Compared with health, they are surely immaterial.' "'Of course, I admit that.' "'Then, if you admit it, why pamper yourself ?' "'I suppose because one is weak in matters of habit.

You have many cases like mine ?' "'I have such cases every week,' he told me; 'indeed, it was having so many cases of the kind that made me a specialist in the subject.

When I began practice I had not the least notion how common the non-tobacco throat, as I call it, is.' "'But the disease has been known, has it not, for a long time ?' "'Yes,' he said;' but the cause has only been discovered recently.
I could explain the malady to you scientifically, as many medical men would prefer to do, but you are better to have it in plain English.' "'Certainly; but I should like to know whether the symptoms in other cases have been in every way similar to mine.' "'They have doubtless differed in degree, but not otherwise,' he answered.

'For instance, you say your sore throat is accompanied by depression of spirits.' "'Yes; indeed, the depression sometimes precedes the sore throat.' "'Exactly.

I presume, too, that you feel most depressed in the evening--say, immediately after dinner ?' "'That is certainly the time I experience the depression most.' "'The result,' he said, 'if I may venture on somewhat delicate matters, is that your depression of spirits infects your wife and family, even your servants ?' "'That is quite true,' I answered.