Transcriber's notes:
In this plain text version, bold script is denoted by =equals signs= and
italic script by _underscores_. Text that was originally rendered in
small capitals now appears in full capitals.
No attempt has been made to standardise the numerous inconsistencies
throughout the text with respect to punctuation, [e.g. (No. 490,)/(No.
490.)/(No. 490)/(No. 490).], spelling, case and hyphenation [e.g. P.
36/p. 88, DR. MOFFETT/Dr. MUFFETT, Colton/Coulton, toothach/toothache,
Head-Ach/Head-ach/Head-ache, nightmare/Night-Mare/night-mare,
mouthsful/mouthfuls, scum/skum, table-spoonful/tablespooonful,
Curacoa/Curaçoa, and others]. These and various archaic spellings all
remain as in the original. The transcription also replicates the
original text in its use of upper case, lower case, small capitals, and
italics.
On the other hand, several errors, omissions and uncertainties were
corrected after referring to the subsequent edition (3rd) of the book
for clarification: for example, missing characters resulting from
incomplete scan images; missing quotation marks; a missing value for
'Port' in the table on page 138; and a three-paragraph apparent
'blockquote' on page 141 (actually a partial footnote that had become
separated from its preceding paragraphs on page 139), is now reunited
with the rest of the footnote. A few incorrect page references have been
rectified.
The incorrect sequencing of the index replicates that in the original
publication. In that era the letters i and j were interchangeable, and
words beginning with these letters are grouped together in the index.
The words and abbreviations Ditto, ditto, Do., do., are used
inconsistently in the index.
Numbered items (sometimes asterisked) of the style (No. 463*) are
references to the 3rd edition of "The Cook's Oracle" as mentioned at the
top of the page that follows the Contents list.
The footnotes, which are numerous and sometimes lengthy, have been
relocated to the end of the e-book. A few of the original
cross-references pointed to the _page_ on which the relevant footnote
was located rather than to the footnote itself. As the footnotes are no
longer on those pages, readers of this plain text version might have
difficulty following such cross-references. On page 17, reference to a
footnote that simply stated 'see Index' has been changed to an in-line
reference (as used elsewhere in the text).
THE ART
OF INVIGORATING AND PROLONGING
LIFE,
BY
FOOD, CLOTHES, AIR, EXERCISE, WINE, SLEEP, &c.
AND
PEPTIC PRECEPTS,
POINTING OUT
_AGREEABLE AND EFFECTUAL METHODS_
TO PREVENT AND RELIEVE
INDIGESTION,
AND TO
_REGULATE AND STRENGTHEN THE ACTION_
OF THE
STOMACH AND BOWELS.
Suaviter in modo, sed fortiter in re.
BY
THE AUTHOR OF "THE COOK'S ORACLE,"
&c. &c. &c.
_SECOND EDITION._
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR HURST, ROBINSON, AND CO.
AND A. CONSTABLE AND CO., EDINBURGH.
1821.
TO THE
NERVOUS AND BILIOUS,
THE FOLLOWING
TREATISE,
ON THE
ART OF MANAGING THOSE TEMPERAMENTS,
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
ART OF INVIGORATING LIFE 1
Reducing Corpulence 50
Sleep 65
Siesta 94
Clothes 103
Fire 113
Air 119
Exercise 122
Wine 127
Peptic Precepts 156
Index 267
THE NUMBERS _affixed to the various Articles of Food, &c.
are those referred to in the_ THIRD EDITION _of_
THE
COOK'S ORACLE:
CONTAINING
RECEIPTS FOR PLAIN COOKERY
ON THE
MOST ECONOMICAL PLAN FOR PRIVATE FAMILIES:
ALSO
THE ART OF COMPOSING THE MOST SIMPLE, AND
MOST HIGHLY FINISHED
Broths, Gravies, Soups, Sauces, Store Sauces,
AND FLAVOURING ESSENCES:
_The Quantity of each Article is_
ACCURATELY STATED BY WEIGHT AND MEASURE;
_THE WHOLE BEING THE RESULT OF_
Actual Experiments
INSTITUTED IN
THE KITCHEN OF A PHYSICIAN.
"Miscuit utile dulce."
THE THIRD EDITION,
WHICH IS ALMOST ENTIRELY RE-WRITTEN.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR A. CONSTABLE & Co. EDINBURGH;
AND HURST, ROBINSON, & Co. CHEAPSIDE.
_And sold also by all Booksellers in Town and Country._
1821.
THE ART
OF
INVIGORATING AND PROLONGING
LIFE
BY
Diet and Regimen.
"The choice and measure of the materials of which our Body is
composed,--and what we take daily by POUNDS,--is at least of as much
importance as what we take seldom, and only by _Grains_ and
_Spoonsful_."--DR. ARBUTHNOT on _Aliment_, pref. p. iii.
The Editor of the following pages had originally an extremely Delicate
Constitution;--and at an early period devoted himself to the study of
Physic, with the hope--of learning how to make the most of his small
stock of Health.
The System he adopted, succeeded, and he is arrived at his forty-third
year, in tolerable good Health; and this without any uncomfortable
abstinence:--his maxim has ever been, "_dum Vivimus, Vivamus_."
He does not mean the Aguish existence of the votary of Fashion--whose
Body is burning from voluptuous intemperance to-day, and freezing in
miserable collapse to-morrow--not extravagantly consuming in a Day, the
animal spirits which Nature intended for the animation of a Week--but
keeping the expense of the machinery of Life within the income of
Health,--which the Constitution can regularly and comfortably supply.
This is the grand "arcanum duplicatum" for "Living all the days of your
Life."
The Art of Invigorating the Health, and improving the Strength of Man,
has hitherto only been considered for the purpose of training[1] him for
Athletic Exercises--but I have often thought that a similar plan might
be adopted with considerable advantage, to animate and strengthen
enfeebled Constitutions--prevent Gout--reduce Corpulency--cure Nervous
and Chronic Weakness--Hypochondriac and Bilious Disorders, &c.--_to
increase the Enjoyment, and prolong the duration of Feeble Life_--for
which _Medicine_, unassisted by DIET AND REGIMEN,--affords but very
trifling and temporary help.
The universal desire of repairing, perfecting, and prolonging Life, has
induced many ingenious men to try innumerable experiments on almost all
the products of the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral kingdoms, with the
hope of discovering Agents, that will not merely increase or diminish
the force or frequency of the Pulse; but with an ardour as romantic as
the search after the Philosopher's Stone, they have vainly hoped, that
_Panaceas_ might be found possessing the power of curing "all the evils
that flesh is heir to."
This is evident enough to all who have examined the early
Pharmacopœias, which are full of heterogeneous compounds, the
inventions of interested, and the imaginations of ignorant men.
The liberal and enlightened Physicians of the last and present century
have gradually expunged most of these, and made the science of Medicine
sufficiently intelligible to those whose business it is to learn it--if
Medicine be entirely divested of its Mystery, its power over the Mind,
which in most cases forms its main strength, will no longer exist.
It was a favourite remark of the celebrated Dr. John Brown[2], that "if
a student in Physic employed seven years in storing his memory with the
accepted, but,--unfortunately, in nine cases out of ten,--imaginary
powers of Medicine, he would, if he did not possess very extraordinary
sagacity, lose a much longer time in discovering the multiform delusions
his medical oracles had imposed upon him--before he ascertains that,
with the exception of _Mercury_ for the Lues,--_Bark_ for
Intermittents,--and _Sulphur_ for Psora--the _Materia Medica_ does not
furnish many Specifics--and may be almost reduced to Evacuants and
Stimuli:"--However, these, skilfully administered, afford all the
assistance to Nature, that can be obtained from Art!
Let not the uninitiated in Medical Mysteries imagine for a moment, that
the Editor desires to depreciate their Importance--but observe once for
all--that he has only one reason for writing this Book--which is, to
warn you against the ordinary causes of Disorder--and to teach you the
easiest and most salutary method of preventing or subduing it, and of
recovering and preserving Health and Strength, when, in spite of all
your prudence, you are overtaken by sickness, and have no Medical Friend
ready to defend you.
Experience has so long proved the actual importance of TRAINING--that
Pugilists will not willingly engage without such preparation.
The principal rules for which are,--to go to Bed early--to Rise
early--to take as much _Exercise_ as you can in the open air, without
fatigue--to _Eat and Drink_ moderately of plain nourishing Food--and
especially,--to keep _the Mind_ diverted[3], and in as easy and cheerful
a state as possible.
Somewhat such a system is followed at the fashionable watering
places--and great would be the improvement of Health that would result
from it,--if it was not continually counteracted, by visits to the Ball
Room[4] and the Card Table.
A residence in the Country will avail little, if you carry with you
there, the irregular habits, and late hours of fashionable Life.
Do not expect much benefit from mere change of _Air_--the purest breezes
of the country will produce very little effect, unless accompanied by
plenty of regular _Exercise_[5]--_Temperance_--and, above all,
_Tranquillity of Mind_.--See _Obs. on_ "AIR" and "EXERCISE."
The following is a brief sketch of the usual METHOD OF TRAINING PERSONS
FOR ATHLETIC EXERCISES.
The Alimentary Canal[6] is cleansed by an Emetic, and then two or three
Purgatives.--See _Index_.
They are directed to eat Beef and Mutton[7]--rather _under_, than
_over_-done, and without either Seasoning or Sauce--_Broils_, (No. 94),
are preferred to either _Roasts_ (No. 19), or _Boils_--and stale Bread
or Biscuit.
Neither
Veal--Lamb--Pork--Fish--Milk--Butter--Cheese--Puddings--Pastry--or
Vegetables, are allowed.
Beef and Mutton only (fresh, not salted) are ordered;--but we believe
this restriction is seldom entirely submitted to.
Nothing tends more to renovate the Constitution, than a temporary
retirement to the Country.
The necessity of breathing a pure Air, and the strictest Temperance, are
uniformly and absolutely insisted upon by all Trainers;--the striking
advantages resulting therefrom, we have heard as universally
acknowledged by those who have been trained.
_Mild Home-brewed Ale_ is recommended for Drink--about three pints per
day--taken with Breakfast and Dinner, and a little at Supper--not in
large draughts--but by mouthfuls, alternately with your food.
_Stale Beer_ often disturbs delicate Bowels--if your Palate warns you
that Malt Liquor is inclined to be hard, neutralize it with a little
_Carbonate of Potash_;--that good sound Beer, which is neither nauseous
from its newness, nor noxious from its staleness, is in unison with the
animating diet of Animal Food, which we are recommending as the most
effective antidote to debility, &c. experience has sufficiently
proved.--There can be no doubt, that the combination of the tonic power
of the Hop, and the nourishment of the Malt, is much more invigorating
than any simple vinous spirit,--but the difficulty of obtaining it good,
ready brewed--and the trouble of Brewing is so great--that happy are
those who are contented with Good Toast and Water (No. 463*), as a
diluent to solid food--and a few glasses of wine as a finishing "_Bonne
Bouche_."
Those who do not like Beer--are allowed Wine and Water--Red wine is
preferred to White, and _not more_ than half a pint, (_i. e._ eight
ounces), or four common sized wine glasses, after Dinner--none after
Supper--nor any Spirits, however diluted.
Eight hours' _Sleep_ are necessary--but this is generally left to the
previous habits of the Person; those who take active Exercise, require
adequate Rest.
BREAKFAST[8] upon meat at eight o'clock--DINNER at two--SUPPER is not
advised, but they may have a little bit of cold meat about eight
o'clock, and take a walk after, between it and ten, when they go to
Bed.
_The Time requisite to screw a Man up to his fullest Strength_, depends
upon his previous habits and Age. In the Vigour of Life, between 20 and
35, a Month or two is generally sufficient:--more or less, according as
he is older, and as his previous Habits have been in opposition to the
above system.
By this mode of proceeding for two or three months--the Constitution of
the human frame is greatly improved, and the Courage proportionately
increased,--a person who was breathless, and panting on the least
exertion--and had a certain share of those Nervous and Bilious
Complaints, which are occasionally the companions of all who reside in
great Cities--becomes enabled to run with ease and fleetness.
The Restorative Process having proceeded with healthful
regularity--every part of the Constitution is effectively invigorated--a
Man feels so conscious of the actual augmentation of all his powers,
both Bodily and Mental, that he will undertake with alacrity--a task
which before he shrunk from encountering.
The clearness of THE COMPLEXION is considered the _best criterion of a
Man's being in good condition_--to which we add the appearance of the
UNDER-LIP--which is plump and rosy, in proportion to the healthy
plethora of the constitution:--this is a much more certain symptom of
vigorous Health than any indication you can form from the appearance of
the Tongue--or the PULSE, which is another very uncertain and deceiving
Index,--the strength and frequency of which, not only varies in
different persons, but in the same person in different circumstances and
positions;--in some Irritable Constitutions _the vibration of the Heart
varies almost as often as it Beats_--when we walk--stand--sit--or lie
down--early in the morning--late in the evening--elated with good
news--depressed by bad, &c.--when the Stomach is empty--after taking
food--after a full meal of Nutritive food--after a spare one of _Maigre
materials_. Moreover, it is impossible to ascertain the degree of
deviation from Health by feeling a Pulse--unless we are well acquainted
with the peculiarity of it, when the patient is in Health.
The Editor has now arrived at the most difficult part of his work, and
needs all the assistance that Training can give, to excite him to
proceed with any hope of developing the subject, with that perspicuity
and effect--which it deserves, and he desires to give it.
The _Food_--_Clothes_--_Fire_--_Air_--_Exercise_--_Sleep_--_Wine_, &c.
which may be most advisable for invigorating the Health of one
individual--may be by no means the best adapted to produce a like good
effect with another;--at the time of Life most people arrive at, before
they think about these things--they are often become the slaves of
habits which have grown with their growth, and strengthened with their
strength--and the utmost that can be done after our 40th year, is to
endeavour very gradually to correct them.
We caution those who are past the Meridian of Life (see _Index_)--to
beware of suddenly abandoning established Customs, (especially of
diminishing the warmth of their Clothing, or the nutritive quality of
what they Eat and Drink), which, by long usage, often become as
indispensable, as a Mathematical Valetudinarian reckoned his Flannel
Waistcoat was--"in the _ratio_ that my _Body_ would be uncomfortable
without my _Skin_--would my _Skin_ be, without my _Flannel Waistcoat_."
We recommend those who are in search of Health and Strength, to read
the remarks which are classed under the titles
WINE,--SIESTA,--CLOTHES,--"AIR"--"FIRE"--SLEEP--PEPTIC PRECEPTS, &c.
With the greatest deference, we submit the following sketch, to be
variously modified by the Medical Adviser--according to the season of
the Year--the Age--Constitution--and previous habits of the
Patient,--the purpose it is intended to accomplish--or the Disorder it
is intended to prevent or cure.
The first thing to be done, is to put the Principal Viscera into a
condition to absorb the _pabulum vitæ_, we put into the Stomach--as
much depends on the state of the Organs of Digestion[9] as on the
quality of our Diet:--therefore commence with taking, early in the
morning, fasting, about half an hour before Breakfast, about two drams
of _Epsom Salts_ (_i. e._ as much as will move the Bowels twice, not
more,) in half a pint of warm water.--See _Index_.
The following day, go into a _Tepid Bath_, heated to about 95 degrees of
_Fahrenheit_.
The Third day, take another dose of Salts--keeping to a light diet of
Fish--Broths, &c. (Nos. 490, 563, 564, and 572). During the next week,
take the TONIC TINCTURE, as directed in (No. 569). See _Index_. Thus
far--any person may proceed without any difficulty,--and great benefit
will he derive therefrom, if he cannot pursue the following part of the
System:--
RISE early--if the Weather permits, amuse yourself with Exercise in the
open air for some time before BREAKFAST--the material for which, I leave
entirely to the previous habit of the Individual.
Such is the sensibility of the Stomach, when recruited by a good night's
rest, that of all alterations in Diet, it will be most disappointed at
any change of this Meal--either of the time it is taken--or of the
quantity, or quality of it--so much so, that the functions of a delicate
Stomach will be frequently deranged throughout the whole Day after.
The BREAKFAST I recommend, is Good Milk Gruel (No. 572), see _Index_, or
Beef Tea (No. 563), see _Index_, or Portable Beef Tea (No. 252); a pint
of the latter may be made for two-pence halfpenny, as easily as a Basin
of Gruel.
The interval between _Breakfast_ and _Eleven_ o'clock, is the best time
for Intellectual business--then _Exercise_ again till about
_Twelve_--when probably the Appetite will be craving for a LUNCHEON,
which may consist of a bit of roasted Poultry,--a basin of good Beef
Tea, or Eggs poached, (No. 546), or boiled in the Shell, (No. 547), Fish
plainly dressed, (No. 144, or 145, &c.), or a Sandwich (No. 504),--stale
Bread--and half a pint of good Home-brewed Beer--or Toast and Water,
(No. 463*),--see _Index_,--with about one-fourth or one-third part of
its measure of Wine, of which Port is preferred.
The solidity of the LUNCHEON should be proportionate to the time it is
intended to enable you to wait for your Dinner, and the activity of the
Exercise you take in the mean-time.
Take Exercise and Amusement as much as is convenient in the open air
again, till past Four--then rest, and prepare for DINNER at
_Five_--which should be confined to One Dish, of roasted Beef (No. 19),
or Mutton (No. 23), five days in the week--boiled meat one--and roasted
Poultry one--with a portion of sufficiently boiled ripe
Vegetables--mashed Potatoes are preferred, see (No. 106), and the other
fourteen ways of dressing this useful root.
The same restrictions from other articles of Food[10], as we have
already mentioned in the plan for Training--_i. e._ if the person
trained--has not arrived at that time of Life, when habit has become so
strong--that to deprive him of those accustomed Indulgencies, &c. by
which his health has hitherto been supported--would be as barbarous--as
to take away Crutches from the Lame.
DRINK at Dinner, a pint of home-brewed Beer, or Toast and Water (No.
463*), with one-third or one-fourth part Wine, and a few glasses of Wine
after--the less, the better--but take as much as custom has made
necessary to excite that degree of circulation in your system, without
which, you are uncomfortable. Read _Obs. on_ "WINE."
AFTER DINNER sit quiet for a couple of hours--the _Semi-Siesta_ is a
pleasant position--_i. e._ the Feet on a stool about eight inches
high,--or if your Exercise has fatigued you, lie down, and indulge in
Horizontal Refreshment[11]:--this you may sometimes do with advantage
before Dinner, if you have taken more Exercise than usual, and you feel
tired:--when the Body is fatigued, the Stomach, by sympathy, will, in
proportion, be incapable of doing its business of Digestion.
AT SEVEN, a little Tea, or warmed Milk with a very little Rum, a bit of
Sugar, and a little Nutmeg in it--after which, Exercise and Amusement
again, if convenient, in the open air.
For SUPPER, a Biscuit, or a Sandwich, (No. 504), or a bit of cold Fowl,
&c. and a glass of Beer, or Wine, and Toast and Water (No. 463*),--and
occasionally (No. 572), _i. e. as light a Supper as possible_--the
sooner after _Ten_ you retire to rest, the better.
_For those who Dine very late_--the best Supper is Gruel (No. 572), or a
little Bread and Cheese, or Pounded Cheese (No. 542), and a glass of
Beer--but if You have had an early, or a _Ban Yan Dinner_--or Instinct
suggests that the exhaustion, from extraordinary exertion, requires more
restorative materials,--furnish your Stomach with a Chop or a Chicken,
&c. or some of the easily digestible and nutritive materials referred
to in the _Index_ under the article _Food for Feeble Stomachs_--and as
much diffusible stimulus as will animate the Circulation, and ensure the
influence of "Nature's sweet restorer, Balmy Sleep,"--the soundness of
which,--depends entirely on the Stomach being in good temper, and the
Heart supporting the circulation with Salutary Vigour. See the _Art of
Sleeping_.--_Index_.
For the Diet to be confined to Beef and Mutton, is a sufficient
abridgment of the amusements of the Mouth--it is a barbarous
mortification, to insist on these being always cooked the same way[12],
and we advise an occasional indulgence in the whole range of plain
Cookery, from (No. 1) to (No. 98).
_Broils_ (No. 94) are ordered in the plan for Training, probably,
because the most convenient manner of obtaining the desired portion
_Hot_,--(Food is then most easy of Digestion--_before the process of
Digestion can commence, it must take the temperature of the
Stomach_--which, when in a languid state, has no superfluous Heat to
spare--) but as the Lean part is often scorched and dried, and the Fat
becomes empyreumatic, from being in immediate contact with the Fire--a
slice of well roasted Ribs (No. 20),--or Sir Loin of Beef (No. 19), or a
Leg, Neck, Loin, or Saddle of Mutton (No. 23, or 26, or 31), must be
infinitely more succulent and nutritive--whether this be rather _over_,
or _under_-done, the previous habits of the Eater must determine--the
Medium, between _over_ and _under_-dressing--is in general most
Agreeable, and certainly most Wholesome.
That _Meat_ which is considerably _under_-done, contains more Nutriment
than that which is _over_-done, is true enough;--that which is _not done
at all_, contains a great deal more--but, in the ratio that it is
_Raw_[13], so is it unfortunately difficult of digestion, as
_Spallanzani_ (see _Index_) has proved by actual and satisfactory
experiments.
OUR FOOD MUST BE DONE--_either by our Cook,--or by our Stomach_,--before
Digestion can take place--(see 1st page of _Obs._ on _Siesta_); surely
no man in his senses, would willingly be so wanting in consideration of
the comfort, &c. of his Stomach, as to give it the needless trouble of
Cooking and Digesting also--and waste its valuable energies in work
which a Spit or a Stewpan can do better.
Thoroughly dressed BEEF (No. 19), or MUTTON (No. 23), is incomparably
the most animating Food we can furnish our Stomachs with, and sound
HOME-BREWED BEER, the most invigorating Drink--It is indeed, Gentle
Reader, notwithstanding a foolish fashion has banished the natural
beverage of Great Britain--as extremely ungenteel.--
"Your Wine tippling, Dram sipping fellows retreat,
But your Beer-drinking Briton can never be beat."
_The best Tests of the Restorative qualities of Food_--are a small
quantity of it satisfying Hunger,--the strength of the Pulse after
it,--and the length of Time which elapses before Appetite returns
again:--according to these Rules, the Editor's own experience gives a
decided verdict in favour of Roasted or Broiled Beef (No. 19 or 94), or
Mutton (No. 26 or 23), as most nutritive,--then Game and Poultry, of
which the meat is Brown, (No. 59, or 61, or 74), next Veal and Lamb and
Poultry, of which the meat is White--the Fat kinds of Fish,
Eels--Salmon--Herrings, &c. and least nutritive, the white kinds of
Fish--such as Whiting, Cod, Soles, Haddocks, &c. For further
information, see _Oysters_, (No. 181).
The celebrated Trainer, Sir Thomas Parkyns, &c., "greatly preferred
BEEF-EATERS--to _Sheep-biters_, as they called those who ate Mutton."
By DR. STARK'S _very curious Experiments on Diet_, p. 110, it appears,
that "when he fed upon _Roasted Goose_, he was much more vigorous both
in Body and Mind, than with any other food."
That _Fish_ is less nutritive than FLESH--the speedy return of Hunger
after a dinner of Fish is sufficient proof--when a Trainer at
Newmarket[14] wishes _to waste a Jockey_--he is not allowed _Pudding_,
if Fish can be had.
Crabs,--Lobsters (No. 176), Prawns, &c. unless thoroughly boiled, (which
those sold ready boiled seldom are), are tremendously indigestible.
_Shell Fish_ have long held a high rank in the catalogue of easily
digestible and speedily restorative Foods:--of these _Oysters_ (No.
181), certainly deserve the best character; but we think that they, as
well as _Eggs_,--_Gelatinous Substances_,--_Rich Broths_[15], &c. have
acquired not a little more reputation for these qualities than they
deserve.
OYSTERS are often cold and uncomfortable to Dyspeptic Stomachs--unless
warmed with a certain quantity of Pepper, and good White Wine.
_To recruit the Animal Spirits, and produce Strength_, there is nothing
like BEEF and MUTTON--moreover, when kept till properly tender, none
will give less trouble to the Digestive organs--and more substantial
excitement to the Constitution.
The Editor has dined for some years principally upon plainly roasted or
boiled Beef and Mutton, and has often observed, that if he changes it
for any other Food for several days together--that he suffers a
diminution of strength, &c. and is disposed on such days to drink an
additional Glass of _Wine_, &c. See _Index_.
However, the fitness of various Foods, and Drinks--and the quantity of
Nutriment which they afford--depends very much upon how they are
prepared, and as much on the inclination and abilities of the concoctive
faculties, which have the task of converting them into Chyle.
It is quite as absurd, to suppose, that one kind of Diet, &c. is
equally adapted to every kind of Constitution--as that one Remedy will
cure all Diseases.
_To produce the highest degree of Health and Strength_--we must supply
the Stomach with not merely that material which contains the greatest
quantity of Nourishment--but in making our reckoning, must take into the
account, the degree in which it is adapted to the habits and powers of
the Organ which is to digest it--the Arms of a Giant are of little use
in the Hands of a Dwarf.
_The Plan we have proposed, was calculated for Midsummer-day_,--when
plenty of hard Exercise in the open Air will soon create an Appetite for
the substantial Diet we have recommended--it is taken for granted, that
a Person has the opportunity of devoting a couple of months to the
re-establishment of his Health--and that during that time, he will be
content to consider himself in the same state as any other Animal out of
condition--and disposed to submit cheerfully to such a modification of
the rules recommended, as his Medical Adviser may deem most convenient
to the circumstances of the Case, and the Age, the Constitution, and
previous habits of the Patient, &c. &c.
_Every part of this system must be observed in proportion_--and EXERCISE
increased in the same degree, that NOURISHMENT is introduced to the
Constitution.
_The best General Rule for Diet_ that I can write, is to Eat and Drink
only of such Foods--at such times,--and in such quantities--as
Experience has convinced you, agree with your Constitution--and
absolutely to avoid all other.
A very different Regimen must be observed by those who live a Life with
Labour--or Exercise--or of Indolence,--and at the different Periods of
Life.
HUMAN LIFE may be divided into _Three Stages_.
The FIRST, _The period of Preparation_ from our birth, till about our
21st year, when the Body has generally attained the _acmé_ of
expansion:--till then, a continual and copious supply of Chyle is
necessary, not only to keep our machinery in repair, but to furnish
material for the increase of it.
The SECOND from 21 to 42, _The period of Active Usefulness_; during
which, nothing more is wanted, than to restore the daily waste,
occasioned by the actions of the Vital and Animal Functions.
The THIRD, _The period of Decline_: this comes on and proceeds with more
or less celerity, according to the original strength of the
Constitution, and the Economy[16] with which it has been managed during
the second period. (Age is a relative term,--one man is as old at 40 as
another is at 60): but after 42, the most vigorous become gradually more
passive[17]--and after 63, pretty nearly quite so.
SIR WILLIAM JONES'S ANDROMETER.
| 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+
1 | | | | | | | | | | | | |--Ideas received through the Senses.
|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
|_______________________|--Speaking, and Pronunciation.
|_______________________|--Letters, and Spelling.
|_______________________|--Ideas retained in the Memory.
5 |_______________________|--Reading and Repeating.
|_______________________|--Grammar of his own Language.
|_______________________|--Memory exercised.
|_______________________|--Moral and Religions Lessons.
|_______________________|--Natural History and Experiments.
10 |_______________________|--Dancing, Music, Drawing, Exercises.
|_______________________|--History of his own Country.
|_______________________|--Latin.
|_______________________|--Greek.
|_______________________|--French and Italian.
15 |_______________________|--Translations.
|_______________________|--Compositions in Verse and Prose.
|_______________________|--Rhetoric and Declamation.
|_______________________|--History and Law.
|_______________________|--Logic and Mathematics.
20 |_______________________|--Rhetorical Exercises.
|_______________________|--Philosophy and Politics.
|_______________________|--Compositions in his own Language.
|_______________________|--Declamations continued.
|_______________________|--Ancient Orators studied.
25 |_______________________|--Travel and Conversation.
|_______________________|--Speeches at the Bar, or in Parliament.
|_______________________|--State Affairs.
|_______________________|--Historical Studies continued.
|_______________________|--Law and Eloquence.
30 |_______________________|--Public Life.
|_______________________|--Private and Social Virtues.
|_______________________|--Habits of Eloquence improved.
|_______________________|--Philosophy resumed at leisure.
|_______________________|--Orations published.
35 |_______________________|--Exertions in State and Parliament.
|_______________________|--Civil Knowledge mature.
|_______________________|--Eloquence perfect.
|_______________________|--National Rights defended.
|_______________________|--The Learned protected.
40 |_______________________|--The Virtuous assisted.
|_______________________|--Compositions published.
|_______________________|--Science improved.
|_______________________|--Parliamentary Affairs.
|_______________________|--Laws enacted, and supported.
45 |_______________________|--Fine Arts patronized.
|_______________________|--Government of his Family.
|_______________________|--Education of his Children.
|_______________________|--Vigilance as a Magistrate.
|_______________________|--Firmness as a Patriot.
50 |_______________________|--Virtue as a Citizen.
|_______________________|--Historical Works.
|_______________________|--Oratorical Works.
|_______________________|--Philosophical Works.
|_______________________|--Political Works.
55 |_______________________|--Mathematical Works.
|_______________________| }
|_______________________| }
|_______________________| }Continuation of former Pursuits.
|_______________________| }
60 |_______________________| }
|_______________________|--Fruits of his Labour enjoyed.
|_______________________|--A glorious Retirement.
|_______________________|--An amiable Family.
|_______________________|--Universal Respect.
65 |_______________________|--Consciousness of a Virtuous Life.
|_______________________| }
|_______________________| }
|_______________________| }_Perfection of Earthly Happiness_.
|_______________________| }
70 |_______________________|--Preparation for ETERNITY.
_The most common cause of Dyspeptic Disorders_, which are so prevalent
at the commencement of the Third Period of Life--is an increasing
indolence, inducing us to diminish the degree of the active Exercise we
have been in the habit of taking--without in a corresponding degree
diminishing the quantity of our Food--on the contrary, people seem to
expect the Stomach to grow stronger and to work harder as it gets Older,
and to almost entirely support the Circulation without the help of
Exercise.--
As the activity of our existence--and the accommodating powers of the
Stomach, &c. diminish--in like degree--must we lessen the quantity--and
be careful of the quality of our Food, eat oftener and less at a
time--or Indigestion--and the multitude of Disorders of which it is the
fruitful parent, will soon destroy us.
The System of CORNARO has been oftener quoted, than understood--most
people imagine, it was one of rigid Abstinence and comfortless
Self-denial--but this was not the case:--his Code of Longevity consisted
in steadily obeying the suggestions of Instinct--and Economizing his
Vitality, and living under his income of Health,--carefully regulating
his temper--and cultivating cheerful habits.
THE FOLLOWING IS A COMPENDIUM OF HIS PLAN--_in his own words_.
He tells us that _when Fourscore_
"I am used to take in all twelve ounces of solid nourishment, such as
Meat, and the yolk of an Egg, &c. and fourteen ounces of drink:--I eat
Bread, Soup, New-laid Eggs, Veal, Kid, Mutton, Partridge, Pullets,
Pigeons, &c. and some Sea and River Fish.
"I made choice of such Wines and Meats as agreed with my Constitution,
and declined all other diet--and proportioned the quantity thereof to
the strength of my Stomach, and abridged my Food--as my years increased.
"Every one is the best judge of the food which is most agreeable to his
own Stomach,--it is next to impossible, to judge what is best for
another;--the Constitutions of men are as different from each other as
their complexions."--p. 36.
"1st. Take care of the quality.
"2dly. Of the quantity--so as to eat and drink nothing that offends the
Stomach, nor any more than you can easily digest: your experience ought
to be your guide in these two principles when you arrive at _Forty_: by
that time you ought to know that you are in the midst of your life;
thanks to the goodness of your Constitution which has carried you so
far: but that when you are arrived to this period, you go down the hill
apace--and it is necessary for you to change your course of life,
especially with regard to the quantity and quality of your diet--because
it is on that, the health and length of our days do radically depend.
Lastly; if the former part of our lives has been altogether sensual--the
latter ought to be rational and regular; order being necessary for the
preservation of all things, especially the life of man.--Longevity
cannot be attained without continence and sobriety[18]."
"At _thirty_ Man suspects himself a Fool,
Knows it at _forty_, and reforms his plan."
By the small quantity of Food, and great proportion of his Meat to his
Drink, this noble Venetian, at the age of _forty_, freed himself, by the
advice of his Physicians, from several grievous disorders contracted by
intemperance, and lived in health of body, and great cheerfulness of
mind, to above an hundred.--Briefly, the secret of his Longevity seems
to have been, a gradually increasing Temperance "in omnibus"--and
probably, after a certain time of Life, abstinence from the "opus
magnum."
The source of physical and moral Health, Happiness, and Longevity,--
"Reason's whole pleasure, all the Joys of Sense
Lie in three words, Health, peace, and competence.
But Health consists in temperance alone;
And Peace, oh Virtue! Peace is all thy own."
POPE.
_Intensive Life_, can only be purchased at the price of _Extensive_.
If you force the Heart to gallop as fast during the second, as it does
during the first stage of life--and make the steady fire of 42, to blaze
as brightly as the flame of 21,--it will very soon be burnt out.
Those who cannot be content to submit to that diminution of action
ordained by nature, against which there is no appeal,--as it is the
absolute covenant, by the most attentive and implicit observance of
which we can only hope to hold our lease of life comfortably,--will soon
bring to the diminished energy of the Second Stage of Life--the
Paralysis of the Third.
From 40 to 60, a witty French author tells us, is "_La belle saison[19]
pour la Gourmandise_;"--for the artificial pleasures of the Palate, it
may be, and the _Bon Vivant_ cultivates them as the means of prolonging
the vigour of Youth--and procrastinating the approach of Age.
Restoration may certainly be considerably facilitated, by preparing and
dressing food so as to render it easily soluble--if the secret of
Rejuvenization be ever discovered; it will be found in the Kitchen.
Very soon after we pass the _Meridian of Life_, (which, according to
those who train men for athletic exercises, and to Dr. Jameson,[20] is
our 28th, and to Dr. Cheyne, about our 35th year,) the elasticity of the
Animal System imperceptibly diminishes,--our Senses become less
susceptible, and are every hour getting the worse for wear, however
Self-Love, assisted by your Hair-dresser, and Tailor, &c. may endeavour
to persuade you to the contrary.
Digestion and Sleep are less perfect--the restorative process more and
more fails to keep pace with the consuming process--the body is
insufficiently repaired, more easily deranged, and with more difficulty
brought into adjustment again; till at length the vital power being
diminished, and the organs deteriorated,--Nourishment can neither be
received, or prepared and diffused through the constitution--and
Consumption so much exceeds Renovation, that decay rapidly closes the
scene of Life.
One may form some Idea of _the Self-consumption of the human body_, by
reflecting that the pulsation of the Heart, and the motion of the Blood
connected with it, takes place 100,000 times every day; _i. e._ on an
average
the pulse[21] beats 70 times in a minute,
multiplied by 60 minutes in an hour,
----
4200
24 hours in a day,
-----
16800
8400
------
100800 pulsations in a day.
What Machine, of the most adamantine material, will not soon be the
worse for wear, from such incessant vibration--especially if the
Mainsprings of it are not preserved in a state of due regulation?
The generative faculties, which are the last that Nature finishes--are
the first that fail.--Economy in the exercise of them--especially before
and after the second period of Life--is the grand precept for the
restoration and accumulation of Strength, the preservation of Health,
and the prolongation of Life;--we are vigorous, in proportion to the
perfection of the performance of the Restorative process, _i. e._ as we
Eat hearty, and Sleep soundly--as our Body loses the power of renovating
itself, in like ratio, fails its faculty of creating--what may be a
salutary subduction of the superfluous health of the Second--during the
Third period of life, will be a destructive sacrifice of the strength of
both the Mind and the Body.--See also the 9th chapter of the _First_
Edition of WILLICH _on Diet_. 8vo. 1799.
The next organical defect, (we perceive too plainly for our self-love to
mistake it,) is manifested by THE EYE[22]. To read a small print--you
must remove it from the Eye further than you have been accustomed to
do--and place it in a better light.
The FALSETTO Voice now begins to fail, and THE EAR loses some of its
quickness--several extraordinary Musicians have been able till then, if
a handful of the keys of a Harpsichord were put down so as to produce
the most irrelative combinations--to name each half note without a
mistake.--When I mentioned this to that excellent Organ Player, Mr.
Charles Wesley, he said, "At the age of twenty, I could do it
myself--but I can't now." He was then in his 55th year.
About the same time, the Palate is no longer contented with being
employed as a mere shovel to the Stomach,--and as it finds its master
becomes every day more difficult to please--learns to be a more watchful
Purveyor.
After 40,--the strongest People begin to talk about being _Bilious_, or
_Nervous_, &c. &c. and the Stomach will no longer do its duty
properly--unless the Food offered to it is perfectly agreeable to
it--when offended, _Indigestion_ brings with it, all that melancholy
depression of the Animal Spirits, which disables a Man from either
thinking with precision, or acting with vigour--during the distressing
suspension of the restorative process--arise all those miseries of Mind
and Body, which drive Fools to get drunk, and make Madmen commit
suicide:--without due attention to Diet, &c. the Third period of Life is
little better than a Chronic Disease.
As our assimilating powers become enfeebled, we must endeavour to
entertain them with food so prepared, as to give them the least
trouble, and the most nourishment[23].
In the proportion that our Food is restorative, and properly
digested--our bodies are preserved in Health and Strength--and all our
faculties continue vigorous and perfect.
If it is unwholesome, ill-prepared, and indigestible--the Body
languishes, and is exhausted even in its youth--its strength and
faculties daily decrease, and it sinks beneath the weight of the painful
sensations attendant on a state of Decay.
Would to Heaven that a Cook could help our Stomachs, as much as an
Optician can our Eyes: our Existence would be as much more perfect than
it now is, as our Sight is superior to our other Senses.
"The vigour of the Mind decays with that of the Body--and not only
Humour and Invention, but even Judgment and Resolution, change and
languish, with ill constitution of Body and of Health."--Sir WILLIAM
TEMPLE.
The following account of the successful REDUCTION OF CORPULENCE AND
IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH, the Editor can vouch for being a faithful
statement of Facts.
30 January, 1821.
MY DEAR SIR,
In consequence of the Conversation I had with you, upon the advantages I
had derived from Exercise and attention to Diet in the reduction of
Weight, and your desire that I should communicate as far as I recollect
them, the particulars of my Case; I have great pleasure in forwarding to
you the following Statement.
I measure in height six Feet and half an Inch,--possess a sound
Constitution and considerable activity.--At _the age of_ _Thirty_ I
weighed about 18 Stone--two years afterwards I had reached the great
weight of nineteen Stone, in perfect Health, always sleeping well and
enjoying good Appetite and Spirits--soon after, however, I began to
experience the usual attendants on fullness of Habit, a disinclination
to rise in the morning from drowsiness, heaviness about the Forehead
after I had risen, and a disposition to Giddiness;--I was also attacked
by a complaint in one of my Eyes, the Symptoms of which it is
unnecessary to describe, but it proved to be occasioned by fullness of
blood, as it was removed by cupping in the temple. I lost four ounces of
blood from the temple; and thinking that the loss of a little more might
be advantageous, I had eight ounces taken from the back; and in order to
prevent the necessity, as far as possible, of future bleeding, I
resolved to reduce the system--by increasing my Exercise and diminishing
my Diet.
I therefore took an early opportunity of seeing Mr. Jackson, (whose
respectability and skill as a teacher of sparring is universally
acknowledged,) and after some Conversation with him, determined upon
acting under his Advice.
I accordingly commenced _Sparring_, having provided myself with flannel
Dresses, which I always used, being extremely careful on changing them
to avoid the risk of cold, and I recollect no instance in which I was
not successful.
I also had recourse to _Riding_ Schools, riding without stirrups, so as
to have the advantage of the most powerful exercise the Horse could
give;--these exercises I took in the morning in the proportion probably
of sparring twice a week, and riding three or four times.
Frequently at night I resumed my Exercise,--_Walking_ and sometimes
_Running_, generally performing about five miles an hour, till I again
produced perspiration; every other Opportunity I could resort to of
bodily exercise I also availed myself of.
In respect to diet, I had accustomed myself to Suppers and drinking
excellent Table Beer in large quantities, and for probably ten Years,
had indulged myself with Brandy and Water after Supper:--this practice I
entirely discontinued, substituting Toast and Water with my Dinner, and
Tea and a good allowance of Toast for Supper, always avoiding copious
Draughts.
I left off drinking malt Liquor as a habit, and indeed, very seldom
drank it at all.--I took somewhat less meat at Dinner, avoiding Pies and
Puddings as much as possible, but always took three or four Glasses of
Port after dinner.
During the time I was under this training, I took the opinion of an
eminent Physician upon the subject, who entirely approved of my Plan,
and recommended the occasional use of Aperient medicine, but which I
seldom resorted to.
_The Result of all this, was a reduction of my Weight of upwards of
three Stone_, or about Forty-five Pounds, _in about six or seven
months_.--I found my activity very much increased, and my wind
excellent, but, I think, my Strength not quite so great, though I did
not experience any material Reduction of it: my Health was perfect
throughout.
I then relaxed my System a little, and have up to the present time,
being a period of ten Years, avoided the necessity of bleeding, and have
enjoyed an almost uninterrupted continuance of good Health, although my
Weight has gradually increased; sometimes, however, fluctuating between
7 or 8 Pounds and a Stone, according to my means of Exercise,--always
increasing in Winter, and losing in Summer;--and at this moment (January
29th, 1821,) I am about a Stone more than I ought to be, having
ascertained, that my best bodily Strength, is at sixteen Stone and a
half.
When the object is _to Reduce Weight_, rest and moderate Food will
always sufficiently restore the exhaustion arising from Exercise;--if
an additional quantity of Food and nourishing Liquors be resorted to,
the Body will in general be restored to the weight it was before the
Exercise.
I have sometimes lost from ten ounces to a Pound in weight by an Hour's
sparring. If the object be not to reduce the weight, the Food may safely
be proportioned to the Exercise.
You will readily perceive, that the plan I adopted, ought only to be
resorted to by Persons of sound Constitution and of athletic bodily
Frame,--it would be absurd to lay down a general rule for the adoption
of all fat men.