_I have long since read many treatises and dissertations concerning the health of the studious; but of all the authors, who have treated this subject, the only one who has acquitted himself to my satisfaction is BERNARD RAMAZINI: for I have not yet had an opportunity of reading the work of the celebrated PUJATUS, a man who in other respects has deserved highly of the medicinal science; but whose treatise upon this subject is, I find, neither praised by the journals nor by his friends. Nor is the work of RAMAZINI compleat; since he has left more topicks untouched than he has elucidated. I have therefore undertaken an important, an agreeable, and even a new subject; and I hope I shall not appear unequal to it; but it will be sufficient to have pointed out the road at a distance to learned travellers; they will soon be able of themselves to shew the unknown paths; which is my earnest wish and desire. In this treatise there will occur many passages transcribed verbatim from CELSUS, GAUBIUS, and other eminent men, and that even without distinguishing them by quotation. This plagiarism will, I hope, be excused, because I looked upon it as a sort of profanation to alter their words, as they were extreamly eloquent, and admirably adapted to my purpose: besides, it was improper to disgust the reader by too great a number of quotations._ [Illustration] ON THE DISEASES OF Literary _and_ Sedentary Persons. When I consider with myself how many and how great men have formerly ascended this chair, with how general an applause they apply’d to the education of youth, and how every branch of erudition has been cultivated to such advantage by the present set of teachers, into whose learned order I am this day admitted by the great favour and indulgence of our senate; whilst I at the same time reflect how much this new situation differs from my former manner of living, in which as I had willingly pass’d a considerable part of my life, I had determin’d to continue to my old age; when I reflect upon all these circumstances, a tremor seizes my limbs, and my voice falters. But because from the very foundation of this respectable academy, custom, which governs all things, and your expectation requires it of me, embolden’d by your kindness, I will make trial of my abilities. Being a new member, and ascending a new chair, I propos’d to speak of the connexion between physic and other academical studies, and it was my design to explain what it borrows from them, and what it contributes to them in its turn.