The Aesculapian Tablets of the Nineteenth Century (1834)

AUTHOR: Graham, Sylvester

The booklet collects testimonials promoting the Graham system. Modeled on the ancient mythological practice of Aesculapian tablets – records of diseases and their cures left at temples dedicated to Aesculapius – the booklet collects case studies and testimonials in the form of letters sent to Sylvester Graham, all testifying to the efficacy of and promoting the so-called Graham system. Ailments range from simple headaches to a general sickly constitution, from asthma to consumption, and from constipation to jaundice to pleurisy, to name but a few. Asenath Nicholson is among the correspondents. The Grahamite dietary and health regime, as briefly described in the Preface, emerges as the only reliable remedy:

[M]edicine of every kind, name, form, and quality, should be totally abstained from, unless a single dose should be rendered necessary by peculiar circumstances. Distilled spirits, wine, beer, cider, tobacco, opium, coffee, tea, pepper, mustard, and every other kind of artificial stimulants and narcotics, – fluid and solid – should be totally abandoned; and if the invalid is much diseased, he should totally abstain from all animal food, including butter and milk, – or taking the last in small and diluted quantities. Pure water, and toast water, and water gruel, should be the only liquids received into the stomach. The solid forms of food should be taken in the natural and simple state, and plainly prepared, or cooked with no other seasoning than a very little salt, and eaten in moderate quantities, at regular periods – not too frequently – well masticated or chewed, and swallowed slowly. The bowels should be kept regular by unbolted wheat meal bread and fruit. Let the last meal of the day be simple and light and at a good distance from bed time. Never sleep on a full stomach. Keep the skin clean, and exercise it well with a flesh-brush (vii).