“Gold that buys health can never be ill spent,
Nor hours laid out in harmless merriment.”
The negative form of expression, “I have not enjoyed good health,” is not only correct, but is, at the same time, a polite way of modestly stating a fact. To say “I have enjoyed poor health for the past year” is to express a kind of enjoyment not generally appreciated. It is like being agreeably disappointed.
“He is afflicted with a slight aberration of intellect.” Simplicity would suggest, “He is slightly insane.”
Above, Foregoing
“Let me call your attention to the above passage.” The highest authority does not sanction the use of above as an adjective. Say “the foregoing passage.”
Allowed, Said
“He allowed this was the best speech he had heard.” This is a provincialism that should be avoided. Use said, or declared, or admitted, according to the meaning.
Alternation
This word is sometimes used in the sense of an unbroken series. It properly signifies a reciprocal succession, as “The alternation of summer and winter produces an ever-changing scene.”