romoted, especially if they excluded tea and
coffee also; and I can see no good reason why it should not be
beneficial to laboring people. I have conversed with two or three
mechanics, who confirm me in this belief.

11. Graham bread, as we call it, eaten with milk, or baked potatoes and
milk, for most people, I think would be healthy; to which should be
added such a proportion of rice as may be found necessary.

Thy friend,
JOSEPH RICKETSON.

LETTER X.--FROM JOSEPH CONGDON, ESQ.

NEW BEDFORD, Sept., 1835.

ANSWERS to Dr. North's inquiries on diet.

1. Increase of strength and activity, connected with, and perhaps in
some good degree a consequence of, an increase of daily exercise.

2. Process of digestion more regular and agreeable.

3. Mental activity greater; no decisive experiments on the ability to
_continue_ a laborious investigation.

4. Dyspepsia of long continuance, and also difficult breathing;
inflammation of the eyes.

5. Fewer colds; febrile attacks very slight; great elasticity in
recovering from disease. Some part of the effect should undoubtedly be
ascribed to greater attention to the skin by bathing and friction.

6. Twenty-six months of _entire abstinence_ from all animal substances,
excepting butter and milk. Salt is used regularly.

7. Through life inclined to a vegetable diet, with few stimulants.

8. Drinks have been milk, milk and water, or cold water.

9. A _well-selected_ vegetable diet appears to produce a very regular
action of the stomach and bowels.

10. I think the health of laborers and students would be promoted by a
_great_ reduction of the usual quantity of animal food, and perhaps by
discontinuing its use entirely. I feel no want.

11. From my experience, I can very highly recommend bread made of coarse
wheat flour. Among fruits, the blackberry, as peculiarly adapted to the
state of the body, at the time of the year when it is in season. My
range of food has been confined. I avoid green vegetables. Age 35.

JOSEPH CONGDON.

LETTER XI.--FROM GEORGE W. BAKER, ESQ.

NEW BEDFORD, 9th month, 10, 1835.

DR. M. L. NORTH,--Agreeably to request, the following answers are
forwarded, which I believe to be correct as far as my experience has
tested.

1. At first it was diminished; but after a few months it was restored,
and I think increased.

2. More.

3. It could.

4. Pretty free from constitutional infirmities before the change, and no