all persons who shall read this work not to degrade
themselves to a level with the brutes, or the rabble, by gratifying
their sloth, or by eating and drinking promiscuously whatever
pleases their palates, or by indulging their appetites of every
kind. But whether they understand physic or not, let them consult
their reason, and observe what agrees, and what does not agree with
them, that, like wise men, they may adhere to the use of such things
as conduce to their health, and forbear everything which, by their
own experience, they find to do them hurt; and let them be assured
that, by a diligent observation and practice of this rule, they may
enjoy a good share of health, and seldom stand in need of physic or
physicians."

1770. Health in Youth.

Late hours, irregular habits, and want of attention to diet, are
common errors with most young men, and these gradually, but at first
imperceptibly, undermine the health, and lay the foundation for
various forms of disease in after life. It is a very difficult thing
to make young persons comprehend this. They frequently sit up as late
as twelve, one, or two o'clock, without experiencing any ill effects;
they go without a meal to day, and to-morrow eat to repletion, with
only temporary inconvenience. One night they will sleep three or four
hours, and the next nine or ten; or one night, in their eagerness to
get away into some agreeable company, they will take no food at all,
and the next, perhaps, will eat a hearty supper, and go to bed upon
it. These, with various other irregularities, are common to the
majority of young men, and are, as just stated, the cause of much bad
health in mature life. Indeed, nearly all the shattered constitutions
with which too many are cursed, are the result of a disregard to the
plainest precepts of health in early life.

1771. Disinfecting Liquid.

In a wine bottle of cold water, dissolve two ounces acetate of lead
(sugar of lead), and then add two (fluid) ounces of strong nitric acid
(aquafortis). Shake the mixture, and it will be ready for use.

A very small quantity of the liquid, in its strongest form, should be
used for cleansing all kinds of chamber utensils. For removing
offensive odours, clean cloths thoroughly moistened with the liquid,
diluted with eight or ten parts of water, should be suspended at
various parts of the room.--In this cas