st. I had experienced the beneficial
effects of it for several years before, during the warm weather, in
obviating a dull cephalalgic pain, and oppression in the epigastrium.
2dly. I had recently left the salubrious atmosphere of the mountains in
Essex county, in this state, for this place of _musquitoes_ and
_miasmata_. 3dly, and prominently. I had frequent exposures to the
variolous infection, and I had a _dreadful_ apprehension that I might
have an attack of the varioloid, as at that time I had never
experimentally tried the protective powers of the vaccine virus, and
had _too_ little confidence in those who recommended its prophylactic
powers. The results I submit you, in reply to your interrogatories.

1. I think each time I tried living on vegetable food exclusively, that
for the first month I could not endure fatigue _as well_. Afterward I
could.

2. The digestive organs were always more agreeably excited.

3. The mind uniformly clearer, and could endure laborious investigations
longer, and with less effort.

4. I am constitutionally healthy and robust.

5. I believe I have more colds, principally seated on the mucous
membranes of the lungs, fauces, and cavities of the head. (I do not,
however, attribute it to diet.)

6. The first trial was one year. I am now ten months on the same plan,
and shall continue it.

7. I never used a large quantity of animal food or stimulants, of any
description.

8. I have for several years used tea and coffee, usually once a
day--believe them healthy.

9. Vegetable diet is less aperient than a mixed diet, if we except
_Indian corn_.

10. I do not think that common laborers, in health, could do as well
without animal food; but I think students might.

11. I have selected _potatoes_, when _baked_ or _roasted_, and all
articles of food usually prepared from _Indian meal_, as the most
healthy articles on which I subsist; particularly the latter, whose
aperient and nutritive qualities render it, in my estimation, an
invaluable article for common use.

Yours, etc.,
D. S. WRIGHT.

LETTER IV.--FROM DR. H. N. PRESTON.[1]

PLYMOUTH, Mass., March 26, 1835.

DEAR SIR,--When I observed your questions in the Boston Medical and
Surgical Journal, of the 11th of March, I determined to give you
personal experience, in reply to your valuable queries.

In the spring of 1832, while engaged in more than usual professional
labor, I began to suffer from indigestion,