The only genuine and authentic account of the life and memoirs of ... H. Jenkins ... who lived to the ... age of 169 years ... / [Henry Jenkins].

Jenkins, Henry, approximately 1501-1670.

Date:: 1829

Credit: The only genuine and authentic account of the life and memoirs of ... H. Jenkins ... who lived to the ... age of 169 years ... / [Henry Jenkins]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$trarv bv some extraordinary wiseacres, some of wliom told my mother they could not approve of her using flannel when children were so yount’, considering it more ))roper for elderly persons; to those her constant <in- swer was, why not keep off old age. Indeed, I consider the long lile and extraordiiiaty health of my family a suflicient answer to these objections. \\ hen J \v.as able to go alone, my mother made me worsted socks, or rather hall-stockings, which, together with a flannel petticoat, and high shoes reaching above my ancles, (which are a great support, and prevent their growing out,) infallibly prevented my limbs taking cold, rendering my feet, legs, and thighs warm and comfortable; those seeming tiilling ])recautions, (which had for many years been used by our family) she con- sidered as the chief cause why none of us ever had the gout or rheuma- tism, and under Providence, the cause of their living to such great ages. \\ hen I grew up, 1 followed the gardening business with my Intlier, atlending the markets, &c. with him, and being of course exposed to the different clianges of weather, on my mother’s recommendation, I had some flannel shirts made long enough to cover my loins, and witli drawers of tlie same, stout worsted stockings, and high shoes, which laced before, and reached above my ancles, with very stout soles, well nailed, for my working shoes: it is hardly necessary to say that I seldom took cold. The whole of my dre.ss certainly could not suit every one, but 1 advi>e all those who f'aliie health, to wear flannel next their skin, and to change it at least every fortnight, for it will certainly be the means of rendering them healthy and comfortable in old age. Those who have not been ac- customed to wear it, will probably feel some inconvenience when it is fir.st ])ut on, but when they have worn it a week or two, they will begin to find the beticfit and comfort ofit. Those who wear flannel should never leave it ofl' vs'iuicr nor summer, nor will they feel any inclination to do so, when they have worn it for any length of time; it imbibes the perspiration, keeps the body cool, and prevents the spasms, gout, rheumatism, and many other bodily complaints. With regard to my usual diet, it consisted mostly of common food, as bread and cheese, or cold meat with onions, salad, radishes, &c. All our family were lond of onions, which 1 consider extremely wholesome, either raw, boiled, or roasted, but they should not be over-dressed; taken ran, they have tlie same effect internally as flannel has externally; and tne, heside.s, il eaten raw for supper, an infallible preventive against all windy complaints ; we sthhmi supped in winter without them, and 1 always found them promote sleep, and warm the sj'stem. I seldom drank any thing but u ator, or small beer, but when 1 worked harder than usual, 1 never found a pint of strong beer hurt me. And lollowins the maxims of old Parr, 1 never eat but when I was huiigrv, nor drank till thirst3'. I usually took my supper about seven o’clock in winter, and eight iu$