G. H., the active partner in an extensive firm at the west end of the town, applied to me for advice, in order that he might be relieved from a severe attack of heartburn and flatulence, which invariably assailed him every evening. He informed me that he had tried every species of food for his dinner; sometimes restricting himself entirely to animal food, and at others to a vegetable diet; that he had taken water, and drank wine, but that no perceptible difference was experienced. His usual hour for retiring to rest was eleven o'clock; but although fatigued by the labours of the day, he was unable to close his eyes before two or three o'clock in the morning. I told him that I suspected the error was not in the quantity or quality of his food, but in the periods at which it was taken, and requested that I might be informed as to his general habits in this respect. He told me that such was the nature of the business in which he was engaged, that it was impossible for him to leave the counting-house before six o'clock; and that he could not therefore dine before seven; but, as he commenced business at an early hour, he was compelled to take a luncheon at three or four o'clock. I immediately discovered the origin of his complaint; and told him, that he must either abandon his meat luncheon, or convert it into a regular dinner: for the simple fact was this, that the digestive organs were thus rendered unable to dispose of the second meal, since the stomach was called into action before the food, of which the luncheon consisted, was converted into chyle.

I ordered him no medicine, but he called upon me after the interval of a fortnight, and informed me that he had entirely lost all his unpleasant symptoms, having made an arrangement which enabled him to dine at his house of business at five o'clock, and to return home to tea at eight.