THE OYSTER AND THE DOCTOR. 321 



But the story got into the newspapers on this occasion, 

 for his vigour of body was not equal to his doggedness of 

 will. He fainted on the road a considerable distance out 

 of Medford, and was found and carried in by a good 

 Samaritan, who gossiped subsequently about the rescue. 



" I have lived a good deal abroad," says the author 

 above mentioned, " and am induced to ascribe much of the 

 vivacity of the French to their intense love of oysters. 

 During a long residence in France, I never met with a 

 Frenchman or Frenchwoman who said nay to a dish of 

 good fresh oysters ; in fact, they have a craving for the 

 ' breedy creatures,' which in many persons almost amounts 

 to gluttony, and then, and then only, does this craving lead 

 to mischief." 



Physicians of old recommended the oyster as a general 

 remedy, and employed it on all occasions with success. 

 It has been proved beyond dispute that it possesses a 

 remarkable vivifying influence in all cases where the ner- 

 vous organs are affected, more than any other food. 

 Oysters taken before mid-day, with a glass of wine, pro- 

 duce a most salutary effect. The nerves and muscles 

 regain their strength, and the body its mental and physical 

 powers, bringing cheerfulness and energy to compete with 

 the duties of the day. If not a cure, at all events an oyster 

 diet, under medical supervision, brings unquestionable relief 

 to those who are suffering from pulmonary complaints, 

 indigestion, or nervous affections. 



Even in the influenza epidemic which, raging in con- 

 tinental cities, visited us at the latter end of last year and 

 the beginning of the present one, oysters were recom- 

 mended as one of the numerous remedies suggested and 

 acted upon to check the trying disease, in confirmation of 



