APPENDIX B 



LETTER OF ADVICE TO A YOUNG PATIENT BY 

 DR. JOHN FOTHERGILL 



ESTEEMED FRIEND Though I have ever placed thee in the 

 rank of those whom I think it an honour to be permitted to 

 attend in the way of my profession, yet I am never sent for 

 upon thy account but it gives me some pain, both as I cannot 

 forbear pitying the distressed, and as in thy case more especi- 

 ally I am concerned lest the present indisposition should lay 

 the foundation of any other whose consequences might be 

 more threatening. 



This has induced me to consider every circumstance of thy 

 habit with attention, and to submit to thy perusal the following 

 remarks. They are written with no other view than to put 

 thee a little upon thy guard against everything that might 

 injure a delicate constitution, a tender frame, too sensible of 

 a great many influences which no way affect a great many 

 others. 



But do not be afraid that I am going, either to prescribe a 

 course of medicine and tedious regulations, or to debar thee 

 of any thing that can justly render life agreeable. I am only 

 going to recommend what thy own good sense will shew are as 

 necessary, as they are easy to be complied with. I will point 

 them out in as narrow a compass as I can, and leave them to 

 be pursued with that obliging readiness wherewith my direc- 

 tions have always been followed. 



It would be tedious to both to give a great many rules 

 with regard to diet. The stomach is in general the best 

 director ; whatever it takes with pleasure, I mean with regard 

 to quality, is always preferable to any other ; but to regulate 

 the quantity is not always easy ; yet to leave off rather short 

 is sometimes necessary, even though the appetite seems yet 

 lively. Nothing tends more to keep off heaviness, feverish 

 heats, or lowness of spirits, than a care in this one point. I 



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