Colds and Catarrhs Frequent winter colds and catarrhs plague the Carlyles from now on. In 1834 the usual and by now established complaints come and go. John is his main confidant but his mother, who in any case read all family letters, is kept informed of his ill-health. The move to Chelsea took place in the summer of 1834, Carlyle going in advance to seek a property. His health is now an ever-interesting topic and will remain so.
Self medication is routine and fairly constant.
His dyspepsia is not helped by constant tea and coffee drinking and he is a heavy smoker. Constipation is treated constantly, probably worsening it. Letters, his journal, and events show that he is worse when contemplating new work, and that soon after starting it he begins to feel he will not be well until the task is completed. When it is finished he enters an exhausted, fallow phase, and usually takes a holiday in Dumfriesshire. If you can't see a frames menu on the left of your screen, click here .