IMPET1G1NES. 651 



and even then it is perhaps by the application of moisture to the 

 bodies of men in damp clothing only that it has any share in 

 the production of scurvy. At the same time, I believe there is 

 no instance of either cold or moisture producing scurvy, without 

 the concurrence of the faulty sea-diet. 



MDCCXCIX. Under those circumstances which produce 

 scurvy, it commonly seems to occur most readily in the persons 

 who are the least exercised ; and it is therefore probable, that 

 confinement and want of exercise may have a great share in 

 producing the disease. 



MDCCC. It appears that weakness, in whatever manner oc- 

 casioned, is favourable to the production of scurvy. It is there- 

 fore probable, that unusual labour and fatigue may often have 

 some share in bringing it on. And upon the same account, it 

 is probable, that sadness and despondency may induce a weak- 

 ness of the circulation ; and be thereby, as has been remarked, 

 favourable to the production of scurvy. 



MDCCCI. It has also been observed, that persons negligent 

 in keeping their skin clean by washing and change of clothing, 

 are more liable than others to be affected with scurvy. 



MDCCC 1 1. Several of these causes now mentioned, con- 

 curring together, seem to produce scurvy ; but there is no pro- 

 per evidence that any one of them alone will produce it, or that 

 all the others uniting together will do it, without the particular 

 concurrence of the sea-diet. Along with this, however, sever- 

 al of the other circumstances mentioned have a great effect in 

 producing it sooner, and in a more considerable degree, than 

 would otherwise have happened from the diet alone. 



MDCCCIII. From this view of the remote causes, it will 

 readily appear, that the prevention of the disease may in some 

 measure depend upon the avoiding of those circumstances which 

 we have enumerated as contributing to bring on the disease 

 sooner than it would otherwise come on. At the same time, 

 the only effectual means will be, by avoiding the diet of salted 

 meats ; at least by lessening the proportion of these, and using 

 meat preserved otherwise than by salt ; by using in diet any 

 kind of esculent vegetable matter than can be obtained ; and 

 especially, by using vegetable matters the most disposed to aces- 



