XXXIV

suppose⁠⸺⁠Thou must begin, with first losing a few ounces of blood below the ears, according to the practice of the ancient Scythians , who cured the most intemperate fits of the appetite by that means. Avicenna , after this, is for having the part anointed with the syrup of hellebore, using proper evacuations and purges⁠⸺⁠and I believe rightly. But thou must eat little or no goat’s flesh, nor red deer⁠⸺⁠nor even foal’s flesh by any means; and carefully abstain⁠⸺⁠that is, as much as thou canst, from peacocks, cranes, coots, didappers, and water-hens⁠⸺⁠ As for thy drink⁠—I need not tell thee, it must be the infusion of Vervain and the herb Hanea , of which Ælian relates such effects⁠—but if thy stomach palls with it⁠—discontinue it from time to time, taking cucumbers, melons, purslane, water-lillies, woodbine, and lettice, in the stead of them. There is nothing further for thee, which occurs to me at present⁠⸺⁠ ⸺⁠Unless the breaking out of a fresh war⁠⸺⁠So wishing everything, dear Toby , for the best, I rest thy affectionate brother,