rderly instead of a regular life, is constantly exposed to
disease and mortality, as well in consequence of such disorders,
as of others without number, each of which is capable of producing
the same destructive effect.

It is, indeed, true, that even those, who observe the two rules
relating to diet, the observance of which constitutes a sober life,
may, by committing any one of the other irregularities, find
himself the worse for it, for a day or two; but not so as to breed
a fever. He may, likewise, be affected by the revolutions of the
heavens; but neither the heavens, nor those irregularities, are
capable of corrupting the humours of a temperate person; and it is
but reasonable and natural it should be so, as the two
irregularities of diet are interior, and the others exterior.

But as there are some persons, stricken in years, who are,
notwithstanding, very gluttonous, and alledge that neither the
quantity or quality of their diet makes any impression upon
them, and therefore eat a great deal, and of every thing without
distinction, and indulge themselves equally in point of drinking,
because they do not know in what part of their bodies their
stomachs are situated; such, no doubt, are beyond all measure
sensual, and slaves to gluttony. To these I answer, that what
they say is impossible in the nature of things, because it is
impossible that every man, who comes into the world, should not
bring with him a hot, a cold, or a temperate constitution; and
that hot foods should agree with hot constitutions, cold with
cold ones, and things that are not of a temperate nature, with
temperate ones, is likewise impossible in nature. After all,
these epicures must allow, that they are now and then out of
order; and that they cure themselves by taking evacuating
medicines and observing a strict diet. Whence it appears, that
their being out of order is owing to their eating too much, and
of things disagreeing with their stomachs.

There are other old gluttons, who say, that it is necessary they
should eat and drink a great deal, to keep up their natural heat,
which is constantly diminishing, as they advance in years; and that
it is, therefore, necessary to eat heartily, and of such things as
please their palate, be they hot, cold, or temperate; and that, were
they to lead a sober life, it would be a short one. To these I
answer, that our kind mother, nature, in order that old men may live
still to a greater age, has c