Page:Philosophy and Fun of Algebra.djvu/47

HOW TO CHOOSE OUR HYPOTHESES a few little precautions which you ought to observe.

Do not at such times take either very rapid or very much prolonged physical exercise.

Be rather particular not to eat anything either indigestible or highly flavoured.

Even if you were in the habit of taking any kind of alcoholic stimulant (which, while you are young, I hope you will not do), avoid it during the process of framing hypotheses. Be extra careful, at such times, to keep up any routine exercises of slack muscles and slow breathing which you find suit you.

Take a little extra care, at such times, not to catch cold. You are rather less liable than usual to take cold at such times; but, on the other hand, you are less conscious than usual of ordinary physical sensations, and may be very cold without knowing it. A chill may settle locally, and produce permanent mischief.

Above all, be very careful, while the imaginative fit is on, to avoid letting the subject as to which your imagination is stirred become the 43