improving all winter, and
I think I have not enjoyed as good health before for many years. People
now say, 'How well you are looking!' and 'How fleshy you are!' I mean to
live according to the '_laws_.'"

In short, this young sufferer from dyspepsia in one of its worst forms,
after more than half a year of works without faith, and of whining and
complaining a part of the time, without either works or faith, is at
last shouting victory! And a glorious victory it is! Would that the rest
of our dyspeptics, with land by millions, might stand on as good a
footing, with as good prospects before them, as this young man! And yet
he might have come up to the same point long ago, had he used more
common sense, and exercised but a little more faith and trust in just
hygienic principles.

CHAPTER XCVII

DISEASES OF LICENTIOUSNESS.

Not far from the end of July, 1857, I received the following, in a
letter through the post office, as usual, and dated at Boston, but
signed by a name probably fictitious.

"It was with no small degree of interest that I noticed, in a book
written by yourself,--I cannot recollect its name,--some remarks upon
certain diseases which you called nameless; yet, through a dread to
introduce so delicate a subject, I have neglected so to do, till it has
become an imperative task. And now, laying aside all feelings of
modesty, allow me to be familiar with you, as with a father, and to lay
my case before you, assuring you that, however unfortunate I have been,
it is not my fault, but has come upon me while living with my husband,
having never betrayed _his_ confidence."

She then proceeded at once to describe her disease and sufferings, which
were terrible. It appeared that she had not been of the number of those
who, in circumstances akin to hers, so often fall into shark's mouths.
She had taken but little medicine of any kind, except balsam copaiba.
After the details of her symptoms and sufferings were finished, she
added:

"Now, if you are able to understand me, I wish to ask you whether, from
the description I have given, you cannot prescribe something that will
relieve me. If so, you can be assured that you will put your humble
correspondent and her erring but repentant companion under great
obligation to yourself, and that you will be rewarded for all your
trouble and advice."

As the result of this request, a correspondence followed, which
continued several months. At first, the patient c