An epistle to a friend, on the means of preserving health, promoting happiness : and prolonging the life of man to its natural period : being a summary view of inconsiderate and useless habits that derange the system of nature, thereby causing premature old age and death : with some thoughts on the best means of preventing and overcoming disease / by Charles W. Peale.

  • Peale, Charles Willson, 1741-1827.
Date:
1803
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An epistle to a friend, on the means of preserving health, promoting happiness : and prolonging the life of man to its natural period : being a summary view of inconsiderate and useless habits that derange the system of nature, thereby causing premature old age and death : with some thoughts on the best means of preventing and overcoming disease / by Charles W. Peale. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    digestion; the improper waste of it is probably the cause of clivers serious maladies, some of which steal on slowly, and imperceptibly under- mine our health. But if it is so uncommon to overcome this silly fashion; so filthy and unprofitable in its na- ture, how much greather must be the virtue to forbear from eating, or drinking things that we have contracted a high relish for, finding that they are either absolutely unwholesome, or de- void of nourishment. It is only requisite to make a fair trial, by gradually discharging every thing unwholesome or unnecessary to health; after this habit should be fairly confirmed, I am confident that it would be accompanied with greater and more rational enjoyment of the appetites bestowed onus; yet, if the excess is great, much care is really neces- sary in making the change; it must be done by very gradual restrictions. Suddenly resigning high stimulating food and drink, before nature has time to restore to a good tone a viciated con- stitution, may prove injurious or fatal. How- ever, none need fear the change, if they will daily lesson the stimulus by small portions^ es- pecially, if they will take care to substitute any kind of nourisment, as thus their comforts will