It is very satisfactory to me to be able to state, that I remained at
the same standard of bulk and weight for several weeks after the 26th
August, when I attained the happy natural medium, since which time I
have varied in weight from two to three pounds, more or less. I have
seldom taken the morning draught since that time, and have frequently
indulged my fancy, _experimentally_, in using milk, sugar, butter, and
potatoes--indeed, I may say all the forbidden articles _except beer_,
in moderation, with impunity, but always as an exception, not as a
rule. This deviation, however, convinces me that I hold the power of
maintaining the happy medium in my own hands.
A kind friend has lately furnished me with a tabular statement in
regard to weight as proportioned to stature, which, under present
circumstances and the new movement, may be interesting and useful to
corpulent readers:
STATURE. WEIGHT.
5 ft. 1 should be 8 stone 8 or 120 lbs.
5 “ 2 “ 9 “ 0 “ 126 “
5 “ 3 “ 9 “ 7 “ 133 “
5 “ 4 “ 9 “ 10 “ 136 “
5 “ 5 “ 10 “ 2 “ 142 “
5 “ 6 “ 10 “ 5 “ 145 “
5 “ 7 “ 10 “ 8 “ 148 “
5 “ 8 “ 11 “ 1 “ 155 “
5 “ 9 “ 11 “ 8 “ 162 “
5 “ 10 “ 12 “ 1 “ 169 “
5 “ 11 “ 12 “ 6 “ 174 “
6 “ 0 “ 12 “ 10 “ 178 “
This tabular statement, taken from a mean average of 2,648 healthy
men, was formed and arranged for an Insurance Company by the late Dr.
John Hutchinson. It answered as a pretty good standard, and insurances
were regulated upon it. His calculations were made upon the volume of
air passing in and out of the lungs, and this was his guide as to how
far the various organs of the body were in health, and the lungs in
particular. It may be viewed as some sort of probable rule, yet only as
an average--some in health weighing more by many pounds than others. It
must not be looked upon as infallible, but only as a sort of general
reasonable guide to Nature’s great and mighty work.
On a general view of the question I think it may be conceded that a
frame of low stature was hardly intended to bear heavy weight. Judging
from this tabular statement I ought to be considerably lighter than I
am at present: I shall not, however, covet or aim at such a result,
nor, on the other hand feel alarmed if I decrease a little more in
weight and bulk.
I am certainly more sensitive to cold since I have lost the
superabundant fat, but this is remedial by another garment, far more
agreeable and satisfactory. Many of my friends have said, “Oh! you have
done well so far, but take care you don’t go too far!” I fancy such a
circumstance, with such a dietary, very unlikely, if not impossible;
but feeling that I have now nearly attained the right standard of
bulk and weight proportional to my stature and age (between 10 and
11 stone), I should not hesitate to partake of a fattening dietary
occasionally, to preserve the happy standard, if necessary; indeed, I
am allowed to do so by my medical adviser, but I shall always observe a
careful watch upon myself to discover the effect, and act accordingly,
so that, if I choose to spend a day or two with Dives, so to speak, I
must not forget to devote the next to Lazarus.
The remedy may be as old as the hills, as I have since been told, but
its application is of very recent date; and it astonishes me that such
a light should have remained so long unnoticed and hidden, as not to
afford a glimmer to my anxious mind in a search for it during the last
twenty years, even in directions where it might have been expected
to be known. I would rather presume it is a new light, than that it
was purposely hidden merely because the disease of obesity was not
immediately dangerous to existence, nor thought to be worthy of serious
consideration. Little do the faculty imagine the misery and bitterness
to life through the parasite of corpulence or obesity.
I can now confidently say that _quantity_ of diet may be safely left
to the natural appetite; and that it is the _quality_ only, which is
essential to abate and cure corpulence. I stated the quantities of
my own dietary, because it was part of a truthful report, but some
correspondents have doubted whether it should be more or less in their
own cases, a doubt which would be better solved by their own appetite,
or medical adviser. I have heard a graphic remark by a corpulent man,
which may not be inappropriately stated here, _that big houses were not
formed with scanty materials_. This, however, is a poor excuse for self
indulgence in improper food, or for not consulting medical authority.
The approach of corpulence is so gradual that, until it is far
advanced, persons rarely become objects of attention. Many have even
congratulated themselves on their comely appearance, and have not
sought advice or a remedy for what they did not consider an evil, for
an evil I can say most truly it is, when in much excess, to which point
it must, in my opinion arrive, unless obviated by proper means.
Many have wished to know (as future readers may) the nature of the
morning draught, or where it could be obtained, but believing it would
have been highly imprudent on my part to have presumed that what was
proper for my constitution was applicable to all indiscriminately,
I could only refer them to a medical adviser for any aid beyond the
dietary; assuring them, however, it was not a dram but of an alkaline
character.
Some, I believe, would willingly submit to even a violent remedy, so
that an immediate benefit could be produced; this is not the object of
the treatment, as it cannot but be dangerous, in my humble opinion, to
reduce a disease of this nature suddenly; they are probably then too
prone to despair of success, and consider it as unalterably connected
with their constitution. Many under this feeling doubtless return to
their former habits, encouraged so to act by the ill-judged advice of
friends, who, I am persuaded (from the correspondence I have had on
this most interesting subject) become unthinking accomplices in the
destruction of those whom they regard and esteem.
The question of four meals a-day, and the night cap, has been
abundantly and amusingly criticized. I ought perhaps to have stated
as an excuse for such liberality of diet, that I breakfast between
eight and nine o’clock, dine between one and two, take my slight tea
meal between five and six, sup at nine, and only take the night cap
when inclination directs. My object in naming it at all was, that, as
a part of a whole system, it should be known, and to show it is not
forbidden to those who are advised that they need such a luxury; nor
was it injurious in my case. Some have inquired whether smoking was
prohibited. It was not.
It has also been remarked that such a dietary as mine was too good and
expensive for a poor man, and that I had wholly lost sight of that
class; but a very poor corpulent man is not so frequently met with,
inasmuch as the poor cannot afford the simple inexpensive means for
creating fat; but when the tendency does exist in that class, I have no
doubt it can be remedied by abstinence from the forbidden articles, and
a moderate indulgence in such cheap stimulants as may be recommended
by a medical adviser, whom they have ample chances of consulting
gratuitously.
I have a very strong feeling that gout (another terrible parasite upon
humanity) might be greatly relieved, if not cured entirely, by this
proper natural dietary, and sincerely hope some person so afflicted
may be induced to practice the harmless plan for three months (as I
certainly would if the case were my own) to prove it; but not without
advice.
My impression from the experiments I have tried on myself of late is,
that saccharine matter is the great moving cause of fatty corpulence.
I know that it produces in my individual case increased weight and
a large amount of flatulence, and believe, that not only sugar, but
all elements tending to create saccharine matter in the process of
digestion, should be avoided. I apprehend it will be found in bread,
butter, milk, beer, port wine, and champagne; I have not found
starchy matter so troublesome as the saccharine, which, I think,
largely increases acidity as well as fat, but, with ordinary care and
observation, people will soon find what food rests easiest in the
stomach, and avoid that which does not, during the probationary trial
of the proposed dietary. Vegetables and ripe or stewed fruit I have
found ample aperients. Failing this, medical advice should be sought.
The word “_parasite_” has been much commented upon, as inappropriate
to any but a living creeping thing (of course I use the word in a
figurative sense, as a burden to the flesh), but if fat is not an
insidious creeping enemy, I do not know what is. I should have equally
applied the word to gout, rheumatism, dropsy, and many other diseases.
Whereas hitherto the appeals to me to know the name of my medical
adviser have been very numerous, I may say hundreds, which I have
gladly answered, though forming no small item of the expense incurred,
and whereas the very extensive circulation expected of the third
edition is likely to lead to some thousands of similar applications,
I feel bound in self-defence, to state that the medical gentleman to
whom I am so deeply indebted is Mr. Harvey, Soho Square, London, whom
I consulted for deafness. In the first and second editions, I thought
that to give his name would appear like a puff, which I know he abhors;
indeed, I should prefer not to do so now, but cannot in justice to
myself, incur further probable expense (which I fancy inevitable)
besides the personal trouble, for which I cannot afford time, and,
therefore, feel no hesitation to refer to him as my guarantee for the
truth of the pamphlet.
One material point I should be glad to impress on my corpulent
readers--it is, to get accurately weighed at starting upon the fresh
system, and continue to do so weekly or monthly, for the change will
be so truly palpable by this course of examination, that it will arm
them with perfect confidence in the merit and ultimate success of the
plan. I deeply regret not having secured a photographic portrait of
my original figure in 1862, to place in juxta position with one of my
present form. It might have amused some, but certainly would have been
very convincing to others, and astonishing to all that such an effect
should have been so readily and speedily produced by the simple natural
cause of exchanging a meagre for a generous dietary under proper
advice.
I shall ever esteem it a great favor if persons relieved and cured, as
I have been, will kindly let me know of it; the information will be
truly gratifying to my mind. That the system is a great success, I have
not a shadow of doubt from the numerous reports sent with thanks by
strangers as well as from friends from all parts of the kingdom; and I
am truly thankful to have been the humble instrument of disseminating
the blessing and experience I have attained through able counsel and
natural causes by proper perseverance.
I have now finished my task, and trust my humble efforts may prove to
be good seed well sown, that will fructify and produce a large harvest
of benefit to my fellow creatures. I also hope the faculty generally
may be led more extensively to ventilate this question of corpulence
or obesity, so that, instead of one, two, or three able practitioners,
there may be as many hundreds distributed in the various parts of the
United Kingdom. In such case, I am persuaded, that those diseases, like
Reverence and Golden Pippins, will be very rare.