[Footnote 31: It is, of course, idle to speculate as to whether Miss B. was within six weeks, or six months, of a fatal termination of her disease under the usual treatment. Her physician expressed his honest opinion, certainly; though had he been catechised closely, he would doubtless have modified it somewhat, as, by saying that while she was liable to be taken off at any time, still, she might linger along several months, or until severe cold weather in winter, the season usually so fatal to this class of patients,——not because it is impossible, or even difficult, to keep the sick-room at any desired temperature, but because this end is sought to be accomplished, largely, by shutting out “the breath of life,” and by retaining the vitiated air, to breathe which would “chill” the healthiest subject. “To retain foul air for the sake of its warmth is expensive economy.”] [Footnote 32: It was, in the author’s opinion, the _bath_ rather than the _pepper_ which proved so beneficial.] [Footnote 33: In practice, it will often prove that quick sponging, all over, and brisk drying, followed, perhaps, by thorough hand-rubbing, will be more useful than the “piece-meal” bath: with water at a comfortable temperature, and the work quickly and skillfully performed, while it might seem likely to occasion a severe shock to the patient, still, it is but one “shock” instead of many, and is really far less trying, with many patients, than the more prolonged process with its oft-repeated local shocks. If rightly managed, the reaction from the full bath makes it altogether the most agreeable. It is of vital importance, to secure this warm “reaction,” and if, in any instance, there is failure in this direction, the instant application of warming appliances——hot-water bottles to feet, warm flannel wraps, extra blankets, etc.——is imperatively demanded. Baths which are succeeded by chilliness are depleting, and if of common occurrence are destructive to life; far better not bathe at all.] [Footnote 34: See note 6 in Appendix, p. 284.] [Footnote 35: One element which aided immensely in this remarkable cure, was the absence of great variety in the food. Indigestion is _the_ enemy to be overcome; and he must be “killed dead.” _Variety_ is this enemy’s right-hand man——encouraging excess and the indulgence in questionable articles; and, above all, prohibiting the _adaptation_ of the digestive organs to any class of all the ailments thrust upon them. (See foot-note, p. 213.)]