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54 DIET AND EXERCISE RECOMMENDED, &c.

DR. BUCHAN's PLAN, &C

The following is my plan, and I cannot recommend a better toothers. When my mind is fatigued with study or other seriousbusiness, I mount my horse, and ride ten or twelve miles into thecountry, where I spend a day, and sometimes two, with a cheerfulfriend ; after which I never fail to return to town with new vigour,and to pursue my studies or business with fresh alacrity.

It is much to be regretted, that learned men, while in health,pay so little regard to these things ! There is not any thing morecommon than to see a miserable object over-run with nervous dis-eases, bathing, walking, riding, and, in a word, doing every thingfor health after it is gone ; yet, if any one had recommended thesethings to him by way of prevention, the advice would, in all proba-bility, have been treated with contempt, or at least with neglect.Such is the weakness and folly of mankind, and such the want offoresight, even in those who ought to be wiser than others !

DIET OP THE STUDIOUS, &C

With regard to the diet of the studious, we see no reason whythey should abstain from any kind of food that is wholesome, pro-vided they use it in moderation. They ought, however, to besparing in the use of every thing that is windy, rancid, or hard ofdigestion. Their suppers should always be light, or taken soonin the evening. Their drink may be water, ñne malt liquor,not too strong, good cider, wine' and water, or, if troubled withacidities, water mixed with a little brandy, rum, or any other gen-uine spirit.

THE KIND OP EXERCISE RECOMMENDED TO PEOPLE OF STUDIOUSHABITS, &C.

We shall only observe, with regard to those kinds of exercisewhich are most proper for the studious, that they should not betoo violent, nor ever carried to the degree of excessive fatigue.They ought likewise to be frequently varied, so as to give actionto all the different parts of the body ; and should, as often as pos-sible, be taken in the open air. In general, riding on horseback,walking, working in a garden, or playing at some active diversions,are the best.

We would likewise recommend the use of the cold bath to thestudious. It will, in some measure, supply the place of exercise,and should not be neglected by persons of a relaxed habit, espe-cially in the warm season.

No person ought either to take violent exercise, or to study im-mediately after a full meal.

In the above remarks on the usual diseases of the studious, mychief object was to warn them of the evil consequences of painfuland intense thinking. But I should be sorry to damp the ardourof their literary pursuits, which are injurious to health only whencontinued with incessant toil, at late hours, and without due inter-vals of rest, refreshment, relaxation, and exercise. It is notthought, says the medical poet, 'tis painful thinking, that corrodes

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