Chap. IV. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 45 



what they called the (rv(rGriTicx,(^ by which the eating and drinking of 

 the people was fo regulated, that they ate and drank together in 

 parties, upon viduals and drink which was prefcribed to them by the 

 authority of the ftate, and under the direction of certain eldery men 

 who fat at table with them. Of the benefit of fuch an inftitution,^ 

 we have a remarkable example aboard our fhips of war ; where the 

 failors mefs together, and eat and drink no more than is allowed 

 them. The benefit of this regulation was feen remarkably in the 

 voyages of Captain Cook ; who by his attention to the diet of his 

 men, and to theu* cleanlincfs,. (making them bathe and change their 

 linen as often as was proper), preferved their health in all the cli- 

 mates of the world through which he carried them; and for the 

 fpace of three years, during which he was out in one of his expedi- 

 tions, lofl but one man by difeale, and he was infirm and in a fick- 

 ly condition before he came on board. But, let us luppofe that they 

 had been at: liberty to live as they pleafed aboard his (hip, and had 

 had every thing furnillied ro them that they defired, I am perfuad- 

 ed they never would have brought the fhip home. Now, if it could 

 be fo contrived, that all the lower fort of people in Britain, and even 

 fome of the better fort, lived in that way, what a difference it would 

 make in their health, and what a faving of men it would be to the 

 public ? 



What makes fome regulation in diet, among the lower fort of 

 people in Britain, ablblutely neceffary, is the many unhealthy oc- 

 cupations in which they are employed, fuch as digging in mines 

 and living under ground, not Hke men but like moles — fmelting me- 

 tals, and working in furnaces and glafs houfes; in fome of which 

 occupations it is computed, tliat very few live above fix or feven years. 



To thefe deftrudive arts may be added all thofe fedentary and in- 

 door occupations, in which, for tbe fake of gain, men onploy their 



whole 



