An EJfay on Longevity. 1 69 



and that many individuals, in a weak and confumptive (late, 

 are obliged to fly to warmer climates as the only means of 

 fafety, it has thence occurred to Dr. Pearfon that it would 

 be of fervice both to the aged and to the confumptive to have 

 houfes erected of fuch a peculiar conftruction that the air 

 could always be preferved, not only pure, but nearly of the 

 fame, and of rather an elevated temperature, fo that the in- 

 valids who refided in them mould never be affected by the 

 vicifiitudes of the feafons. Such an idea, it muft be admit- 

 ted, cannot be a general remedy or refource ; but it is well 

 entitled to the attention of thofe who are in affluent circum- 

 ftances, by fome of whom, it is to be hoped, an hofpital for 

 the aged and the confumptive will be erected, and the expe- 

 riment fairly tried, both for their own fakes and for that of 

 human nature in general. 



4. Exercife and labour. — That either exercife or moderate 

 labour is neceflary even to aged perfons, for the purpofc of 

 preferving the human frame in order, can hardly be quef- 

 tioned, provided any great exertion is avoided, than which 

 nothing is more likely to deftroy the fprings of life, partieu*- 

 larly when thefe become feeble. Travelling in moderation 

 alfo, from the change of air and fcene, has been found of 

 great \\k. 



5. Habits and cujioms. — In the next place, good health, 

 and confequently longevity, depends much on perfonal clean- 

 linefs, and a variety of habits and cuftoms, or minute atten- 

 tions, which it is impoffible here to difcufs. It were much 

 to be wiflied that fome author would undertake the trouble 

 of collecting the refult of general experience upon that fub- 

 ject, and would point out thofe habits which, taken fingly, 

 appear very trifling, yet when combined there is every reafon 

 to believe that much additional health and comfort would 

 arife from their obfervance. 



6. Medicine. — It is a common faying, that every man, 

 after the age of forty, mould be his own phyfician. This 

 feems, however, to be a dangerous maxim. The greater!: 

 phyfkians., when they are nek, feldom venture to prefcribe 

 for themfeives, but generally rely on the advice of their me- 

 dical friends. Perfons who pretend to be their own phyfi- 

 cians are generally much addicted to quackery, than which 

 nothing can be more injurious to the conftitution. It is ef- 

 fential to health that medicines mould never be taken but 

 when neceilary, and never without the heft advice, in regard to 

 the commencement, which ought not to be too long delayed, 

 otherwife much benefit cannot be expected from them, and 

 alfo with refpect to nature or fort, quantity, and continuance. 



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