the full market
price (except when I was entertained occasionally, by particular
friends), I almost went without food. Many a time was I satisfied,
because I was determined to have it so, with a tumbler of milk and a
couple of crackers for my breakfast, or even my dinner; and as for
supper, I often dispensed with it wholly; and all this too, strange
though it may seem, not only without the loss of strength, but with a
slow, yet steady, increase.

These dietetic changes, though they were a necessity, were continued and
extended from principle. I had known, for a long time, what the laws of
digestion, respiration, circulation, cleanliness, exercise, etc., were,
but had not fully obeyed them. But I now set myself obeying them up to
the full extent of my knowledge. I do not mean to affirm that my
obedience was perfect and entire--wanting in nothing; but only that I
made an attempt at sinless perfection. However, I speak here, of course,
of the physical code; for to moral obligation, at that time, I do not
mean, now, to refer.

My diet was exceedingly plain and comparatively unstimulating. It
consisted chiefly of bread, fruits, potatoes; and, once a day of salted
meats. These last should have been exchanged for those which were not
pickled, and which are of course less stimulating; but at that time I
was not fully aware of their tone and tendency. My drink was water and a
little tea; for cider I had long before abandoned.

I paid particular attention to purity of air, and to temperance.
Fortunately I resided in a house which from age and decrepitude, pretty
effectually ventilated itself. But temperature, as I well knew, must be
carefully attended to, particularly by consumptive people. While they
avoid permanent chilliness, and even at times, the inhalation of very
cold air on the one hand, it is quite indispensable that they should
breathe habitually as cool an air as possible, and yet not be
permanently chilly. This, by means of a proper dress, by night and by
day, and proper fixtures for heating my room, I contrived to secure.

Cleanliness, too, by dint of frequent bathing, received its full share
of my attention. It was a rule from which I seldom if ever departed, to
wet my body daily with cold water, and follow it up by friction. At home
or abroad, wherever I could get a bowl of water I would have a hand
bath.

Need I say here that a medical man--one who rode daily on
horseback--paid a proper regard to the laws of