384 DISEASES CLASS IV. 1. 2. 1J 



of health, so as to walk ten miles a day. In addition to this 

 medicine I drank, as my common beverage with my meals, 

 spruce beer. I had so high* an opinion of this medicine in the 

 gout, and of spruce beer as an antiscorbutic, that I contemplated 

 with much satisfaction, and with very little doubt, the perfect 

 restoration of my health and strength; but I was miserably de- 

 ceived; for in September 1788 I was seized with the gout in a 

 degree that none but arthritics, and indeed but few of these, 

 can easily conceive. From this time till August 1789 I scarcely 

 ever passed a comfortable day; seven months of this time I had 

 been confined, my health seemed much impaired, my strength 

 was diminished, and my appetite almost gone. In this state my 

 friends pressed me to consult you. I was unwilling for some 

 time to do it, as I had lost all hope of relief; however, when I 

 had determined to apply to you, I likewise determined to give 

 up every prejudice of my own respecting my case, and to ad- 

 here most strictly to your advice. On the 20th of August 1789 

 I consulted you, on the 25th I entered upon the regimen, which 

 you prescribed, and which was as follows: 



" Drink no malt liquor on any account. Let your beverage at 

 " dinner consist of two glasses of wine diluted with three half- 

 " pints of water. On no account drink any more wine or spiri- 

 tuous liquors in the course of the day; but, if you want more 

 a liquid, take cream and water, or milk and water, or lemonade 

 " with tea, coffee, chocolate. Use the warm bath twice a week 

 " for half an hour before going to bed, at the degree of heat 

 " which is most grateful to your sensations. Eat meat constant- 

 " ly at dinner, and with any kind of tender vegetables you please. 

 " Keep the body open by two evacuations daily, if possible 

 " without medicine, if not take the size of a nutmeg of lenitive 

 " electuary occasionally, or five grains of rhubarbs every night. 

 " Use no violent exercise, which may subject yourself to sudden 

 " changes from heat to cold; but as much moderate exercise as 

 u may be, without being much fatigued or starved with cold. 

 cc Take some supper every night; a small quantity of animal 

 c food is preferred; but if your palate refuses this, taka ve- 

 getable food, as fruit-pie, or milk; something should be eaten, 

 a as it might be injurious to you to fast too long." To the whole 

 of this I adhered most scrupulously, and soon found my appetite 

 improve, and with it my strength and spirits. I had in Decem- 

 ber a severe attack, and two or three slight ones in the course of 

 twelve months; but the improvement in the general state of my 

 health induced me to persevere. On the 18th of August, 1790, 

 I had another severe attack, but it went off easier than before, 

 and I soon recovered sufficiently to go to Buxton, which you ad- 



