COMATA. 343 



tion ; and, therefore, commonly by some mode of gestation. In 

 persons not liable to frequent fits of giddiness, and who are 

 accustomed to riding on horseback, this exercise is, of all 

 others, the best. Walking, and some other modes of bodily 

 exercise, may be employed with the restrictions just now men- 

 tioned ; but in old men, and in men of corpulent habits, bodily 

 exercise ought always to be very moderate. 



MCXXVI. In persons who pretty early in life show the pre- 

 disposition to apoplexy, it is probable that a low diet, with a 

 good deal of exercise, might entirely prevent the disease ; but, 

 in persons who are advanced in life before they think of taking 

 precautions, and are at the, same time of a corpulent habit, 

 which generally supposes their having been accustomed to full 

 living, it might not be safe to put them upon a low diet : and 

 it may be enough that their diet be rendered more moderate 

 than usual, especially with respect to animal food ; and that, 

 at supper, such food should be abstained from altogether. 



In drinking, all heating liquors are to be abstained from, as 

 much as former habits will allow ; and the smallest approach to 

 intoxication is to be carefully shunned. For ordinary draught, 

 small beer is to be preferred to plain water, as the latter is more 

 ready to occasion costiveness, which, in apopletic habits, is to 

 be carefully avoided. The large use of tobacco in any shape 

 may be hurtful ; and, except in cases where it has been accus- 

 tomed to occasion a copious excretion from the head, the inter- 

 ruption of which might not be safe, the use of tobacco should 

 be avoided ; and, even in the circumstances mentioned, where 

 it may be in some measure necessary, the use of it should at 

 least be rendered as moderate as possible. 



MCXXVI I. Evacuations by stool may certainly contribute 

 to relieve the plethoric state of the vessels of the head ; and, 

 upon an appearance of any unusual turgescence in these, purg- 

 ing will be very properly employed : but, when no such turges- 

 cence appears, the frequent repetition of large purging might 

 weaken the body too much : and, for preventing apoplexy, it 

 may for the most part be enough to keep the belly regular, 

 and rather open, by gentle laxatives. In the summer season, 

 it may be useful to drink, every morning, of a gentle laxative 

 mineral water, but never in large quantity. 



