128 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



that is in danger of weakening the system too much, by not 

 affording sufficient nourishment ; and more particularly, of 

 weakening the tone of the stomach by its acescency. It is 

 therefore a diet of a middle nature that is to be chosen ; and 

 milk is precisely of this kind, as containing both animal and 

 vegetable matter. 



As approaching to the nature of milk, and as being a vege- 

 table matter containing the greatest portion of nourishment, the 

 farinaceous seeds are next to be chosen, and are the food most 

 proper to be joined with milk. 



" As we know that in the plethoric habits liable to the disease ? 

 a certain degree of vigour, and a certain firmness of tone in the 

 whole system, particularly discovered by the state of that in the 

 stomach, is necessary to produce the inflammation of the ex- 

 tremities, the necessary crisis in such habits ; so, various dis- 

 orders may be occasioned in such persons, by diminishing the 

 vigour and tone of the system : accordingly, it is possible, that 

 a milk diet, more especially as a change from one more nourish- 

 ing, may have that effect ; and I am therefore of opinion, that 

 for entirely preventing the gout, it is necessary that a milk diet 

 be entered upon early in life, before the gouty diathesis be 

 formed. But if, after the gout has come on, a milk diet is to 

 be employed for a cure, it must be in persons of entire vigour 

 only : and there are instances of its being employed in such 

 with advantage and safety. In gouty persons, however, ad- 

 vanced in life, and who are liable to a loss of tone, there may 

 be much danger in attempting a milk diet ; but at the same 

 time, I must say, that as milk is not so weak a diet as one 

 entirely of vegetables, so the former will always be more safe 

 than the latter. M. M. 



DLL With respect to drink, fermented liquors are useful 

 only when they are joined with animal food, and that by their 

 acescency ; and their stimulus is only necessary from custom. 

 When, therefore, animal food is to be avoided, fermented 

 liquors are unnecessary ; and, by increasing the acescency of 

 vegetables, these liquors may be hurtful. The stimulus of 

 fermented or spirituous liquors is not necessary to the young 

 and vigorous ; and, when much employed, impairs the tone of 

 the system. These liquors, therefore, are to be avoided, except 



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