314 LINNiEUS. 



able, prevented me from sleeping ; for which reason 

 I would have taken opium, but was prevented by 

 a friend who came in on the seventh evening. My 

 wife asked me if I would eat some strawberries. I 

 will try, said I. It was about the beginning of the 

 strawberry-season, and they were in good condition. 

 Half an hour after, I fell asleep, and continued so 

 till two in the morning. When I awoke, I vv^on- 

 dered that the pain had abated, and asked whether 

 I had been asleep, which the persons who were 

 watching assured me had been the case. I asked if 

 they had more of the strawberries, and ate up the 

 remainder. I then slept till daylight, when the 

 pain was about my ankles. Next day I ate as many 

 strawberries as I could, and on the second morning 

 was free of pain. I thought that mortification had 

 taken place ; but the part was entire, and I was able 

 to get up, although I felt weak. Next year, about 

 the same time, I had an attack, and another the 

 following year, but milder, and it was always alle- 

 viated by the strawberries ; and from that time I 

 Iiave been free of the disease." This conversation 

 took place in 1771- 



In the spring of 1772, he was visited by Dr Mur- 

 ray, professor of medicine and botany at Gottingen, 

 who had been one of his pupils, and had long en- 

 joyed his confidence and esteem. At this period he 

 possessed good health, and was as ardent as ever in 

 his endeavours for the improvement of science. He 

 was appointed rector of the university for the third 

 time, and, during the six months in which he dis- 

 charged the duties of that office, the conduct of the 

 young men was highly exemplary. When he retired, 

 deputations from all the nations of the students came 



