470 PREVENTIVES FROM ILLNESS. 



before anyone is up, you might always have left for you, over night, 

 a crust of bread, or a biscuit, with a glass of milk, which, with a 

 little sugar, nutmeg, ginger, and the yolk of an egg, may be made 

 good in a moment. And this is better than what x is called a " doctor" 

 (rum and milk) 5 because you then dispense with taking spirit in a 

 morning, the very bad habit of which should always be avoided, ex- 

 cept in a country where the chances of ague might justify your taking 

 a little purl; 



Which, by the way, was recommended to me by one of 

 the first medical gentlemen in the profession. Do not 

 have recourse to any such liquors, unless absolutely re- 

 quired to defend your health against a pestilential cli- 

 mate ; or in case of being taken with a sudden chill ; 

 when a small quantity of spirit and beer, mixed to- 

 gether, if not thought too disgusting a beverage, might 

 sometimes prove one of the most powerful stimuli to 

 warm you, of all things that an alehouse, or perhaps 

 any other house, could afford. If going out, take it 

 cold; if going to bed, you may have it warm ; for in the 

 one case perspiration is as objectionable, as it would be 

 desirable in the other. 



Sixthly, Never sit down in wet feet, or with wet clothes on any 

 part of your body ; but, if a change is not at hand, keep in motion, 

 or go to bed, till one can be procured. Or, if you want to start 

 again, when refreshed, first wet your feet with either spirits, or 

 essence of mustard, and then be as quick as possible in taking your 

 refreshment. Many people prefer applying the spirit to the inside, 

 instead. This is not so well ; because spirit alone always flies to the 

 head ; while strong beer, on the contrary, would warm the body. 



I shall here conclude, under this head, with the multum in parvo 

 advice of the great Dr. Boerhaave : Keep the BODY OPEN ; the HEAD 

 COOL ; and the FEET WARM. 



%* I am proud to say, that some gentlemen who are the very 

 heads of the profession, with that liberality which distinguishes all 

 men of talent, have approved of the humble advice here given (of 

 course, tvithoul the slightest pretensions, and merely as a refuge for 



