life. Since then, from a partial failure in my sight, I have retired into the country; where, making allowance for my time of life, I enjoy a good share of health."

361. About nine years ago, I also suffered very much from dyspepsia; and was treated secundum artem, by my medical adviser, who was eminent in his profession; but I derived little benefit from either the diet or medicine

which was prescribed for me. I adopted a vegetable diet, not as a remedy for my complaint, but for the reasons already mentioned (Preface); and, after using this regimen for a very short period, I no longer suffered from a disease that had formerly been a daily and severe drawback upon the pleasures of existence. Like the patients mentioned by Mr. Thackrah, I have often resumed my flesh-eating habits;-partly for the sake of experiment, and partly with a view of complying with the general usages of society, and to avoid singularity; but, after a short time, I have always had cause to repent the change, from the inconvenience and pain which were the consequence. I have now sufficiently tested the diet practically; and hesitate not to say, that since I have totally abstained from animal food, I have possessed more health and strength of body, more peace and serenity of mind, as well as more intellectual enjoyment, than at any former period of life; and I trust that I shall never more be induced to depart from that simple mode of living, which, while it has conferred on me the inappreciable advantages just mentioned, also yields more exquisite sensual gratification than I ever experienced on the most richly flavoured dishes of a former period.

362. "Of the effects of a regimen of the farinacea, combined with milk and fruits," says A. P. Buchan, "in subduing the early attacks of phthisis, many examples are recorded; and there would probably be many more, were an appropriate regimen adopted rather with a view to prevent than to cure this disease." Dr. Caleb Bannister, of Phelps (N. Y.), whose ancestors (it appears) had all died of hereditary consumption, states as follows :-"At the age of twenty, I began to be afflicted with pain in different parts of the thorax, and other premonitory symptoms of phthisis pulmonalis. Having a severe attack of ague and fever, all my consumptive symptoms became greatly aggravated; the pain was shifting, sometimes between the shoulders, sometimes in the side or breast, &c." After enumerating various other symptoms (such as irritable pulse, &c.), and stating that his life was despaired of, he says: "I was induced to try a milk-diet, and succeeded. in regaining my health; so that, for twenty-four years, I have been entirely free from any symptom of phthisis." (202 and 254.) "It will not be disputed", says Dr. Lambe, "that, for consumptive symptoms, a vegetable diet, or at least a vegetable and milk diet, is the most proper." Dr. Buchan again observes:-"When there is a tendency to consumption in the young, it should be counteracted by strictly adhering to a diet of the farinacea. and ripe fruits. Animal food and fermented liquors ought to be rigidly prohibited; even milk often proves too nutritious."

363. Scrofula, scurvy, epilepsy, dysentery, inflammation, ulcers, &c., may be included among the diseases which

are greatly relieved, if not cured, by vegetable diet; as the ensuing facts attest. Dr. N. J. Knight, of Truro, records the following case :-"Mrs. A. infected with scrofula of the left breast, and in a state of ulceration, applied to me two years ago. The ulcer was then the size of a half dollar, and discharged a considerable quantity of imperfect pus. The axillary glands were much enlarged; and, doubting the practicability of operating with the knife in such cases, I told her the danger of her disease; and ordered her to subsist upon bread and milk and some fruit, drink water, and keep the body of as uniform temperature as possible. I ordered the sore to be kept clean, by ablutions of tepid water. In less than three months, the ulcer was healed; and her general health much improved. The axillary glands are still enlarged, though less so than formerly. She still lives simply, and enjoys good health; but she tells me if she tastes flesh-meat, it produces a twinging in the breast."

364. Dr. Pemberton, after speaking of the general tendency (in our highly fed communities) to scrofula and consumption, makes the following remarks :-" If a child is born of scrofulous parents, I would strongly recommend that it be entirely nourished from the breast of a healthy nurse, for at least a year. After this, the food should consist of milk and farinaceous vegetables. By perseverance in this diet for three years, I have found that threatened scrofulous appearances have certainly been postponed, if not altogether prevented." Dr. Lambe's works supply numerous instances of cancer being relieved

by the same kind of diet; and to his reports I refer the reader for further information.

365. We are assured, by Dr. Buchan, that "the most obstinate scurvy has often been cured by a vegetable diet; nay, milk alone will frequently do more in that disease, than any medicine. Hence it is evident", says he, that if vegetables and milk were more used in diet, we should have less scurvy, and likewise fewer putrid and inflammatory fevers." Sir Gilbert Blane, in his work entitled "Diseases of the Fleet" (1781), mentions that raw potatoes sliced, with vinegar, had been found beneficial in scurvy. Lieut. James Grant, in his "Narrative of a Voyage of Discovery" (published in 1803), says— "We found an American ship lying here, called the Washington of Nantucket. Her commander, Jedediah Fitz, informed me that the American sailors had discovered potatoes, eaten raw, to be a very powerful antiscorbutic; and that their whaling vessels constantly took a quantity with them to sea to eat raw, as an antidote against scurvy." Much more recently, Mr. Julien Fontanelle * gave a brief sketch of their antiscorbutic effects on sailors; many of whom, he states, declared themselves to have been cured of the scurvy, by the long continued use of potatoes very slightly baked under the ashes, and eaten without salt. Nauche, also, testifies to similar good effects of this vegetable, which he used in the form of a decoction. In the "Lancet" for September 3 and 24, 1842, are two papers-one by Wm. Dalton, M. R. C. S., and the other by Julius Berncastle,

* "Journal de PHARMACIE." Tome XXIV. P. 301. (1838.)

M. K. C. S., on the beneficial influence of potatoes in sea scurvy;—either eaten raw and sliced (like cucumber) with vinegar, or boiled (as generally used): in either way, they are said to prove an excellent antiscorbutic.

366. Dr. Baly,* Physician to the General Penitentiary at Milbank, has published some interesting observations on the antiscorbutic quality of the potatoe; and he declares, that its efficacy is not (as some had supposed) impaired by a boiling heat, but "as ordinarily cooked, it is an admirable preservative against the scurvy.” In 1840, he found that scurvy was a disease of rather frequent occurrence among the military prisoners; while among the convicts it was never seen. The exemption of the latter, he found, could be attributed only to their weekly diet containing 5 lbs. of potatoes and an onion. The military prisoners, therefore, were allowed 2 lbs, of potatoes weekly, during the first three months of their imprisonment, 3 lbs. during the second three months, and 4 lbs. after the expiration of six months. "This addition to the dietary of the military prisoners, was made in January, 1842; and not a single case of scurvy has since occurred." Dr. Baly has also shown, from the Reports of the Inspectors of prisons, that in those prisons where scurvy has prevailed, the diet of the prisoners, though often abundant in other respects, has contained no potatoes, or only a very small quantity; and that, in several prisons, the appearance of the disease has wholly ceased, on the addition of a few pounds of potatoes being made to the weekly dietary. It may there* "LONDON MEDICAL GAZETTE." February 10, 1843.