CODE OF HEALTH AND LONGEVITY; OR, A CONCISE VIEW, OF THE PRINCIPLES CALCULATED FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH, AND THE ATTAINMENT OF LONG LIFE. BEING AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE THE PRACTICABILITY, OF CONDENS ING THE DIFFERENT ARTS AND SCIENCES, OR ANY PARTICULAR BRANCH THEREOF. BY SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART. VOL. IV. Neque enim ulla alia re homines propius ad Deos accedunt, quam salutem EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR ARCH. CONSTABLE & Co.; AND T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, AND J. MURRAY, LONDON. AS it was impossible to give, in one volume octavo, even a short account, of the numerous publications in the English language on Health, and Longevity, I determined to print the works of such celebrated authors, as Friar Bacon, Lord Bacon, Sir William Temple, and Boyle, (four of the greatest ornaments of British literature), as were not likely, though written expressly on those subjects, to be much known to perfons who studied medicine, and yet were well entitled to their attention. Lord Bacon's Medical Observations, in particular, now for the first time collected into one mass, are a mine, which, I trust, will lay the foundation of many useful discoveries in physic; and the treatises of the other authors above-mentioned, have great, though certainly not equal merit. I have no doubt, alfo, that the reader will approve my having printed in this volume, the Letter from a Physician in the Highlands to his Friend in London, as it is a curious and 2 interesting interesting paper, and at this time very rarely to be met with. Among the works of British Authors, I have thought it right to include the tracts of two celebrated American Physicians, Dr. Rush, and Dr. Waterhouse, as being more immediately connected with domestic, than with foreign publications. Though now living under separate governments, I have ever considered the British and the Americans as one and the same people; originating from the same stock, speaking the same language, actuated by the same sentiments, breathing the same spirit, and, forgetting former animosities, resolved, I trust, to esteem and to respect each other, and firmly determined to support the rights, religion, government, happiness, and independence of both countries. Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, 1st December, 1805. JOHN SINCLAIR. CONTENTS Chap. 1. Of the Causes of Old Age...5 2. Of Remedies against the Causes of Old Age.....................................................................................10 3. Of the Accidents of Old Age......16 4. Of the Wrinkles of the Skin, 5. Of weakness of Strength, and Faculties of the Soul....................23 6. Of the Hurt of the Inner Senses and the Brain...............................30 7. Of Meats and Drink, &c.......35 8. Of Things that defend the Na- tural Moisture............................................ |