_If Vanity too often disposes many to speak of themselves, there are
some Occasions, on which a total Silence might be supposed to result
from a still higher Degree of it: And the very general Reception of the
*Advice to the People* has been such, that there would be Room to
suspect me of that most shocking Kind of Pride, which receives Applause
with Indifference (as deeming its own Merit Superior to the greatest) if
I did not appear to be strongly impressed with a just Sense of that
great Favour of the Publick, which has been so very obliging, and is so
highly agreable, to me._
_Unfeignedly affected with the unhappy Situation of the poor Sick in
Country Places in *Swisserland*, where they are lost from a Scarcity of
the best Assistance, and from a fatal Superfluity of the worst, my sole
Purpose in writing this Treatise has been to serve, and to comfort them.
I had intended it only for a small Extent of Country, with a moderate
Number of Inhabitants; and was greatly surprized to find, that within
five or six Months after its Publication, it was become one of the most
extensively published Books in *Europe*; and one of those Treatises, on
a scientific Subject, which has been perused by the greatest Number of
Readers of all Ranks and Conditions. To consider such Success with
Indifference, were to have been unworthy of it, which Demerit, at least
on this Account, I cannot justly be charged with; since Indifference has
not been my Case, who have felt, as I ought, this Gratification of
Self-love; and which, under just and prudent Restrictions, may perhaps
be even politically cherished; as the Delight naturally arising from
having been approved, is a Source of that laudable Emulation, which has
sometimes produced the most essential good Consequences to Society
itself. For my own particular, I can truly aver, that my Satisfaction
has been exquisitely heightened on this Occasion, as a Lover of my
Species: since judging from the Success of this Work (a Success which
has exceeded my utmost Expectations) of the Effects that may reasonably
be expected from it, I am happily conscious of that Satisfaction, or
even Joy, which every truly honest Man must receive, from rendering
essential good Offices to others. Besides which, I have enjoyed, in its
utmost Extent, that Satisfaction which every grateful Man must receive
from the Approbation and Beneficence of his Sovereign, when I was
distinguished with the precious Medal, which the illustrious Chamber of
Health of the Republick of Berne honoured me with, a few Months after
the Publication of this Treatise; together with a Letter still more
estimable, as it assured me of the extraordinary Satisfaction the
Republick had testified on the Impression of it; a Circumstance, which I
could not avoid this publick Acknowledgement of, without the greatest
Vanity and Ingratitude. This has also been a very influencing Motive
with me, to exert my utmost Abilities in perfecting this new Edition, in
which I have made many Alterations, that render it greatly preferable to
the first; and of which Amendments I shall give a brief Account, after
saying somewhat of the Editions, which have appeared elsewhere._
_The first is that, which Messrs. *Heidegger*, the Booksellers published
in the *German* Language at *Zurich*, about a Year since. I should have
been highly delighted with the meer Approbation of *__M. Hirzel__*,
first Physician of the Canton of *Zurich, &c.* whose superior and
universal Talents; whose profound Knowledge in the Theory of Physick;
and the Extent and Success of whose Practice have justly elevated him
among the small Number of extraordinary Men of our own Times; he having
lately obtained the Esteem and the Thanks of all *Europe,* for the
History of one of her [3] Sages. But I little expected the Honour this
Gentleman has done me, in translating the *Advice to the People* into
his own Language. Highly sensible nevertheless as I am of this Honour, I
must always reflect with Regret, that he has consumed that important
Time, in rendering my Directions intelligible to his Countrymen, which
he might have employed much more usefully, in obliging the World with
his own._
_He has enriched his Translation with an excellent Preface, which is
chiefly employed in a just and beautiful Portrait and Contrast of the
true, and of the false Physician; with which I should have done myself
the Pleasure to have adorned the present [4] Edition; if the Size of
this Volume, already too large, had not proved an Obstacle to so
considerable an Addition; and if the Manner, in which *Mr.* *__Hirzel__*
speaks of its Author, had permitted me with Decency to publish his
Preface. I have been informed by some Letters, that there have been two
other *German* Translation of it; but I am not informed by whom.
However, *__M. Hirzel's__* Preface, his own Notes, and some Additions
with which I have furnished him, renders his Edition preferable to the
first in *French*, and to the other *German* Translations already made._
[3] _Le Socrate rustique_, a Work, which every Person should read.
[4] This Preface is indeed premised to this _French_ Edition, but a
Translation of it was omitted, to avoid extending the Bulk and
Price of the Work. Dr. _Tissot_ must then have been ignorant of
this Addition, when first published at _Lyons_.
_The Second Edition is that, which the younger *__Didot__*, the
Bookseller, published towards the End of the Winter at *Paris*. He had
requested me to furnish him with some Additions to it, which I could not
readily comply with._
_The Third Edition is a *Dutch* Translation of it, which will be very
speedily published by *__M. Renier Aremberg__*, Bookseller at
*Rotterdam*. He had begun the Translation from my first Edition; but
having wrote to know whether I had not some Additions to make, I desired
him to wait for the Publication of this. I have the good Fortune to be
very happy in my Translators; it being *__M. Bikker__*, a celebrated
Physician at *Rotterdam* (so very advantagiously known in other
Countries, by his beautiful *Dissertation on Human Nature*, throughout
which Genius and Knowledge proceed Hand in Hand) who will present his
Countrymen with the *Advice to the People*, in their own Language: and
who will improve it with such Notes, as are necessary for a safe and
proper Application of its Contents, in a Climate, different from that in
which it was wrote. I have also heard, there has been an *Italian*
Translation of it._
_After this Account of the foreign Editions, I return to the present
one, which is the second of the original *French* Treatise. I shall not
affirm it is greatly corrected, with Respect to fundamental Points: for
as I had advanced nothing in the first, that was not established on
Truth and Demonstration, there was no Room for Correction, with Regard
to any essential Matters. Nevertheless, in this I have made, 1, a great
Number of small Alterations in the Diction, and added several Words, to
render the Work still more simple and perspicuous. 2, The typographical
Execution of this is considerably improved in the Type, the Paper and
Ink, the Spelling, Pointing, and Arrangement of the Work. 3, I have made
some considerable Additions, which are of three Kinds. Not a few of them
are new Articles on some of the Subjects formerly treated of; such as
the Articles concerning Tarts and other Pastry Ware; the Addition
concerning the Regimen for Persons, in a State of Recovery from
Diseases; the Preparation for the Small Pocks; a long Note on the
Jesuits Bark; another on acid Spirits; one on the Extract of Hemlock:
besides some new Matter which I have inserted; such as an Article with
Regard to proper Drinks; one on the Convulsions of Infants; one on
Chilblains; another on Punctures from Thorns; one upon the Reason of the
Confidence reposed in Quacks, and the thirty-first Chapter entirely: in
which I have extended the Consideration of some former Articles, that
seemed to me a little too succinct and short. There are some Alterations
of this last, this additional, Kind, interspersed almost throughout the
whole Substance of this Edition; but especially in the two Chapters
relating to Women and Children._
_The Objects of the XXXI Chapter are such as require immediate
Assistance, viz. Swoonings, Haemorrhages, that is, large spontaneous
Bleedings; the Attacks of Convulsions, and of Suffocations; the
Consequences of Fright and Terror; Disorders occasioned by unwholesome
or deadly Vapours; the Effects of Poison, and the sudden Invasions of
excessive Pain._
_The Omission of this Chapter was a very material Defect in the original
Plan of this Work. The Editor of it at Paris was very sensible of this
Chasm, or Blank, as it may be called, and has filled it up very
properly: and if I have not made Use of his Supplement, instead of
enlarging myself upon the Articles of which he has treated, it has only
been from a Purpose of rendering the whole Work more uniform; and to
avoid that odd Diversity, which seems scarcely to be avoided in a
Treatise composed by two Persons. Besides which, that Gentleman has said
nothing of the Articles, which employ the greatest Part of that Chapter,
*viz.* the Swoonings, the Consequences of great Fear, and the noxious
Vapours._
_Before I conclude, I ought to justify myself, as well as possible, to a
great Number of very respectable Persons both here and abroad, (to whom
I can refuse nothing without great Chagrine and Reluctance) for my not
having made such Additions as they desired of me. This however was
impossible, as the Objects, in which they concurred, were some chronical
Distempers, that are entirely out of the Plan, to which I was strictly
attached, for many Reasons. The first is, that it was my original
Purpose to oppose the Errors incurred in Country Places, in the
Treatment of acute Diseases; and to display the best Method of
conducting such, as do not admit of waiting for the Arrival of distant
Succour; or of removing the Patients to Cities, or large Towns. It is
but too true indeed, that chronical Diseases are also liable to improper
Treatment in small Country Places: but then there are both Time and
Convenience to convey the Patients within the Reach of better Advice; or
for procuring them the Attendance of the best Advisers, at their own
Places of Residence. Besides which, such Distempers are considerably
less common than those to which I had restrained my Views: and they will
become still less frequent, whenever acute Diseases, of which they are
frequently the Consequences, shall be more rationally and safely
conducted._
_The second Reason, which, if alone, would have been a sufficient one,
is, that it is impossible to subject the Treatment of chronical
Distempers to the Capacity and Conduct of Persons, who are not
Physicians. Each acute Distemper generally arises from one Cause; and
the Treatment of it is simple and uniform; since those Symptoms, which
manifest the Malady, point out its Cause and Treatment. But the Case is
very differently circumstanced in tedious and languid Diseases; each of
which may depend on so many and various Causes (and it is only the real,
the true Cause, which ought to determine us in selecting its proper
Remedies) that though the Distemper and its Appellation are evidently
known, a meer By-stander may be very remote from penetrating into its
true Cause; and consequently be incapable of chusing the best Medicines
for it. It is this precise and distinguishing Discernment of the real
particular Cause *[or of the contingent Concurrence of more than one]*
that necessarily requires the Presence of Persons conversant in the
Study and the Practice of all the Parts of Physick; and which Knowledge
it is impossible for People, who are Strangers to such Studies, to
arrive at. Moreover, their frequent Complexness; the Variety of their
Symptoms; the different Stages of these tedious Diseases [not exactly
attended to even by many competent Physicians] the Difficulty of
ascertaining the different Doses of Medicines, whose Activity may make
the smallest Error highly dangerous, &c. &c. are really such trying
Circumstances, as render the fittest Treatment of these Diseases
sufficiently difficult and embarrassing to the most experienced
Physicians, and unattainable by those who are not Physicians._
_A third Reason is, that, even supposing all these Circumstances might
be made so plain and easy, as to be comprehended by every Reader, they
would require a Work of an excessive Length; and thence be
disproportioned to the Faculties of those, for whom it was intended. One
single chronical Disease might require as large a Volume as the present
one._
_But finally, were I to acknowledge, that this Compliance was both
necessary and practicable, I declare I find it exceeds my Abilities; and
that I am also far from having sufficient Leisure for the Execution of
it. It is my Wish that others would attempt it, and may succeed in
accomplishing it; but I hope these truly worthy Persons, who have
honoured me by proposing the Achievement of it to myself, will perceive
the Reasons for my not complying with it, in all their Force; and not
ascribe a Refusal, which arises from the very Nature of the thing,
either to Obstinacy, or to any Want of an Inclination to oblige them._
_I have been informed my Citations, or rather References, have puzzled
some Readers. It was difficult to foresee this, but is easy to prevent
it for the future. The Work contains Citations only of two Sorts; one,
that points to the Remedies prescribed; and the other, which refers to
some Passage in the Book itself, that serves to illustrate those
Passages in which I cite. Neither of these References could have been
omitted. The first is marked thus, *No.* with the proper Figure to it,
as 1, 2, &c. This signifies, that the Medicine I direct is described in
the Table of Remedies, according to the Number annexed to that
Character. Thus when we find directed, in any Page of the Book, the warm
Infusion *No. 1*; in some other, the Ptisan *No. 2*; or in a third, the
Almond Milk, or Emulsion *No. 4*, it signifies, that such Prescriptions
will be found at the Numbers 1, 2, and 4; and this Table is printed at
the End of the Book._
_If, instead of forming this Table, and thus referring to the
Prescriptions by their Numbers, I had repeated each Prescription as
often as I directed it, this Treatise must have been doubled in Bulk,
and insufferably tiresome to peruse. I must repeat here, what I have
already said in the former Edition, that the [5] Prices of the
Medicines, or of a great Number of them, are those at which the
Apothecaries may afford them, without any Loss, to a Peasant in humble
Circumstances. But it should be remembered, they are not set down at the
full Prices which they may handily demand; since that would be unjust
for some to insist on them at. Besides, there is no Kind of Tax in
*Swisserland*, and I have no Right to impose one._
[5] The Reasons for omitting the Prices _here_, may be seen Page 23 of
this Translation.
_The Citations of the second Kind are very plain and simple. The whole
Work is divided into numbered Paragraphs distinguished by the Mark Sec..
And not to swell it with needless Repetitions, when in one Place I might
have even pertinently repeated something already observed, instead of
such Repetition at Length, I have only referred to the Paragraph, where
it had been observed. Thus, for Example when we read Page 81, Sec. 50
--*When the Disease is so circumstanced as we have described*, Sec. 46,--
this imports that, not to repeat the Description already given, I refer
the Reader to that last Sec. for it._
_The Use of these Citations is not the least Innovation, and extremely
commodious and easy: but were there only a single Reader likely to be
puzzled by them, I ought not to omit this Explanation of them, as I can
expect to be generally useful, only in Proportion as I am clear: and it
must be obvious, that a Desire of being extensively useful is the sole
Motive of this Work. I have long since had the Happiness of knowing,
that some charitable and intelligent Persons have applied the Directions
it contains, with extraordinary Success, even in violent Diseases: And I
shall arrive at the Height of my Wishes, if I continue to be informed,
that it contributes to alleviate the Sufferings, and to prolong the
Days, of my rational Fellow Creatures._
_N. B._ A Small Blank occurring conveniently here in the Impression, the
Translator of this Work has employed it to insert the following proper
Remark, _viz._
Whenever the Tea or Infusion of the Lime-tree is directed in the Body of
the Book, which it often is, the _Flowers_ are always meant, and not the
_Leaves_; though by an Error of the Press, or perhaps rather by an
Oversight of the Transcribers of this Version, it is printed _Leaves_
instead of _Flowers_ P. 392, as noted and corrected in the _Errata_.
These Flowers are easily procurable here, meerly for gathering, in most
Country Places in _July_, as few Walks, Vistas, &c. are without these
Trees, planted for the pleasant Shade they afford, and to keep off the
Dust in Summer, though the Leaf drops rather too early for this Purpose.
Their Flowers have an agreeable Flavour, which is communicated to Water
by Infusion, and rises with it in Distillation. They were, to the best
of my Recollection, an Ingredient in the antiepileptic Water of
_Langius_, omitted in our late Dispensatories of the College. They are
an Ingredient in the antiepileptic Powder, in the List of Medicines in
the present Practice of the _Hotel Dieu_ at _Paris_: and we think were
in a former Prescription of our _Pulvis de Gutteta_, or Powder against
Convulsions. Indeed they are considered, by many medical Writers, as a
Specific in all Kinds of Spasms and Pains; and __Hoffman__ affirms, he
knew a very tedious Epilepsy cured by the Use of an Infusion of these
Flowers.
I also take this Opportunity of adding, that as this Translation is
intended for the Attention and the Benefit of the Bulk of the
Inhabitants of the _British_ Empire, I have been careful not to admit
any Gallicisms into it; as such might render it either less
intelligible, or less agreeable to its Readers. If but a single one
occurs, I either have printed it, or did intend it should be printed,
distinguishably in Italics. _K._
__Introduction.__
The Decrease of the Number of Inhabitants, in most of the States of
Europe, is a Fact, which impresses every reflecting Person, and is
become such a general Complaint, as is but too well established on plain
Calculations. This Decrease is most remarkable in Country Places. It is
owing to many Causes; and I shall think myself happy, if I can
contribute to remove one of the greatest of them, which is the
pernicious Manner of treating sick People in Country Places. This is my
sole Object, tho' I may be excused perhaps for pointing out the other
concurring Causes, which may be all included within these two general
Affirmations; That greater Numbers than usual emigrate from the Country;
and that the People increase less every where.
There are many Sorts of Emigration. Some leave their Country to enlist
in the Service of different States by Sea and Land; or to be differently
employ'd abroad, some as Traders, others as Domestics, _&c._
Military Service, by Land or Sea, prevents Population in various
Respects. In the first Place, the Numbers going abroad are always less,
often _much_ less, than those who return. General Battles, with all the
Hazards and Fatigues of War; detached Encounters, bad Provisions, Excess
in drinking and eating, Diseases that are the Consequences of Debauches,
the Disorders that are peculiar to the Country; epidemical, pestilential
or contagious Distempers, caused by the unwholsome Air of Flanders,
Holland, Italy and Hungary; long Cruises, Voyages to the East or West
Indies, to Guinea, &c. destroy a great Number of Men. The Article of
Desertion also, the Consequences of which they dread on returning home,
disposes many to abandon their Country for ever. Others, on quitting the
Service, take up with such Establishments, as it has occasionally thrown
in their Way; and which necessarily prevent their Return. But in the
second Place, supposing they were all to come back, their Country
suffers equally from their Absence; as this very generally happens
during that Period of Life, when they are best adapted for Propagation;
since that Qualification on their Return is impaired by Age, by
Infirmities and Debauches: and even when they do marry, the Children
often perish as Victims to the Excesses and Irregularities of their
Fathers: they are weak, languishing, distempered, and either die young,
or live incapable of being useful to Society. Besides, that the
prevailing Habit of Libertinage, which many have contracted, prevents
several of them from marrying at all. But notwithstanding all these
inconvenient Consequences are real and notorious; yet as the Number of
those, who leave their Country on these Accounts, is limited, and indeed
rather inconsiderable, if compared with the Number of Inhabitants which
must remain at home: as it may be affirmed too, that this relinquishing
of their Country, may have been even necessary at some Times, and may
become so again, if the Causes of Depopulation should cease, this kind
of Emigration is doubtless the least grievous of any, and the last which
may require a strict Consideration.
But that abandoning of their Country, or _Expatriation_, as it may be
termed, the Object of which is a Change of the Emigrants Condition, is
more to be considered, being more numerous. It is attended with many and
peculiar Inconveniencies, and is unhappily become an epidemical Evil,
the Ravages of which are still increasing; and that from one simple
ridiculous Source, which is this; that the Success of one Individual
determines a hundred to run the same Risque, ninety and nine of whom may
probably be disappointed. They are struck with the apparent Success of
one, and are ignorant of the Miscarriage of others. Suppose a hundred
Persons might have set out ten Years ago, to _seek their Fortune_, as
the saying is, at the End of six Months they are all forgotten, except
by their Relations; but if one should return the same Year, with more
Money than his own Fortune, more than he set out with; or if one of them
has got a moderate Place with little Work, the whole Country rings with
it, as a Subject of general Entertainment. A Croud of young People are
seduced by this and sally forth, because not one reflects, that of the
ninety nine, who set out with the hundredth Person, one half has
perished, many are miserable, and the Remainder come back, without
having gained any thing, but an Incapacity to employ themselves usefully
at home, and in their former Occupations: and having deprived their
Country of a great many Cultivaters, who, from the Produce of the Lands,
would have attracted considerable Sums of Money, and many comfortable
Advantages to it. In short, the very small Proportion who succeed, are
continually talked of; the Croud that sink are perpetually forgot. This
is a very great and real Evil, and how shall it be prevented? It would
be sufficient perhaps to publish the extraordinary Risque, which may be
easily demonstrated: It would require nothing more than to keep an exact
yearly Register of all these Adventurers, and, at the Expiration of six,
eight, or ten Years, to publish the List, with the Fate, of every
Emigrant. I am greatly deceived, or at the End of a certain Number of
Years, we should not see such Multitudes forsake their native Soil, in
which they might live comfortably by working, to go in Search of
Establishments in others; the Uncertainty of which, such Lists would
demonstrate to them; and also prove, how preferable their Condition in
their own Country would have been, to that they have been reduced to.
People would no longer set out, but on almost certain Advantages: fewer
would undoubtedly emigrate, more of whom, from that very Circumstance,
must succeed. Meeting with fewer of their Country-men abroad, these
fortunate few would oftner return. By this Means more Inhabitants would
remain in the Country, more would return again, and bring with them more
Money to it. The State would be more populous, more rich and happy; as
the Happiness of a People, who live on a fruitful Soil, depends
essentially on a great Number of Inhabitants, with a moderate Quantity
of pecuniary Riches.
But the Population of the Country is not only necessarily lessened, in
Consequence of the Numbers that leave it; but even those who remain
increase less, than an equal Number formerly did. Or, which amounts to
the same Thing, among the same Number of Persons, there are fewer
Marriages than formerly; and the same Number of Marriages produce fewer
Christenings. I do not enter upon a Detail of the Proofs, since merely
looking about us must furnish a sufficient Conviction of the Truth of
them. What then are the Causes of this? There are two capital ones,
Luxury and Debauchery, which are Enemies to Population on many Accounts.
Luxury compells the wealthy Man, who would make a Figure; and the Man of
a moderate Income, but who is his equal in every other Respect, and who
_will_ imitate him, to be afraid of a numerous Family; the Education of
which must greatly contract that Expence he had devoted to Parade and
Ostentation: And besides, if he must divide his Estate among a great
many Children, each of them would have but a little, and be unable to
keep up the State and the Train of the Father's. Since Merit is unjustly
estimated by exterior Shew and Expence, one must of Course endeavour to
attain for himself, and to leave his Children in, a Situation capable of
supporting that Expence. Hence the fewer Marriages of People who are not
opulent, and the fewer Children among People who marry.
Luxury is further prejudicial to the Increase of the People, in another
Respect. The irregular Manner of Life which it introduces, depresses
Health; it ruins the Constitutions, and thus sensibly affects
Procreation. The preceding Generation counted some Families with more
than twenty Children: the living one less than twenty Cousins. Very
unfortunately this Way of thinking and acting, so preventive of
Increase, has extended itself even into Villages: and they are no longer
convinced there, that the Number of Children makes the Riches of the
Countryman. Perhaps the next Generation will scarcely be acquainted with
the Relation of Brotherhood.
A third Inconvenience of Luxury is, that the Rich retreat from the
Country to live in Cities; and by multiplying their Domestics there,
they drain the former. This augmented Train is prejudicial to the
Country, by depriving it of Cultivaters, and by diminishing Population.
These Domestics, being seldom sufficiently employed, contract the Habit
of Laziness; and they prove incapable of returning to that Country
Labour, for which Nature intended them. Being deprived of this Resource
they scarcely ever marry, either from apprehending the Charge of
Children, or from their becoming Libertines; and sometimes, because many
Masters will not employ married Servants. Or should any of them marry,
it is often in the Decline of Life, whence the State must have the fewer
Citizens.
Idleness of itself weakens them, and disposes them to those Debauches,
which enfeeble them still more. They never have more than a few
Children, and these sickly; such as have not Strength to cultivate the
Ground; or who, being brought up in Cities, have an Aversion to the
Country.
Even those among them who are more prudent, who preserve their Morals,
and make some Savings, being accustomed to a City Life, and dreading the
Labour of a Country one (of the Regulation of which they are also
ignorant) chuse to become little Merchants, or Tradesmen; and this must
be a Drawback from Population, as any Number of Labourers beget more
Children than an equal Number of Citizens; and also by Reason, that out
of any given Number, more Children die in Cities, than in the Country.
The same Evils also prevail, with Regard to female Servants. After ten
or twelve Years Servitude, the Maid-Servants in Cities cannot acquit
themselves as good Country Servants: and such of them as chuse this
Condition, quickly fail under that Kind or Quantity of Work, for which
they are no longer constituted. Should we see a Woman married in the
Country, a Year after leaving Town, it is easy to observe, how much that
Way of living in the Country has broke her. Frequently their first
Child-bed, in which Term they have not all the Attendance their Delicacy
demands, proves the Loss of their Health; they remain in a State of
Languor, of Feebleness, and of Decay: they have no more Children; and
this renders their Husbands unuseful towards the Population of the
State.
Abortions, Infants carried out of their Country after a concealed
Pregnancy, and the Impossibility of their getting Husbands afterwards,
are frequently the Effects of their Libertinage.
It is to be apprehended too these bad Effects are rather increasing with
us; since, either for want of sufficient Numbers, or from oeconomical
Views, it has become a Custom, instead of Women Servants, to employ
Children, whose Manners and whole Constitutions are not yet formed; and
who are ruined in the same Manner, by their Residence in Town, by their
Laziness, by bad Examples, and bad Company.
Doubtless much remains still unsaid on these important Heads; but
besides my Intention not to swell this Treatise immoderately, and the
many Avocations, which prevent me from launching too far into what may
be less within the Bounds of Medicine, I should be fearful of digressing
too far from my Subject. What I have hitherto said however, I think
cannot be impertinent to it; since in giving Advice to the People, with
Regard to their Health, it was necessary to display to them the Causes
that impaired it: though what I might be able to add further on this
Head, would probably be thought more remote from the Subject.
I shall add then but a single Hint on the Occasion. Is it not
practicable, in Order to remedy those Evils which we cannot prevent, to
select some particular Part or Canton of the Country, wherein we should
endeavour by Rewards, _1st._ Irremoveably to fix all the Inhabitants.
_2dly._ To encourage them by other Rewards to a plentiful and legitimate
Increase. They should not be permitted to go out of it, which must
prevent them from being exposed to the Evils I have mentioned. They
should by no means intermarry with any Strangers, who might introduce
such Disorders among them. Thus very probably this Canton, after a
certain Time, would become even over-peopled, and might send out
Colonies to the others.
One Cause, still more considerable than those we have already mention'd,
has, to this very Moment, prevented the Increase of the People in
France. This is the Decay of Agriculture. The Inhabitants of the
Country, to avoid serving in the Militia; to elude the Days-Service
impos'd by their Lords, and the Taxes; and being attracted to the City
by the Hopes of Interest, by Laziness and Libertinage, have left the
Country nearly deserted. Those who remain behind, either not being
encouraged to work, or not being sufficient for what there is to do,
content themselves with cultivating just as much as is absolutely
necessary for their Subsistence. They have either lived single, or
married but late; or perhaps, after the Example of the Inhabitants of
the Cities, they have refused to fulfil their Duty to Nature, to the
State, and to a Wife. The Country deprived of Tillers, by this
Expatriation and Inactivity, has yielded nothing; and the Depopulation
of the State has daily increased, from the reciprocal and necessary
Proportion between Subsistence and Population, and because Agriculture
alone can increase Subsistence. A single Comparison will sufficiently
evince the Truth and the Importance of these Principles, to those who
have not seen them already divulged and demonstrated in the Works of
the [6] Friend of Man.
[6] The Marquis of Mirabeau.
"An old Roman, who was always ready to return to the Cultivation of his
Field, subsisted himself and his Family from one Acre of Land. A Savage,
who neither sows nor cultivates, consumes, in his single Person, as much
Game as requires fifty Acres to feed them. Consequently _Tullus
Hostilius_, on a thousand Acres, might have five thousand Subjects:
while a Savage Chief, limited to the same Extent of Territory, could
scarcely have twenty: such an immense Disproportion does Agriculture
furnish, in Favour of Population. Observe these two great Extremes. A
State becomes dispeopled or peopled in that Proportion, by which it
recedes from one of these Methods, and approaches to the other." Indeed
it is evident, that wherever there is an Augmentation of Subsistence, an
Increase of Population will soon follow; which again will still further
facilitate the Increase of Provisions. In a State thus circumstanced Men
will abound, who, after they have furnished sufficient Numbers for the
Service of War, of Commerce, of Religion, and for Arts and Professions
of every kind, will further also furnish a Source for Colonies, who will
extend the Name and the Prosperity of their Nation to distant Regions.
There will ensue a Plenty of Commodities, the Superfluity of which will
be exported to other Countries, to exchange for other Commodities, that
are not produced at home; and the Balance, being received in Money, will
make the Nation rich, respectable by its Neighbours, and happy.
Agriculture, vigorously pursued, is equal to the Production of all these
Benefits; and the present Age will enjoy the Glory of restoring it, by
favouring and encouraging Cultivaters, and by forming Societies for the
Promotion of Agriculture.
I proceed at length to the fourth Cause of Depopulation, which is the
Manner of treating sick People in the Country. This has often affected
me with the deepest Concern. I have been a Witness, that Maladies,
which, in themselves, would have been gentle, have proved mortal from a
pernicious Treatment: I am convinced that this Cause alone makes as
great a Havock as the former; and certainly it requires the utmost
Attention of Physicians, whose Duty it is to labour for the Preservation
of Mankind. While we are employing our assiduous Cares on the more
polished and fashionable Part of them in Cities, the larger and more
useful Moiety perish in the Country; either by particular, or by highly
epidemical, Diseases, which, within a few Years past, have appeared in
different Villages, and made no small Ravages. This afflicting
Consideration has determined me to publish this little Work, which is
solely intended for those Patients, who, by their Distance from
Physicians, are deprived of their Assistance. I shall not give a Detail
of my Plan, which is very simple, in this Part; but content myself with
affirming, I have used my utmost Care to render it the most useful I
possibly could: and I dare hope, that if I have not fully displayed its
utmost Advantages, I have at least sufficiently shewn those pernicious
Methods of treating Diseases, that should incontestably be avoided. I am
thoroughly convinced, the Design might be accomplished more compleatly
than I have done it; but those who are so capable of, do not attempt,
it: I happen to be less timid; and I hope that thinking Persons will
rather take it in good part of me, to have published a Book, the
composing of which is rather disagreeable from its very Facility; from
the minute Details, which however are indispensable; and from the
Impossibility of discussing any Part of it (consistently with the Plan)
to the Bottom of the Subject; or of displaying any new and useful
Prospect. It may be compared, in some Respects, to the Works of a
spiritual Guide, who was to write a Catechism for little Children.
At the same time I am not ignorant there have already been a few Books
calculated for Country Patients, who are remote from Succour: but some
of these, tho' published with a very good Purpose, produce a bad Effect.
Of this kind are all Collections of Receipts or Remedies, without the
least Description of the Disease; and of Course without just Directions
for the Exhibition, or Application, of them. Such, for Example, is the
famous Collection of Madam _Fouquet_, and some more in the same manner.
Some others approach towards my Plan; but many of them have taken in too
many Distempers, whence they are become too voluminous. Besides, they
have not dwelt sufficiently upon the Signs of the Diseases; upon their
Causes; the general Regimen in them, and the Mismanagement of them.
Their Receipts are not generally as simple, and as easy to prepare, as
they ought to be. In short, the greater Part of their Writers seem, as
they advanced, to have grown tired of their melancholy Task, and to have
hurried them out too expeditiously. There are but two of them, which I
must name with Respect, and which being proposed on a Plan very like my
own, are executed in a superior Manner, that merits the highest
Acknowlegements of the Publick. One of these Writers is M. _Rosen_,
first Physician of the Kingdom of _Sweden_; who, some Years since,
employed his just Reputation to render the best Services to his Country
Men. He has made them retrench from the Almanacs those ridiculous Tales;
those extraordinary Adventures; those pernicious astrological
Injunctions, which there, as well as here, answer no End, but that of
keeping up Ignorance, Credulity, Superstition, and the falsest
Prejudices on the interesting Articles of Health, of Diseases, and of
Remedies. He has also taken Care to publish simple plain Treatises on
the most popular Distempers; which he has substituted in the Place of
the former Heap of Absurdities. These concise Works however, which
appear annually in their Almanacs, are not yet translated from the
_Swedish_, so that I was unqualified to make any Extracts from them. The
other is the Baron _Van Swieten_, first Physician to their Imperial
Majesties, who, about two Years since, has effected for the Use of the
Army, what I now attempt for sick People in the Country. Though my Work
was greatly advanced, when I first saw his, I have taken some Passages
from it: and had our Plans been exactly alike, I should imagine I had
done the Publick more Service by endeavouring to extend the Reading of
his Book, than by publishing a new one. Nevertheless, as he is silent on
many Articles, of which I have treated diffusively; as he has treated of
many Distempers, which did not come within my Plan; and has said nothing
of some others which I could not omit; our two Works, without entering
into the Particulars of the superior Merit of the Baron's, are very
different, with Regard to the Subject of the Diseases; tho' in such as
we have both considered, I account it an Honour to me to find, we have
almost constantly proceeded upon the same Principles.
The present Work is by no means addressed to such Physicians, as are
thoroughly accomplished in their Profession; yet possibly, besides my
particular medical Friends, some others may read it. I beg the Favour of
all such fully to consider the Intention, the Spirit, of the Author, and
not to censure him, as a Physician, from the Composition of this Book. I
even advise them here rather to forbear perusing it; as a Production,
that can teach them nothing. Such as read, in order to criticize, will
find a much greater Scope for exercising that Talent on the other
Pamphlets I have published. It were certainly unjust that a Performance,
whose sole abstracted Object is the Health and Service of my Countrymen,
should subject me to any disagreeable Consequences: and a Writer may
fairly plead an Exemption from any Severity of Censure, who has had the
Courage to execute a Work, which cannot pretend to a Panegyric.
Having premised thus much in general, I must enter into some Detail of
those Means, that seem the most likely to me, to facilitate the
beneficial Consequences, which, I hope, may result to others, from my
present Endeavours. I shall afterwards give an Explanation of some Terms
which I could not avoid using, and which, perhaps, are not generally
understood.
The Title of _Advice to the People_, was not suggested to me by an
Illusion, which might persuade me, this Book would become a Piece of
Furniture, as it were, in the House of every Peasant. Nineteen out of
twenty will probably never know of its Existence. Many may be unable to
read, and still more unable to understand, it, plain and simple as it
is. I have principally calculated it for the Perusal of intelligent and
charitable Persons, who live in the Country; and who seem to have, as it
were, a Call from Providence, to assist their less intelligent poor
Neighbours with their Advice.
It is obvious, that the first Gentlemen I have my Eye upon, are the
Clergy. There is not a single Village, a Hamlet, nor even the House of
an Alien in the Country, that has not a Right to the good Offices of
some one of this Order; And I assure myself there are a great Number of
them, who, heartily affected with the Distress of their ailing Flocks,
have wished many hundred Times, that it were in their Power to give
their Parishioners some bodily Help, at the very Time they were
disposing them to prepare for Death; or so far to delay the Fatality of
the Distemper, that the Sick might have an Opportunity of living more
religiously afterwards. I shall think myself happy, if such truly
respectable Ecclesiastics shall find any Resources in this Performance,
that may conduce to the Accomplishment of their beneficent Intentions.
Their Regard, their Love for their People; their frequent Invitations to
visit their principal Neighbours; their Duty to root out all
unreasonable Prejudices, and Superstition; their Charity, their
Learning; the Facility, with which their general Knowlege in Physics,
qualifies them to comprehend thoroughly all the medical Truths, and
Contents of this Piece, are so many Arguments to convince me, that they
will have the greatest Influence to procure that Reformation, in the
Administration of Physick to poor Country People, which is so necessary,
so desirable, an Object.
In the next Place, I dare assure myself of the Concurrence of Gentlemen
of Quality and Opulence, in their different Parishes and Estates, whose
Advice is highly regarded by their Inferiors; who are so powerfully
adapted to discourage a wrong, and to promote a right Practice, of which
they will easily discern all the Advantages. The many Instances I have
seen of their entering, with great Facility, into all the Plan and
Conduct of a Cure; their Readiness and even Earnestness to comfort the
Sick in their Villages; and the Generosity with which they prevent their
Necessities, induce me to hope, from judging of these I have not the
Pleasure to know, by those whom I have, that they will eagerly embrace
an Opportunity of promoting a new Method of doing good in their
Neighbourhood. Real Charity will apprehend the great Probability there
is of doing Mischief, tho' with the best Intention, for want of a proper
Knowledge of material Circumstances; and the very Fear of that Mischief
may sometimes suspend the Exercise of such Charity; notwithstanding it
must seize, with the most humane Avidity, every Light that can
contribute to its own beneficent Exertion.
Thirdly, Persons who are rich, or at least in easy Circumstances, whom
their Disposition, their Employments, or the Nature of their Property,
fixes in the Country, where they are happy in doing good, must be
delighted to have some proper Directions for the Conduct and
Effectuation of their charitable Intentions.
In every Village, where there are any Persons, of these three
Conditions, they are always readily apprized of the Distempers in it, by
their poor Neighbours coming to intreat a little Soup, Venice Treacle,
Wines, Biscuits, or any thing they imagine necessary for their sick
Folks. In Consequence of some Questions to the Bystanders, or of a Visit
to the sick Person, they will judge at least of _what kind_ the Disease
is; and by their prudent Advice they may be able to prevent a Multitude
of Evils. They will give them some Nitre instead of Venice Treacle;
Barley, or sweet Whey, in lieu of Soup. They will advise them to have
Recourse to Glysters, or Bathings of their Feet, rather than to Wine;
and order them Gruel rather than Biscuits. A man would scarcely believe,
'till after the Expiration of a few Years, how much Good might be
effected by such proper Regards, so easily comprehended, and often
repeated. At first indeed there may be some Difficulty in eradicating
old Prejudices, and inveterately bad Customs; but whenever these were
removed, good Habits would strike forth full as strong Roots, and I hope
that no Person would be inclined to destroy them.
It may be unnecessary to declare, that I have more Expectation from the
Care and Goodness of the Ladies, than from those of their Spouses, their
Fathers, or Brothers. A more active Charity, a more durable Patience, a
more domestic Life; a Sagacity, which I have greatly admired in many
Ladies both in Town and Country, that disposes them to observe, with
great Exactness; and to unravel, as it were, the secret Causes of the
Symptoms, with a Facility that would do Honour to very good Practioners,
and with a Talent adapted to engage the Confidence of the Patient:--All
these, I say, are so many characteristical Marks of their Vocation in
this important and amicable Duty; nor are there a few, who fulfil it
with a Zeal, that merits the highest Commendation, and renders them
excellent Models for the Imitation of others.
Those who are intrusted with the Education of Youth, may also be
supposed sufficiently intelligent to take some Part in this Work; and I
am satisfied that much Good might result from their undertaking it. I
heartily wish, they would not only study to _distinguish the Distemper_
(in which the principal, but by no means an insuperable Difficulty
consists; and to which I hope I have considerably put them in the Way)
but I would have them learn also the Manner of applying Remedies. Many
of them have; I have known some who bleed, and who have given Glysters
very expertly. This however all may easily learn; and perhaps it would
not be imprudent, if the Art of bleeding well and safely were reckoned a
necessary Qualification, when they are examined for their Employment.
These Faculties, that of estimating the Degree of a Fever, and how to
apply and to dress Blisters, may be of great Use within the
Neighbourhood of their Residence. Their Schools, which are not
frequently over-crouded, employ but a few of their daily Hours; the
greater part of them have no Land to cultivate; and to what better Use
can they apply their Leisure, than to the Assistance and Comfort of the
Sick? The moderate Price of their Service may be so ascertained, as to
incommode no Person; and this little Emolument might render their own
Situation the more agreeable: besides which, these little Avocations
might prevent their being drawn aside sometimes, by Reason of their
Facility and frequent Leisure, so as to contract a Habit of drinking too
often. Another Benefit would also accrue from accustoming them to this
kind of Practice, which is, that being habituated to the Care of sick
People, and having frequent Occasions to write, they would be the better
qualify'd, in difficult Cases, to advise with those, who were thought
further necessary to be consulted.
Doubtless, even among Labourers, there may be many, for some such I have
known, who being endued with good natural Sense and Judgment, and
abounding with Benevolence, will read this Book with Attention, and
eagerly extend the Maxims and the Methods it recommends.
And finally I hope that many Surgeons, who are spread about the Country,
and who practice Physic in their Neighbourhood, will peruse it; will
carefully enter into the Principles established in it, and will conform
to its Directions; tho' a little different perhaps from such as they may
have hitherto practiced. They will perceive a Man may learn at any Age,
and of any Person; and it may be hoped they will not think it too much
Trouble to reform some of their Notions in a Science, which is not
properly within their Profession (and to the Study of which they were
never instituted) by those of a Person, who is solely employed in it,
and who has had many Assistances of which they are deprived.
Midwives may also find their Attendance more efficacious, as soon as
they are thoroughly disposed to be better informed.
It were heartily to be wished, that the greater Part of them had been
better instructed in the Art they profess. The Instances of Mischief
that might have been avoided, by their being better qualify'd, are
frequent enough to make us wish there may be no Repetition of them,
which it may be possible to prevent. Nothing seems impossible, when
Persons in Authority are zealously inclined to prevent every such Evil;
and it is time they should be properly informed of one so essentially
hurtful to Society.
The Prescriptions I have given consist of the most simple Remedies, and
I have adjoined the Manner of preparing them so fully, that I hope no
Person can be at any Loss in that Respect. At the same time, that no one
may imagine they are the less useful and efficacious for their
Simplicity, I declare, they are the same I order in the City for the
most opulent Patients. This Simplicity is founded in Nature: the
Mixture, or rather the Confusion, of a Multitude of Drugs is ridiculous.
If they have the very same Virtues, for what Purpose are they blended?
It were more judicious to confine ourselves to that, which is the most
effectual. If their Virtues are different, the Effect of one destroys,
or lessens, the Effect of the other; and the Medicine ceases to prove a
Remedy.
I have given no Direction, which is not very practicable and easy to
execute; nevertheless it will be discernible, that some few are not
calculated for the Multitude, which I readily grant. However I have
given them, because I did not lose Sight of some Persons; who, tho' not
strictly of the Multitude, or Peasantry, do live in the Country, and
cannot always procure a Physician as soon, or for as long a Time, as
they gladly would.
A great Number of the Remedies are entirely of the Country Growth, and
may be prepared there; but there are others, which must be had from the
Apothecaries. I have set down the Price [7] at which I am persuaded all
the Country Apothecaries will retail them to a Peasant, who is not
esteemed a rich one. I have marked the Price, not from any Apprehension
of their being imposed on in the Purchase, for this I do not apprehend;
but, that seeing the Cheapness of the Prescription, they may not be
afraid to buy it. The necessary Dose of the Medicine, for each Disease,
may generally be purchased for less Money than would be expended on
Meat, Wine, Biscuits, and other improper things. But should the Price of
the Medicine, however moderate, exceed the Circumstances of the Sick,
doubtless the Common Purse, or the Poors-Box will defray it: moreover
there are in many Country Places Noblemens Houses, some of whom
charitably contribute an annual Sum towards buying of Medicines for poor
Patients. Without adding to which Sum, I would only intreat the Favour
of each of them to alter the Objects of it, and to allow their sick
Neighbours the Remedies and the Regimen directed here, instead of such
as they formerly distributed among them.
[7] This oeconomical Information was doubtless very proper, where our
judicious and humane Author published it; but notwithstanding his
excellent Motives for giving it, we think it less necessary here,
where many Country Gentlemen furnish themselves with larger or
smaller Medicine Chests, for the Benefit of their poor sick
Neighbours; and in a Country, where the settled parochial Poor are
provided with Medicines, as well as other Necessaries, at a
parochial Expence. Besides, tho' we would not suppose our Country
Apothecaries less considerate or kind than others, we acknowledge
our Apprehension, that in such Valuation of their Drugs (some of
which often vary in their Price) might dispose a few of them,
rather to discountenance the Extension of a Work, so well intended
and executed as Dr. _Tissot's_; a Work, which may not be wholly
unuseful to some of the most judicious among them, and will be
really necessary for the rest. _K._
It may still be objected, that many Country Places are very distant from
large Towns; from which Circumstance a poor Peasant is incapable of
procuring himself a seasonable and necessary Supply in his Illness. I
readily admit, that, in Fact, there are many Villages very remote from
such Places as Apothecaries reside in. Yet, if we except a few among the
Mountains, there are but very few of them above three or four Leagues
from some little Town, where there always lives some Surgeon, or some
Vender of Drugs. Perhaps however, even at this Time, indeed, there may
not be many thus provided; but they will take care to furnish themselves
with such Materials, as soon as they have a good Prospect of selling
them, which may constitute a small, but new, Branch of Commerce for
them. I have carefully set down the Time, for which each Medicine will
keep, without spoiling. There is a very frequent Occasion for some
particular ones, and of such the School-masters may lay in a Stock. I
also imagine, if they heartily enter into my Views, they will furnish
themselves with such Implements, as may be necessary in the Course of
their Attendance. If any of them were unable to provide themselves with
a sufficient Number of good Lancets, an _Apparatus_ for Cupping, and a
Glyster Syringe (for want of which last a Pipe and Bladder may be
occasionally substituted) the Parish might purchase them, and the same
Instruments might do for the succeeding School-master. It is hardly to
be expected, that all Persons in that Employment would be able, or even
inclined, to learn the Way of using them with Address; but one Person
who did, might be sufficient for whatever Occasions should occur in this
Way in some contiguous Villages; with very little Neglect of their
Functions among their Scholars.
Daily Instances of Persons, who come from different Parts to consult me,
without being capable of answering the Questions I ask them, and the
like Complaints of many other Physicians on the same Account, engaged me
to write the last Chapter of this Work. I shall conclude this
Introduction with some Remarks, necessary to facilitate the Knowledge of
a few Terms, which were unavoidable in the Course of it.
The Pulse commonly beats in a Person in good Health, from the Age of
eighteen or twenty to about sixty six Years, between sixty and seventy
Times in a Minute. It sometimes comes short of this in old Persons, and
in very young Children it beats quicker: until the Age of three or four
Years the Difference amounts at least to a third; after which it
diminishes by Degrees.
An intelligent Person, who shall often touch and attend to his own
Pulse, and frequently to other Peoples, will be able to judge, with
sufficient Exactness, of the Degree of a Fever in a sick Person. If the
Strokes are but one third above their Number in a healthy State, the
Fever is not very violent: which it is, as often as it amounts to half
as many more as in Health. It is very highly dangerous, and may be
generally pronounced mortal, when there are two Strokes in the Time of
one. We must not however judge of the Pulse, solely by its Quickness,
but by its Strength or Weakness; its Hardness or Softness; and the
Regularity or Irregularity of it.
There is no Occasion to define the strong and the feeble Pulse. The
Strength of it generally affords a good Prognostic, and, supposing it
too strong, it may easily be lowered. The weak Pulse is often very
menacing.
If the Pulse, in meeting the Touch, excites the Notion of a dry Stroke,
as though the Artery consisted of Wood, or of some Metal, we term it
_hard_; the opposite to which is called _soft_, and generally promises
better. If it be strong and yet soft, even though it be quick, it may be
considered as a very hopeful Circumstance. But if it is strong and hard,
that commonly is a Token of an Inflammation, and indicates Bleeding and
the cooling Regimen. Should it be, at the same time, small, quick and
hard, the Danger is indeed very pressing.
We call that Pulse regular, a continued Succession of whole Strokes are
made in equal Intervals of Time; and in which Intervals, not a single
Stroke is wanting (since if that is its State, it is called an
intermitting Pulse.) The Beats or Pulsations are also supposed to
resemble each other so exactly in Quality too, that one is not strong,
and the next alternately feeble.
As long as the State of the Pulse is promising; Respiration or Breathing
is free; the Brain does not seem to be greatly affected; while the
Patient takes his Medicines, and they are attended with the Consequence
that was expected; and he both preserves his Strength pretty well, and
continues sensible of his Situation, we may reasonably hope for his
Cure. As often as all, or the greater Number of these characterizing
Circumstances are wanting, he is in very considerable Danger.
The Stoppage of Perspiration is often mentioned in the Course of this
Work. We call the Discharge of that Fluid which continually passes off
through the Pores of the Skin, _Transpiration_; and which, though
invisible, is very considerable. For if a Person in Health eats and
drinks to the Weight of eight Pounds daily, he does not discharge four
of them by Stool and Urine together, the Remainder passing off by
insensible Transpiration. It may easily be conceived, that if so
considerable a Discharge is stopt, or considerably lessened; and if this
Fluid, which ought to transpire through the Skin, should be transfered
to any inward Part, it must occasion some dangerous Complaint. In fact
this is one of the most frequent Causes of Diseases.
To conclude very briefly--All the Directions in the following Treatise
are solely designed for such Patients, as cannot have the Attendance of
a Physician. I am far from supporting, they ought to do instead of one,
even in those Diseases, of which I have treated in the fullest Manner;
and the Moment a Physician arrives, they ought to be laid aside. The
Confidence reposed in him should be entire, or there should be none. The
Success of the Event is founded in that. It is his Province to judge of
the Disease, to select Medicines against it; and it is easy to foresee
the Inconveniences that may follow, from proposing to him to consult
with any others, preferably to those he may chuse to consult with; only
because they have succeeded in the Treatment of another Patient, whose
Case they suppose to have been nearly the same with the present Case.
This were much the same, as to order a Shoemaker to make a Shoe for one
Foot by the Pattern of another Shoe, rather than by the Measure he has
just taken.
_N. B._ Though a great Part of this judicious Introduction is less
applicable to the political Circumstances of the British Empire, than to
those of the Government for which it was calculated; we think the good
Sense and the unaffected Patriotism which animate it, will supersede any
Apology for our translating it. The serious Truth is this, that a
thorough Attention to Population seems never to have been more expedient
for ourselves, than after so bloody and expensive, though such a
glorious and successful War: while our enterprizing Neighbours, who will
never be our Friends, are so earnest to recruit their Numbers; to
increase their Agriculture; and to force a Vent for their Manufactures,
which cannot be considerably effected, without a sensible Detriment to
our own. Besides which, the unavoidable Drain from the People here,
towards an effectual Cultivation, Improvement, and Security of our
Conquests, demands a further Consideration. _K._
_ADVICE_ _TO THE_ _PEOPLE_,