Having exhausted the first edition (1000 copies) of the foregoing
pamphlet; and a period of one year having elapsed since commencing the
admirable course of diet which has led to such inestimable beneficial
results, and, “as I expected and desired,” having quite succeeded
in attaining the happy medium of weight and bulk I had so long
ineffectually sought, _which appears necessary to health at my age and
stature_--I feel impelled, by a sense of public duty, to offer the
results of my experience in a second edition. It has been suggested
that I should have sold the pamphlet, devoting any profit to charity as
more agreeable and useful; and I had intended to adopt such a course,
but on reflection feared my motives might be mistaken; I therefore
respectfully present this (like the first Edition) to the public
gratuitously, earnestly hoping the subject may be taken up by medical
men and thoroughly ventilated.
It may (and I hope will) be as satisfactory to the public to hear as it
is for me to state, that the first edition has been attended with very
comforting results to other sufferers from corpulence, as the remedial
system therein described was to me under that terrible disease, which
was my main object in publishing my convictions on the subject. It has
moreover attained a success, produced flattering compliments, and an
amount of attention I could hardly have imagined possible. The pleasure
and satisfaction this has afforded me, is ample compensation for the
trouble and expense I have incurred, and I most sincerely trust, “as I
verily believe,” this second edition will be accompanied by similar
satisfactory results from a more extensive circulation. If so, it will
inspirit me to circulate further editions, whilst a corpulent person
exists, requiring, as I think, this system of diet, or so long as my
motives cannot be mistaken, and are thankfully appreciated.
My weight is reduced 46 lbs., and as the _very gradual reductions_
which I am able to show may be interesting to many, I have great
pleasure in stating them, believing they serve to demonstrate further
the merit of the system pursued.
My weight on 26th of August, 1862, was 202 lbs.
lbs. lbs.
On 7th September, it was 200, having lost 2
27th “ “ 197 “ 3 more.
19th October “ 193 “ 4 “
9th November “ 190 “ 3 “
3rd December “ 187 “ 3 “
24th “ “ 184 “ 3 “
14th Jan., 1863 “ 182 “ 2 “
4th February “ 180 “ 2 “
25th “ “ 178 “ 2 “
18th March “ 176 “ 2 “
8th April “ 173 “ 3 “
29th “ “ 170 “ 3 “
20th May “ 167 “ 3 “
10th June “ 164 “ 3 “
1st July “ 161 “ 3 “
22d July “ 159 “ 2 “
12th August “ 157 “ 2 “
26th “ “ 156 “ 1 “
12th September “ 156 “ 0 “
----
Total loss of weight 46 lbs.
My girth is reduced round the waist, in tailor phraseology, 12-1/4
inches, which extent was hardly conceivable even by my friends, or my
respected medical adviser, until I put on my former clothing, over what
I now wear, which was a thoroughly convincing proof of the remarkable
change. These important desiderata have been attained by the most easy
and comfortable means, with but little medicine, and almost entirely
by a system of diet that formerly I should have thought dangerously
generous. I am told by all who know me that my personal appearance is
greatly improved, and that I seem to bear the stamp of good health;
this may be a matter of opinion or friendly remark, but I can honestly
assert that I feel restored in health, “bodily and mentally,” appear to
have more muscular power and vigor, eat and drink with a good appetite,
and sleep well. All symptoms of acidity, indigestion and heartburn
(with which I was frequently tormented) have vanished. I have left
off using boot hooks, and other such aids, which were indispensable,
but being now able to stoop with ease and freedom, are unnecessary. I
have lost the feeling of _occasional faintness_, and what I think a
remarkable blessing and comfort is, that I have been able safely to
leave off knee bandages, which I had worn _necessarily_ for 20 past
years, and given up a truss almost entirely; indeed, I believe I might
wholly discard it with safety, but am advised to wear it at least
occasionally for the present.
Since publishing my pamphlet, I have felt constrained to send a copy
of it to my former medical advisers, and to ascertain their opinions
on the subject. They did not dispute or question the propriety of the
system, but either dared not venture its practice upon a man of my age,
or thought it too great a sacrifice of personal comfort to be generally
advised or adopted, and I fancy neither of them appeared to feel the
fact of the misery of corpulence. One eminent physician, as I before
stated, assured me that increasing weight was a necessary result of
advancing years; another, equally eminent, to whom I had been directed
by a very friendly third, who had most kindly but ineffectually failed
in a remedy, added to my weight in a few weeks instead of abating the
evil. These facts lead me to believe the question is not sufficiently
observed or even regarded.
The great charm and comfort of the system is, that its effects are
palpable within a week of trial, which creates a natural stimulus to
persevere for a few weeks more, when the fact becomes established
beyond question.
I only entreat all persons suffering from corpulence to make a fair
trial for just one clear month, as I am well convinced they will
afterwards pursue a course which yields such extraordinary benefit,
till entirely and effectually relieved, and be it remembered, by the
sacrifice merely of simple, for the advantage of more generous and
comforting food. The simple dietary evidently adds fuel to the fire,
whereas the superior and liberal seems to extinguish it.
I am delighted to be able to assert that I have proved the great merit
and advantage of the system by its result in several other cases,
similar to my own, and have full confidence that within the next twelve
months I shall know of many more cases restored from the disease of
corpulence, for I have received the kindest possible letters from
many afflicted strangers and friends, as well as similar personal
observations from others, whom I have converse with, and assurances
from most of them that they will kindly inform me the result for my own
private satisfaction. Many are practicing the diet after consultation
with their own medical advisers; some few have gone to mine, and
others are practicing upon their own convictions of the advantages
detailed in the pamphlet, though I recommend all to act advisedly, in
case their constitutions should differ. I am, however, so perfectly
satisfied of the great unerring benefits of this system of diet, that
I shall spare no trouble to circulate my humble experience. The amount
and character of my correspondence on the subject has been strange and
singular, but most satisfactory to my mind and feelings.
I am now in that happy, comfortable state that I should not hesitate to
indulge in any fancy in regard to diet, but if I did so should watch
the consequences, and not continue any course which might add to weight
or bulk and consequent discomfort.
Is not the system suggestive to artists and men of sedentary employment
who cannot spare time for exercise, consequently become corpulent, and
clog the little muscular action with a superabundance of fat, thus
easily avoided?
Pure, genuine bread, may be the staff of life, as it is termed. It is
so, particularly in youth, but I feel certain it is more wholesome
in advanced life if thoroughly toasted, as I take it. My impression
is that any starchy or saccharine matter tends to the disease of
corpulence in advanced life, and whether it be swallowed in that form
or generated in the stomach, that all things tending to these elements
should be avoided, of course always under sound medical authority.