No. V.

RICHARD MEAD, M.D.

OF THE REGIMEN OF LIFE.

I HOPE it will not be thought inconsistent with the scope of this treatise on the diseases of the human body, to subjoin, by way of Conclusion, some short rules for the ma nagement of persons in health through the different stages of life. Although indeed this task seems to be rendered almost superfluous by the precepts delivered by Celsus*; which, whosoever will observe, with due regard to the dif ference of climates, and manner of living now, and in the time of that wise author, most certainly, to use his ow words, will not in good health squander the resources of infirmities t.

For such is the natural constitution of the body of man, that it can easily bear some changes and irregularities without much injury: had it been otherwise, we should be al most constantly put out of order by every slight cause. This advantage arises from those wonderful communications of the inward parts, whereby, when one part is affected, an other

Inda valetudine adversæ præsidia non consumet.

other comes immediately to its relief. Thus, when the body is too full and overloaded, nature causes evacuations through some of the outlets. And for this reason it is, that diseases from inanition are generally more dangerous than from repletion; because we can more expeditiously diminish than increase the juices of the body. Upon the same account also, though temperance be beneficial to all men, the ancient physicians advised persons in good health, and their own masters, to indulge a little now and then, by eating and drinking more plentifully than usual. But, of the two, intemperance in drinking is safer than in eating. And if a person has committed excess in the latter, cold water drank upon a full stomach will help digestion, to which it will be of service to add lemon-juice, or elixir of vitriol, if he has eaten high-seasoned things, rich sauces, &c. Then let him sit up for some little time, and afterwards sleep. But if a man happens to be obliged to fast, he ought to avoid all laborious work. From satiety it is not proper to pass directly to sharp hunger, nor from hunger to satiety : neither will it be safe to indulge absolute rest immediately after excessive labour, nor suddenly fall to hard work after long idleness. In a word, therefore, all changes in the way of living should be made by degrees.

It is also beneficial to vary the scenes of life; to be sometimes in the country, sometimes in town; to go to sea, to hunt, to be at rest now and then, but more frequently to use exercise: because inaction renders the body weak and listless, and labour strengthens it. But a mean is to be preserved in all these things, and too much fatigue to be avoided; for frequent and violent exercise overpowers the natural strength, and wastes the body; but moderate exercise ought always to be used before meals. Now, of all kinds of exercise, riding on horseback is the most convenient; or, if the person be too weak to bear it, riding in a

coach, or at least in a litter: next follow fencing, playing at ball, running, walking. But it is one of the inconveniences of old age, that there is seldom sufficient strength for using bodily exercise, though it be extremely requisite for health. Wherefore, frictions with the flesh-brush are necessary at this time of life, which should be performed by the person himself, if possible; if not, by his servants.

Sleep is the sweet soother of cares, and restorer of strength, as it repairs and replaces the wastes that are made by the labours and exercises of the day. But excessive sleep has its inconveniences; for it blunts the senses, and renders them less fit for the duties of life. The proper time for sleep is the night, when darkness and silence invite and bring it on day-sleep is less refreshing. Which rule, if it be proper for the multitude to observe, much more is the observance of it necessary for persons addicted to li terary studies, whose minds and bodies are more suscep tible of injuries.

The softer and milder kinds of aliment are proper for children, and for youths the stronger. Old people ought to lessen the quantity of their food, and increase that of their drink. But yet some allowance is to be made for custom, especially in the colder climates, like ours: for as in these the appetite is keener, so is the digestion bette performed.

In fine, this truth ought to be deeply imprinted on every mind, that

Voluptates commendat rarior usus.

Pleasures are heighthen'd by a sparing use.

For my part, after mature consideration, I am long since come to this way of thinking: That although pleasures,

riches, power, and other things, which are called the gifts of fortune, seem to be dealt out to mankind with too much partiality; yet, if we take in the whole compass of the matter, we shall find a greater degree of equality of those things which constitute real happiness, than is generally imagined. People of low condition, for the most part, enjoy the common advantages of life more commodiously than those of the highest rank. Wholesome food is acquired by moderate labour; which likewise mends the appetite and digestion: hence sound sleep, uninterrupted by gaawing cares, refreshes the wearied limbs; a flock of healthy children fill the cottage; the sons grow up robust, and execute the father's task, making his hoary locks sit comfortable on him. How vastly inferior to these blessings are the vain delicacies of most persons of affluent fortunes, which are closely attended with real evils! In order to get down their food, their stomachs require high sauces, which heat and corrupt the blood, and render the body obnoxious to distempers: the debauches of the day disturb their rest by night: and, in punishment for their vices, their sons, the great ornament and support of families, contract diseases in their mother's womb, with which they are afflicted through the whole course of a languid life, which seldom reaches to old age. They are likewise frequently racked with anxieties for obtaining honours and splendid titles, so as to be despoiled of the comforts which they might reap from their plentiful possessions, by the vain desire of new acquisitions. Wherefore,

Horum

Semper ego optarim pauperrimus esse bonorum*.

I always wish to be extremely poor

In wealth like this.

Bu

Horat. Satyr. i ver. 78.

at inconvenience more attending high -ading the body, the faculties of the and the passions set all on fire; whereas, ne slender and homely diet of the poor ...ther oppresses the strength of body, nor es with fuel. Therefore, unless prudence tendant on opulence,

car exiguo melius.

Tis better living on a slender fortune.

Nature to be deemed an unjust step-mother, but a Provident and beneficent parent.

on the whole, it behoves a wise man, in every stage

Servare modum, finemque tenere,

Naturamque sequi*.

To hold the golden mean,

To keep the end in view, and follow nature.

But whosoever forms a right judgment of human nature, w certainly find, that as some men are vastly superior to others in the endowments of the mind, and yet, a sad reSection! even the best minds are blended with some degree of depravity; so the most healthy bodies are frequently afflicted with great infirmities: and these being the seeds of death, ought to put us in mind of the shortness of this life, and of the propriety of this expression of Lucretius

Vitaque

Lucan. lib. ii. ver. 381.