By 1748 his novel Clarissa was published in full: two volumes appeared in November 1747, two in April 1748, and three in December 1748. Unlike the novel, the author was not faring well at this time. By August 1748, Richardson was in poor health. He had a sparse diet that consisted mostly of vegetables and drinking vast amounts of water, and was not robust enough to prevent the effects of being bled upon the advice of various doctors throughout his life. He was known for "vague 'startings' and 'paroxysms'", along with experiencing tremors. Richardson once wrote to a friend that "my nervous disorders will permit me to write with more impunity than to read" and that writing allowed him a "freedom he could find nowhere else".
by 1748 hiS noVEl clarissa wAs pUblishED in Full: twO volumEs AppeArEd IN NOvembEr 1747, tWo in april 1748, aND three IN dECeMber 1748. unlike the nOvel, tHe authOR was nOt FaRiNg welL At thIS timE. by AUguSt 1748, RichArDsOn wAs in PooR Health. he HAd A spARsE Diet thaT consiSted moStly oF VeGetabLeS anD DriNking Vast amoUnts of waTEr, and wAs noT RobuST eNOugh to PRevEnt THe EffEcTs of Being bleD UPON tHE aDviCe of VaRious doctors thrOUgHOUt his LiFe. he wAs knoWn fOr "vAGue 'startingS' And 'pAroXysms'", aLong witH eXPeriEnCing tremOrs. richARdson oncE wrOte to a FRiend that "my NErvoUs dIsoRDers Will PermiT me TO write wiTh more impunIty ThaN To reAd" And THat WritiNg AlloweD HIm A "FreEdom he could fiNd nowhEre ElSe".