ch they
are born, they are more miserable than the rest of Mankind, unless they
indulge themselves in that voluntary Labour call'd Exercise, of which
there is no Kind I would so recommend to both Sexes, as that of Rideing;
as there is none that conduces so much to Health, and is every Way
accommodated to the Body. Dr. _Sydenham_ is very lavish in its Praises,
and if you would learn the mechanical Effects of it described at length,
you may find it learnedly treated of by Dr. _Fuller_, in a late Treatise,
intituled, _Medicina Gymnastica_, or, _The Power of Exercise_. And here
Mr. _Dryden_:

_The first Physicians by Debauch were made;
Excess began, and Sloth sustain'd the Trade.
By Chase our long-liv'd Fathers earn'd their Food,
Toil strung the Nerves, and purified the Blood;
But we their Sons, a pamper'd Race of Men,
Are dwindled down to threescore Years and ten.
Better to hunt in Fields for Health unbought,
Than fee the Doctor for a nauseous Draught.
The Wise for Cure on Exercise depend;
God never made his Work for Man to mend._

General MAXIMS FOR HEALTH:
OR, _RULES to preserve the Body to a good old Age_.

I.

It is not good to eat too much, or fast too long, or do any thing else
that is preternatural.

II.

Whoever eats or drinks too much, will be sick.

III.

If thou art dull and heavy after Meat, it's a Sign thou hast exceeded the
due Measure, for Meat and Drink ought to refresh the Body, and make it
chearful, not to dull and oppress it.

IV.

If thou findest those ill Symptoms, consider whether too much Meat or
Drink occasions it, or both, and abate by little and little, 'till thou
findest the Inconveniency remov'd.

V.

Pass not immediately from a disorder'd Life, to a strict and precise Life,
but by degrees abate the Excess, for ill Customs arrive by degrees, and so
must be wore off.

VI.

As to the Quality of the Food, if the Body be of a healthful Constitution,
and the Meat does thee no Harm, it matters little what it is; but all
Sorts must be avoided that does Prejudice, though it please the Taste
never so much.

VII.

After Diet is obtain'd, the Appetite will require no more than Nature hath
need of, it will desire as Nature desires.

VIII.

Old Men can fast easily; Men of ripe Age can fast almost as much, but
young People and Children can hardly fast at all.

IX.

Let ancient People eat Panada, made of Bread, and Flesh Broth, w