384 DISEASES CLASS IV. i. 2. i$. 



of health, fo as to xvalk ten miles a day. In addition to this 

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

 fpruce beer. I had fo high an opinion of this medicine in the 

 gout, and of fpruce beer as an antifcorbutic, that I contemplated 

 with much fatisfaftion, and with very little doubt, the perfecl 

 reftoration of my health and ftrength ; but I was miferably de- 

 ceived 5 for in September 1788 I was feized with the gout in a 

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

 can eafily conceive. From this time till Auguft 1789 I fcarcely 

 ever paifed a comfortable day - 9 fevcn months of this time I had 

 been confined, my health feemed much impaired, my ftrength 

 was diminilhed, and my appetit* almoft gone. In this (late my 

 friends prefTed me to confult you. I was unwilling for fome 

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

 had detrmined to apply to you, I likewife determined to give up 

 every prejudice of my own refpeding my cafe, and to adhere 

 mod ftriftly to your advice. On the 2oth of Auguft 1789 I 

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

 you prefcribed, and which was as follows. 



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

 " dinner confift of two glafTes of wine diluted with three half- 

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

 " ituous liquors in the courfe of the day ; but, if you want more 

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

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

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

 " which is moft grateful to your fenfations. Eat meat conftant- 

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

 ff Keep the body open by two evacuations daily, if poflible 

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

 elecluary occafionally, or five grains of rhubarb every night. 

 Ufe no violent exercife, which may fubjeft yourfelf to fudden 

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

 " may be, without being much fatigued or ftarved with cold. 

 " Take fome fupper every night ; a fmall quantity of animal 

 " food is preferred ; but if your palate refutes this, take veg- 

 etable food, as fruit-pie, or milk ; fomething mould be eaten, 

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

 of this I adhered moft fcrupuloufly, and foon found my appetite 

 improve, and with it my ftrength and fpirits. I had in Decem- 

 ber a fevere attack, and two or three flight ones in the courfe of 

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

 health induced me to perfevere. On the i8th of Auguft 1790 

 I had another fevere attack, but it went off eafier than before, 

 and I foon recovered fufficicntly to go to Buxton, which you ad- 



vifed 



