ually becomes divested of its foul covering, and becomes moist and clean.

Though the regular perspiration be re-established, there is much less profuse sweating. Several of the young persons who have lived in this manner, have been observed playing in the open air in the heat of summer, or dancing in a warm room, unaffected and cool, while their companions were bathed in sweat.

Not only are the secretions more copious, but they are rendered much less offensive. The eructations from the stomach, and flatus from the bowels, are relatively inoffensive; and the fæces themselves become less disagreeable,* of their proper color, and healthy consistency.

Doubtless the whole composition of the circulating fluids is changed, but it is not possible, perhaps, to prove this chemically. But the whole body acquires a cleaner and a fresher appearance. The muddiness of the complexion vanishes. The sclerotic coat of the eye gives the strongest evidence of this change. From having been yellow and dull, it regains the pure and clear whiteness which is natural to it.

The body becomes more tolerant of heat, of cold, and of all the mutations of the atmosphere. Such impressions lose their power of injury; and the perpetual attention to guard ourselves against them becomes needless. In consequence, a lighter system of clothing may be adopted.

All the senses acquire a higher degree of perfection: the eye, the ear, the palate, the skin. The countenance becomes more animated and intellectual. The smile which plays upon the features shows the inward contentment of the heart. There can be no doubt that the apprehension, the memory, in a word, all the faculties which constitute the intellect, are improved.

The muscles acquire both flexibility and power; the movements of the body are performed, therefore, with greater ease and freedom. With the power of motion, the love of exercise

* I have observed that when recent vegetable matter, unchanged by cookery, has been abundantly used, the fæces have acquired very much the smell of horse dung.

t I here suppose that there has been no great disease upon any of the vital organs; for in that case it has been observed, that the muscles have sometimes been affected with a sort of rheumatic stiffness, in consequence, probably, of disease being transferred to these parts. Having remarked this in two or three members of my own family, I must suppose that it will happen very often.

2

taken place, may be inherently as much diseased as those the texture of which is obviously changed. They might then have taken on diseased action, if it had not been suspended either by the existing disease, or prevented by the death and dissolution of the body.

These considerations show that dissection can never completely unravel the phenomena of disease. By dissection we can discover only the final changes of composition, which the body undergoes. But disease is a change of the powers and actions of the living parts; that is to say, of parts of which, for the most part, the organization continues perfect.

If then disease be seated in and pervade the whole body, it must be counteracted by measures which affect and pervade the whole body likewise. Now the whole series of observations which have been made on the system of dieting recommended in the preceding pages, evinces that it affects the whole frame, every organ, and every fibre of the body.

As a whole, the body under it attains its just stature, due proportions, and proper strength, provided there be no original defect of structure. In consequence, all artificial defects of structure are tending to disappear under it. The skin appears to become more firm and dense. The hand and foot in particular become harder, less white and doughy, but perhaps more fleshy. The pungent heat of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, with which many are tormented, disappears. The whole surface of the body commonly becomes cooler; but the temperature of the body, as indicated by the thermometer under the tongue, is the same as under common regimen.

The hair grows with much greater luxuriance and rapidity. In some in whom it was dry like hay, it regained a due softness and moisture. In others the disposition of the hair to fall off has been removed. Premature grayness appears to be pre

vented.

All the secretions are promoted, and re-established where they had been checked. Hence, the skin becomes moist and perspirable; the mucous discharges from the nostrils and the trachea become more copious. On the same principle, the bowels become regular in their action. The urine is extremely copious and commonly clear. The saliva loses all viscidity and clamminess, and on this account much uncomfortable feeling in the mouth and fauces are removed. The teeth become sound and clean, the gums firm, and strongly attached to the teeth and alveolar processes. The tongue likewise grad

ually becomes divested of its foul covering, and becomes moist and clean.

Though the regular perspiration be re-established, there is much less profuse sweating. Several of the young persons who have lived in this manner, have been observed playing in the open air in the heat of summer, or dancing in a warm room, unaffected and cool, while their companions were bathed in sweat.

Not only are the secretions more copious, but they are rendered much less offensive. The eructations from the stomach, and flatus from the bowels, are relatively inoffensive; and the fæces themselves become less disagreeable,* of their proper color, and healthy consistency.

Doubtless the whole composition of the circulating fluids is changed, but it is not possible, perhaps, to prove this chemically. But the whole body acquires a cleaner and a fresher appearance. The muddiness of the complexion vanishes. The sclerotic coat of the eye gives the strongest evidence of this change. From having been yellow and dull, it regains the pure and clear whiteness which is natural to it.

The body becomes more tolerant of heat, of cold, and of all the mutations of the atmosphere. Such impressions lose their power of injury; and the perpetual attention to guard ourselves against them becomes needless. In consequence, a lighter system of clothing may be adopted.

All the senses acquire a higher degree of perfection: the eye, the ear, the palate, the skin. The countenance becomes more animated and intellectual. The smile which plays upon

the features shows the inward contentment of the heart. There can be no doubt that the apprehension, the memory, in a word, all the faculties which constitute the intellect, are improved.

The muscles acquire both flexibility and power; the movements of the body are performed, therefore, with greater ease and freedom. With the power of motion, the love of exercise

* I have observed that when recent vegetable matter, unchanged by cookery, has been abundantly used, the fæces have acquired very much the smell of horse dung.

I here suppose that there has been no great disease upon any of the vital organs; for in that case it has been observed, that the muscles have sometimes been affected with a sort of rheumatic stiffness, in consequence, probably, of disease being transferred to these parts. Having remarked this in two or three members of my own family, I must suppose that it will happen very often.

increases. The joints become better knit, and the body tends constantly to preserve its upright form.

Heaviness and drowsiness is dissipated. The sleep becomes lighter, sounder, more refreshing, and less interrupted by dreams. Upon the whole, the body seems to require less sleep.

The

The appetite for food becomes sound, strong, and healthy. There is no oppression or flatulency after meals; no fullness nor heaviness; no sense of satiety, disgust, or nausea. pleasures of the palate are heightened by the increased delicacy of the organs; and the enjoyment produced by the free and unrestricted use of fruit more than compensates for the restraints thought to be imposed by the abstinence from stimulating viands. The nutrition of the body is likewise perfect. Many, undoubtedly, lose flesh; but this is not because vegetable diet affords an imperfect nutrition, but either from disease, or from the mere change of habit. Healthy subjects on this diet become full of flesh, and even fat.

These phenomena mostly indicate an increased sensibility of the whole frame. Perhaps there is no single nor infallible criterion of augmented vital powers. Probably, however, a more full and free respiration, and what is the consequence of this, an expanded chest, may afford the strongest indication on this point. Of this expansion of the chest, under this regimen, there have been several examples. To this is joined a slower, more full, and regular pulse; the pulsations of the heart and arteries are performed with diminished velocity, but with increased fullness and force. But in saying this, I speak only relatively of each individual. For in the absolute number of the pulsations of the arteries there is the same variety as in those who live on a mixed diet. In some the pulse is quick, in others slow, according to the original differences of the constitution.

This description, which has been taken from observations on many subjects, who have conformed to the rules laid down in this treatise, will, of course, apply to different subjects with different degrees of correctness. There may be obstacles in the state of the constitution which may oppose every attempt at restoration. The inherent powers of the body may be so far impaired, that it may be impossible to prevent even the dissolution of the frame. Age is the circumstance which, of all others, forms the greatest obstacle to all attempts at relief; and this is so powerful, that even under a mild disease, or no disease at all, I should be unwilling to recommend any change of habits which were ungrateful to the feelings. But at no period,

not even in the first stages of existence, if the powers of life are greatly sunk, is it possible to restore them; the principle of conservation may be, by care, cherished and prolonged for a short time; but it will then sink and be finally extinguished.

These facts prove no more than the importance of prudence and foresight in the conduct of life. I cannot, therefore, too earnestly impress the necessity of attempting to extinguish, as far as it is possible, the germ and embryo of future disease. To distinguish the signs of distant mischief is often in the power more of the enlightened parent, guardian, or friend than of the regular professional adviser. I consign, therefore, these my labors to the reflections of the discerning and benevolent few. To the mass of mankind, absorbed in selfish pursuits, or struggling to ward off poverty, I expect them to remain unknown, or if known, to be ungrateful. But I hope they will meet with a better fate in the domestic circle of retired persons, whose rule of life is to practice what is fundamentally right; to do their duty to themselves, to their relatives, to their fellow-creatures, and so to obtain the approbation of their own consciences, and the favor of the great Author of their being. If among these respectable circles it disseminates the knowledge of great practical truths, and produce the proper fruits of knowledge-more just principles, more rational manners, and an increase of solid comfort, my end will be fully answered.