of my
health and strength; but I was miserably deceived; for in September
1788 I was seized with the gout in a degree that none but arthritics,
and indeed but few of those, can easily conceive. From this time till
August 1789 I scarcely ever passed a comfortable day; seven months of
this time I had been confined, my health seemed much impaired, my
strength was diminished, and my appetite almost gone. In this state my
friends pressed me to consult you. I was unwilling for some time to do
it, as I had lost all hope of relief; however, when I had determined to
apply to you, I likewise determined to give up every prejudice of my
own respecting my case, and to adhere most strictly to your advice. On
the 20th of August 1789 I consulted you, on the 25th I entered upon the
regimen, which you prescribed, and which was as follows.

"Drink no malt liquor on any account. Let your beverage at dinner
consist of two glasses of wine diluted with three half-pints of water.
On no account drink any more wine or spirituous liquors in the course
of the day; but, if you want more liquid, take cream and water, or milk
and water, or lemonade, with tea, coffee, chocolate. Use the warm bath
twice a week for half an hour before going to bed, at the degree of
heat which is most grateful to your sensations. Eat meat constantly at
dinner, and with it any kind of tender vegetables you please. Keep the
body open by two evacuations daily, if possible without medicine, if
not take the size of a nutmeg of lenitive electuary occasionally, or
five grains of rhubarb every night. Use no violent exercise, which may
subject yourself to sudden changes from heat to cold; but as much
moderate exercise as may be, without being much fatigued or starved
with cold. Take some supper every night; a small quantity of animal
food is preferred; but if your palate refuses this, take vegetable
food, as fruit pie, or milk; something should be eaten, as it might be
injurious to you to fast too long." To the whole of this I adhered most
scrupulously, and soon found my appetite improve, and with it my
strength and spirits. I had in December a fevere attack, and two or
three slight ones in the course of twelve months; but the improvement
in the general state of my health induced me to persevere. On the 18th
of August 1790 I had another severe att