THE OTSTEE. 71 



morning before breakfost, two dozen oysters, and used 

 always to say to bis friends, presenting tbem M'itb tbe 

 sbells: ^'Tbere, bebold the fountain of my youtbful 

 strength !" 



Percy relates baving seen a large number of wounded 

 persons, exhausted by tbe loss of blood and bad treat- 

 ment, who were entirely kept up by eating oysters ; and 

 Dr. Lenac considered them the most nourishing food in 

 existence. 



Oysters are strongly recommended to all persons suffer- 

 ing from weak digestion ; and Dr. Pasquier adds, that 

 ''they may be given with great advantage to persons of 

 intemperate habits, who, by inefiicacious medical treat- 

 ment have fallen into debility and lowness of spirits." 

 He also recommends oysters to all who are suffering from 

 the gout. I myself knew a person last winter, who was 

 suffering from influenza, which, from his being an aged 

 man, threatened the most serious consequences, who was 

 entirely cured by eating oysters. 



Oysters increase the blood without heating the system, 

 and hence when a wound has caused much loss of blood, 

 the eating of oysters not only prevents fever, but replaces 

 the loss which no other remedy can effect. The great 

 Boerhaave affirms to have known a tall, strong man, who 

 had fallen into a decline, and who, after all other remedies 

 had proved useless, by the use of oysters rapidly recovered, 

 became strong, and died ninety-thi^ee years old. 



But to ladies, particularly, do I recommend oysters as 

 the best of all light meals between breakfast and dinner. 

 At the period of a lady's married life, when nausea is 

 prevalent, a few fr-esh oysters, taken raw in their own 



