OF THE FAT. 297 



In him rats and mice might certainly have nested, if it is true 

 that a Bishop of Mentz, or 



" A Saxon Duke did grow so fat 

 That mice, (as histories relate) 

 Ate grots and labyrinths to dwell in 

 His postique parts without his feeling." * 



Excessive formation of fat may be strongly opposed by regu- 

 larly taking great exercise, little sleep, and little, but dry, food.f 

 Fretfulness of temper, or real anxiety of mind, will prevent any 

 one from getting fat, and make any fat man thin. A passage 

 that occurs in the most magnificent of Shakspeare's Roman plays 

 and is founded on some information of Plutarch's, will instantly be 

 remembered. 



Caesar. Let me have men about me that are fat ; 

 Sleekheaded men, and such as sleep o' nights ; 

 Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look ; 

 He thinks too much : such men are dangerous. 



Antony. Fear him not, Caesar, he's not dangerous ; 

 He is a noble Roman, and well given. 



Casar. 'Would he were fatter: But I fear him not: 

 Yet if my name were liable to fear, 

 I do not know the man I should avoid 

 So soon as that spare Cassius.J 



* Hudibras. P. ii. Canto i. 



t Semper vero et certissime debellanda, (obesitas) si modo bona voluntas et 

 vis animi fuerit, valida corporis exercitatione, brevi somno, parca et sicca 

 diaeta. Nee facile miles gregarius repertus fuerit, qui tali morbo laborat. 

 Gregory, Conspectus Med. Theor. LXXXIX. 



See the instructive case of the Miller of Billericay, in the Transactions of 

 the Royal College of Physicians, London. Vol. ii. 



A large collection of cases of obesity will be found in Mr. Wadd's Cursory 

 Remarks on Corpulence. 



t Julius Ceesar. Act i. Sc. 2. 



