80 Lineaments of Leanness, 



like an emollient ; — ** I speak to you, sir, as a sensible man, 

 and I am aware that it is not sufficient to talk to you in general 

 terms, of constitutional peculiarities, digestive organs, and ali- 

 mentary functions ; you must have a positive specific cause ; 

 and, if possible, an explanation of that cause, as plain as the 

 specification of a patent."" — " Just so ; that is what I want — 

 you speak like a sensible man^^ — (the retort courteous) — » 

 ^* Every effect, sir, must have a cause ; and I want to know 

 whether the cause may be in the stomach, or any particular 

 part of my inside, and if so, whether by particularly directing 

 our attention to that part, wherever it may be, we can in any 

 way alter its nature ?" 



The expectations of patients are sometimes very exorbitant, 

 generally in proportion to their ignorance ; sensible people 

 give very little trouble. Hence it is not difficult to satisfy these 

 exorbitant demands ; for a foolish answer will always balance a 

 foolish question. I do not recollect ever to have met the 

 equal of this inquirer, except in a very pompous person, who 

 kept a large circulating library, who doubtless thought ** keep- 

 ing a library, he himself was learned," and who, Avhenever my 

 answer satisfied his great mind, always expressed his appro- 

 bation by a condescending nod, with — ** Aye ! now, sir, you 

 give us a physical reason ! '* 



But *' revenons d nos moutons ;" finding my patient's mind 

 was bent on localities^ I suggested the intestinum coecum for 

 his consideration — the newly-discovered organ of fat ! He had 

 never heard of it; this was what he expected of me ; (another 

 retort courteous, for which I owed him one.) " This was 

 news! What was it? how was it ?"— ** Why, sir, some are of 

 opinion that the caecum contains a certain ferment, — some 

 that it is destined to secrete an important fluid, — others take it 

 for a second ventricle, wherein the prepared aliments may be 

 stored up, and so long retained, till a thicker and more nutri- 

 tive juice may be drawn from them ; — and how it is a depot of 

 fat you will find in the ^ Philosophical Transactions.' " 



He heard this very attentively, and having passed mutual 

 compliments, and being on very good terms with each other, 

 he favoured me with his unreserved opinion. " I see very 

 clearly, sir, the application of this discovery to my case : this is 



