214 EXERCISE. 



learned predecessor ; beginning with a pro* 

 iTiise of unlimited explanation, and almost 

 immediately taking leave with the following 

 apology, that '' what ought to be under- 

 stood by the word humours, would take up 

 more time than the brevity we have pre^ 

 scribed ourselves will admit on/' 



Taking no more time from the reader than 

 is necessary to explain what has been already 

 introduced J and to justify what is to follow, 

 upoti the hackneyed subject of humq^irs^ I 

 advert to such professional remarks as have 

 arisen from attentive observation, with oc- 

 casional oblique references to the opinions of 

 those who have gone before us, fraught with 

 temporary popularity ; having Ibr such in- 

 troduction no motive but an eager and ac- 

 knowledged desire to establish the truth, 

 by a proper and incontrovertible criterion of 

 practical investigation. 



Admitting, therefore, the repletion arising 



'from a superflux of alimentary nutriment, 



(not carried off by those gradual excretions 



promoted by moderate exercise in gentle 



motion) to constitute what has so long passed 



