Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/326

 did improve. But he never fully recovered from the blow.

Then came diabetes, the companion of the English- educated in India. Evidently it was the gift of the Yeravda jail and it cast sUght shadows of old age on his person.

For the last fifteen years of his life, this fell disease was his companion. Bravely did Mr. Tilak fight with it and so far was he successful that the disease did not torment him with all its virulence. It was, however, stni there, working insidiously, and slowly and silently sapping his strength ! He held the fell disease in his ^p ; the disease too, did not loosen its hold.

Having studied all the existing medical Uterature on the subject, he fixed a regimen for himself to which he adhered with military rigour. When it was hot, he usually lived at Sinhgad. Periods of hard work were carefully followed by rest. When he rested, he kept no books, he read no papers. He left instructions at Poona regarding the disposal of correspondence. Only the most important matters — private or public — whose execution could not be delayed and particularly those which required his instructions, were reported to him. His morning walk, occasionally in the company of some obscure villager, lasted for three or four hours and was followed by an hour's plunge. This completed the day's exercise.

His capacity to withdraw his mind from work, stood him in good stead. Always optimistic, he never allowed worries, small or great, to trouble him. His self-control was wonderful and helped him considerably in improv- ng his health. Storm after storm swept past him.