"The salubrity of the air, seems to be one of the most general causes of longevity; and this cause, you have contributed to increase, by contributing so much to the improvement of the soil. But the most general and efficacious cause of good health, appears to be right conduct; and here we may see the goodness of our Creator and Preserver, in his putting the principal cause of longevity, in the power of all." No. 7.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Dr Gregory of WestHam, in Essex, dated February 21. 1805. This excellent divine published several valuable works on Divinity and other topics, and gave me some most valuable hints for the Code of Health. On announcing to him my intention of drawing up that work, he encouraged me to persevere in it, in the following friendly terms: "I do not know, that I ever felt more interested in any work, than in that which you have just announced. You do me a very great honour in supposing, that my contributions can be of any use; and I can only assure you in return, that nothing would be more gratifying to my mind, than to be able to lend, even the smallest assistance to a performance, calculated so greatly to benefit mankind. Without any compliment, I do not know any author, who has done so much to benefit his fellow creatures, as Sir John Sinclair. It is many years ago, since, in company with the present Prime Minister of Russia, I read the whole of your elaborate work on the Revenue of Great Britain, and I can say, that I never read a work on finance, so clear, and so complete. I have not a doubt, but the extraordinary young man to whom I have just alluded, experiences, at this very moment, great benefit, from the attention he then bestowed upon it. In other instances, you have sacrificed all the vanity of an author, to the laborious duty of collecting materials to benefit your country; and I contemplate, with wonder, the treasure you have collected. You are now engaging in a still more extensive, and perhaps more beneficial undertaking. I see you will have great difficulties to encounter, only to be surmounted by your own resolution and perseverance; and not the least of these is, the prejudices of a body of men, powerful in the world of science." In regard to the concluding paragraph of this letter, it was natural to expect some opposition on the part of the medical profession, to inquiries that might in some degree interfere with their occupation; but the superior classes of that profession, as appears from the following communications, were inclined to view the undertaking in a favourable light, and indeed as one from which they themselves might derive professional advantage : No. 8.-Extracts of Letters from several distinguished Medical Characters respecting the Code of Health. 1.-Dr Mathew Baillie, dated L. Grosvenor Street, "I had the honour of receiving, a few days ago, part of your intended publication upon Longevity. The subject is of the greatest importance, and I am convinced, that you will render it both instructive and interesting, not only to the public, but even to medical men, whose pursuits lead them to consider it with more than ordinary attention. "The work I have read with great satisfaction: the observations which it contains are very important, and are expressed in very perspicuous language." 2.-Dr Beddoes, dated 21st April 1807. "I beg leave to return my thanks for your inclosed Prospectus, and to express, at the same time, my sense of your obliging expressions, and attentions at various times. "I shall doubtless read your work with attention, and should be glad to communicate any remarks that may offer themselves during the perusal. But I cannot flatter myself, with the hope of saying much that can be worthy of your attention. "The efforts made by various individuals, will, I trust, at least produce that very desirable event, a general inclination to attend to the preservation of health; and Sir John Sinclair will doubtless come to be ranked among those, who have most contributed to this public benefit, as he has to various others." 3.-Dr Currie of Liverpool, dated 20th November 1802. "I have this moment received your printed memoir of longevity, with the obliging letter of the 19th which accompanies it. I very truly wish it may be in my power, to assist your inquiries on this very interesting subject, and certainly I will give it every attention in my power. But it happens, that at the present moment, I am particularly and pressingly occupied, and I cannot therefore hope to make my communication, such as it may be, (I fear it will not be worth much), so speedily, as my respect for Sir John Sinclair, and my desire to promote those liberal inquiries and pursuits, in which he takes the lead of all his contemporaries, would lead me to wish. "Some time ago, I projected an inquiry into the best method of living, as to diet, sleep, exercise, and drink, for the preservation of the intellects in a sound and clear state, for all literary and philosophical, in one word, all intellectual purposes. I wished to collect facts, respecting the habits of men distinguished for the powers of intellect, and their successful exertion, under these heads. But hitherto I have made little progress. Where such men have attained a great age, as in the instance of the great Lord Mansfield, Lord Kames, Dr Blair, &c. my subject would merge into yours, and your si tuation and connections in life, might enable you to make such inquiries with success *. "In fact, this subject might very happily form a division of, or a sequel to your own." 4.-Dr Trotter, dated Newcastle on Tyne, January 19. 1805. "I have read the Prospectus of your Code with much satisfaction, and have no doubt, but the subjects of Health and Longevity, will derive fresh importance from your hands. The labour is a Herculean one; but nevertheless ought not to be abandoned. This age is ingulphed in commercial speculation; wealth is pouring upon this country like a torrent, and all the attendants of health are overwhelmed by its force. The diseases which spring from luxurious indulgence, are every where gaining ground, and sapping the powers of life and manhood. The extension of a military system, is giving additional activity to the fashionable vices; and the village, and the cottage, are not exempt from the general degeneracy of health and manners. It would lead to an inquiry, far beyond the limits of a letter, to trace the influence of these bad propensities; but, I conceive, that the rapid increase of those complaints, called nervous, bilious, indigestion, &c. are very much owing to the mercurial regimen, administered for the cure of lues venerea. They make three-fourths of all the ailments that come under medical treatment in these days; they descend to the offspring, and fall particularly severe on the female, from native delicacy of frame." 5.-Dr Willan, dated Bloomsbury Square, 5th July 1805. "Dr Willan begs Sir John Sinclair will accept his sincere thanks, for the perusal of his Essay on Health and Longevity, which must prove as useful, as it is ingenious. Dr W. has not observed any position in it, but what may be considered • This useful hint was adopted in the course of my medical inquiries. as medically correct. He thinks it would be best, that Sir John Sinclair should pursue his investigation, unchecked by the critiques of medical practitioners, or by written authorities, if not well supported by facts, and experiments. Systematic writers, and even practitioners who disavow systematizing, are often influenced by some hypothesis, which occasions them to observe through a medium, and renders their experience less certain, and less valuable. "The plan proposed by Sir John Sinclair, scarcely admits of emendation; and, when completed, it cannot fail to be productive of much utility." 6.—Dr Waterhouse, Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic at the University of Cambridge, in North America, dated 28th May 1805. "I received, from the hands of my venerable friend, Mr Adams*, your Prospectus of the "Code of Health and Longevity," which I perused, perhaps with more than ordinary avidity, from having long entertained a desire, to effect a work of that kind, which, after several fruitless attempts, I abandoned in despair. I rejoice therefore to learn that a philanthropist, possessing the talents, and enjoying the celebrity of Sir John Sinclair, has undertaken the task, because I am persuaded he will accomplish it. Had we the requisite talents and learning, we, in these ends of the earth, have not the means for carrying on such an extensive work. We need something more than Lord Bacon's History of Life and Death. The existence of one mortal is too short, to fill up the vast sketch, which that great man, with a too rapid hand, designed." 7.—Dr Rush of Philadelphia, dated 14th May 1805. "Dr Rush returns his respectful compliments to Sir John Sinclair, with his thanks for his polite note, and the Prospec * The successor of General Washington in the Presidency of the United States of America. |