An answer to the enquiry, If it be the duty of every person to study the preservation of his health, what means are the most likely to answer that end, and to which recourse may be had by all classes of people? / by Disney Alexander ...

Date:
1804
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An answer to the enquiry, If it be the duty of every person to study the preservation of his health, what means are the most likely to answer that end, and to which recourse may be had by all classes of people? / by Disney Alexander ... Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    rally Induces us to eat somewhat more than is necessary or absolutely required, we should imbibe too much alimentary matter, and become too full of blood, if we were to confine ourselves entirely to the use of these. A diet, on the contrary, composed wholly of vegetables, especially where tlie constitution is naturally delicate, or where much exercise is used, would be equally improper. Pei-severance In any length of time in such a course would in all probability give rise to scurvy, scrophula, or other diseases of weakness. The energies of the mind would partake of the debility of the body, and the whole system gradually sink into a torpid and Insensible state. What is the exact proportion of animal and vegetable nourishment, which is most conducive to health, cannot perhaps be fully ascertained; but we may admit it as a general rule, that two thirds or three fourths of vegetable to one third or fourth part of animal food, is the most proper. Since, however, the constitutions of men are so various, that what will agree perfectly well with some, is mani- festly detrimental to others, we must be governed In all these cases by circumstances. tor instance, those who are of a consumptive habit should scrupulously avoid all fermented lI(][uors, and confine them- selves to a diet chiefly consisting of milk and vegetables; whilst they who are predisposed to scrophula, and diseases of a similar nature, may be allowed the liberal use of beer, or wine, and animal food. Persons of an extremely nervous and irritable habit, should accustom themselves to a nourishing diet. All high- seasoned provisions, however, as well as salted meats, are to be avoided; a moderate proportion of ale or porter, or in lieu of these, a small quantity of generous wine may be allowed; and milk, cocoa, or an infusion of some kind of