this case
are, that persons in sickness, or those who are slowly recovering,
should take very little nourishment at a time, and take it often. Let
them have only one sort of food at each meal, and not change their food
too often; and be careful that they chew their food well, to make it
easy of digestion. Let them diminish their quantity of drink. The best
drink for them in general is water, with a third or fourth part of white
wine. Too great a quantity of liquids at such a time prevents the
stomach from recovering its tone and strength, impairs digestion,
promotes debility, increases the tendency to a swelling of the legs;
sometimes it even occasions a slow fever, and throws back the patient
into a languid state. Persons recovering from sickness should take as
much exercise in the open air as they are able to bear, either on foot,
in a carriage, or on horseback: the latter is by far the best. The
airing should be taken in the middle of the day, when the weather is
temperate, or before the principal meal. Exercise taken before a meal
strengthens the organs of digestion, and therefore tends to health; but
when taken after a meal, it is injurious. As persons in this state are
seldom quite so well towards night, they should take very little food in
the evening, in order that their sleep may be less disturbed and more
refreshing. It would be better not to remain in bed above seven or eight
hours; and if they feel fatigued by sitting up, let them lie down for
half an hour to rest. The swelling of the legs and ancles, which happens
to most persons in a state of weakness and debility, is attended with no
danger, and will generally disappear of itself, if they live soberly and
regularly, and take moderate exercise. The most solicitous attention
must be paid to the state of the bowels; and if they are not regular,
they must be kept open every day by artificial means, or it will produce
heat and restlessness, and pains in the head. Care should be taken not
to return to hard labour too soon after recovering from illness; some
persons have never recovered their usual strength for want of this
precaution.--Common colds, though lightly regarded, are often of serious
consequence. A cold is an inflammatory disease, though in no greater
degree than to affect the lungs or throat, or the thin membrane which
lines the nostrils, and the inside of certain cavities in the bones of
the cheeks and forehead. These cavities communicate with the n