Karamzin's Letters of a Russian Traveler

[Alexei Kutuzov]

There's a passage in Karamzin's Letters of a Russian 
Dear Colleagues,

There's a passage in Karamzin's Letters of a Russian Traveler that has been 
giving me some problems.  The passage takes place shortly after the traveler has 
received news of the French Revolution (under the entry for July 29) and is 
speaking to a "young doctor."  The passage reads as follows:  "Испорченный 
желудок," сказал он, бывает источником не только всех болезней, но и всех 
пороков, всех дурных навыков, всех злых дел."  Can anyone on the list confirm 
the medical accuracy of this assertion?  That is to say, does an upset stomach 
really have substantial influence on one's moral qualities?  I'm not clear if 
the history of medicine bears this out, but I'd like to have confirmation before 
proceeding with an interpretation of the work.  Many thanks in advance for any 
leads.

With best wishes to the list,

Alexei Kutuzov
Independent Scholar



      

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