with almost miraculous powers of healing and the possession of the
Secret of Disease and Health.

At the sale of effects, following his death, there was a great gathering
of the most celebrated physicians of the day and his books and records
fetched fabulous prices. But one special tome, ponderous, silver-clasped
and locked, entitled: "Macrobiotic, The True and Complete Secret of
Long, Healthy Life," was the cynosure of every avaricious eye. The
auctioneer shrewdly reserved it until the last. Amidst a scene of
unparalleled excitement and competition the Great Book was at length
knocked down to a famous London physician for no less a sum than seven
thousand Gulden. When opened with eager anticipation before the
disappointed bidders, its pages were found to be blank--with one
exception. Upon this one was inscribed in the handwriting of Boerhaave
himself, only these ten words:

"_Keep the head cool, the feet warm, the bowels open._"

Turning to an excited audience it was thus the great London authority
spoke:

"I once heard it said that the world is simple; that health is simple;
that it is the folly of man that causes all complications, and that it
is the delicate task of the true physician to reduce everything to its
original simplicity. Heaven knows that our great Master, Boerhaave, has
solved life's problem. To me this truth is well worth the 7,000 Gulden I
pay to secure it; while to you, my friends, who have travelled from
distant parts of the globe in search of it, receive from me the legacy
of our Master and also be, likewise, content."