, but so subject to the Night-mare, that he is obliged to stint himself to a certain quantity every night; whenever he happens to take an over-dose, he groans so loudly that he often awakes all the People in the house. He has assur’d me, that, in these fits, he imagin’d the Devil came to his bedside, seiz’d him by the Throat, and endeavour’d to choak him. Next day he observ’d the black impressions of his hard Fingers on his Neck. After being at a wedding or christening, he never escapes it; and his Servant is oblig’d to watch him all the next night, and rescue him from the Paws of Satan, whose dreadful approach always makes him roar loud enough to awake the Servant, if he should happen to be asleep. The Servant told me, he always found his Master lying on his Back in the fit. Hoffman says, “[25]Plethoricos omni cura fugere opportet decubitum supinum, facile enim Incubo premuntur, cujus causa a Sanguinis stagnatione in Pulmones deducenda est.” Doctor Haller assigns a different reason for heavy suppers preventing rest, viz. “[26]Sed etiam cibi immeabiles particulæ in Cerebro minus facile trajactæ, comprimendo Medullam somnum minus benignum faciunt.”