First edition of 'Building Better Bodies' by William Howard Hay M.D. This 1936 book by famed medical professional, William Howard Hay is an interesting look back to the once cutting edge views on diet and nutrition during early 20th century. Hay graduated from New York University Medical College in 1891 and was licensed as a physician in Pennsylvania. After graduation he practiced in Youngsville and was a surgeon for the American Tinplate Company of New Castle . In 1905, following an episode of acute heart failure due to running to catch a train, he discovered that he had Bright's disease (or hypertension) with "dilated heart", a condition with a poor prognosis at the time. He consequently ceased to practice surgery, changed his diet, stopped drinking diuretics and stopped smoking. His condition gradually improved, he lost significant weight and his blood pressure decreased. Over the next 4 years he developed a dietary system based on this personal experience. Descripted by the