Of Regimen of Health.

Extracted from the Folio Edition, Vol. IV. p. 347.

THERE is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic : a man's own observation, what he finds good of, and what he finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health. But it is a safer conclusion to say, this agreeth not well with me, therefore I will not continue it; than this, I find no offence of this, therefore I may use it. For strength of nature in youth passeth over many excesses, which are owing a man till his age. Discern of the coming on of years, and think not to do the same things still; for age will not be defied. Beware of sudden change in any great point of diet, and if necessity enforce it, fit the rest to it. For it is a secret both in nature and state, that it is safer to change many things than one. Examine thý customs of diet, sleep, exercise, apparel, and the like; and try in any thing thou shalt judge hurtful, to discontinue it by little and little; but so as if thou dost find any inconvenience by the change, thou come back to it again; for it is hard to distinguish that which is generally held good and wholesome, from that which is good particularly, and fit for thine own body. To be free-minded, and chearfully disposed at hours of meat, and of sleep, and of exercise, is one of the best precepts of long lasting. As for the passions and studies of the mind, avoid envy, anxious fears, anger fretting inwards, subtil and knotty inquisitions, joys and exhilarations in excess, sadness not communicated. Entertain hopes, mirth rather than joy, variety of delights rather than surfeit of them; wonder and admiration, and therefore novelties; studies that fill the mind with splendid and illustrious objects,

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objects, as histories, fables, and contemplations of nature. If you fly physic in health altogether, it will be too strange for your body when you shall need it. If you make it too familiar, it will work no extraordinary effect when sickness cometh. I commend rather some diet for certain seasons, than frequent use of physic, except it be grown into a custom. For those diets alter the body more, and trouble it less. Despise no new accident in your body, but ask opinion of it. In sickness, respect health principally; and in health, action. For those that put their bodies to endure in health, may, in most sicknesses which are not very sharp, be cured only with diet and tendering. Celsus could never have spoken it as a physician, had he not been a wise man withal, when he giveth it for one of the great precepts of health and lasting, that a man do vary and interchange contraries, but with an inclination to the more benign extreme: use fasting and full eating, but rather full eating; watching and sleep, but rather sleep; sitting and exercise, but rather exercise; and the like. So shall nature be cherished, and yet taught masteries. Physicians are some of them so pleasing and conformable to the humour of the patient, as they press not the true cure of the disease; and some other are so regular in proceeding according to art for the disease, as they respect not sufficiently the condition of the patient. Take one of a middle temper; or, if it may not be found in one man, combine two of either sort; and forget not to call as well the best acquainted with your body, as the best reputed of for his faculty.

NUMBER III.

SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE.

IT is singular, that neither in McKenzie's History of Health +, nor in other catalogues of books upon that subject, is there any notice taken of an ingenious work on health and long life, written by the celebrated Sir William Temple. This is one among many other proofs which might be adduced, that physicians, in their professional studies, seldom pay any particular attention to works that are not written by medical men; a circumstance the more to be regretted, as a number of useful hints might be obtained from other works, as from books of travels, voyages, occasional essays by ingenious men, periodical works, and a variety of different compilations.

In looking over some old memorandums, written as far back as the year 1778, I found some medical hints, which, if then prosecuted, might have been of service. For instance, the following: "There is some reason to believe "that fevers would be easier cured by cold applications, than by hot. There is an account in Misson's Travels (Vol. ii. p. 650.) of a man in a fever, who was cured by being thrown out on a dung-hill, and exposed to cold. People in a delirium, also, who get into the open air, ge"nerally

† Indeed, M'Kenzie takes very little notice either of Friar Bacon's, or of Lord Bacon's Works, above reprinted; though they certainly contain, partiarly the latter, many most important observations on health and longevity.

nerally get rid of their complaints." Might not these hints have led to the earlier use of cold applications in curing fevers, which have of late been found so effectual.

From the same work, (Misson, vol. ii. p. 584.), I find some hints regarding the cure of sea-sickness, by which many have suffered so much. Some have recommended, as the best remedy, smelling fresh earth, which may be preserved in that state in a pot of clay; others have proposed a bag of saffron applied to the heart; or bay salt, beat small, to the stomach. Surely these are hints, the ef ficacy of which it would be proper to ascertain.

A number of hints might be collected in biographical and other works, regarding the cure of different diseases. Let us take the stone, or the gravel, which are so fatal to many, more especially to literary men, for an example. We are told that Nicholas Perrot was cured of the stone by working in his garden (Boyle's Dict. vol. 8. p. 319). Bacon recommends bowling for the same complaint. Stones are formed in the same manner as Bezoar, (Misson's Tra vels, vol. 3. p. 253.), and what would dissolve the one, might be of service to the other. There are a number of observations on the subject of the stone in the Republic of Letters, vol. xx. vol. xxi. p. 442. vol. xxii. p. 56. & 78. vol. xxiii. p. 74. vol. xxiv. p. 212. and in a variety of places in the Monthly Review, which may be found by the help of the index.

In the Republic of Letters, vol. xiii. p. 237. there is an account of a curious dissertation, tending to prove that the Gout is a real poison, and may be cured by oil. The oil should be rubbed in before a chafing dish of glowing charcoal; and it is said, that this remedy has often been found effectual. See also vol. xxii. p. 51, 52, &c.

A number of absurd suggestions will doubtless occur in such works; but some hints may be found, which, if properly prosecuted, may prove of infinite service to mankind.

It would therefore be a most desirable circumstance, if some intelligent physician were to undertake examining a variety of books, not strictly medical, in which such hints would probably be found, and were to publish what he there discovers likely to be of any material importance.

As a proof that persons not bred to physic may be of some use in such enquiries, I shall now proceed to lay before the reader a copy of Sir William Temple's observations on health and long life; in which he will probably find some observations which he will peruse with pleasure and improvement.

OF