Venner, Tobias

, a physician of the seventeenth century, was born of genteel parents at Petherton, near Bridgewater, in Somersetshire, in 1577, and in 1594 became a commoner of St. Alban’s-hall, Oxford. After taking a degree in arts, he studied physic, and practised for a time about Oxford. In 1613, he took his doctor’s degree, and returning to his own country, practised for many years at | Bridgewater; but afterwards, at or near Bath. He was highly esteemed in that part of the country for skill in his profession, and maintained the character of an upright and charitable person. He died March 27, 1660, and was buried in St. Peter’s church in Bath, where a monument with a large inscription, by Dr. Pierce of that city, was erected to his memory.

Dr. Venner acquired great popularity by a work on the subject of diet and regimen, entitled ' Via recta ad vitam longam,“published in two separate parts, the first in 1620, and the second in 1623, but joined in subsequent editions. It is a plain practical piece, extremely different in manner from Dr. Mousset’s” Treatise on Foods,“though similar in subject. His account of the several articles treated of, is compiled (though without any quotations) from the current authors of that time; and his rules and admonitions, delivered with all due gravity and authority, are equally trite. His style and manner are well calculated for a popular work, being plain, grave, and diffuse. To the edition of the” Via Recta“of 1638, were added,” A compendious Treatise concerning the nature, use, and efficacy of the Bathes at Bath;“”Advertisement concerning the taking of Physic in the Spring;“” Censure concerning the water of St. Vincent’s rocks near Bristol,“said to be the first treatise relating to Bristol water; and a” Brief and accurate Treatise concerning the taking of the fume of Tobacco." ¹