An EJfay on Longevity, 241 



more efpecially if written in a plain and diftinct manner, 

 and laying down fuch rules alone as were pra&i cable accord- 

 ing to the general ftyle of modern life. With the view of 

 contributing to fo ufeful a work, I {hall proceed to (late fuch 

 obfervations as have been either communicated to me by 

 others *, or have occurred to myfelf on that interefting fub- 

 jecl:. 



The 



7 Among other communications I received from a friend in the coun- 

 try, a number of rules of diet and regimen, written m Latin as far back 

 as the year 1648, in anfwer to the general queftion ; " By what means a 

 *' perfon night be enabled to prolong life to the lateft period ?" The fol- 

 lowing is a literal tranflation of that Paper: 



A perfon will be enabled to prolong life to the lateft period, by obferv- 

 ing the following falutary rules. 



i. The ftomach ought never to be over-loaded with food, otherwifc 

 the body will be rendered unfit for exertion. 



2. Moderation in exercife, food, drink, fleep, and venery. 



3. No frefh food mould be taken, unlefs the preceding meal has been 



properly digefted. 



4. The meals ihould not be uniform ; but fupper always lighter than 



dinner. 



5. Excels in former meals muft be corrected by a fubfequent abftinence. 



6. All food ihould be duly mafticated before it be fwaliowed. 



7. The quantity of drink Ihould always be proportioned to that of folid 



food. 



8. No drink Ihould be taken until a due portion of folid food has been 



fwaliowed. 



9. A variety of diflies ought not to be eaten at the fame time. 



10. It will be advifable to refrain from a meal (dinner) once a week, 



particularly when the body appears to require lefs food. 



11. Bodily exercife Ihould be fo managed once a day, as to excite the 



natural heat (glow) ; and before a meal. The advantages re- 

 fulting from fuch practice are thus defcribed by Fulckntius : 

 "• Exercife," fays he, " contributes to the preservation of human 

 " life; it diiftpates all fuperfluous humours of a plethoric habit; 

 " it invigorates our faculties; it is a gain of timej the enemy of 

 " idlenefs, the duty of the youngs and the delight of the aged. 

 " For exercife difengages and expels, through the pores, all fu- 

 u perfiuous humours ; while the greateft injuries may enfue from 

 " a contrary condudt : hence the Poet obferves, ' Eafe is not to 

 " be acquired unlefs it be combined with toil: for indolence is 

 " generally attended with diffolution.' " 



12. In taking food, liquids and foft fubilances ought to precede thofe 



of a dry and folid nature. 



13. Between meals, both folid and liquid food ihould be avoided. 



14. The bowels ihould be regular every day, either. by nature or by ar- 



tificial means. 

 J 5. Extremes of heat and cold, with refpeft to food, drink, and air, 

 are equally to be guarded againft. 



16. Sleep ought not to continue lels than fix hours, nor exceed eight. 



17. Immediately after a meal; and with a full ftomach, it is hurtful to 



engage in reading, writing, or deep reflexions. 



18. Violent 



