"But regimen weakens the vital principle."
"What twaddle are you talking with your vital principle? What is it? Who has seen it?"
Pécuchet got confused.
"Besides," said the physician, "Gouy does not want food."
The patient made a gesture of assent under his cotton nightcap.
"No matter, he requires it!"
"Not a bit! his pulse is at ninety-eight!"
"What matters about his pulse?" And Pécuchet proceeded to give authorities.
"Let systems alone!" said the doctor.
Pécuchet folded his arms. "So then, you are an empiric?"