3 3 4 DISEASES Class IV. i. 2. 15. 



of health, fo as to walk ten miles a day. In addition to this 

 medicine I drank, as my common beverage with my meals, 

 fpruce beer. I had fo high an opinion of this medicine in the 

 gout, and of fpruce beer as an antifcorbutic, that I. contemplated 

 with much Satisfaction, and with very little doubt, the perfect 

 rcftoration of my health and ftrength ; but I was miferably de- 

 ceived -, for in September 1788 I was feized with the gout in a 

 degree that none but arthritics, and indeed but few of thefe, 

 can eafily conceive. From this time till Attguft 1789 I fcarcely 

 ever paffed a comfortable day ; feven months of this time I had 

 been confined, my health feemed much impaired, my ftrength 

 was diminished, and my appetite almoft gone. In this (late my 

 friends pre fled me to confult you. I was unwilling for fome 

 time to do it, as I had loft all hope of relief ; however, when I 

 had detrmined to apply to you, I likewife determined to give up 

 every prejudice of my own refpecling my cafe, and to adhere 

 mod ftrictly to your advice. On the 20th of Auguft 1789 I 

 confulted you, on the 25th I entered upon the regimen, which 

 you prefcribed, and which was as follows. 



" Drink no malt liquor on any account. Let your beverage at 

 " dinner confift of two glaffes of wine diluted with three half- 

 " pints of water. On no account drink any more wine or fpir- 

 " ituous liquors in the courfe of the day ; but, if you want more 

 « liquid, take cream and water, or milk and water, or lemonade, 

 i( with tea, coffee, chocolate. Ufe the warm bath twice a week 

 " for half an hour before going to bed, at the degree of heat 

 " which is moft grateful to your fenfations. Eat meat conftant- 

 «« ly at dinner, and with any kind of tender vegetables you pleafe. 

 " Keep the body open by two evacuations daily, if poflible 

 " without medicine, if not take the fize of a nutmeg of lenitive 

 " electuary occafionally, or five grains of rhubarb every night. 

 " Ufe no violent exercife, which may fubjetr. yourfelf to fudden 

 " changes from beat to cold ; but as much moderate exercife as 

 « may be, without being much fatigued or ftarved with cold. 

 «* Take fome fupper every night ; a Small quantity of animal 

 " food is preferred ; but if your palate refufes this, take veg- 

 « etable food, as fruit-pie, or milk; Something mould be eaten, 

 " as it might be injurious to you to faft too long." To the whole 

 of this I adhered moft fcrupuloufly, and foon found my appetite 

 improve, and with it my ftrength and Spirits. I had in Decem- 

 ber a fevere attack, and two or three flight ones in the courfe of 

 twelve months •, but the improvement in the general ftate of my 

 health induced me to perfevere. On the 1 8th of Auguft 1790 

 I had another fevere attack, but it went off eafier than before, 

 arid I foon recovered Sufficiently to go to Buxton, which you ad- 



vifed 



