The different seasons affect persons in years very greatly, and they should always be prepared for the changes. The old man is always best in summer, and grows more spirited and free from his complaints as that period advances toward autumn: winter we have said hurts age, for age is cold and dry; and for that very reason youth feel summer most hurtfully, and are best in winter. CHAP. III. _Of the fittest diet for persons in years._ Light diet is most proper for aged persons. Beef and pork should be avoided: for the stomach will rarely be able to digest these, when it is not assisted by good exercise. Lamb, veal, pig, chickens, rabbets, and fish, are excellent; and out of these, if there were no others, a tolerable management may produce sufficient variety. No aged person should eat more than one considerable meal of solid food in the day. The stomach will manage a dinner when breakfast and supper have been light: otherwise the load of one meal not being gone off before another is brought in, neither will be digested. Dinner should not be eaten too early; that the appetite may not be violent for supper: The older we grow, the more our food should be diminished. This was the practice of Hippocrates; and by the observance of it, Cornaro lived to his extreme age. With respect to supper, the lighter it is the better: though we do not agree with those who advise the omitting that meal intirely. Moderation is the rule of health. They were in the right who declared the mischief of heavy suppers; but the poets have long since told us what sort of people those are, who, in avoiding a fault, rush into its contrary. There is a medium sure between a heavy supper, and emptiness; and that is best. Let the old man eat liquids; and of all liquid diets, those which are partly composed of milk are best for him. The digestive faculties in an old man are weak; but milk is in a manner ready digested. He wants an easy nourishment; and this affords it; without loading the stomach, or oppressing it during the hours of rest. Asses milk is most easy of digestion: a pint of that, with a small toast, eaten two hours before bed-time, will be nourishing; and sit easy on the stomach. The value of asses milk is its lightness: that of the cow is richer and heavier. Those who use the latter in the country, should mix it first with an equal quantity of soft water: in London this care is unnecessary, those who sell milk do it for them. There are many other methods in which milk is proper: milk pottage, and thin rice milk, will give a change. But some farther pleasing variety need not be denied. Weak broths of veal, chicken, and mutton, may be eat occasionally; and Jellies honestly made at home, are proper, safe, and wholesome. These things will answer the two purposes of nourishing, and moistening; for aged persons are naturally too dry.