The Man Who Starved to Death on Doctor's Orders

'So Jones is dead,' said one Snohomish villa man to another. 'Yes, poor fellow,' was the reply, 'he is gone.' 'What did he die of?' inquired the first speaker. 'Starvation,' was the answer. 'Starvation! Good gracious; the man was worth $50,000.' 'I know that; nevertheless, he died of starvation. I'll tell you how it was: Jones was always fancying that there was something the matter with him, so he went to a doctor one day and had himself examined, and the doctor informed him he had kidney disease, and that, beside taking medicine, he must diet himself. Said the doctor: 'You must avoid all kinds of salt meats, salt fish, potatoes and vegetables of every kind.' Jones followed the advice, but found himself no better. He went to another doctor, and, after being examined, was informed that he must avoid all kinds of fresh meats also. This did not do him any good, as he thought, and he went to another doctor, who highly approved of the advice which had previously been given, and further warned him against all kinds of pastry, likewise shellfish, including oysters and clams. 'The best thing for you is a milk diet,' said this doctor, so Jones lived wholly upon milk. Not feeling himself any better, he went to another doctor, who cautioned him to avoid milk above all things if he wanted to get well. This reduced Jones to a diet of cold water and fresh air, and, finding himself no better under the regime, he went to another doctor, who advised him to beware of drinking too much cold water and being too much in the air. This last advice cut off the last of Jones' articles of diet, and he died of starvation, as I have told you.