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Disorder & weakness of the stomach are commonly constitutional
ailments & therefore difficult to cure. They may almost always be relieved
& rendered less frequent but it is difficult to restore the stomach entirely
but that from various accidents it may be again affected.

It is particularly to be observed that a weakness of the stomach as
constitutional is not to be cured by medicines & most medicines that have
been employed are found by much use to be extremely hurtfull. It is indeed
only to be cured by a proper regimen avoiding the causes & obviating the
effects of the weakness ––––

Certain Remedies however are sometimes necessary when the disorder
is considerable, the appetite much diminished & feverish disorders shew
the stomach {illeg} loaded it may be proper to relieve by a Gentle Vomit
but as the effects of Vomiting are not very durable & frequent Vomiting
weakens the stomach the practice should be as seldom as possible.

Another remedy that may be more frequently be necessary & is more safe
than the former is a Laxative to remove Costiveness. For this purpose
the Sacred Elixir is very proper & it should be taken as often as two
days pass without a Stool but it should be taken no oftener than thus
necessary & should be taken to no greater quantity than just sufficient
to procure a Stool. Any regular habit in the use of ↑this↑ medicine
is to be avoided & if it by any mangement of Diet could be Supersedeed
altogether, it is desirable –––––––

Besides these no other medicines are necessary. Bitters are
much employed & it will ↑often↑ give relief but without particular necessity I would
not employ them as they are liable to destroy the stomach altogether –––

To ↑Two↑ other Remedies may be employed with more safety that is a
Chalybeate water & Lime Water ––– The first is not easily had [Page 1]

in the best condition & they other does not suit every stomach and
however that may be I hope neither are at present necessary to his Lordship
as I trust that their Virtue may be supplied & their use rendered unnecessary
by a more rational Cure, the Regimen I am now to mention –––

Indeed the principal rule is to observe moderation in Quantity –
Every full meal is a strain to the stomach & will in time wear it out –
Where moderation can be observed in Quantity I find little occasion for
nicety in the choice of Quality – It is therefore a necessary rule to keep
within bounds of our appetite but it is difficult & expect of few
to observe it, I find it Easier to cheat the Appetite by soup & pudding
which are a more innocent load than to rise with an Appetite unsatisfied.
Either way it is always (↑very↑) necessary for a Weak Stomach to be always
kept light. Tho I have said that moderation will in some
measure supercede the attention to the quality of Our Diet it will hardly
do it altogether & therefore give the following remarks on this subject.

I think every dinner should begin with liquid food except in the Case
of stomachs whose digestion is interupted by much liquid. For many
Weak Stomachs it is useful to their digestion & otherwise for preventing
the taking of too much solid food. But let the Soup be pretty strong &
without Barley Roots or Greens. Rice & Vermicelli are safer than
Barley & Salery & Onion are safer than any other Vegetable –––

After Soup his Lordship may take of any plain meat his Lordship
likes best only I would avoid all very fat meat & therefore Bacon &
Salted {illeg} Pork. The plainest Cookery is the safest & all frying
& Baking render meat heavier & more difficult to digest. All made dishes
& Sauces if not hurtfull by their Quality are very much so by their
leading to a greater Quantity. The same is to be observed ¹