An Ejjay on Longevity. 249 



foft and healthy ftate, and to furnifh the body with that 

 un6tuous matter, which very old people feldom have^tothe 

 extent that is neceflary ; and hence thofe wrinkles which are 

 fo peculiar a characleriltic of old age. 



I am alfo perfuaded, that in regard to various diforders, 

 particularly thofe with which the aged are apt to be afflicted, 

 a great fource of benefit ftill remains to be explored, in the 

 practice of electricity, by the ufe of which, not through the 

 medium of violent (hocks, but by gradually diffufing that im- 

 portant fluid throughout the whole frame, the body is re- 

 animated with frefh vigour, and rendered fitter to go through 

 its various functions with renewed fpirit and rtrength. 



There is certainly nothing that would tend more to pre- 

 ferve health and longevity, than improvements in the medi- 

 cal art, which, though it has made confiderable progrefs in 

 fome particular departments, yet continues deficient in many 

 others. When it is confidered the number of able men who 

 are employed in the medical profeffion, the importance of 

 the objects to which their attention is directed, and the mul- 

 titude of cafes which are daily and even hourly coming un- 

 der their review, one would think that hardly a circumftance 

 could poffibly happen that might not be forefeen and guarded 

 againft. Perhaps one mode of improving the art would be, 

 requiring all phyficians to communicate to the College an ac- 

 count of any cafe that feemed to throw light upon the mode 

 of curing any particular difeafe. Honorary premiums might 

 be given to thofe who make any ufeful difcovery ; and it is 

 to be hoped that the munificence of Parliament to Dr. Jen- 

 ner will (how what may be expected by medical men who 

 make any improvement of real and effential importance. 



I {hall conclude with obferving, that man has been com- 

 pared, and with fome truth, to a machine; but he ought 

 not to be confidered as a machine that wears out by mere 

 ufe, without the poffibility of being repaired ; but like one 

 whofe movements may be improved, whofe wheels, after 

 being difordered, may be again put into their former, and 

 perhaps even an improved ftate, and whofe frame may be 

 long preferved by care, by attention, and by the ingenuity 

 and exertions of fkilful artiits. 



No. III. 



On the Longevity of the Venjioners in Greenwich HofpitaL 



Being convinced that much light would be thrown on the 

 fubjects of health and longevity, were accurate returns made 

 from hofpitals and other public inflitutions, of the diet, age, 



R 4 and 



