ABSTRACT
§ I. There is not any one Thing, more approv'd and recommended by all Physicians, and the Experience of all those who have suffer'd under Nervous Distempers, (since the Distinction has been made) than Exercise, of one Kind or another; and this without the least Exception or Limitation, but so far as the Strength can admit; if it is without Weakening, Fatigue, or Hurry of Spirits. In the Southern Climates, as there is scarce any, at least few, Nervous Distempers of the lingering and chronical Kind, so there is very little Room for Exercise merely for Health; The Warmth and Action of the Sun, keeping the Blood and Juices sufficiently fluid, the Circulation free, and all the Secretions in their due Degree and Plenty, so as to prevent Obstructions, to which the Thinness, Coolness, and Lightness of their almost Vegetable Diet contributes not a little. But in the more Northern and colder Climates, where the Food is more gross, higher and harder of Digestion, being mostly Animal; where the Perspiration is small, or scarce any at all, especially in Nervous or chronical Distempers, there is an absolute Necessity of due Exercise, and Labour to supply the Want of Sun and thin Air, and remedy these Defects: The Neglect of which, in our cold Climates, ought to be, in Reason, reckon'd as absurd, ridiculous, and unnatural, as our using it appears santastical to Orientals. The few Instances brought from Spain, Italy, Portugal, and even more Northern Countries, of People that live there to a great Age, and without Distempers, merely sitting still, are little to the Purpose, consider'd as a Rule for our Conduct (since, setting aside the above-mention'd Advantages, which they enjoy in common with other Southern Countries, whereby Exercise becomes less necessary for them than for us) they are in a great measure excluded from the Benefit they might possibly reap from it, if it was necessary, by its being impracticable in any high Degree: For it would be absurd to propose to them to take long continued Journies in their scorching Climate for the Cure of Distempers.
