sufferer from
chronic rheumatism in his back and hips, partly constitutional and
partly as the result of overstraining the parts, especially in
wrestling.

When I was called in to see him, it was about the last of June. His
wounded leg was now evidently growing worse; and as the heat of the
weather was increasing, and was for some time to come likely to
increase, I could hardly help apprehending the most serious
consequences. He had been in the habit of making greasy applications to
it for a short time, but these at my special request were set aside
immediately.

He was also encouraged to keep his leg cool; to exercise his whole
system moderately; to avoid exciting, above all, stimulating, food and
drink; and to keep his mind quiet. In regard to drinks, particularly, he
was directed to use none but water. He was also required to abstain
wholly from pork, and all long-salted meats. He had also been, for
almost half a century, a chewer of tobacco--a circumstance rather
unfavorable to a rapid return of healthy action; but I did not think it
expedient to interdict its use entirely at the very first; for I feared
the change, at his advanced age, would be more than his system could
well endure.

In fact, I found it extremely difficult to persuade him to pursue the
straight and narrow path which, letting alone his tobacco, I had deemed
indispensably necessary. To encourage him to do so, I availed myself of
a circumstance which, though in itself trifling, was nevertheless likely
to have its influence. The thirteenth day of July was at hand, and would
be the fortieth anniversary of his marriage. My proposal was that he
should commence the change of habits that very day, and continue it
precisely eighteen months.

Although the danger to which he would be exposed by neglecting my
prescription was neither immediate nor imminent; yet it was so
considerable in prospect that I pressed him very hard to comply with my
requirements, notwithstanding their seeming rigidity. And as a further
inducement,--for he was not above the influence of pecuniary
considerations,--I offered him a certain sum of money.

I left him without much hope, after all, that he would follow out my
suggestions and advice, so difficult is it, at the age of sixty, to make
substantial and radical changes. But I was most happily disappointed. He
began the work of reform on the very day appointed, and began it well;
and though he did not adhere to the letter of