Letter on corpulence : addressed to the public / by William Banting.

  • Banting, William, 1797-1878.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letter on corpulence : addressed to the public / by William Banting. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    and fond of taking mucli walking exercise, I became nnable to walk a distance of a few hundred yards without difficulty. My breathing was so impeded that I dreaded going to bed, and when there could only sleep at short intervals, propped up with pillows. I ate immoderately of bi'ead. My medical man treated me for a disease of the heart, and impressed upon me the absolute necessity of quiet, both mentally and bodily. Still I obtained no relief. I could not stoop without difficulty. My pulse very irregular, seldom beating four times without intermission. I have since been following the system you recommend with the greatest advantage. I yesterday walked five miles, without feeling the least oppression at my heart or chest. I am much thinner, and go to bed rejoicing in the change. My object in now writing to you is to express how much the public are, in my opinion, indebted to you for your valuable suggestions, and to ask the name of the medical man who, so happily for you, placed you upon your present system. From THE Widow of a Distinguished Botanist. 118. September, 1863. I cannot allow the fortnight during which I have followed your directions (I began pursuing your regimen on September 12) to close, without informing you of my progress, or rather my decrease ; I wish I could prove the fact by weight, but I have experienced some difficulty in attaining any correct or even plausible approxi- mation to my real weight, but all my clothes convince me, as does my maid's surprise and frequent remark, that I am very much shrunk since the 12th. A bracelet which 1 had discarded as quite too tight to be worn a year ago, now is not only wide enough, but quite loose on my wrist; my rings the same. I am highly pleased, and much obliged to you. Never did I sleep so well. IsTeither beer, butter, sugar, or potatoes have entered my mouth. My small allowance of bread is toasted very dry. 1 cannot say that I hke my present diet, but that is of no consequence if it lessens the weight which my damaged leg has to carry. From a Lady. 212. October, 1863. youR very kind letter was duly received, but I waited to reply to it until I had really made a trial of the system in question. I paid Mr. Harvey three visits, and found him kind, and very inte- rested in my case. I am adhering most strictly to the system, and already find a most wonderful change for the better has come over