lers in a very high degree, from the privations they are frequently obliged to undergo. The strange meats of foreign countries cause great alterations and diseases in the constitution, until custom and use mitigate and reconcile their effects, and makes all good again. In proof of this, we read the history of Mithridates, who, by frequent use, to the astonishment of Pliny, who records it, was able to endure poison; and Curtius relates the story of a young female sent to Alexander by King Porus, who had been fed on poison from her earliest infancy. A shepherd is also mentioned by Theophrastus, who could eat hellebore in substance; and it is well known that the Turks eat opium by drachms at a time. "My appetite," says old honest Montaigne,* "is in several things of itself happily enough accommodated to the health of my stomach; whatever I take against my liking does me harm; but nothing hurts me that I eat with appetite and delight.” And Dr. W. Hunter† says, "the stomach gives information when the supplies have been expended, and represents, with great exactness, the quantity and quality of whatever is wanted in the present state of the machine; and, in proportion as it meets with neglect, rises in its demand, and urges its petition with a louder voice." * Essay on Experience, Book iii. Chap. 13. Introductory Lectures, 4to. p. 81. We have no less authority than that of Hippocrates, the father of physic, corroborated by that of Galen, his learned commentator, that we ought never, unless it be a very bad one, to change custom hastily: the same authority informs us, that it is advisable for all persons to adhere to that which they have been used to eat and drink, and as well as regards exercise and other things; for custom, like an insinuating schoolmistress, silently and gradually establishes her authority over us; and when we oppose her, she then immediately unmasks, and becomes a furious and ungovernable tyrant. Hence nature hates and resists all sudden changes; and she is brought to that state of conformity which may be desirable, by slow and gradual advances. This advice is, indeed, conformable with the opinion of men of all ages who have written on diet; indeed, there seems to be so little mystery in it, that, though all know it, it is but practised by few. "Take food in proportion," says John Hunter,* of immortal memory, "to the quantity of nourishment contained in it, of which the stomach appears from instinct to be capable of judging." Again, Armstrong+ Prompted by instinct's never erring power, Each creature knows its proper aliment. Their cravings are well aimed: voluptuous man Misled from pleasure, even in quest of joy. On the Animal Economy, 4to. p. 221. + Art of Preserving Health. Also, Adair "Whatever is most grateful to the palate, sits most easy on the stomach." Dr. Smith, also, in his "Guide in Sickness" (8vo. p. 59)-"Our stomach is in general a pretty good judge of what is best for it; thousands have perished from being inattentive to its calls, for one who has implicitly obeyed them." 'Things disagreeable to palate,” says Falconer,* "seldom digest well, or contribute to the nourishment of the body." 66 "Longings, directed by the pure guidance of instinct, and not arising merely from opinion, may not only be satisfied with impunity, but generally be indulged in with advantage.”† "Nothing is more common than for an invalid to inquire of his physician, what dishes are proper for him and which are not so. His doctor might almost as reasonably be required to tell him which was mos agreeable to his palate, as which best agreed with his stomach."+ "As to the quality of food, although, whatever is easy of digestion, singly considered, deserves the preference, yet regard must be had to the palate and to the appetite; because it is frequently found, that what the stomach earnestly covets, though of difficult digestian, does, nevertheless, digest better than what is esteemed of easier digestion, if the stomach nauseates * On Diet, pp. 7 and 8. + Withers on the Abuse of Medicine, 8vo. p. 233. it: I am of opinion, the patient ought to eat only of one dish at a meal.”* "Every animal but man keeps to one dish. Herbs are the food of this species-fish of that-and flesh of a third."+ "Be content with one dish at a meal; in the choice of that consult your palate.”‡ The stomach of an invalid occasionally requires a little humouring; but what may be termed simple diet, is to dine off the first course, which, for the most part, in what is termed in a homely way, consists of a joint and the necessary vegetables. These people are by far the most healthy, as well as the most hearty eaters.§ * Sydenham on Gout. + Arbuthnot. Ibid. SECTION VI. SURFEITING AND GLUTTONY, AND THEIR EFFECTS UPON LIFE AND HEALTH. EXCESS in eating is a vice as universally odious, as it is prejudical to our nature; and is reckoned more pernicious to the health and constitution than excess in drinking. By oppressing and loading the stomach to its utmost capacity, and filling it with a variety of heterogeneous food, the most deplorable consequences must necessarily ensue. All the fine vessels and tubes of the human system must be choaked and overloaded, all the exquisite canals which the hand of nature hath formed and disposed in our most astonishing frame, must be overburthened and retarded, and the current of the blood interrupted, more turbid and slow through the oppression and violence done to nature. By surfeiting and gluttony, and habitual excess in eating, the most fatal disorders must of necessity be occasioned, and the human body be soon converted into one universal infirmary. Nature's genuine wants are few: and these wants are satisfied with a few things. If man would but live according to nature, and her dictates and calls, the rule and standard of his eating and drinking, one-third of those diseases and evils which now infest human life would hardly be known. The |