The treatments depended largely on the belief that we are all compounds of hot, cold, wet and dry bodily humours: this was the basis of medicine from classical times, still used by herbalists and homeopaths.

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On an after-tax basis, his wife's job barely covers the cost of dry cleaning and a mother's helper, without whom she could not work.

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Or an industry critic might see a dry-gas report, compare it with another estimate made on a wet basis, and conclude that production is falling short of expectations.

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