me that he himself, when a journeyman printer, lived a fortnight on
bread and water, at the rate of ten pennyworth of bread per week, and
that he found himself stout and hearty with this diet."
"By Sir John Pringle I was told that he knew a lady now 90 years of age,
who eat only the pure fat of meat."
"Dr. Cirelli says, that the Neapolitan Physicians frequently allow their
patients in fevers, nothing but water for forty days together."--Dr.
STARK, _on Diet, &c._ 4to. 1788, p. 92, a work well worth the purchase
of any person curious upon this subject. As is also Dr. BRYAN ROBINSON,
on _Food and Discharges of Human Bodies_.
[95] "A constant adherence to one sort of Diet, may have bad effects on
any Constitution. Nature has provided a great Variety of Nourishment for
Human Creatures, and furnished us with Appetites to desire, and Organs
to digest them.
"An unerring Regularity is almost impracticable, and the swerving from
it, when it has grown habitual, dangerous; for every unusual thing in a
human body becomes a stimulus, as Wine or Flesh Meat to one not used to
them; therefore _Celsus's_ Rule, with proper moral restrictions, is a
good one."--ARBUTHNOT _on Aliment_, pp. 218 and 219.
[96] A PILL is the mildest form of administering Medicine, because of
its gradual solution in the Stomach, and the same quantity of the same
material, taken in a draught, produces a very different effect.
[97] "He that would have _a clear Head_, must have _a clean
Stomach_."--CHEYNE _on Health_, p. 34.
[98] _Quintessence of Lemon Peel_, (No. 418).--Best oil of Lemon, one
drachm,--strongest rectified Spirit, two ounces, introduced by degrees,
till the spirit kills and completely mixes with the oil. This elegant
and useful preparation, possesses all the delightful fragrance and
flavour of the freshest Lemon Peel--for which you will find it a
satisfactory substitute. A few drops on the Sugar you make Punch with,
will instantly impregnate it with as much flavour as the troublesome and
tedious method of rubbing the sugar on the rind.
[99] "I have observed that in mature Age, and in the decline of Life,
symptoms which are attributed to previous irregularities, to
idiosyncracy, to hereditary disposition, to disease, and to approaching
old age, frequently arise from Constipation of the Bowels."--HAMILTON
_on Purgative Medicines_, 1806, p. 7.
[100] "_Astriction of the Belly_ is commonly a sign of strong
Chylopoetick Organs."--ARBUTHNOT _on Aliment_, p. 24.
[101] Beautiful and full ripe Hot-house Grapes may be procured in the
greatest perfection at the Fruit Shops in Covent Garden, almost all the
year round--and the Editor has frequently given them to delicate women,
who have been afflicted with feverish complaints, to the quantity of a
Pound per day, with the most satisfactory effect--they were extremely
grateful in cooling their parched mouths, and at once most agreeably and
effectually supplied the place of both Saline Draughts and Aperient
Medicine.
[102] "People who have Relaxed Bowels have seldom strong thoughts or
strong bodies."--LOCKE _on Education_, sec. 23.
"The cure for relaxed _Nerves_ (the source of all chronic disorders)
must necessarily begin at the Stomach. He who attempts to cure a Nervous
distemper without _firm Bowels_--labours in vain; for it is impossible
that the Constitution of those who have _Slippery Bowels_--should ever
be braced."--CHEYNE _on Long Life_, p. 107.
[103] "To make TOAST AND WATER.--Cut a bit of the upper crust of Bread,
about twice the thickness Toast is usually cut--toast it carefully, till
it be completely browned all over, but not at all blackened or burnt:
put this into a jug, and pour upon it as much boiling water as you wish
to make into drink--cover the jug--let it stand till cold. The fresher
made--the better. _Obs._--A roll of fresh thin cut Lemon Peel or dried
Orange Peel, infused with the Bread, is a grateful addition, and makes a
very refreshing Summer drink--and when the proportion of the fluids is
destroyed by profuse perspiration, may be drank plentifully. Let a large
jug be made early in the day, it will then become warm by the heat of
the Air, and may be drank freely with impunity; cold Water fresh drawn
from a well cannot without danger."
[104] Dr. Pemberton recommends the following Bolus:--
℞ Kino. pulv. ℈j.
Confect. Opiat. gr. xii.
Misc. Fiat bolus, ter quotidie sumendus.
See his _Observations on the Diseases of the Abdominal Viscera_, 8vo.
1807, p. 140.
[105] Here followed, in the first Edition, some _Observations on
Singing_. See page 98 of this book--But most of them are taken out, and
will shortly be published by Messrs. Hurst and Robinson, No. 90,
Cheapside, as part of the Prefatory matter of "THE ENGLISH MELODIES,"
selected by the Author of this work, from the Library of Wm. Kitchiner,
M. D.
[106] "A knowledge how to regulate the alvine evacuation, constitutes
much of the prophylactic part of Medicine; hence, how necessary it is to
advise those who either wish to preserve good Health, or are in quest of
the lost treasure, to attend to this circumstance."--HAMILTON _on
Purgatives_, p. 7.
"How much it behoves those who have the charge of young people,
particularly of the female sex, to impress them with the propriety, nay
with the absolute necessity of attention to the regular state of the
Bowels; and to put it in their power, by the use of proper means, to
guard against constipation; and at the same time to watch over them,
lest, through indolence, they neglect a circumstance which, promoting in
the gay season of youth, the enjoyment of health and happiness, opposes
a sure barrier against the inroads of chlorosis, &c., always a
distressing, and sometimes a fatal complaint."--_Ibid._ p. 76.
[107] "There are three things which I consider as necessary to the cure
of disorder.
"_1st_, That the Stomach should thoroughly digest all the food that is
put into it.
"The patient perceiving the necessity of obtaining this end, becomes
attentive to his Diet, and observes the effect which the quantity and
quality of his food and medicines have upon his feelings, and the
apparent powers of his Stomach.
"_2dly_, That the residue of the food should be daily discharged from
the Bowels: here, too, the patient, apprised of the design, notes what
kind and dose of purgative medicine best effect the intention, and
whether it answers better if taken at once, or at intervals.
"_3dly_, That the secretion of Bile should be right, both with respect
to quantity and quality. In cases wherein the secretion of Bile has been
for a long time deficient or faulty, I recommend unirritating and
undebilitating doses of Mercury, (_i. e._ pil. hydrarg.) to be taken
every second or third night till the stools become of the wet rhubarb
colour."--P. 90.
"Any kind of Brown, which dilution will not convert into yellow, I
should consider as unhealthy."--P. 36.
See MR. ABERNETHY'S _Surgical Observations_.
[108] "A popular hypothesis is now very prevalent, which attributes
nearly all Diseases to a disturbed state of THE LIVER--for which,
Mercurial drugs are lavished almost indiscriminately. The folly of
expecting to repel this, or any other opinion which is favourable to the
natural indolence of mankind, is obvious, especially when it is at the
same time upholden by the empirical interests of greedy
individuals."--A. CARLISLE _on Old Age_, 2d edit. p. 88.
[109] "It is a dubious question, whether WORMS or the _Violent
Purgatives_ which are forced into the human Stomach, by the decisive
energy of medical logic, to destroy and expel them, have been most
destructive to the human species."--WITHERS _on the Abuse of Medicine_,
8vo. 1794, p. 19 and 117.
[110] "MERCURY and ANTIMONY, elaborated into Poisons by Chemistry--i. e.
_Calomel_, _Emetic Tartar_, _James's Powders_, &c. have torn many a
Stomach into rags, so that it could never bear common food
after."--CADOGAN _on Gout_, 8vo. 1771, p. 79.
[111] The flavour of _Coxwell's Citric Acid_ is much more agreeable than
the _Tartaric_, which, being cheaper, is sometimes substituted for it.
[112] PORTABLE SOUP, _or_ GLAZE.--(No. 252.)--Desire the Butcher to
break the bones of a Leg or a Shin of Beef, of 10 pounds weight (the
fresher killed the better), put it into a Soup-pot (a DIGESTER is the
best utensil for this purpose) that will well hold it; just cover it
with cold water, and set it on the fire to heat gradually till it nearly
boils, (this should be at least an hour);--skim it attentively while any
scum rises,--pour in a little cold water, to throw up the scum that may
remain,--let it come to a boil again, and again skim it carefully: when
no more scum rises, and the broth appears clear, (put in neither Roots
nor Herbs nor Salt,) let it boil for eight or ten hours, and then strain
it through a hair sieve into a brown stone pan; set the Broth where it
will cool quickly; put the meat into a sieve, let it drain, make Potted
Beef (No. 503),--or it will be very acceptable to many poor families.
Next day remove every particle of _Fat_ from the top of it, and pour it
through a Tammis or fine sieve as quietly as possible into a Stewpan,
taking care not to let any of the settlings at the bottom of the stone
pan go into the Stewpan, which should be of thick Copper, perfectly well
tinned; add a quarter of an ounce of whole Black Pepper to it, let it
boil briskly, with the stewpan uncovered, on a quick fire: if any scum
rises, take it off with a skimmer; when it begins to thicken, and is
reduced to about a quart, put it into a smaller stewpan; set it over a
gentler fire, till it is reduced to the thickness of a very thick Syrup;
take care that it does not burn,--_a moment's inattention now will lose
you all your labour, and the soup will be spoiled_:--take a little of it
out in a spoon and let it cool; if it sets into strong Jelly, it is done
enough;--if it does not, boil it a little longer, till it does;--have
ready some little pots, such as are used for Potted Meats, about an inch
and a half deep, taking care that they are quite dry;--we recommend it
to be kept in these pots, if it is for home consumption--(_the less it
is reduced, the better is the flavour of the Soup_)--if it be
sufficiently concentrated to keep for six months;--if you wish to
preserve it longer, put it into such bladders as are used for German
Sausages,--or if you prefer it in the form of Cakes, pour it into a dish
about a quarter of an inch deep; when it is cold, turn it out and weigh
the Cake, and divide it with a paste-cutter into pieces of half an ounce
and an ounce each; place them in a warm room, and turn them frequently
till they are thoroughly dried;--this will take a week or ten days; turn
them twice a day;--when well hardened, if kept in a dry place, they may
be preserved for several years in any climate.
This extract of Meat makes excellent "_Tablettes de Bouillon_," for
those who are obliged to endure long fasting.
_Obs._--The uses of this concentrated _Essence of Meat_ are numerous. It
is equally economical and convenient for making _extempore_ Broths,
Sauces and Gravies for Hashed or Stewed Meat, Game, or Poultry, &c.
You may thicken it and flavour it as directed in (No. 329);--to make
_Gravy_, Sauces, &c. take double the quantity ordered for _Broth_.
If you have time and opportunity, as there is no seasoning in the Soup,
either of Roots, Herbs, or Spice, boil an Onion with or without a bit of
Parsley, and Sweet Herbs, and a few corns of Allspice, or other Spice,
in the water you melt the Soup in, which may be flavoured with Mushroom
Catsup (No. 439),--or Eschalot Wine (No. 402),--Essence of Sweet Herbs
(No. 417),--Savoury Spice (Nos. 421, or 457),--Essence of Celery (No.
409), &c. or Zest (No. 255);--these may be combined in the proportions
most agreeable to the palate of the Eater--and are as portable as
Portable Soup, for a very small portion will flavour a Pint.
The Editor adds nothing to the solution of this Soup, but a very little
ground Black Pepper and some Salt.
_Mem._ THIS PORTABLE SOUP is a most convenient article in
Cookery--especially in _Small Families_, where it will save a great deal
of time and trouble. It is also _Economical_, for no more will be melted
than is wanted--so there is no waste.
SHIN OF BEEF, weighing nine pounds, and costing 1_s._ 10-1/2_d._
produced nine ounces of concentrated Soup, sufficiently reduced to keep
for several months. After the boiling, the Bones in this joint weighed
two pounds and a quarter, and the Meat two pounds and a quarter.
As it is difficult to obtain this ready-made of good quality--and we
could not find any proper and circumstantial directions for making it,
which on trial answered the purpose,--and it is really a great
acquisition to the Army and Navy--to Travellers, Invalids, &c.--the
Editor has bestowed some time, &c. in endeavouring to learn--and to
teach how it may be prepared in the easiest,--most economical and
perfect manner.
The ordinary selling price is from 10_s._ to 12_s._--but you may make it
according to the above Receipt for 3_s._ 6_d._ per Pound--_i. e._ for
2-1/2_d._ per Ounce, which will make you a Pint of Broth.
Those who do not regard the expense, and like the flavour, may add the
lean of Ham, in the proportion of a pound to eight pounds of Leg of
Beef.
It may also be flavoured, by adding to it, at the time you put the Broth
into the smaller Stewpan, Mushroom Catsup, Shallot Wine, Essences of
Spice or Herbs, &c.;--we prefer it quite plain--it is then ready to be
converted in an instant into a basin of Beef Tea for an Invalid, and any
flavour may be immediately communicated to it by the Magazine of Taste
(No. 463.)
_Mutton Chops delicately Stewed, and good Mutton Broth._--(No.
490.)--Put a Pound of Chops into a stewpan with cold water enough to
cover them, and half a pint over, and an Onion,--when it is coming to a
boil, skim it, cover the pan close, and set it _over a very slow Fire_
till the Chops are tender,--if they have been kept a proper time, they
will take about three quarters of an hour's _very gentle simmering_.
Send up Turnips with them, (No. 130), they may be boiled with the chops,
skim well, and then send all up in a deep dish, with the Broth they were
stewed in.
N.B. _The Broth_ will make an Economist one,--and _the Meat_ another
wholesome and comfortable meal.
[113] Men are but rarely "framed so in the prodigality of Nature," as to
have all their Senses in perfection--very few have a single one, that
approximates within many degrees of it--the Eye of Raphael, the Ear of
Handel, the Palate of Apicius--or the sensitive touch of the blind Girl,
who could _feel Colours_--are pancratic faculties which are seldom
produced.
The following division of the Senses is so excellent, that I copy it
from the scarce Book referred to below:--
"I distinguish the SIX SENSES by the character of noxious and innocent.
The first three, _Thinking_--_Seeing_--and _Hearing_--are the innocent.
The last three, _Feeling_--_Tasting_--and _Smelling_--the noxious.
"I pursue Happiness, or systematic pleasurable sensation, in the
cultivation of the first class--and in the control of the latter."--See
the LIFE OF JOHN STEWART THE TRAVELLER, p. 12.
[114] "I took two pieces of Mutton, each weighing 45 grains, and having
_chewed_ one as much as I used to chew my food--enclosed them in two
separate spheres--and swallowed them at the same time--these tubes were
voided at the same time--of the masticated meat there remained only 4
grains--of the other there were 18 left."
"_The necessity of Mastication_ is sufficiently known--there is perhaps
no person who has not, some time or other, suffered from Indigestion,
for want of having chewed his food properly. The reason is obvious. Not
to mention the saliva which moistens the food, and predisposes it to be
dissolved, it cannot be doubted, that when it is reduced to pieces by
the action of the Teeth, the gastric fluid penetrates, and attacking it
at more points, dissolves it more speedily than when it was whole. This
is true of menstrua in general, which always dissolve bodies sooner when
they have been previously broken to pieces. This is also the reason why,
in other experiments, masticated bread and _dressed_ flesh were more
readily dissolved than unchewed bread and _raw_ flesh. The boiling had
made it tenderer, and consequently disposed it to allow ingress to the
gastric fluid."--SPALLANZANI _on Digestion_, vol. i. p. 277.
[115] In no branch of the practice of Physic, is there more _Dangerous
Quackery_, than in this department--the only means we can furnish our
friends with to avoid this--is to recommend them to apply to a
scientific Dentist of acknowledged integrity and experience.--Our own
Mouth is under considerable obligations to Mr. EDMONDS, of Conduit
Street, Hanover Square.
[116] "Slave-dealers are well acquainted with the characteristic signs
of perfect Health--any defect of which much diminishes the value of a
Slave. The want of _a Tooth_ makes a Slave worth two Dollars
less."--FINKE'S _Medical Geography_, vol. i. p. 449.