Before considering these latter points, it is interesting to note, in passing, that during the last four centuries many thoughtful men have called attention to the apparent excessive use of food. There seems to have been in many quarters a more or less prevalent opinion that custom and habit were leading people on to methods of living, which were not in accord with the best interests of the community. It must be remembered, however, that arguments of this kind, even fifty years ago, could have been founded only on general observation and the application of common sense, since there were then no sound physiological data on which to predicate an opinion, or base a conclusion. Still, there were men of authority who attempted to lay before the people a proper conception of the temperate use of food. We have not the time here to consider many of these pleas, but I venture to call attention to the somewhat celebrated book published by the physician Thomas Cogan in 1596, under the title “The Haven of Health,” and dedicated “to the right honorable and my verie good lord, Sir Edward Seymour, Knight and Earl of Hertford.” Under the subject of diet, this old-time writer says: “The second thing that is to be considered of meates is the quantitie, which ought of all men greatly to be regarded, for therein lyeth no small occasion of health or sickness, of life or death. For as want of meate consumeth the very substance of our flesh, so doth excesse and surfet extinguish and suffocate naturall heat wherein life consisteth.” Again, “Use a measure in eating, that thou maist live long: and if thou wilst be in health, then hold thine hands. But the greatest occasion why men passe the measure in eating, is varitie of meats at one meale. Which fault is most common among us in England farre above all other nations. For such is our custome by reason of plentie (as I think) that they which be of abilitie, are served with sundry sortes of meate at one meale. Yea the more we would welcome our friends the more dishes we prepare. And when we are well satisfied with one dish or two, then come other more delicate and procureth us by that meanes, to eate more than nature doth require. Thus varietie bringeth us to excesse, and sometimes to surfet also. But Phisicke teacheth us to faede moderately upon one kinde of meate only at one meale, or at leastwise not upon many of contrarie natures.... This disease, (I mean surfet) is verie common: for common is that saying and most true: That more die by surfet than by the sword. And as Georgius Pictorius saith, all surfet is ill, but of bread worst of all. And if nature be so strong in many, and they be not sicke upon a full gorge, yet they are drowsie and heavie, and more desirous to loyter than to labor, according to that old maeter, when the belly is full, the bones would be at rest. Yea the minde and wit is so oppressed and overwhelmed with excesse that it lyeth as it were drowned for a time, and unable to use his force.”