"Indeed, I have seen so little good from such measures, that I should feel reluctant to employ them until impelled by stronger necessity than exists in the present case. Spasmodic affection in the part is, as you know, exceedingly common, and _continues_ for a great many years without producing permanent contraction. With respect to the main object of the treatment of this case, I cannot say more than you are already acquainted with, and which is suggested at page 72. "I have of late been personally convinced of the benefit of the strictest attention to diet. Last summer, my stomach was so disordered that it would not digest any thing, and I was constantly tormented by the chemical changes which the food underwent in that organ. I had scarcely any flesh on my bones, and sometimes every ten minutes was seized with rheumatic spasms, which were as general and severe as those of tetanus[73]. I went into the country, where I could get good milk and eggs, and lived upon three ounces of baked custard taken three times a day, drinking, four hours after each meal, some boiled water that had been poured upon a small quantity of ginger. Upon this quantity of food I regained my flesh, and uniformly got better as long as I continued this plan of diet, which was but for one month, for then I returned to town. From the very first day, I had no more of these spasms. As for medical treatment, I repeat that I cannot say more than you already know. It gives me pleasure to find that you are settled to your satisfaction. "I remain, "My dear Sir, "Very sincerely yours, "JOHN ABERNETHY. "Bedford Row, January 9." [Footnote 69: A very early pupil of Abernethy's. Mr. Davis was many years in the army, and afterwards practised with great credit and success at Andover. Late in life, he retired to Hampstead, where he died at an advanced age, about four years since.] [Footnote 70: The interesting letters of Mr. Wood and Mr. Stowe were placed beside each other, and, in selecting extracts, in the first edition, Mr. Stowe's name occurred in this place instead of Mr. Wood's—a mistake for which we beg these gentlemen to accept the assurance of our regret.] [Footnote 71: Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. xxvi.] [Footnote 72: The name applied to the collateral branches which carry on the circulation when the main artery of limb is tied or obstructed.] [Footnote 73: Locked-jaw.] CHAPTER XXVII. OF MANNER. "Non ego paucis, Offendar maculis, quas aut incuria fudit, Aut humana parum cavit natura." HORACE. "I will not be offended by a few blemishes, the result of inattention, or against which human frailty has not sufficiently guarded."