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    Long Life





          AND






HOW TO ATTAIN IT.
BY
JOHN F. EBY A CO., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.
1886. 
          WT



P>'/*»l   NO.    &z</
      Entered according to Act of Congress, A. D. 1886,
                 By Andrew J. B. Jenner,
[n the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C
                    All rights reserved. 
PREFACE.
   The contents of this book are not a mere rehear-
 sal of theories propounded, or methods proposed,
 from time immemorial ;  neither do they deal in
 diablerie, or any other occult science ; on the con-
 trary, they consist in the  narration of plain, every-
 day facts, written in the plainest possible language;
 and the methods proposed, and the advice offered,
 relative  to  the attainment of the object  desired,
 are simply such as will appeal to the common sense
 of  every intelligent reader; and consist,  in  the
 pointing out of such things as tend to prolong life,
 and such as will surely shorten it; recommending
 all to adopt the former, and avoid the latter.
  This book  is neither a  popular nor professional
 medical work.  Indeed, it has nothing whatever to
 do with the practice of medicine.   For although,
in order to prolong life, it is absolutely necessary,
not only to take the greatest  possible care  of  our 
IV
PREFACE.
health,  and  endeavor, by  every  means  in  our
power, to ward  off disease, but we must also rid
ourselves  of the  latter,  as  quickly as possible,
should  we,  unfortunately,  contract   it.    And
although,  in order to  accomplish this  latter  pur-
pose, we may have to call in the aid of the physi-
cian, nevertheless, at least in so far as the prolong-
ation of life is concerned, his duties will begin and
end, in effecting  the  object,  for which  he was
especially employed.
  The healing  art deals only with specialties and
individualities ;  whereas,  that  of prolonging life,
is conducted  upon  general principles, and  has
nothing whatever to do with disease, as an entity;
but merely  incidentally :  and as something to  be
either removed or prevented.
  In this connection,  it  is worthy of note,  that
even disease, is not altogether an unmixed evil ;
for it is well known, that  it is not always the  most
healthy looking and robust,  who live the longest;
but those who  are weakly, and constantly ailing,
frequently outlive the strongest; their  very weak-
ness compelling them to take that care of them-
selves, which common sense  alone points out to be 
PREFACE.
V
 necessary; and  without which, they cannot possi-
 bly live very long.
   Furthermore, it is also a fact, that the means
 employed to cure disease, though they may appa-
 rently effect the object  sought, may, nevertheless,
 be actually  instrumental in shortening life, instead
 of aiding in its prolongation.
   Notwithstanding all  this, however, the healing
 art is necessary, not only to aid in the  removal of
 disease when present, but also to prevent it,  by
 eradicating  a constitutional tendency thereto.  It
 may also help in building up the organism, and to
 enable it, not only the  better to resist untoward
 influences, but also to throw off morbid conditions
 which, though  not actually diseased, may, never-
 theless,  become  so, unless  suitable  means  are
 employed for the prevention thereof.
   My object in writing the book, is not to discuss
 theories of  any kind, but to narrate facts; by act-
ing in  accordance  with which, any one may stand
a very fair chance, not only of extending life to its
utmost limits, but  also of thoroughly enjoying it,
even to its latest breath. 
vi
PREFACE.
  It is intended  for no  particular class; and is
equally adapted to either sex; and is so plainly
written,  that whoever can read,  can also under-
stand it.  And, in order to increase its  practical
usefulness,  and  to  facilitate reference  to   any
special point, an exceedingly  copious  index  has
been carefully prepared, and may be found at the
end of the book.
  In the hope, therefore, that many may be found,
not only  to read it,  but also to profit by it;  and
that the general welfare may be enhanced thereby,
this little  book is started on its way by
                             THE AUTHOR.
  Detroit, July 1st, 1886. 
CONTENTS.
   N. B.—A copious index will be found at the end of the book.
                                          Page.
 Childhood.........62
 Climate.........33
 Conclusion.........157
 Decline.........122
 Exciting and Depressing Mental Emotions .   101
 Food..........24
 Fresh Air and Exercise......20
 Go Slowly.........80
 Gymnasia.........76
 Heredity.........39
Infancy......    .   .    .38
Insufficient Exercise......114
Introductory     .    .   .......9
Labor and Refreshment.....27 
 Viii              CONTENTS.
                                         Page.
 Light..........20
 Manhood and Womanhood    ....    79
 Marriage.........83
 Mental and Physical Overwork   ...    99
 Middle Age or Prime of Life   ....   96
 Old Age.........145
 Over Education.......74
 Over Indulgence in Animal Passions, &c.   .   114
 Perfect Purity........69
 Seven Ages of Man......     16
 Sleep..........30
 Temperament........33
 The Trinity........102
 The Turkish Bath.....131  133
 Undue Exposure to Cold and Wet  .   .   .110
 Want of Sufficient Sleep.....HO
 AVomen.......           gft
Youth    ....                       «- 
       LONG  LIFE
                   AND
HOW  TO ATTAIN   IT.
           INTEODUOTOKY.
        This life whereof our views are scant,
        T's life, not death, for which we pant,
        More life and fuller that we want.
                              —A. H. Clough.
  Most people desire  to live as  long as possible.
It is  perfectly right  and  only natural that they
should, for the love of life  is deeply implanted
within us by  an all-wise  and beneficent Provi-
dence.  AVas it not so, many would  succumb to
hardships  and trials  which,  under the existing
6tate  of things, they endure with comparative
ease and composure.
  The average duration of human life should be
at least seventy years, and  its  limit about one 
10
INTRODUCTORY.
hundred and twenty years.  Whereas, what are
the facts ?  Millions of human beings die in their
infancy.   A still greater  number fail to survive
their  fifth year,  and  countless thousands die
annually of absolutely preventable diseases.
  Why should this be so '. What are the reasons
for such a deplorable state of things ?
  It is my purpose, in this little book, to lay bare
some  of the  causes  and to suggest remedies for
their removal.
  Furthermore,  I shall endeavor to point out the
means whereby  human life may be prolonged,
even to its utmost limit.

                    CICERO,
In his dissertation on old age, very sagely says,
" Surely nothing can be  more natural than for
the old to die.   It is true that youth  also  is
exposed  to  dissolution,  but it  is a dissolution
obviously contrary to  nature's intentions, and  in
opposition to her strongest efforts.  Fruit,  before
it is ripe, cannot be separated from  the stalk 
INTRODUCTORY.
11
without  some  degree  of force, but when it  is
perfectly mature, it drops of itself; so the dis-
union of the soul and the body is effected in the
young by violence; but in the old it takes place
by mere fulness and completion of years."
  Numerous instances  might  be adduced, not
only in support of my  previous proposition, but
also  in  proof that my limit as to age has even
been very considerably exceeded.
  I shall, however, mention  but one, namely, the
case  of
                THOMAS PARR,
A common  English laborer.   This  is  not the
oldest  name  of recent record, for in the year
1670, one
              HARRY JENKINS,
Also an  Englishman, of  Yorkshire, died  at the
great age of one hundred and sixty-nine years ;
wliereas Parr only lived to be somewhat over one
hundred and  fifty-two years  of age.
  But, the case of the latter  is far more instruc-
tive,  and much better  adapted  to  serve  our 
12
INTRODUCTORY.
present purpose, and, as  it will  be seen  in  the
sequel,  had it  not been for certain  untoward
circumstances, even  he  might  at least have
equalled, if indeed he had not surpassed,  the
former in age.
              THOMAS  PARR
Was born in Shropshire,  in the year 1483.   He
was  engaged in farm work from  his boyhood
until he was more  than one hundred and thirty
years old.   At  the age  of  one  hundred and
twenty, he  married his second wife, by whom he
also  had children.   In the year  1635, he was in-
troduced at the  court of Charles  the First, of
England, by the Earl of Arundel, as a natural
curiosity ; but the  change of air and  the new
mode of living caused his death during the same
year, he  being one hundred and fifty-two years
and nine months old when he died.

                DR. HARVEY,
The  same who discovered the circulation  of  the
blood, made a post mortem examination of this 
INTRODUCTORY.
13
man's body, but could  find no internal signs of
decay in any  part  thereof;  even the cartilages
were not changed into  bone,  as is almost always
the case, even  in ordinary old men.
  By way of contrast, I will briefly instance  the
the case of

   LOUIS THE SECOND, KING OF HUNGARY,
and thereby show with what fearful rapidity the
whole series of life's changes may possibly be
passed  through.   This man was prematurely
born; he was  crowned  when  two years old ; he
ascended the throne at ten ; he had a full beard
at fourteen ; he married  at fifteen ; his hair was
gray at eighteen ; and  at twenty he died.
   It is recorded that a  grandson of Thomas Parr,
previously mentioned,  died at one hundred  and
three, and  another at  one hundred and twenty
years old.   There are, however, a large number
of recorded cases, in which both  men or women
have either attained  to  or approached  very
nearly this last mentioned age, which is one of 
14
INTRODUCTORY.
the principal reasons why I have fixed upon one
hundred and twenty years as my ordinary limit;
and, although I admit that these cases are com-
paratively rare, nevertheless,  I am  fully per-
suaded that  by acting  in  strict accordance with
the laws of  nature,  these comparative  rarities
would  soon  become  mere matters  of  every day
occurrence.

  DISOBEDIENCE OP THE LAWS OF NATURE
Is invariably followed by condign  punishment.
Premature death, from whatever apparent cause,
is invariably the  result of  violated law.  Be
warned, therefore, in time, and remember that
whatever has a  tendency to promote a high state
of health,  not only tends to prolong life  and to
ward off destruction  and decay, but it also tends
to the  eradication of constitutional disease, and
thereby removes another  most potent cause of
early  death.   None, however,  need  despair ;
while there is life there is hope. 
INTRODUCTORY.             15
      IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND.
Bad habits may be  given up, and diseased con-
ditions  may  be  removed at any period of life.
It is even possible to set back the hands on the
dial of  time  when the  clock is just  upon the
point of striking the final hour.   But matters of
such vital import should never be left until the
last moment.  The  more inveterate  the disease,
the harder it is to cure;  the older the  habit, the
harder it is to relinquish.  They, therefore, who
would prolong life must  see to it  that  they put
their house in order, strengthening such parts as
are weak, remedying such  as are out  of  order,
and  removing every obstacle which  stands in
the way of the accomplishment of their desires. 
16       THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN.
  THE  SEYE^  AGES  OF MAJS".

  For  the sake of  convenience, I shall, like
Shakspeare, divide  the life of man into seven
stages or periods of existence, namely :
  1. Infancy.
  2. Childhood.
  3. Adolescence, or Youth.
  4. Manhood or Womanhood.
  5. Middle Age or Prime.
  6. Decline.
  7. Old Age or Decay.
  The  changes which take place in each and  all
of these periods  are  obvious enough and  suffi-
ciently uniform; but the dividing lines are not
always  so well defined, nor is the duration of
either of these several periods always the same.
In the latter respect, both theoretically and  prac-
tically, the  time  allotted  to each stage is  of
necessity, and for many reasons, arbitrary in the
extreme. 
          THE  SEVEN AGES OF MAN.       17

   In my opinion, however, the nearest approach
to a perfect allotment would be somewhat as
follows: Infancy to extend from birth until the
end of the  third year; when childhood begins,
and extends to the  completion of the  twelfth
year.    Youth   commences  at the end  of the
twelfth year, and continues until the termination
of the twenty-first year.    The full  period of
manhood  or womanhood has now been reached,
and should continue to mature and increase in
strength until  at  least fifty years  have passed
away ; at  which time, middle age, or prime, may
be said to be  attained.  This stage should con-
tinue, with  but little perceptible change, up to
seventy years ;  when decline may be supposed to
commence,  and  should slowly progress  until
about  ninety,  or  until  old age  unmistakably
begins to  show itself.  After this time, the  tide
of life should  slowly ebb, until at  the close of
one hundred and  twenty years, or thereabouts,
Euthanasia, or  an  easy, happy  death,  closes the
scene, and the worn-out body sinks  into its final
rest.
       2 
18
THE SEVEN  AGES  OF MAN.
  In a tabulated form the above would read as
follows :
1.	Infancy,	from birth		to 3	years
2.	Childhood,	" 3	years to 12		u
3.	Youth,	" 12	u	" 21	u
4.	Manhood,	" 21	u	" 50	a
5.	Prime,	" 50	a	" 70	a
6.	Decline,	" 70	u	" 90	a
7.	Old Age,	" 90	u	"120	a
  Special needs and  special precautions belong
to each of these several stages.  It will, therefore,
be necessary to take each one of them separately,
and to point out minutely, not  only the require-
ments,  but  also  the  precautionary measures
necessary to its full development  and proper
maintenance, as well as to remedy any defects in
each particular period.
  There are, however, certain  things absolutely
necessary to the prolongation of  life, which are
imperatively demanded in all its stages.   Chief
among which are,  an abundance of light and
plenty of fresh air; an ample sufficiency, both in 
THE SEVEN  AGES OF MAN.       19
quantity and quality, of wholesome and nutritious
food; a due proportion of labor and refreshment;
and plenty of  sound and refreshing sleep.
  But even these are subject to modification, not
only in accordance with the requirements of any
particular period of life, but  also of individual
peculiarities, of  differences in temperament, and
of constitutional tendencies generally.
  Moreover, climate  has a very marked modify-
ing influence upon all of these matters; and it is
a subject which deserves much more serious con-
sideration than that which is usually accorded to
it.
  Notwithstanding the fact,  therefore, that the
relative value  of each of  these subjects will be
fully discussed  when speaking  of the  several
stages of  life  separately;  nevertheless, I think
that a few words upon these  matters in general
will neither be superfluous nor out of place.  I
shall, therefore, adopt this  course and commence
with the subject of 
20
LIGHT.
                   LIGHT.
  With the  single exception that too  great  a
glare may be oppressive to the eye, it is almost
impossible that  any organized being, animal  or
vegetable,  should  have  too  much light.  It is
absolutely necessary to growth and development;
and, deprived  of its influence,  everything  is
stunted and pale;  owing to deterioration of  the
natural juices necessary to  its healthy develop-
ment ; and although its mode of  operation is by
no means understood, it is, nevertheless, a motive
and sustaining power in Nature of  the very first
order,  and absolutely indispensable.
  We  now pass on  to  consider  the  undoubted
necessity of plenty of

                  FRESH AIR.
  In  this consideration it  is a  fact worthy  of
note, that  almost  all the recorded instances of
extreme longevity are of persons who had spent
by far the greater portion of their lives out of 
FRESH AIR.
21
doors,  and therefore  in the fullest enjoyment,
not only of fresh air, but also of light.
  Abundance of fresh air is  just  as absolutely
necessary to a long and healthy life as  is a suffi-
ciency of good  and wholesome  food.   Indeed,
the  one  without the  other is  comparatively
worthless.
  Not only do we  need plenty of fresh air on
account  of  the  oxygen which  it  contains, and
which is necessary, not only to vitalize the blood,
but is also needed to burn  up  the waste matters
of the tissues, which it accomplishes in  a variety
of ways ; and in so doing, creates and maintains a
proper amount of internal animal heat, without
which  it would be impossible for man to live at
all;  but we  also require plenty of exercise, in
order  to  facilitate  the  throwing  off   of  these
waste  matters  to  make  room   for  the  new
material, supplied by our food, after it  has been
mixed with the venous blood, and become vital-
ized, together with the oxygenated blood, in the
lungs. 
22               FRESH AIR.
  It is impossible to over-estimate  the value of
fresh air and exercise.   They are among the
most efficient means, not only of prolonging a
life  already healthy, but also  of restoring one
that is diseased.  In many cases they are  alone
sufficient to accomplish  this  last named  object;
but in all cases, other  remedial means are alto-
gether inadequate  without  their aid, in  some
shape or form.
  Exercise in the open  air should be taken all
the  year round,  and in all  kinds  of weather.
Many people are afraid  of catching cold in the
open air; but there really is no need of any such
fear.  Far worse  colds are caught within  doors
than out of doors.  The more people accustom
themselves to out-door life, and that in all  kinds
of weather, the less liable will they become to
catch cold ; always provided that they neither sit
or  stand  still.   There  are  more  severe  colds
caught, not only in  waiting for a street car, but
also in riding in one, than there are by taking
the longest walks, and in the roughest kind of
weather. 
FRESH  AIR.               23
   When in the open air, and especially if it is
cold, keep  the mouth  shut, and  breathe  only
through the nose ; the mouth was never intended
for respiratory purposes.
   It is not only necessary, however, to take  in
plenty of fresh air out of doors, but it is equally
imperative that we breathe pure air within doors.
The want of proper  ventilation in  our public
places,  as well as in  our  private homes, is not
only one of the chief  causes of disease, but it is
also one of  the principal reasons why people die
so  soon.    This  is especially  true  as regards
infants and  young folks generally.
   The subject of  ventilation is  fully discussed
in my  book,  entitled, " Healthy Homes  and
Wholesome Food  for Everybody."  For further
information, therefore, upon this point,  I must
refer the  reader to it, or to some other work
wherein this most important topic is treated of in
detail.
   Without further comment, therefore, we will
at once pass on to the consideration of the subject
of 
24
FOOD.
                     FOOD.
   In so far as food is concerned in the mainten-
 ance and prolongation of life, all that is necces-
 sary  is that it should  be sufficient in quantity;
 and as to quality, that it should be plain, whole-
 some, nutritious  and  easily digested.   A healthy
 stomach will always be satisfied with such, and a
 healthy appetite  will ask  for nothing more.
   But, alas! alas!  The refinements  of so-called
 civilization, aided and  abetted by a host of con-
 fectioners, cooks  and  caterers, have so ruined the
 stomachs  and depraved the appetites of all  but
 the very poor that, now-a-days, it is actually hard
 to find a person whose organs of digestion and
 assimilation  are  perfectly  strong and  healthy.
 Neither age, sex  or condition is exempt from the
 diabolical devices of  these destroyers of  health;
 but all suffer alike; from  the helpless infant who
is stuffed  with  poisonous  " candies," to the gray
haired old epicure who gloats over the so-called
delicacies which  are  daily set before him.   In-
deed, I firmly believe  that  high  living, highly 
FOOD.                  25
 seasoned, badly cooked and improper food, glut-
 tony and drunkenness have done more to  ruin
 man's health  and shorten human life, than  the
 combined effects of war, pestilence and famine
 have ever been able to accomplish in the destruc-
 tion of mankind.
   Highly seasoned food, and so-called made dishes
 of every description, should either be entirely
 avoided, or  be but sparingly used  by those who
 have any regard for the health of their stomachs:
 for no one can possibly live to be very old unless
 that precious organ be and remain in a tolerably
 healthy  condition;  and  although,  " variety is
 charming,"  too  many different things  should
 never be partaken of at any one meal; on the con-
 trary, the fewer  the  better.  A due and proper
 admixture of  animal and vegetable food, how-
ever, is not  only pleasant, but  is certainly most
conducive to health and longevity.
   In the matter of drink, water and milk  should
always  have  the pre-eminence.   Intoxicating
liquors, of every description, should be but spar- 
26                 FOOD.
ingly  indulged  in, if used at all; and  even tea
and coffee should be much more moderately used
than is commonly the case.
  As  a rule, three good meals should be taken
during the day ; but nothing should ever be eaten
between  meals, for  the  stomach requires  rest
quite  as  much  as any other organ of the body.
Take plenty of  time to eat; and never sit down
to a meal when hurried or worried, or when suf-
fering from either mental or  physical fatigue.
Under such circumstances, a bowl of soup or a
cup of good black tea would  not only be  very
appropriate, but would  also be amply sufficient.
Always  eat before going out  in the morning,
and never go out into the cold  immediately  after
having partaken of a full meal.
  With these few general remarks I shall dismiss
the subject of food for the present,  and briefly
consider, in general terms, the necessity for a due
proportion of 
LABOR AND REFRESHMENT.      27
         LABOR AND REFRESHMENT.

   "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,"
is an old saying, but I shall go a step farther and
assert  that he who works and won't play, will
soon see his last day.  In the ardent and cease-
less struggle for fame or  fortune, men are not
only too apt  to  think  that every moment which
is not spent in the direct pursuit of the object of
their  ambition, is  just so much  labor lost and
time wasted.  But  a greater  or more  fatal mis-
take could not  possibly be made.   In the battle
of life, rest and recreation are  not only just  as
necessary as  labor, but they are also equally
profitable, and the one requires just as much con-
sideration  as the  other.   There  should be set
times for each, which should  not only be strictly
observed, but neither  should  ever be  permitted
to encroach upon the other.
   The allotted  time for each should be fairly
apportioned,  and the character of the refreshment
should always be exactly opposite  to that of the 
28       LABOR AND  REFRESHMENT.

labor.   For instance, the man who is engaged in
a sedentary occupation  in doors, should refresh
himself with hard work out of doors ; he  who
works with the brain should find his refreshment
in bodily labor.   Both  the body and the brain
should  be  equally  exercised, and  each should
receive  its fair amount of rest.  If the one is
exercised to the neglect of the other, both equally
suffer,   the one from overwork, the other  from
comparative inactivity, both of which conditions
have" not only a tendency to injure the health,
but also tend to shorten life.  No habitually lazy
man or  woman has ever yet been known to live
to an extreme old age.  Mental and physical sloth
are just as injurious to health and longevity as
mental and physical labor are necessary; in effect,
the one is exactly the reverse of the other.
  If both mind and  body are equally and simul-
taneously worked, it is almost  impossible  that
either of them shall be unwittingly overtasked ;
for although the brain  may fail immediately  to
perceive any  unusual  strain,  physical  fatigue 
         LABOR  AND REFRESHMENT.       29

will force itself upon the  attention, even against
the will.  Thus  it is that  mental overwork is
more dangerous  because it is more insidious.
Slowly progressive collapse is  always more for-
midable than that which occurs suddenly.   The
effects of mere physical overwork are  easily over-
come : the muscles may  indeed become  weary
and  worn by  constant  and  excessive labor, but
recuperation is comparatively easy, and may gen-
erally be overcome by rest alone.
  Notwithstanding the fact that  a due propor-
tion  of  labor and  refreshment  is  absolutely
necessary to  the prolongation  of life, and that
refreshment is often  to be secured by the  mere
interchange of mental and physical labor, never-
theless, and in addition  to all this, there is a vital
need  of an entire  cessation  from every kind of
conscious labor, and this urgent requirement can
only be met by indulging in plenty of sound and
refreshing 
30
SLEEP.
                    SLEEP.
   Sleep is  needed for the  restoration  of  both
 body and  mind;  by it the  various organs  and
 tissues of the body are renewed and strengthened
 by the elaboratory and depurative processes which
 are especially active during the hours of sleep ; at
 the same time also, the blood vessels of the brain
 are comparatively empty;  which not  only gives
 them requisite  rest, but  also  allows them to
 recover energy and strength for the efficient  per-
 formance of the  duties of the following  day.
 The thorough fulfilment of this latter condition
 is a matter of  the utmost  possible consequence;
 for unless the brain itself has sufficient rest, the
 benefits to  be derived from mere physical repose
 are comparatively unimportant.
   In order that sound and  refreshing sleep  may
 be thoroughly enjoyed, it is absolutely necessary
 that the sleeping  apartment shall be  large  and
 airy.  Pure sleep cannot possibly be had in  the
absence of  pure air.  The bedroom, therefore,
should be the largest and  best in the house, in- 
SLEEP.
31
stead of  the  smallest, as is only too often the
case.
   Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary that all
care, and everything which pre-occupies the mind,
should be cast aside as soon as bed time arrives.
Both body and mind should be so disposed, that
there shall  be  absolutely nothing to distract the
one, or disturb the  other.  To some this may
appear  to be  somewhat  difficult of accomplish-
ment ; but I can assure them that, except in the
case  of  actual physical  pain, it may be  easily
achieved, by  the  determined  and  persistent
exercise of the  will alone.
   The requisite time  for sleep varies in different
individuals,  and also in  the different stages of
life.  As a  rule, however, it may be  stated that
every adult  should pass from six to eight out of
every twenty-four hours in sleep.  It is generally
conceded  that  those  who work with the brain
require more  sleep than  those who are  engaged
in mere physical labor.   Be that  quantity  what
it  may, however, it should  all be taken at one 
32
SLEEP.
time, and  unquestionably, night  is  the  most
appropriate season ;  although  there  are  many
who suppose that it matters not when, so long as
the  requisite  amount  of sleep  is  had.    Such
people, however,  are  very greatly  mistaken, as
the appearance of those whose occupation  com-
pels them to turn night into day will abundantly
demonstrate.  The vitality of  such  people is
invariably low, and their  blood is always impov-
erished, owing to the want of the vivifying and
restorative  influences of light  and sunshine.
  No one  should ever be suddenly  awakened
from sleep, nor should any one be compelled to
get up  when  only half  awake, as  the brain or
heart may  possibly be seriously injured thereby.
As  a rule, however, people  should always get up
as soon as  they  are wide awake; at all events,
they should never attempt to fall asleep again  ;
because this thorough  awakening  is usually  a
sign that sufficient sleep has already been had.
  In reference to  the modifying influences of 
TEMPERAMENT.
33
               TEMPERAMENT,
Constitutional peculiarities and  the  like, it will
be sufficient here merely to state, that those of a
sanguine or  choleric temperament  require less
stimulus and more rest, than those of a phleg-
matic or melancholic  temperament; the  latter
require constant driving as it were; whereas, the
former need to be constantly held in check.  The
food for the former should be plain and unirrita-
ing; that for the latter requires  to  be  more
piquant and stimulating.
  The modifying influences of

                  CLIMATE,
However, require to  be more minutely  dealt
with.
  The direct influences of climate upon the  dura-
tion of human life is a most interesting study.  I,
myself, have lived in the very hottest and also in
the very coldest climates, the immediate vicinity of
the North Pole alone excepted ; and  my opinion,
        3 
34
CLIMATE.
based, not only upon the result of my own obser-
vations, but also from what I have gathered from
the writings and  opinions  of  others, is,  that a
white man,  with  suitable surroundings,  can  be
just as healthy and live, relatively, just as long in
the one  as the other.  By this term relatively,
I mean  that if, as by many is believed to be the
rule in such cases,  you multiply the time it takes
to arrive at maturity by five  or six, you obtain
the same relative  standard in all cases.  For
example, if it only requires ten or twelve years
for a youth to arrive at  maturity, as is the case
in many hot countries, that person should live
for sixty or  seventy years.  This limit,  however,
more especially applies to the colored natives of
a country, than to white people ; even though the
latter are born in that  same country.  I have
observed that native whites do not reach the age
of maturity so soon  as  the  colored, by several
years; but  sooner, as a rule, than they would in
a colder or more temperate climate.   I  have also
found that people emigrating from  a colder to a 
CLIMATE.                35
 warmer climate  are  often, comparatively speak-
 ing, rejuvenated; and precisely the same  thing
 often  occurs when people, who have  been long
 resident in a hot  climate, remove to a colder.
   In order, however, that  this shall  be the case,
 it is at all times necessary that the diet and mode
 of life shall be  in accord with the climate.  It
 would  be most absurd to suppose  that a  man
 could  live in the same  way and upon the same
 kind of food, and be  equally well in the Tropics
 and in the region of the North Pole.   These are
 the two extremes, it is true.   Nevertheless, they
 serve more clearly to show that there must  be a
 difference;  and  that that difference  must be
 adjusted, in precisely the same ratio, as the differ-
 ence in the climate.
   As a  general rule in such matters, the hotter
 the  climate, the  less need is there for animal
 food ;  whereas  the amount of farina, fruit and
 vegetables  should  be correspondingly greater.
 Whereas, the colder the  climate,  the greater
should be the amount of  animal food consumed. 
36
CLIMATE.
  The same amount of fresh air and exercise is
necessary in all climates; the only difference being
in the time of day most appropriate for its indul-
gence. The inhabitants of a hot country are gen-
erally lazy and indolent:  but  such habits in no
way add to their health or longevity. Indeed, I am
inclined to think that this is one of the principal
reasons why, as a rule, they do not live  so long.
They do not absorb sufficient oxygen ; and conse-
quently waste and effete matters, which ought to
have  been burnt  up in the oxygen, are never
thoroughly gotten rid of;  but are either retained
or re-absorbed into the circulation ; or they remain
undisturbed,  and  so  block  up the way for the
thorough restoration of all parts of the body.
  There should also be a due proportion of labor
and refreshment in all climates.   Plenty of rest
is also required, and so is plenty of sleep.  The
influence which climate exerts upon  these latter
lies principally in  the difference as to  time and
methods of obtaining them.   For instance, in
hot countries, it is always advisable, and  some- 
                   CLIMATE.                37

times absolutely  necessary, to rest, and even to
sleep, during the hottest portions of the day; con-
sequently, active work must be begun earlier, and
continued later than in more temperate regions.
  The climate most  conducive to longevity is
that in which there is the least variation in tem-
perature.   Frequent and  sudden  changes are
always depressing, because they disturb that nice
equilibrium  so  necessary  to the  enjoyment of
absolute health.   Too much dryness or too much
moisture  is  equally  injurious;  an atmosphere
which is  slightly moist, however, is to be  pre-
ferred to  all others,  because  such a condition
retards  vital  consumption, without in  any  way
interfering with the restorative powers; whereas,
too  much moisture  would  interfere with the
natural process of waste and repair, and is always
debilitating.   On the other hand,  an atmosphere
which is too dry wastes the body by the undue
abstraction of moisture therefrom, and the subse-
quent evaporation thereof.   In short, it is in this
as in all other matters, the neither too much or 
38
INFANCY.
too little  of anything, but  the  glorious mean,
which is not only the safest and surest, but which
is always the best.
  Having thus briefly introduced the subject  in
general  terms, I shall now proceed to treat the
subject  in detail, commencing with

               INFANCY.

  This is pre-eminently the period during which
to lay a broad and  solid  foundation.   A stitch
put in now, will  not only save  nine, but ninety
and nine, or even more than  that, in after years.
This is  also especially the  time in which, not
only to build up  and maintain a constitution
already  good, but also to invigorate and  strength-
en  any  weak  points  which may not  only  be
readily  discerned, but also such as may be merely
suspected, and also to search for and remove any
taint or hereditary predisposition  to   disease,
whether it be derived  directly,  from the parents
themselves, or indirectly, from some other branch
of the family,  on either side. 
HEREDITY.
39
  By the way, there is a most important point in
connection with
                  HEREDITY
which I might  just  as  well  make  right here;
namely: It matters not what may be the opinions
of people,  professional or otherwise, respecting
the transmission of diseases by parents to their
offspring, before birth, this much is  absolutely
certain, that if the mother suckles her child, that
child will be almost  sure to take, not only any
disease of  which she  may then be suffering, but
it will also inherit all her constitutional ailments
and tendencies.

THE  SUCKLING  OF INFANTS  BY UNHEALTHY
   MOTHERS IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE
        PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF INFANT
                 MORTALITY,
and the unmistakable remedy,  in all such cases,
is altogether to abstain from suckling the child.
As soon as such  an infant is born, it  should, at
once, be  put  to some thoroughly healthy wet
nurse, or it should  be artificially fed.  It should 
40
HEREDITY.
not even for a single  moment  be  put to its
mother's breast:  for  if it is, it then and there
inherits all her constitutional diseases.
  I do not, for one moment, wish it to be under-
stood  that  I, even in  the very slightest possible
degree,  under-estimate  the  value  of  any of
nature's processes : on the contrary, I am fully
persuaded that if, in many things, we went right
back again to first principles, we should not only
live longer, but we should also be much healthier
and happier by so doing.  At the  same time,  I
just as positively assert that it would be infin-
itely  better altogether  to feed an infant upon
food artificially prepared, than that it should be
brought up  on milk,  secreted by a mother who
is suffering from any constitutional disease ; even
though,  as  frequently  happens,  such  milk  is
secreted  in  superabundance.  It is easy enough
to dry up the  sources of the milk;  but it is ten
thousand  times more difficult to eradicate con-
stitutional disease.
  That milk  is a very common vehicle for  the 
HEREDITY.               41
dissemination  of disease everybody knows;  so
common, indeed, is  the knowledge of this fact
that it has  even given rise to the  common col-
loquialism,  "Everything  goes  to the  milk."
Certainly every educated physician is acquainted
with the fact, and takes advantage  thereof in his
practice.
  One  of  the  very  best  and surest means  of
eradicating constitutional disease, in an infant, is
to administer the medicine to the mother, allow-
ing the child to imbibe it in the milk, as it sucks
it from its mother's breast.  Furthermore, it is a
very  excellent plan  to medicate the food of a
milch mare or of a she ass, and administer their
milk to patients of any age, for  the eradication
of constitutional disease.  There is, at the pres-
ent time, existing, in the parent and antecedents
of  one of the most  universally beloved and
respected monarchs that ever graced a throne, a
most  notable  instance in  support of this very
point.  In  this instance the  parent is, and the
antecedents, for many generations, have been 
42
HEREDITY.
afflicted with scrofula ;  whereas, not even one, of
an unusually numerous progeny, shows even the
slightest sign  of  this  most inveterate disorder;
which is entirely owing to the fact  that,  as soon
as born  every  child was handed  over to the care
of a healthy and vigorous wet nurse.
   Here, then,  We have at our command, not only
a most important  means of preventing  disease,
but we may also take a tremendous stride toward
the ultimate eradication of constitutional  diseases
of all kinds, by simply preventing  the suckling
of an infant by an unhealthy mother.
   In  my opinion,  one of the  most important
socio-moral points to be decided  in the compara-
tively near future is, whether or not a constitu-
tionally  unhealthy woman  has  any  right  to
become a mother.   Be that as it  may, this much
is morally,  socially, and religiously  true  right
now, to wit: No woman has any right whatever,
human or divine,  to entail disease and premature
death upon her innocent and helpless offspring.
   I lay such especial  stress and emphasis  upon 
HEUEDITY.
43
this particular phase of heredity, not only because
I know that I am right, but also because I desire
to drive this fact home, and impress it upon the
minds of all with whom I come  in  contact; in
the earnest endeavor  thereby to save millions
upon  millions  of  infant  human  lives, and also
help  to  expunge  that  foul  disgrace  to the
enlightenment and civilization of  this nineteenth
century.
   Not only in the matter of the milk, but also
from  every other standpoint, it is comparatively
easy to see that women are almost  entirely the
channel through which hereditary disease is, not
only  spread, but  perpetuated.  The  infant  is
literally bone of her bone, and flesh of her flesh ;
and it is of her blood  alone, of which the whole
is made.   It is true that man may, and  some-
times does have something to do, in this matter
of heredity, but looking at the  actual state of
affairs as  they  are, both  from a physical and
physiological point of view, his share in the mat-
ter is absolutely incomprehensible,  from our 
44
HEREDITY.
present knowledge of  procreation  and concep-
tion.  From a socio-moral as well as from a purely
hygienic point of view, it  would seem that, in
order to eradicate constitutional disease, it is to
woman that we must look, not only for help, but
also as our basis of operations.
  In this consideration there would  appear to be
a choice  of two radical  plans, namely, either to
prevent an unhealthy woman from marrying at
all; or, if she did marry,  and  gave  birth to a
child, forbid her suckling that child.   Either of
these means would  go a long way towards the
attainment of the end in view; and I sincerely
hope  and believe  that, ere  long, something will
be done in this direction ; for,  under existing
circumstances, not only is the terrible mortality
among  infants a  disgrace to civilization,  but
constitutional frailty, as well as disease, is also
perpetuated by those which survive.
  Another  cause,  equally destructive  of infant
life, is 
IMPROPER FEEDING.
45
             IMPROPER FEEDING.
  It is  scarcely necessary here  to say, that the
most  natural and  proper food for an infant  is
the milk of  a  healthy mother;  and, for at least
the first year  of its life, it certainly needs nothing
more.   But it sometimes happens that, although
in other respects the mother is perfectly healthy,
this milk is not secreted in quantity sufficient  to
satisfy the wants of a healthy and vigorous child.
In  such cases,  not only must this secretion be
promoted in  the  mother, but some wholesome
and efficient  substitute must also  be provided
for the child.
  I would call especial attention to these two
last mentioned  points;  for in the  usual manner
in which these wants are supplied, not only  is
an  enormous amount of  mischief done to both
mother  and child,  but herein also lies the remote
cause of death of millions of infants every year.
  In the first place, then, we will attend to the
wants of the  mother.  What she really needs is
an  extra  supply  of wholesome and nutritious 
46
IMPROPER FEEDING.
food,  chiefly  consisting  of milk   and articles
made with milk.  She should take at least three
pints and a half of thin  gruel, made  either of
oaten  or wheaten meal, cooked in water  and
milk, in  equal proportions, in addition to  her
ordinary  food.  Under ordinary circumstances,
this and  this  alone will be amply  sufficient to
effect  the object in view.  Under no circum-
stances whatever will she ever  stand  in actual
need of wine, beer  or spirits.   I unhesitatingly
and most emphatically repeat this.  And  yet,
how often do we find, and I am  sorry indeed to
be compelled  to say it, that even educated  and
reputable physicians will advise a nursing woman
to drink fermented and even  spirituous liquors
to increase her  flow  of milk.   I again repeat,
and most  emphatically affirm  that, not  only
are such things never needed,  but that when-
ever used, they invariably  do  an  incalculable
amount of injury  both to the mother and  her
child.   The  injury done by  this  means is so
much the  worse, not only  by reason of the  fact 
IMPROPER FEEDING.
47
that the  ill effects are not always perceptible  at
the time, although, sooner or later, in after life,
they  will  inevitably  tell,  but  also because  it
apparently effects the object desired ; for these
things do indeed cause an increased secretion of
fluid by  the  breast.   But is it pure and whole-
some  milk ?  Most  emphatically,  No ! !   It  is
not!!!   It is a  fluid of  precisely the same kind
as that  secreted  by  cows  that are  fed  upon
distillery grains  and  brewhouse   swill;  poor
watery trash at  the  best.  But in  the case of a
woman  who uses  fermented   and  spirituous
liquors to increase her flow of milk, there exists
an  additional cause  of injury  in  the alcohol,
which is not  only contained in the  liquor itself,
but is also latent in the milk, as a  result of the
vinous fermentation started therein.
  Infants, brought up on such stuff as this, are
not only poorly fed, but their  organs of diges-
tion and  nutrition are disordered  at the very out-
set.   One of two things, both equally  injurious
and unnatural, always happens;  either the infant 
48
IMPROPER FEEDING.
lays  on  an undue amount of  flabby and un-
healthy fat, or it does not thrive at all, and con-
sequently wastes away.  In either case it is weak
and  sickly; and  unless  prompt and efficient
remedial  means  are  at once adopted,  it either
drags on  a miserable existence, for  a few short
years, or it  speedily pines away, and sinks  into an
early grave.
  Moreover, I firmly believe that, even if  such
children  live, they  ever  afterwards  have an
inclination, and sometimes  even  a positive crav-
ing, for intoxicating liquors ; and that this is one
of the most fruitful causes of the  immoderate
use of such things; and  so becomes a  prolific
breeder of  the body-consuming and soul-destroy-
ing vice,  habitual drunkenness.
  AVe  will now pass on  to  consider the best
method of

     ARTIFICIALLY FEEDING THE INFANT.
  Nature having provided a common food, not
only for the young of mankind, but also for that 
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING.
49
of every other animal, it stands to reason  that
any artificial  food,  which  may be  required,
should bear as close a resemblance as possible to
that which nature herself provides.  Such being
the  case, all that would seem  to  be necessary
would be to substitute the milk of some other
animal for that of the human  mother : but such
a proceeding would scarcely meet  the demands
of the case in point; for the milk of all animals
differs somewhat  in  composition,  to suit  the
requirements of each particular animal.
  The milk of the mare and of the  she ass more
nearly approaches  in  kind to  that secreted  by
woman ;  but the  milk of the  cow  is that most
commonly  used by man, and  it  is  it  which
is usually resorted to, in this instance also.
  But woman's milk contains  more water, more
sugar, but less fat than that of  the  cowr.   It is
obvious,  therefore,  that in order to  obtain the
best substitute for woman's milk, if cow's milk is
to be the basis, would be to sweeten and dilute it.
  The method of artificial feeding which I am
       4 
50
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING.
about to describe, is one which I have personally
proved  to  be efficacious, in  many thousands of
instances, and have never yet known it to fail.
For the first three months of the infant's life, I
recommend that it be fed with a mixture, com-
posed of one part of cow's milk to two parts of
hot water, and sweetened with pure sugar, in the
proportion of one ounce to the pint of liquid.
For the next three months, equal parts of milk
and water, sweetened  as before.  For the third
three months, two parts of cow's milk to one of
hot water, sweetened  as  before.  For the last
three  months of  its first  year, pure cow's milk
merely  raised  to  blood  heat,  98  degrees  of
Fahrenheit.
  The best way to make these dilutions is to add
boiling water to cold milk, in sufficient quantity,
that the mixed liquids shall fill an ordinary feed-
ing bottle about one-third full, for the first three
months ;  about half fill  it,  for  the next three
months ; about two-thirds fill it, for  the third
three months; in each case, sweetening the mix- 
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING.          51
ture in the proportion  above named, and giving
it to the  infant when at about blood heat, 90
to 100 degrees of Fahrenheit.
   The infant should be regularly fed every two
or three hours,  for the first six  months; every
three or four  hours, for the next three months;
and  every four  or  five hours, for the last three
months of its first year.
   After the first month or two, no infant needs
food, and consequently none should ever be given,
during the night.   Its stomach requires rest as
well as all the  other parts of  its body.   It should
always be fed when the  mother retires, say at
about ten  o'clock; it will then require nothing
more until about five or six  o'clock in the morn-
ing.   If  began early, it  is  easy  enough to
accustom an infant to  this mode of treatment:
and  if,  during  the night, it should happen to
awaken and cry, soothe it to sleep, but give it
no food; a spoonful or two  of cold  water  may
occasionally  be  given  if the child seems to be
thirst}' or  feverish. 
52
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING.
  An  infant  should  not be fed  every  time
it cries ; on the contrary, when a child cries, it is
a sign either that it is in pain, or it does so from
mere fretfulness.  A child that  is regularly fed
will never cry for food ; but if  it  is neglected,
who  can blame  it  for crying.   These  latter
remarks apply, with equal force, in the  case of
infants who are suckled by the  mother; and  if
the advice here given was faithfully and invari-
ably followed, how much marital  misery would
thereby be spared, and how much healthier and
happier every mother and child would be.
  I  would again remind the indulgent reader
that the above  described method is neither a
fancy sketch,  or an impossible  dream ;  on the
contrary, it is the exposition of a well tried and
abundantly proven  plan; in support of the effi-
cacy of which, and  by way of illustration,  I will
quote just one  case, out  of  the  many thousands
of infants, who  have been  brought up  in this
way.
  I was called in to attend a little girl who was 
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING.
53
always  ailing.  She was the child  of an  exceed-
ingly bilious woman.  Its skin  was darker in
color than that of any mulatto, and had  been so
ever  since it was born.  It was  suckled by its
mother until it was  fourteen months old;  and
though  apparently fat, it had always been weak
and sickly, up to  two years and  a half  old, the
time at  which I first saw the child.
   I attended the mother in her next confinement;
and from the  first moment of the  infant's birth,
also a girl, it was artificially brought up as above
described.  When born, its skin was as dark as
that of  her sister, and continued  so for  a short
time; but  before the  child was a  year  old,
it could not only walk and  talk, but its skin  was
as white as a lily, surmounted with the blush of
the rose. She got through her teething well,
and never had a day's illness during the whole
time.   No one, who did not know it, would ever
have believed that the two children  were born
of the same mother.
   Before  I  pass  on,  I would  say that  every 
54
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING.
infant, artificially fed, should be supplied with at
least  two feeding bottles,  in  order that  there
may always  be one  that is perfectly sweet and
clean, and fit  for immediate use ; for the milk
should never be mixed twice in the  same bottle,
if it can be avoided—for not only does the bottle
require to be thoroughly cleansed, but it is as well
to allow it also to be thoroughly aired, both  of
which necessities  might easily be neglected, if
only  one bottle was  in  use.  Moreover,  the
nipples and tubes should  also be in  duplicate,
for the same reasons ; they should always  be  of
black rubber—the white  being  always injurious,
and sometimes even  producing poisonous effects,
upon  the infants.
  Under  no circumstances whatever  should  an
infant,  of the  first  year, ever be  given one
particle of solid food, in any shape or form, nor
should  it  have  any liquid containing starch.
Neither the stomach is fit to digest it, nor are
the absorbents able to take it up.  If  such folly
is persisted in marasmus or wasting  will be  the 
           CLOTHING OF INFANTS.         55

inevitable result,  owing to  disordered  stomach
and  glands.  By the  way,  this last mentioned
disease carries off millions of infants and children
under five years  of age ; and although perhaps
not the  only cause,  the  improper  feeding of
infants and very young children is undoubtedly
the most common and prolific cause of  this fell
destroyer of infant human life.

         THE CLOTHING OF INFANTS
has also much to do with their healthy growth
and development, and is a subject of the utmost
importance to their general well being.
  Never put flannel next to an infant's skin.  I
am well awTare that the advice here given is just
the opposite of  that  which is  usually offered.
Never  you  mind,  gentle  reader ;   I  don't.
Remember that I am  pointing out the way by
which length of  days may be secured ; I am
endeavoring  to  save  infant  life,  and  not to
destroy  it.  I  again  repeat, don't irritate  an
infant's tender skin with flannel; put fine cotton, 
56
CLOTHING OF INFANTS.
or linen, if  you choose, next to the skin, and as
much flannel as you like over that.  Be careful,
however,  that  you  do not  keep an infant too
warm; you should endeavor to harden the child
as much  as  possible,  and not  to  coddle and
pamper it  so that  even  a breath of pure  air,
instead of  being a  blessing to it, may possibly
give it such a cold  as may end its days.  You
should strive to rear a hardy  perennial, and  not
a mere delicate hot-house  plant.
  The pores of  the  skin should always be kept
open, and not be choked up with  rancid grease,
which will soon be  the case  if flannel be con-
stantly worn next to the  skin.  This is  true of
people of all ages, but  it is especially so  in  the
case  of an infant.
  An infant should  never be heavily  dressed,
and  those  utter  abominations,   called   " long
clothes," should be abandoned  as soon as possible.
The  limbs of an infant  should always  have full
and free play ; the clothing, therefore, should not
only be light, but it  should also be so  put on as 
LIGHT AND FRESH AIR.
57
not only to allow of this, but also so that no part
of the body shall be either cramped or pinched.
   Long  life  can only be  attained by  a  proper
preparation  for it.  Every organ  and tissue of
the body should not only be maintained in per-
fect order, but all should  work in perfect har-
mony.
   An infant  should always have

AN  ABUNDANCE OF LIGHT  AND  PLENTY OF
                  FRESH AIR,
both, indoors and  out of  doors.   Deprived  of
light, an infant  cannot possibly thrive.  It will
always be pale and sickly, and  its  blood will  be
watery and thin ; and  all of this in consequence
of malelaboration  caused  by a  deficiency of  the
natural stimulus supplied  by the action of light.
Abundance of sunlight is therefore essential to
the fullest development of infant  life.   Fresh
air is also just as necessary.  An infant should be
in the  open air as much  as possible, and that in
all  kinds  of  weather,   excepting such  as  is
extremely boisterous and cold. 
58           PLENTY OF  SLEEP.
              PLENTY OF SLEEP
is also indispensably necessary to vigorous infant
life.   During the  first year, it should spend  at
least two-thirds of  its time in sleep; during the
second year, at least one-half ; gradually decreas-
ing the amount as age increases.  In order to do
this,  it is obvious that the child must sleep in the
day time.   This is all well enough for the first
two years ; but the habit should be discouraged,
and  the time thus spent shortened as much and
as soon as possible, after  that age, in order  to
ensure a long  and continuous sleep at night;
this  being  not only so  much  better  for  the
child, but also for those who have charge of it.
  After the first month, an infant  should never
be allowed  to sleep  in the  same bed  with its
mother;  but should  always sleep in a cot of its
own, to be placed  by the  bedside of its mother.
  The emanations from  the bodies  of grown
persons are actually poisonous to infants and very
young children.  The disgusting practice of allow-
ing children to sleep in the same bed with their 
PLENTY OF  SLEEP.
59
parents is one of the principal  causes  of  weak-
ness and ill health ; and is one of the reasons why
they cannot  sleep.  Pure sleep cannot be  had
without pure air; and  without  plenty  of  sound
and  refreshing  sleep,  no infant  can   possibly
thrive.   More fresh air and  less soothing syrup
would  save the  lives of  thousands, which are
sacrificed every year, to the diminished  quantity
of the one, and the too free use of the other.
   The  relative  value  of all these good things,
however, will be greatly reduced unless the most
scrupulous cleanliness is strictly observed.  An
infant and all  its surroundings should always be
" as  sweet as a  nut," and " as  clean as a new
pin."  A wetted  napkin should never  be used
again until it has been washed :  merely drying it
will  not do.   The retained  ammonia  will  not
only irritate the  delicate skin, but a mild form
of actual blood poisoning may be also set up, by
the absorption of that element into the system,
to say nothing of the disgusting  odor which such
filthy practices entail upon the unfortunate child, 
60                WEANING.
and those who come  near it.   This latter fact,
and a  general want of cleanliness, is one of the
principal reasons why  so many infants  do not
thrive  ; notwithstanding the fact that, in other
respects, their surroundings are all  that could be
desired.
                  WEANING.
  This is the most important epoch in an infant's
life.  Millions  of  them die at  or about  this
period.  The causes of this fatality  are numer-
ous, and most  of them entirely  preventable,
arising as they do from carelessness, ignorance or
folly.  I have already spoken of the ignorance
and folly which prompts parents and others to
give to an infant " just  a little  bit of this," or
" just a taste " of " whatever is  going."   I again
refer to it  merely to impress upon the minds of
all  the direful consequences of such mistaken
kindness.  It is  often  done " to make the child
hardy " as  they call it—but it will never  do any-
thing of the kind.   Nature has not only provided
the proper food for an infant, but  she has also
supplied the appropriate solvent for it. 
WEANING.
61
  The change from a diet, consisting wholly of
milk, to one composed of a variety of articles, all
of them more or less solid, should  be gradually
and  cautiously made.  At first, the food should
still  be given entirely in the liquid  form, and
should consist of such articles as oaten, wheaten
or barley gruel, made with water, and strained—
and  when  given to  the  child, mixed  with an
equal quantity of  milk: boiled  rusks, prepared
in the same way, and  so gradually coming down
to stale bread and milk.   The change to actually
solid  food  should  be extremely  gradual.  Tea,
coffee and such things should never be given to
an infant or  even to young children: they are
not only of no earthly  use to them,  but they
invariably do a great deal of  harm,  even though
it be not immediately perceptible.  They always
injure the nervous system.
  About this time, signs of 
 62        SCROFULA* AND RICKETS.

 SCROFULA, RICKETS AND  OTHER  CONSTITU-
              TIONAL DISEASES
 begin to show themselves.   In all such cases, no
 time should be  lost in consulting a physician,
 who is skilled in the eradication of such diseases.
 Mere palliation  will be of  no avail.   They must
 be exterminated, root and  branch.   It can  be
 done; and  now  is  the time  to  do  it, and  the
 sooner such work is commenced, the  easier will
 be its accomplishment.


               CHILDHOOD.

   Hitherto  we  have  been dealing  exclusively
 with infancy : but, of course, many  of the pre-
 ceding  remarks  are  equally  applicable to this
 time of life; especially during its  earlier period.
 There  are,  however,  special  requirements and
things specially to be avoided during  this partic-
ular stage.
  Increasing physical  strength   and conscious
volition, together with the development of the 
CHILDHOOD.               63
 intellectual  faculties,  are  matters  requiring
 serious and careful attention ; especially the last
 of these.
                  PRECOCITY,
 in any form, should at once be checked.   It is a
 most fatal  mistake  to  encourage  it.  Nature
 never intended that an  old head should  sit on
 young  shoulders: had this been  her intention,
 she  would  have completed her work on man
 long before the expiration  of twenty-one years.
 Children  should not  only act  as children, but
 they should invariably be treated as such;  and
 not as though  they were a lot of little old men
 and  women, as is too often to be  witnessed now-
 a-days.
              CHILDREN'S FOOD
should be of such a character as to develop both
 body and  mind: and for at  least the first  seven
 years, it should consist entirely of  farina, fruit
 and  vegetables, and  even from seven  to twelve
 years of age, meat should be only very sparingly 
64
CHILDHOOD.
allowed.   Too much animal food is good for no
one, but  it is especially injurious to growing
children.  They require food  which abounds in
gluten and  the phosphates; and  this is abund-
antly supplied in cracked  wheat,  oatmeal, corn
meal and bread, made from flour which contains
the constituents of the whole grain.
  They should also have  puddings which con-
tain a  large proportion of finely  chopped beef
suet.   They should also consume large quantities
of milk, not only as a drink, diluted with  water,
but also in the shape  of puddings largely com-
posed thereof.
  Plenty of fruit and vegetables in their season,
and a good wholesome  home made cake, are also
appropriate articles of diet for children.
  Tea  or coffee should never be allowed ; nor
should hot bread, so-called biscuits, " cookies,"
or any other  such  abominations.   Such  things
are of no real  use to grown people; but for chil-
dren they are positively injurious.
  Young  children  require plenty of  outdoor 
CHILDHOOD.
65
exercise.   They  cannot be  too  much out  of
doors, all the year  round, provided that they are
properly clad  in accordance with the  season of
the year and the state of the weather.   It is easy
enough for a child to overtask its brain, but it is
almost  impossible  for it, voluntarily,  to overdo
the body.  No  anxiety, therefore, need be  felt
on account of the latter, but the former requires
a great deal of watching sometimes.
  Too  great a  love  of books, and a  desire to
study, in a mere child, should invariably be dis-
couraged, even to the extent of absolute prohibi-
tion if  necessary.  Childhood is  pre-eminently
the time for building up the body, in preparation
for the  cultivation of the mind, when the proper
time arrives.  An over active brain, in childhood,
is  nearly always the premonitor of  an  early
grave.   If  by  the end of the twelfth year a
child  is tolerably well grounded in reading, writ-
ing and elementary arithmetic, it will  be  quite
sufficiently educated for its age.  Cramming  the
brain  of childhood with knowledge is  infinitely
        5 
66               CHILDHOOD.
more injurious than stuffing their bodies with
food.  In the one  case, there is a natural outlet;
in the other,  there is not.
   Children especially require

              PLENTY OF SLEEP.
   Every child,  according to its age, should be in
bed  by seven o'clock, or half-past eight, at  the
very latest.   Late  hours in childhood are most
unfavorable  to length  of days in   manhood.
Therefore, be warned  in time, and see to it that
your children  get plenty  of  sleep.   The chil-
dren's bedroom should alwa}Ts be large, airy and
thoroughly ventilated  ; too many should never
be put into  the same  room, much less into  the
same bed, as is only too frequently done, think-
ing  thereby  to economize  room, and especially
heat, in the winter.  It is a great mistake. 
ADOLESCENCE OR  YOUTH.        67
     ADOLESCENCE OR YOUTH.
  This is the most important epoch in the life of
every one.   Just as a healthy and well developed
child  bids  fair to become a vigorous youth, so
does a steady and well spent youth foreshadow a
stout and powerful manhood.
  Youth is not only a  period  of growth and
expansion,  but it is also a time for garnering
strength; any excess or waste of  strength now,
will  cost ten  times  as  much  to redeem as the
years go by.
  In addition  to  the ordinary increase in bodily
strength, and  the development of the ordinary
faculties, there are also, at this period, the most
important changes taking place in  the organism.
Physical changes which  equally affect the mental
and the emotional spheres; changes upon the
full  and   perfect  accomplishment   of  which
depends the future weal or woe of every indi-
vidual, irrespective of sex or condition, at least
in so far as this present  life is concerned. 
68        ADOLESCKNCE  OR YOUTH.

  How many millions of youths and maidens are
there who are  cut  down  in  the  very flower of
their youth?  How  many millions more are there
who do not live out half their days;  all of whose
deaths are clearly  traceable to past neglect, or
present folly, at this particular period ?
  Not only is this particular stage fraught with
the most  momentous consequences  to the indi-
vidual, but it is  also a time of intense anxiety
and solicitude  to all  who have anything to do
with  the  training  and management  of youth.
The most  unremitting care and watchfulness is
requisite on all sides to guard against  the many
dangers by which the path of  youth is, on every
side, beset, and by  which  this  stage of life is so
peculiarly and especially surrounded.
  First and foremost, it is the bounden  duty of
parents and guardians, of pastors and masters, to
instil into the mind of the youth of both sexes,
that 
PERFECT PURITY.
69
              PERFECT PURITY
Is absolutely essential, not only to a long life here,
but also to a happy one hereafter.  There should
be no mock modesty here. The plain unvarnished
truth should here be told; and the direful conse-
quences  of  a  departure  from the strict  laws of
perfect  chastity should  be  arrayed  in all their
hideous hues; aye, and to such an extent  as even
to terrify, if  needs be, those who  will  not be
otherwise persuaded.    It  should  always  be
remembered that ignorance and innocence are by
no means the same thing; and that " to  be fore-
warned  is to be forearmed ;" " an ounce  of  pre-
vention is better than a pound of cure" in this
as in every other case.
  Budding womanhood and expanding manhood
are especially liable to fall into  error unless pre-
viously  fully  forewarned ;  a mere  hint is not
sufficient here ; the whole truth should be unre-
servedly told.   The  imperial  and imperious
passion, when  it first takes  hold, sometimes does
so with such an iron grip, that, for a time  at least, 
70
PERFECT PURITY.
it  seems irresistibly to engulf  and overwhelm
all  else besides.   Especial  precautions  should
therefore be taken to guard against evil commu-
nications of  every kind ; whether they present
themselves in the shape of bad men or bad boys,
of bad women or bad girls, but especially of bad
books.  The  proprietors of boarding schools, and
even the teachers in our common schools, should
have  a far more watchful eye over  the morals
of  their  pupils  than they  have  now ;   for
not only are the  seeds of sexual  vice sown at
school, but the  sin itself is largely practised
there.
   There is nothing on earth which so speedily
weakens the body, debases the mind and shortens
the life than  the  too  early indulgence in sexual
concerns.  It is  radically wrong even  to  dwell
upon such things.  Mental unchastity is just as
injurious as  physical  incontinence,  and  very
nearly as disgusting.
   It is at this particular period when the defects
of  early female  training come so  prominently 
PERFECT PURITY.
71
into view.  Boys  and girls  are  allowed to be
educated together, but how seldom are they per-
mitted to  play together.  When boys are enjoy-
ing themselves in the open air, most girls are
expected to remain indoors, dressing and undress-
ing dolls,  or wasting their time in some  other
debilitating  pastime.  Being so much with their
elders, they cannot  help hearing conversation,
and  becoming  too  soon acquainted with  their
habits and  customs.   Precocious  habits  and
prurient ideas are not only thus engendered, but
any natural proclivity in  such direction is there-
by confirmed and strengthened.
  Oh ! for a race of

                 " TOMBOYS"
once  again.   Their presence would do more to
regenerate society, mentally, morally and physi-
cally, than all the preaching of the parsons, or
the diatribes of the moralist, of whatever stripe
he  may be.   This miserable system of  indoors
training for girls not  only teaches them  false 
72                TOMBOYS.
 notions of propriety, and makes them deceitful
 and two-faced, but it also ruins them physically :
 and the want of sufficient fresh air and  exercise
 and proper food in childhood and early }-outh,
 are principal causes of  that disgusting and life-
 destroying disease  commonly known  as " green
 sickness," technically termed chlorosis.
   It is not  sufficient that  girls should be per-
 mitted  to  take a formal walk in  the open air,
 with their young bodies triced up in stays, and
 trammelled with absurd  abominations, similar to
 those worn by their elders.  On  the contrary,
 they should not only be permitted, but  actually
 compelled, if  need be, to take plenty of active
 exercise  in the  open air;   and their clothing
 should be  of  such a character that every limb,
 joint and muscle shall have full and fair play.
 We should then, in a very  short  time, have  a
 race of  mothers possessing in themselves all the
elements necessary to a long and healthy life,
and able also to transmit them to their offspring.
 We should then have less of the "nervous trash" 
TOMBOYS.
73
and  more of the  " buxom lass";  less of " the
weaker sex" and more of " the better half";
for it  is a well known and universally acknow-
ledged fact that, as a rule, a girl is stronger than
a boy when born.   Why should she not remain
so, or at least equal to  him in strength %
  In  dealing  with  woman,   good  old  mother
Nature has  amply supplied all the  strength and
endurance  necessary to the prompt and efficient
discharge of all that she will  have to undergo;
the one only condition being,  that her laws shall
be implicitly obeyed.
  Notwithstanding the fact that  plenty of exer-
cise  in the open air  is absolutely  necessary  to
the  healthy growth  and  development  of the
youth  of both  sexes,  it is, nevertheless, equally
true that it should never be carried to excess.
Whether this exercise be indulged in merely as
a pastime,  or whether it  is  undergone in the
shape of daily labor, the powers of nature should
never be overtaxed.  Physical or mental fatigue
is especially injurious  at  this time of life, and 
74
OVER EDUCATION.
should be  the  more  carefully watched for  and
guarded against, by reason  of the fact that  the
ardor of youth is  only too apt to  fall into it,
unawares.  This last remark is especially applic-
able in the  case of mental fatigue.
  Many suppose that brain work is hurtful;  this
however, is a very  great mistake.  It is just as
necessary to exercise the brain as it is the body ;
nay, unless this  is done,  the latter,  sooner or
later, is sure to suffer.   It is in this, as in every
other case,  the abuse and not the rightful use of
things which does the harm. But, at the present
day, the youthful brain  is  sadly overtaxed;  fre-
quently  even to actual exhaustion.  So  much
indeed is this the  case, that  one of the crying
evils is
             OVER EDUCATION,
especially in  matters which  are of no earthly use
in enabling one  to earn an  honest livelihood.
How many thousands of youths there are, in  this
country, who are wasting  valuable  time over a
lot of useless bosh, which  ought to be spent in 
OVER EDUCATION.
75
the acquirement of a trade or profession, whereby
they  would be able to  earn an  honest living.
How  many young girls there are who are only
helping the boys to fool away their time, instead
of learning how to be useful, and to make home
happy.
   Again, how many thousands there are whose
ambition  drives them to undertake more than
their  mental capacity  will endure.  Still again,
how many thousands there are who, in the insane
desire to so-call  "graduate," neglect, not only
rest and recreation, but even their very food.  In
short, everything  else  is entirely "disregarded.
What does it profit them ?
   They fully accomplish their purpose and then
they die !!!
   Usually, there is much  ado made, and more or
less maudlin sympathy  is expressed  at  the  un-
timely end of such an  one.  But, common sense
folk,  and  especially such  as believe in the glori-
ous law of  "the survival of the fittest," will
simply  say  that,  the world is well rid  of such
fools. 
76
GYMNASTICS.
  Gymnasia and gymnastic exercises are all the
talk now-a-days as a means of acquiring  physical
strength;  but a gymnasium, as commonly con-
ducted, would be about the last place on earth to
which I would recommend  any young person to
go, who was in search of bodily health.  Such
places  are  good enough for those who intend
to  earn   their  living   by  playing   " hanky
panky," or by the exhibition of dangerous feats
of foolhardy  uselessness.   Unless such  institu-
tions are carefully conducted by thoroughly com-
petent persons, and are under the entire manage-
ment  and supervision of a man who is thoroughly
conversant with anatomy,  physiology  and  the
science of health  in general,  incalculable  and
often  irremediable injury might easily be done
to persons of a weak and sickly organism ; espe-
cially   if,  as  is  often  the   case, such folk are
endowed with an indomitable will, and ambition
and courage beyond their physical strength.
  In  any  case, short, fitful and violent exercise
of any kind is always injurious; whereas, that 
FOOD.
77
which is beneficial and  tends  not only  to  in-
crease the bodily health and strength, but also to
prolong  life,  should be  regular, moderate  and
untiring, and  should never  be carried  to  the
extent of physical fatigue.
   An abundance of plain, wholesome  and easily
digested  food is especially  necessary to  the
growth  of  both  sexes.  Plenty  of milk  should
also be  consumed  by them.  The food  should
abound in the phosphates as  supplied by nature
in  wheat, oats and Indian corn.   Made  dishes,
and highly  seasoned food of  any kind is  especi-
ally injurious  to them; for, notwithstanding the
fact  that the stomach of  most healthy young
people is very  much like that of an  ostrich,
which is supposed to be able to digest  anything,
nevertheless, believe me, when I say that if such
things are too  freely indulged  in in  youth, a fear-
ful reckoning will  surely have to be met there-
for, in after years.  No stimulants of any kind
are required ;  and therefore, none.should ever be
indulged  in.  The  excessive  use  of  tea and
coffee, especially the latter, should also be avoided. 
•78                 SLEEP.
  Plenty of sound  and refreshing  sleep should
always be had, and the " burning of the mid-
night oil "  is especially to be deprecated.
  Before  concluding this section  on youth, I
would especially forewarn them, against what is
commonly known as " the sowing of wild oats. "
They are always a bad crop to sow, but still worse
are they to reap.  There is a terrible  waste both
of health and  wealth, in  the sowing and  in  the
reaping.   " Early piety," another nickname  for
the  same  kind  of  work,  though  apparently
unrecognized, at the  time,  will most assuredly
bear fruit in  the future ; it may be thirty fold,
it may be  sixty, or it may  even  be  a hundred
fold.   "Whatsoever a man soweth,  that shall he
also reap."   " If he sow the wind, shall he  not
reap the  whirlwind."  Debts of  all kinds, con-
tracted in youth, are usually paid with compound
interest added,  if left to be settled in after years.
  We have now reached  the period of full 
        MANHOOD  AND WOMANHOOD.      79

   MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD,

and if the infant was  healthy when born, if no
unforeseen  and  unavoidable  accidents   have
occurred to mar the happy time of childhood and
of youth, and if the  foregoing instruction  and
advice have been faithfully followed and fully
carried out,  the happy  man or woman, as the
case may be, will not  only be a model of the
species, but will be  fully prepared to battle with
the world, and  will  also make such a start in life
as will almost ensure success in the  ultimate
extension thereof, even to  its utmost limits.
  It  must not, however, for a  moment,  be
supposed  that,  because the legal time  of man-
hood  or womanhood   has  been fully  reached,
manhood  or womanhood  is,  on that  account,
complete ;  far from it.   Life has really only just
begun ; very much  remains to be done during
the ensuing twenty-eight or twenty-nine years,
in order that  the prime of  life  may be  attained
in all  its strength, and fullest energy. 
80      MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD.

  In  order  to  aid in  the achievement  of this
great  desideratum, the first and most important
piece  of advice  that I shall give will be

                 GO SLOWLY.

  Nobody ever did, nobody ever can and  nobody
ever will  live  both  fast and long.  "Slow and
steady wins the race," is a good old English
aphorism, and  one that is especially applicable
here.   The  steady young  man  will always be
able to distance his faster, but more reckless
competitor.   The first spurt of the latter  may
appear more brilliant and so deceive the unini-
tiated, but  the  well held and steady pace of the
former will surely win in  the end.  The  horse
that is run  to win in a race is never sent off  at
the top of  his  speed, but is carefully  held and
steadied at the  start,  that he may be enabled,  if
necessary, to make an extra exertion to come  in
well at the  finish.  It is precisely the same  in
the great race for life.   He who would win the
glorious prize of a long and a well spent life 
(JO  SLOWLY.
81
must  start  off  slowly,  and  husband  all  his
strength, not only that he may come  in well at
the finish, but that he may also be .able to make
an extra exertion, whenever called upon to do so,
at any point of the journey, from the  starting
point  to the  winning post.  Never go  one bit
faster, however, than is  absolutely  necessary to
win  the race, and to do it easily.  "Be  slow to
make  haste;" for nothing  was ever done  well
that was clone in a hurry ;  you will also live the
longer for it.   Whatever you  do, do it thor-
oughly ;  never strike a blow one bit harder than
is necessary to drive the nail in hand  ; but take
care to drive it home.
  The hblter skelter, hurry skurry, pell  mell
way of doing things, though apparently always
going, almost  always " gets Jeft;" and if by
chance it should  happen  to  win, the  victory
avails  but  little, and  possibly  nothing  at  all;
very nearly, if not all the available strength and
energy, has been spent in its acquisition ;  exhaus-
tion ensues, which, in the latter case, may possibly
end in irretrievable collapse.
       6 
82
GO  SLOWLY.
  Always have an aim in life ; and steadily pur-
sue it in spite of all obstacles.   Keep  your eye
firmly fixed  upon  the  goal  of  your ambition;
and allow nothing to divert your attention from
it.  Enterprise and ambition are in themselves
commendable ; but, like every thing else, when
carried  to extremes, not only lose all their good
qualities, but frequently do an immense amount
of harm.  Have method in all that  you  do.
Carefully lay out your plans, and make up your
mind just how you intend to accomplish them.
" Make sure that you are right, then go ahead. "
By these  means, you  will save  yourself  endless
worry  and confusion, which always  tends  to
shorten life.
  Learn to practise self denial ; you will not
then be so utterly cast down, even  if some of
your plans do fail; for, as the old saying has
it, "Accidents will happen, even in  the best
regulated families."  Work as hard as  you like,
provided that you allow yourself plenty of time
for rest, recreation and sleep.  Above all things 
GO  SLOWLY.
83
give yourself  plenty  of  time to eat.  If your
place of business  is  some  distance from your
home, it would be infinitely better to  take  a
lunch somewhere near at hand than to  go home
to your dinner, unless  you have unlimited time
at your disposal.  If your employment be of  a
sedentary nature indoors, take plenty of exercise
out of doors ;  but, let that, as well as  all your
other acts, be  done regularly and systematically,
and not merely by fits and  starts.  Avail your-
self of  every  opportunity to walk; never ride
when you can  possibly walk.

                 MARRIAGE.
   There seems to be  no  doubt whatever of  the
fact, that the  married state is most conducive to
longevity.   All the instances recorded of those
who lived to be extremely old have been of such
as were married.  From a purely animal point
of view, the  sexual  instinct must be  obeyed.
Every organ  of the  body  has  its appropriate
functions; the due and proper  performance of 
84
MARRIAGE.
which, not  only conduces to health,  but  also
tends to  prolong life.  Whereas, the disuse or
abuse of any of them is  invariably followed by
disastrous consequences ; and  just as perfect  con-
tinence, during the period  of youth, or while the
body is maturing,  is  absolutely  necessary to
health and longevity; so, in the  same degree, is
marriage  necessary to the same ends, after the
body has arrived at maturity.
  Furthermore, from an  emotional point of
view, marriage  is equally conducive to health,
happiness  and  longevity.   By  it love,  in its
purer and proper sense, is  directed in its proper
channel, mere lust is deprived of half its sensu-
ality, and the  necessity for  illicit love is  alto-
gether prevented.   Besides all this, the various
vicissitudes  of life  are  borne with greater  ease
and satisfaction when they are shared by another.
For these, and for many other reasons, therefore,
my advice to all is to marry just  as soon as you
feel yourself  able to do so ;  but, in this, as in
everything else, is  go slowly.   Wait until you 
MARRIAGE.
85
find a true woman, one who will marry  you for
what you  are, and not for what you possess ; one
that is likely to prove, not only a help mate, but
also a help meet for you.
  Above all things, never marry an unhealthy
woman ; such  a wife will  be the curse of any
man's  existence; such  a marriage will  not only
shorten a man's life, but it  will also embitter
every  moment of it.   Besides, from  a purely
physical  point of view, it is of far more impor-
tance  that the woman should  be healthy and
vigorous; for such as the mother is, such will be
her offspring;  morally and plrysically, certainly;
and often  mentally likewise.
  Marriage  was  certainly never  intended  to
make a man miserable; nor was it instituted in
order to keep his nose closer still to the grind-
stone,  and his shoulder  to the wheel.  And yet,
such is the  unhappy lot of many a poor unfor-
tunate wight to-day;  and  the well  and widely
known existence of such a state of things  is one
of the principal reasons wliy those, who are wide 
86
WOMEN.
awake, altogether  refrain from marriage.  But
such a state of things is neither conducive  to
health or longevity.  Inasmuch, however, as my
present purpose is not to write a treatise upon
social and  moral ethics, I shall simply content
myself by warning  the  unmarried of  the  fact,
that a life of dissipation  and debauchery inevit-
ably injures the health, and invariably shortens
life.
  Many of the  preceding remarks  are equally
applicable to  both sexes; the remainder,  how-
ever, are applicable only to men.  I shall, there-
fore, now have something to say especially suited
to
                   WOMEN.
  If a woman has escaped  the many traps and
pitfalls which lay in  wait  for her sex, especially
between  the age of  twelve  and eighteen years,
and has reached  the period of  full womanhood,
with health unimpaired, and her heart still  free,
she possesses credentials which entitle her to the
confidence, respect and  esteem  of  all sensible 
WOMEN.
87
men ; and especially to such as are in search of a
sensible wife.   Such a woman as this is, to-day,
comparatively  speaking,  " a  rare  bird in the
land."   Pains in the back, pains in the side, and
pains all over the body, together with  ailments
and  weaknesses,  almost  unheard of,  much less
experienced, in the grand  old past, are now so
common,  even among  young girls, that  many
people  actually  suppose that women  are, by
nature and of necessity,  weak.  But it is a gross
libel on common humanity to  say so, or  even,
for a moment, to harbor  such a thought.
  I have, elsewhere in this book, plainly stated
that, when born, a girl is usually stronger than a
boy.  I supplement that statement here by say-
ing that, as a rule, it is entirely the fault of her-
self or her  parents, or of both, if, in after life,
she does not continue at least as  strong as her
companion of  the  opposite sex.   There  is no
valid reason under the sun why such should not
be so.   Moreover, there is not the slightest rea-
son why a woman should not live just as long as 
88
WOMEN.
a man, provided that she conducts herself as a
sensible creature should.   But,  as  a rule, she
does not, and she never will, if she lounges about
all day in idleness;  or if, when she does go  out,
she gets into a street car, even if  she  has only a
block or two to go; or if, on coming out of a
warm house, she stands waiting for a car, instead
of walking to meet one, no matter how far she
may wish to ride.
  A lazy man is bad enough, in  all  conscience; "
but, in my opinion, a lazy woman  is ten thousand
times  worse.   The lame, but  too  frequently
offered excuse,  that women are unable to do this
or that, is one of the main causes of real weak-
ness in the sex.  There is the greatest possible
difference between the mere mental disinclina-
tion and  the  actual physical inability to do a
thing.   Many women  are  exceedingly  weak, in
the former direction; but very few are really so,
in the latter.   If they took  more active bodily
exercise, especially  in the  open air,  they  would
very soon find, not only that they were able to 
WOMEN.                SU
do a great deal, but they would also take pleasure
in the doing thereof.   But if they will neither
work nor walk, their muscles must, of necessity,
be flabby and lax, from want of use, and  if this
inactivity becomes habitual, they will be actually
weak.
   If, however, there is any so called  " craze "
agog,  such  as roller skating, masquerading,  or
any other useless but enervating  and fatiguing
work to be done, the women will far outdo the
men, as a  rule.  Or, if it is to go boat  riding,
sleigh riding, or even common buggy riding, not
only will they go out, but they will stay  out  all
the day long, for that  matter, if  they can ; and
in such  weather  too as, under ordinary circum-
stances, they will hardly show their noses at the
window, much less out of doors.
   Women will go to a  party  or  a ball,  almost
half  naked, but if  they go out into  the streets,
they must  be tied, bound and bundled up in
clothes, so that the}r can scarcely move; and if
the  weather is cold,  there is very little more
than their nose and mouth to be seen. 
90                 WOMEN.
  Again,  in  the matter  of  eating,  they  will
hardly touch good, plain, wholesome and  nutri-
tious food, pretending to be so very delicate, and
to have so little appetite; whereas, at the even-
ing party or ball,  they will  fairly cram  them-
selves with " chicken salad,"  " charlotte russe,"
and other such abominations; to say nothing at
all of  eating " candies," by  the pound, at any
time and all the time.
  These and  many other absurdities and incon-
sistencies  are the real  reasons why women are
not strong, and why they do not live much longer
than they do.  But even if  they do  happen to
hang on to bare life,  many of these poor broken
down invalids might  just as well be dead as alive,
for all the comfort they  are to themselves or to
anybody else.
  I am well aware that there  is  much more truth
than poetry in the above remarks.   It is  just as I
intended.  My sole  object is to speak the truth
and  nothing  but  the truth.   It  is certainly
neither to flatter women, nor to pander to  their 
WOMEN.
91
many faults and foibles.   I desire to show them
their failings, in order that, at any rate, the more
sensible among them, knowing wherein they err,
may strive to make amends; and live in such a
way as to be, not only hale  and hearty, but  also
to  continue  in such a  happy  state,  even  to
extreme old age.
  I have previously  stated that  suitable matri-
mony tends to  prolong  life. My advice, there-
fore, to healthy women, as well as healthy men,
is, to get married, by  all means;  but don't be in
too great a hurry about it; and, above all things,
don't marry in the expectation  that you will,
thenceforth, lead a life of useless indolence and
frivolity.   But, when you do marry,  make up
your mind, at the  very  start, to do  your  whole
duty ; and to take your  full share, not only in,
all the joys, but also  in the sorrows of  wedded
life ; for, be well  assured that both exist, even
under  the  most auspicious unions.  But  the
sorrows may be very much mitigated,  if  not
altogether prevented, by the mutual determina- 
92
WOMEN.
tion  and consent of  both of  the  contracting
parties.
  In order to lessen the chances of an unfortunate
union, be on the look out  for  a pure  minded,
honest, sober and industrious man ;  one that will
not make  a fool of you, but  one to  whom you
can look up, not only with confidence and respect,
but also with  constant,  true  and  tender  love.
When you have found  such a man, and  he  is
ready and  willing, marry him.   If either of you
have means so much the better ;  but don't expect
to begin where  your father  left  off.  In any
case, never marry any man until he has provided
you with a suitable home of  your  own ; always
remembering that,  " be it ne'er so humble,  there
is no place like home."
  As soon as  you are married, go into house-
keeping at  once.   You will not only be healthier
and happier, but you will also live longer in  a
home of your own, than you would in an  hotel,
boarding house, or  even  in your old  home.
These last mentioned makeshifts are, as a rule, 
WOMEN.
93
utterly  destructive of all  the  true  delights of
matrimony; and  degrade  that holy  state into
one  of  mere  animal gratification  and  sensual
license.   The  activity both of body and mind,
and the real pleasure which the personal manage-
ment and superintendence of one's own home
should always  afford, will  do more to make a
woman  strong  and healthy, than any  one, who
has not experienced it, wrould even imagine.
  In  support  of  such statements as  these,  I
appeal to the mothers and  grandmothers of the
present  generation.  Is it  not a notorious fact
that,  as  a  rule,  they look better, are actually
stronger and healthier, and comparatively speak-
ing, likely even to outlive their weak and degen-
erate offspring.
  Chief among the causes of this deplorable*state
of things is the life of useless indolence indulged
in by many  of the young folks of to-day.  Many
of those who live in  hotels  and boarding houses,
for lack of  better to do,  spend  much  of  their
time in tittle tattle, gossip and scandal;  whereas, 
94
WOMEN.
busied with  her home life and home duties, a
woman  imperceptibly grows stronger,  healthier
and consequently happier, for  having such work
to do.  This is true  even of  those who, before
marriage,  would not have believed themselves
capable  of such things;  and  who, even  when
married, knew little or  nothing of housekeeping
in general,  much  less  of its  duties in detail.
Experience, however, is  a most thorough  and
practical teacher.  All that is needed is the "grit"
to begin, and the determination  to continue and
succeed.   " Patience and perseverance overcome
all difficulties" is a good old English saying,
and one that bears  testimony to its own truthful-
ness,  every day.  Don't  be  disheartened,  but
never mind if, occasionally, you  have to  pa}'
what, at the time, appears to  be rather a  high
price for  your  experience.  In the  long  run,
you will  find   that the knowledge thus gained
has saved you many an anxious thought, and  per-
haps even " a heap of money."
  When in that happy  state,  in  which every 
WOMEN.
95
honest woman, who  loves her lord, should wish
to be, always keep about, and never, during any
portion of this most  important  period, suffer
yourself to give way to indolence  or  sloth ; but
" be up and  doing,"  even  to the very latest
moment; it will be  all the better both  for you
and your child, not  only  during the whole time
of gestation, but also when the critical moment
arrives.
   Don't be afraid of going up  and down stairs;
it is a thoroughly healthful and  strengthening
exercise, the  bosh and twaddle of  many of the
male old women of the present day, nevertheless
and  notwithstanding.  It  is to  this  foolish
" molly coddling," and debilitating practices that
the so-called  " ladies " of the  present day  owe
their degenerate weakness. Thousands of women
die annually  of a  disease called  puerperal  or
childbed fever ; a disease  almost absolutely  pre-
ventable,  being brought about  by  just such
nonsense as  above described, and  by  the direct
or indirect interference with the simple laws  of
nature. 
96         MIDDLE AGE OR PRIME.
      MIDDLE  AGE OR PRIME.

  We have now arrived at middle age, or what
is commonly  known  as the  prime of life; and
the man or woman who has reached this  stage in
a vigorous  state of health and  strength, by  the
exercise of ordinary prudence, and  a common
sense adherence to the laws of nature, will stand
a very  fair chance of remaining  in  this happy
condition, with but little change or deterioration,
for the next fifteen or twenty years.  Unfor-
tunately, however, just at this very period, often
indeed very  much earlier, many people, instead
of  being  literally in the  prime  of  life, both
mentally and physically, show by unmistakable
signs,  not  only  that  the  meridian of  life  has
already been passed,  but that the  downward
course has  already begun.
   For the especial benefit of all such, therefore,
I shall here endeavor to  stem the tide,  and  stay
that downward course ;  and  in so doing, I shall
not only offer  words, of  warning, whereby  any 
           MIDDLE A<4E OR PRIME.        97

further lapse may be prevented, but I shall also
point the way by which the harm, already done,
may often be retrieved.
  There are tens of thousands, both of men and
women, who, in the exuberance of youth, and in
the gush and  rush of early manhood or  woman-
hood,  aye, and  even up to  the  very verge  of
middle age,  who set at open  defiance, not only
the laws of  nature, but also  those of common
sense;  and  who, as a  most justly deserved
penalty therefor, barely live out half  their days.
  I  have  already said,  and  now repeat, and
cannot too often reiterate, that premature death
is invariably  the result of direct  or indirect
violation of natural law; and  just in proportion
as life is abused, in the period above  mentioned,
so in a like degree will disease inevitably follow,
and life will be  correspondingly shortened ; and
although, by judicious care and appropriate treat-
ment, these injurious consequences may be very
much  mitigated,  if not  altogether removed,
nevertheless  it must  be most distinctly  under-
       7 
98        MIDDLE AGE OR  PRIME.
stood, that the continuance in wrong doing will
most assuredly end in premature and well merited
death.
  These violations  of  natural  laws  may  be
classified and  summarized somewhat as follows :
1. Mental and physical overwork.  2. Excit-
ing AND DEPRESSING MENTAL  EMOTIONS.  3. Un-
due exposure  to  cold  and  wet  weather.
4. Insufficient  exercise in  the open  aik.   5.
Over indulgence in animal passions  and pro-
pensities.  6. Inadequate  rest  and  recrea-
tion.   7. Want of sufficient sleep.
  Notwithstanding the fact that these  several
classifications are mutually dependent upon each
other, both in relation  to cause and effect, and
also in  general  results;  nevertheless,  I  think
it  will  serve  our   purpose  here  to  discuss
them separately;  even  at the  risk of a  little
repetition ; for I had much rather be accused of
prolixity, than  of a  want  of  perspicuity  or
insufficient  distinctness.  I will therefore take
them in order, commencing with 
    MENTAL AND  PHYSICAL OVERWORK.  99

     MENTAL AND PHYSICAL OVERWORK.
  Everyone is  born  with a certain amount of
physical vitality and intellectual capacity which,
to  a very  great  extent,  are unchangeable  in
quantity, though unlimited as to quality.   That
is to say that, by proper education and training,
they  may  both be  expanded  to their  utmost
limits, but  no  farther.  So that,  in  any  given
case,  all other  things being equal,  that  which
would prove to be an overwhelming  burden to
one  person, would  be borne  with comparative
ease by  another; and in the same way, mentally
speaking, a problem easily comprehended by one
individual, might be utterly incomprehensible to
another. And  so on, in many other ways.
  The praclical application of the above proposi-
tion is, that it is utterly useless  to attempt
impossibilities.   A  proper amount of physical
labor increases  the  muscular strength; which is
made evident  by  increased size and  hardness;
whereas, too much work causes, not only a 
100 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL  OVERWORK.

decrease in size, but also a loss of strength, made
manifest by the softness  and flabbiness  of  the
muscular tissues.
  Too much work, whether mental  or  physical,
paralyzes  the   reparatory  powers  of  nature ;
wliereas, moderate labor stimulates them.  Each
and  all should, upon  every occasion,  do their
very  best, both mentally  and physically; more
than this they  cannot do, and this will do them
good; whereas, the very moment that they over-
step the mark, harm  will immediately follow ;
and the result  is not only  injurious, but  if  per-
sisted  in,  will  end in  exhaustion, more  or  less
complete ; and this if often repeated, will sooner
or later,  end  in  death by  extinction,  of  the
reparatory power.
  If  wroinen  ever do, it is usually the brain
which is  overwrought, whereas,  in  man,  both
body and  brain are often overtasked.  It is very
rarely indeed  that  women do  too much bodily
work; the mischief is that, as a rule, they do by
far too little.   It wrould be infinitely better, both 
MENTAL EMOTIONS.
101
 for themselves and for everybody  else,  if  this
 order of things was reversed ; if they exercised
 their bodies more, and bothered  their brains the
 less.  We  should then  have stronger mothers
 and healthier children; a result so sadly needed
 now-a-days.
   In  any case,  the remedy, for the ill effects of
 any kind  of overwork, is obvious;  to wit,  an
 entire change both of scene and occupation ; a
 directly opposite course must be pursued ; and if
 the constitution  is  very  much  broken  down,
 absolute rest must be observed ; at  least for a
 while.

  EXCITING AND  DEPRESSING MENTAL EMO-
                    TIONS.
   This is the next subject for our consideration ;
and a most important one indeed it is.  I firmly
believe  that  there have  been more  men  and
women in the world, whose  untimely death has
been the direct or  indirect result of wasting care,
than  of  any other single producing cause  in
existence. 
102
THE TRINITY.
  It is not my purpose here to urge the doctrine
of  the  Trinity,  from  a theological point of
view ;  but I do intend, most  strenuously, to
maintain it, from  a  human  standpoint.  Man is
a trinity, most assuredly ; and unless that trinity
is maintained in perfect unity, the " sound  mind
in the  sound body,"  cannot  possibly exist.   The
connection between the mind and the body is so
intimate,  that  what  affects  the  one  must, of
necessity, influence the other.
  The 'elements which  constitute  this  human
trinity  are the intellectual,  the moral and
the emotional.
  The intellectual sphere is comprised  in  the
brain  proper / the emotional, in the great sym-
pathetic ' and  the animal, in the medulla oblon-
gata and spinal cord.
  In order that perfect health  may be enjoyed,
it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  these  several
elements shall act  in perfect harmony ; and any
disturbance of that harmonious action, will inevit-
ably result in a corresponding  departure  from 
MENTAL EMOTIONS.
105
absolute health.  At the same time, it is not only
quite possible, but it often happens, that either
of these elements may be disordered, the others
remaining comparatively sound.  For  instance,
the intellect may be terribly deranged,  while the
animal  and the  emotional spheres  continue  in
tolerable health.  This  state of  things is  fre-
quently witnessed in  the  case  of lunatics, who
are  often  remarkably  strong,   physically, and
exceedingly docile and  affectionate, emotionally.
  Again, the animal organism may be frightfully
diseased, deformed and debilitated;  and yet, all
the  intellectual faculties may  remain  perfectly
bright and clear, even to the very last.
  Finally, the emotional sphere  may be all astray,
while the brain and  the body continue  compara-
tively  healthy.   Although, it must  be admitted
that  this  last  state  of  things is  much  less
frequently seen than either of the others, except-
ing  paroxysmally ; indeed, the  probabilities are
strongly against such a state of  affairs, at least in
so far as bodily health is concerned. 
104      THE GREAT  SYMPATHETIC.

  The sympathetic nervous system is not only
the seat of the emotions, but it is also the con-
troller of  nutrition.   This is a most important
point  to  bear  in mind ; as also is the fact that
digestion  and nutrition are two very different
things,  and entirely distinct the one from the
other.   On the one  hand, digestion  is purely a
chemical process ; and is governed by a  portion
of the  cerebrospinal  nervous system; on the
other hand, nutrition is purely a vital process,
carried on through the agency of the sympathetic
or organic nervous system.
  Furthermore, notwithstanding the fact that
this great sympathetic communicates both with
the brain  and with the spinal cord, nevertheless,
it is  a  system   perfectly distinct  from, and
independent  of  either . of  them.   What are
technically known as the abdominal ganglia  of
the  great  sympathetic constitute, not only the
seat of the emotional sphere, but they may also
be  looked upon  as  the  centre  of  the entire
system.  The central  point of all is known  as 
THE GREAT SYMPATHETIC.      105
the solar plexus, supported by  the semilunar
ganglia.   This sun and moons of the sympathetic
nervous system have just as much to do with the
well being of each individual human microcosm,
(little world) as the great and glorious sun and
moon have to do with the entire universe.  When
they shine, all is  bright and cheerful; but when
they are obscured, all is shrouded in darkness and
gloom.  So much then by way of preface ; by just
so much shall we now be enabled, intelligently,
to discuss the  all  important  subject before  us.
  The  medium  of  communication  between
the mental,  the  physical  and  the  emotional
spheres is,  what  is  technically  known  as the
vaso motor  or vessel moving  function  of the
great sympathetic.  Thus it  is that  changes in
blood pressure may  be, at once, the  cause and
effect of  the several sensations produced  by our
various emotions, whether they be painful or
pleasant,  healthful or  hurtful.  Hence also it is
that our  bodies are either nourished or starved,
strengthened  or   weakened,  according  as our
mind  is either disturbed or at ease. 
106
MENTAL EMOTIONS.
  Both exciting  and  depressing  emotions are
highly injurious to health, and tend to shorten
life.   But, the latter perhaps, especially if given
way  to, are more intense and  enduring, and con-
sequently are  more  destructive.  Excessive joy
seldom kills; whereas, extreme grief often ends
in death.
  The business man, devoured by the insatiate
greed of gain, the gay young man  or woman,
absorbed in  the so-called pleasures of the world,
intoxicated by the giddy whirl of fashion, and
living at least three days in one, and the neglected
wife or anxious  mother, eaten up with grief or
consumed by  care, are each   and  all  of   them
travelling on the same road ;  the road  that leads
to ruined health,  and a premature grave.  Dis-
couragement and  disappointed hopes, if not
constantly grappled with and  overcome, only too
easily lead to despondency and despair.   Rest-
lessness and discontent are enemies  to peace of
mind ; they undermine the  bodily health, and
consequently shorten life. 
MENTAL EMOTIONS.
107
  The most depressing emotions are fear, anger
and anxiety.   A sudden fit of either of the first
two  will, for  the moment, paralyze the entire
nervous system; and through it, the circulation.
Many a sudden death has resulted from both.  A
more moderate but prolonged attack  of either,
though for a  time, it  may appear  to excite the
nerves and quicken the circulation, nevertheless,
the depression which  succeeds  will more than
counterbalance the previous excitement. Anxiety,
though perhaps not so  furious in its onslaught, is
much more intense and lasting in its effects, and
just as injurious in its consequences. The appetite
is lost,  and what  little food  is taken, is neither
digested nor assimilated ; and both body and spirit
waste for lack of proper sustenance.
  Again, sudden transitions of conflicting emo-
tions are equally mischievous.  Alternations be-
tween hope and fear,  hope and anxiety,  joy and
sorrow, and the like, cause constant variations in
the blood pressure, and so do quite as much, if
not more real harm,  than  sudden and  violent 
108
MENTAL EMOTIONS.
emotions.   There is certainly a  much  greater
strain upon  the  general system, and more rapid
wear and tear in the former than there is in the
latter; especially when we remember that another
equally depressing emotion is, almost of necessity,
superadded  to the  others, to wit, heartrending,
sickening suspense.
  Speculators, stock jobbers and all such as strive
to make money too fast, and outside of  regular
and legitimate  business methods, are  excellent
examples of those who are, not only ruining their
health,  but  are  shortening  their  lives as well.
Exciting emotions are nearly, if not quite as bad
as those which depress.  Most people are capable
of an immense amount, botli of  mental and bodily
labor, if it is only coolly, calmly and deliberately
done.  But if the same amount of work is rushed,
it is sure to be followed by  fatigue, and  if this
method become  habitual, exhaustion must, of ne-
cessity, sooner or later ensue.   It is the hurry and
excitement that  do the mischief.   It is this high
pressure work that wears out and bursts  the boiler. 
MENTAL EMOTIONS.
109
It is foolishness to attempt to run an engine, of
ten-horse power, at forty-horse speed.
  Nature has supplied every man with boilers suffi-
cient, and fuel enough, to run the engine at  its
utmost speed ; if more than this is attempted, rack
and ruin must inevitably ensue.  But, in the cease-
less struggle for wealth, everything else is either
forgotten or ignored : men can neither find time
to ask, nor  have  they the inclination to accept,
advice, or heed a warning, but hurry on in their
mad career, until at length, they are taken aback,
with every stitch of canvass set; and lucky  in-
deed they are if they escape instant foundering.
  This  insatiate scramble for  wealth, power or
fame, is killing thousands  yearly.  Of what use is
power, wealth or distinction,  in the absence of
health and strength to enjoy  it ?  The accumu-
lator of riches seldom  lives to enjoy them : and,
as if it were  a  direct rebuke for his folly, how
often does it happen that those who inherit them,
take just as much  pains  to squander, as their
ancestors did to acquire them? 
 110          UNDUE EXPOSURE.

   Such men would live much longer and be far
 happier by making good use of their wealth, dur-
 ing their lifetime; and, with but slight reserva-
 tion, leaving posterity to take care of itself. There
 would then be much more real independence and
 true self-reliance ; and an immense stride would
 be  made  towards  the downfall of monopolies
 of every kind, and the establishment of genuine
 equality.  The fittest only would then survive ;
 and whosoever  rose  to the surface would be
 he, and he alone,  who had earned  the position,
 and would  therefore  be justly entitled to its
 advantages.

  UNDUE EXPOSURE  TO  COLD  AND  WET
                  WEATHER.

  There  is  all  the   difference in  the  world
 between the ordinary  and proper care of oneself,
 which  every  sensible  person   will  take,  and
 "molly coddling" or the  taking  of too much
care, which, like  too  much of  any  other good
thing, is no good at all. 
UNDUE EXPOSURE.          Ill
  On the other hand, carelessness, or too little
care, is just as reprehensible.
  In youth and in adult age,  people are only too
apt to think that they " can stand anything;" and
that no exposure can possibly hurt them ; and, for
a time, experience  apparently  confirms that be-
lief.  But, sooner or later, such indiscretion will
surely meet its reward.   Even  in childhood, this
want of  care is  glaringly  manifest.   Some
parents will send their children out into the cold
insufficiently  clad,  with  the idea that,  in  so
doing, they  are hardening them.   This harden-
ing process is all well enough, if kept  within
reasonable bounds; but  if  these  bounds  are
exceeded, weakness and not strength will  be the
result.   Others,  again,  smother their  children
with clothes;  so much so, sometimes, as even to
impede their free  and active movement.   This
is not only  weakening, but pernicious, in many
other respects.
  Again,  sudden changes from heat to cold are
insufficiently  guarded  against.   People  often 
112
UNDUE EXPOSURE.
leave their houses, shops, offices,  churches and
theatres, all of which are, as a rule, much  over-
heated, and go out into an atmosphere, frequently
even below zero, and commence talking as fast as
their tongues can  go.   This  is  not  only very
foolish, but highly injurious, and is the principal
cause of  the so-called catarrh, with  which so
many are troubled.  When  leaving a hot  for a
colder atmosphere, the mouth should  always be
kept closely shut;  and remain so until the circu-
lation  has been  thoroughly  aroused,  and the
lungs have become accustomed to the change of
temperature.
  Again, people  are very  incautious  in the
matter  of underwear.   That  which  is  worn
next to  the skin should be of the same weight all
the year  round; especially in a changeable cli-
mate.   It is  a very  great mistake to  make so
great a difference in this respect, as is usually
done;  and such  practices  often give  rise to
serious  consequences; and even fatal results may
sometimes happen ;  especially when, as is too 
              UNDUE  EXPOSURE.           113

often the case, people  are in too great a hurry to
exchange the heavier for the lighter clothing.
  All the mischief arising from  this cause may
be easily obviated, simply by wearing moderately
heavy  underclothing,  all the year  round ;  any
required change being made in  the  number  and
thickness of  the  outer  garments.   It  should
always be borne in mind that it is literally true
that, whatsoever will keep out the cold, will  also
keep out the heat.
  Wet feet,  and  getting " wet through"  are,
directly or indirectly,  the cause of death of tens
of thousands  of  people yearly.   Many people
are extremely careless  in this respect.  Just as
soon as possible,  the  wet clothing  should,  not
only be replaced by that which is warm and dry,
but the body should also be thoroughly rubbed
and dried; especially  such parts  of it  as have
been particularly exposed to the wetting.
  Sitting in  a  draught, and cooling  off  too
quickly when heated, are also frequent causes of
serious  mischief,  and  thereby tend to  shorten
life. 
114       INSUFFICIENT EXERCISE.

  INSUFFICIENT EXERCISE IN THE OPEN AIR.

  I have  already dwelt, at considerable  length,
upon  the absolute  necessity of plenty of fresh
air and exercise.  I shall, therefore, merely refer
to the subject, in this  relation, still further to
impress upon the mind  of  the  reader, the  vital
importance of what has been already  said, and
again to remind him that the want of  sufficient
fresh  air  and exercise,  will  not only  seriously
injure the health, but will most assuredly shorten
life.

OVER INDULGENCE IN ANIMAL PASSIONS  AND
               PROPENSITIES.

  The modes, by which these offences  against
the laws of nature may be committed, are simply
innumerable.  For  our   present purpose, how-
ever, it will be amply sufficient if we briefly dis-
cuss the three that  are  most important;  to wit:
Drunkenness, Gluttony and Sexual Excess.
  The use and abuse of alcohol is a subject upon 
OYER INDULGENCE.
115
which argument  will never cease.   This much,
however,  is  absolutely certain, that, sooner or
later, the abuse thereof will overwhelm its mis-
erable victim, and  drag  him down into  an
untimely  and dishonored  grave.    This  abuse
may be practised in a variety  of  ways.  The
man who, occasionally, goes on " an out and out
spree," does not injure himself half  as much as
he  who is always "tippling."  The tippler in
season is not half as bad as  he, who  tipples both
in season  and out of  season.   These liquors, if
used  at all,  should  always be  taken with the
food; then  they sometimes  do good;  but if
taken between meals, they invariably do  harm.
They are especially injurious to the young, and
to  those  who  lead  a sedentary life; and also
when taken  early in the morning.
  Wine  and beer  are  harmless  as compared
with ardent spirits.   Those last should never be
used by anyone, except as  a medicine; and not
even then, unless actually needed, and such need
vouched for, by  a  conscientious and reputable 
116          OVER INDULGENCE.
physician.   Fully nine-tenths  of the  mischief
done by  intoxicating liquors, is caused by the
insane but prevailent habit, of drinking ardent
spirits,  raw.   This practice  disturbs the brain ;
and  destroys the stomach, the liver and the kid-
neys.  In short, it literally consumes both  body
and  soul.   The scope and limits of this book for-
bid  that I should expatiate upon this  dreadful
curse ;  let me  therefore beseech the  reader  to
read, mark and learn  every word  that I  have
written upon  this  subject, for in very deed, the
very pith and gist of the whole matter, is therein
contained.
  Closely allied to the vice just mentioned, but
one that is much more frequently indulged  in, is
gluttony. This last named  epithet is,  perhaps,
a little too severe  to characterize the extent  to
which this vice is  carried, by the great majority
of people. It is, nevertheless an incontrovertible
fact, that  nine out of every ten, of all those who
can afford it,  eat far more than is either requisite
or even necessary,  to maintain them in  vigorous 
OVER INDULGENCE.         117
 health and strength.  Over indulgence in the use
 of  animal food, is  especially  frequent;  and is
 one of  the principal  causes  of  those serious
 diseases, affecting the abdominal organs, especial-
 ly the kidneys; and the over indulgence in the
 use  of tea  and coffee, is a leading cause of
 many of the nervous diseases, so common among
 all  classes of  the community.  Diabetes, gout
 and Bright's disease of the kidneys, are three
 of the most common and fatal diseases, resulting
 from over indulgence in, and  malassimilation of
 articles of food and drink.
  Sexual Excess, though  the last, is by no
 means the least, of  the  three abuses, at present
 under  consideration.  It matters not whether
 this excess is  committed, in  the  practice  of
 secret vice, or whether-it be in the ordinary and
 natural way ; it is equally injurious, and is sure
 to shorten life;  and, although, for a  time, the ill
 effects may not be  very apparent, nevertheless,
 be well assured  that, sooner or later, though by
slow, but by sure degrees,  if this  vice be con* 
118         INADEQUATE REST.
tinued, its unfortunate victim will sink, deeper
and deeper into the mire; until, at length, he
or she, as the case may be, becomes a mental,
physical and emotional wreck.
  Inadequate rest and recreation is indirectly
the  cause  of  death  of  thousands of people
annually.  Many people suppose that they can,
with impunity, neglect everything for  business,
during ten or eleven  months of the year, and
make up for it all, by a month  or six weeks of
rest  and  recreation.   This  however, will not
suffice.   Nature's laws cannot  thus be broken
and ignored.   I have elsewhere stated, that the
measure of rest, should be always  commensurate
with the amount of work performed ;  anything
short of this, will be inadequate, and will, inevita-
bly, shorten life.
  This is especially  true in respect  of mental
and emotional labor.
  Good old mother Nature, has not only supplied
us, with mental and physical power, sufficient for
every ordinary need, but she has also provided for 
        WANT OF SUFFICIENT  SLEEP.     119

 occasional overwork.   But, unless sufficient time
 be allowed for recreation, her restorative powers
 are hindered; and if this suicidal course be long
 continued,  they may be  rendered  powerless;
 exhaustion  and  ultimate  collapse will then  be
 inevitable.

         WANT OF SUFFICIENT  SLEEP.
   Balmy  sleep  is indeed  tired  nature's  sweet
 restorer.  By  its  aid, both mind and body are
 refreshed and renewed:  without a sufficiency
 thereof, both will speedily fail.  Everybody, high
 and low, rich and  poor, old and young, from the
 cradle to the grave, stands in absolute need of it:
 aye, and plenty of it too.
   Nature's  law,  in  reference thereto, is inex-
 orable.  Whosoever breaks that  law, never goes
 unpunished.   Retribution  may  be  slow, but
it  will  be  none  the  less  sure.   Whosoever
robs  himself  of  sleep, robs himself of just  so
much  life.  These  things are  absolutely and
literally  true,  notwithstanding  the  fact that, 
120     WANT OF SUFFICIENT SLEEP.

now-a-days, the diametric opposite is that which
is usually preached and practised.   In these days,
every business man seems to think that he saves
both time  and  money, by travelling  at night:
possibly  it may be so: but what  shall it  profit
him if, in the end, he not only loses his health,
but also shortens his life, by so doing.
  Many  thousands there are who,  after working
hard all day, spend the greater part of the night,
also at work.  What shall it profit them •?   They
shall pine away and die.  Many spend the greater
•part of the night in riot and debauchery.   What
shall it profit them?  They shall  sink  into an
early and dishonored grave.  In each  and  every
similar case, the true and righteous verdict would
be,—It justly served them right.
   Every one, who expects to live long,  must
spend  a  certain  proper  proportion  of  every
twenty-four hours, in sound and refreshing  sleep.
The precise  time  needed  by each individual,
varies  almost as much as does the individual.
There is, however, a good old  English saying. 
        WANT OF  SUFFICIENT SLEEP.     121

which comes  pretty near the mark,  which says
that six hours of sleep are  required  by a man,
seven  by a woman, and eight by  a fool.  But,
rather than the time should, in any case, be short-
ened, I would that  all  the world were fools,  and
took the fool's allowance, at least, in the matter of
sleep.   It  would certainly do no one any harm ;
but  the great majority of mankind, would  be
much the better off for it.
 "* Insomnia, or want of sleep, causes iusanity ;
both  mental  and  emotional.  Softening of  the
brain, disease  and disorder of both the  nervous
systems, and also of the circulation, together with
general prostration, are also  some of the conse-
quences of long continued want of sufficient sleep.
In some, the ill effects are more tardy in making
their appearance ; there are those again, who  can
stand this sort of thing much longer than others.
In any case, however, be well assured that  the
injury to  the constitution, though  unseen  and
unfelt for a time, is nevertheless in  active pro-
gress ;  and, if unchecked, will still proceed until, 
122
DECLINE.
at last, it lands its victim either, in a madhouse, or
a premature grave.
  Any one, who has carefully read and considered
the foregoing remarks, cannot fail to have per-
ceived, that any excess or deficiency, in relation to
matters which, if properly managed, tend  to
health, happiness and long life, are alike product-
ive of disorder, disease, and  premature decay,
when either abused or disused.  Moreover, at the
same time, and in the same way, the appropriate
remedy, in each particular case, must  also have
become distinctly  apparent; and which may be
summed  up  and  generalized, in  the  following
advice,—Be  careful to practise moderation in
all things, and studiously avoid  excess.

                 DECLINE.

  "The statement that age impairs our strength
is not without foundation.  But after  all, imbe-
cility of body is more frequently caused by youth-
ful irregularities than by the natural and unavoid- 
DECLINE.
123
able consequences of long life.  By temperance
and exercise, a man may secure to his old age no
inconsiderable  degree of his  former spirits and
activity.  If it must be acknowledged that time
inevitably undermines  physical strength, it  is
equally true that great bodily vigor is not required
in  the  decline of  life.  A moderate degree of
force is sufficient for all rational purposes.   But
the  faculties  of  the  mind will preserve  their
powers in old age, unless they are suffered to be
languid from want of due cultivation.  After a
certain point of maturity is attained, marks of
decay must  necessarily appear."—Cic.
  Among the earliest perceptible physical signs
of  this natural decline is  an  alteration in the
structure, and a wasting of the muscular parts of
the organism.  Both the voluntary and the invol-
untary muscles are  involved  in this process of
degeneration.   This  condition  arises from the
imperfect renewal of the muscular  fibres, lost in
the ordinary process of waste.
  In infancy and youth, the  reparatory powers 
124               DECLINE.
proceed with greater force and rapidity than do
those of waste.   In adult life, they are about
equalized; but,  on the appearance of age,  this
order is reversed;  and the processes of waste are
in excess of those of repair.
  There is  not  only a wasting and softening of
the external muscles, but  a similar process is go-
ing on within.   That the respiratory muscles are
affected is made evident by the increased short-
ness of breath when ascending a hill, or even when
going up stairs, or whenever  any unusual effort
is made.  The muscular  structure of the heart
and arteries betrays its deterioration, in the com-
paratively sluggish circulation, especially towards
the extremities: and  the abdominal muscles, by
the torpidity of the bowels, and  the  diminished
expulsive force of the urinary bladder.
   As age advances, there is a natural inclination
to indulge  in both mental and physical repose;
the latter being one of the principal causes, not
only of the muscular failure  already alluded to,
but also of another unfortunate and weakening
tendency, namely,  the undue deposition of fat. 
DECLINE.
125
  Notwithstanding the fact, however, that these
predispositions exist, and that the bodily activity is
actually less, and the general movements are not as
elastic as of yore, nevertheless, anything approach-
ing to indolence and sloth must be most strenuously
avoided, by all such as desire to prolong their life.
Unless this is done, not  only will all the organs
waste, and grow weaker from disuse, but quantities
of effete matter will be retained from want of exer-
cise, and will be reabsorbed into the circulation;
thereby, not  only overloading the blood with use-
less material, but also  increasing the work to be
done, by organs already  taxed  to their utmost
ability.   Under such  circumstances as  these, a
break down  is  but a  natural consequence: and
the  result of  such a  catastrophe is  apoplexy,
paralysis, or  some other disorder common to this
time of life.
  To obviate all this,  regular  exercise  must be
taken  daily, and  the  skin must be  kept  in a
thoroughly healthy condition.   For this purpose
and to this end, in addition to walking and other 
126
DECLINE.
kinds of out-door exercise, there is a form  for
in-doors  which, though equally suited to people
of every age, is peculiarily adapted to those who
have  reached,  or even passed  the  meridian, or
prime of life.   It  has also the great additional
advantage, that it needs no expensive machinery or
apparatus of any kind: and yet, it is the most
generally effective  exercise of any  known.   It
simply consists in placing the body in a position,
and exercising it as  though in the act of con-
stantly heaving at a windlass, with both hands, in
the endeavor to hoist a very heavy bucket from
a very deep well.
  By  this extremely simple  operation, every
muscle in the body, from the top of the head to
the sole of the  foot, both inside and outside, is or
should be brought into play: and that in such a
manner as to thoroughly equalize the exertion.
  This exercise should be taken several times a
day, for half an hour at a time, alternately heav-
ing and  resting every few  minutes.  The best
times for such exercise would be  the first thing 
DECLINE.
127
in the morning, the  last thing at night, and in
the forenoon and afternoon.   When taking the
exercise, the coat, at least, should be removed,
and  the  exercise taken coolly, calmly and delib-
erately, and as though  actually heaving up an
exceedingly heavy weight.
   " The infirmities of age should be resisted like
the approach of disease.  To this end we should
use  moderate and regular exercise, and  merely
eat and drink as much as is  necessary to repair
our  strength, without oppressing the organs of
digestion.   And  the  intellectual  faculties as
well as the physical, should be carefully assisted."
 Cic.
   The failure  of  the mental  faculties is  often
coeval with that of  the  physical.   This,  how-
ever, ought not so to  be ; and  it arises, not so
 much from an inherent  tendency  thereto, but
results almost entirely, from careless or voluntary
 neglect.
   Generally speaking, memory is the first of the
 mental faculties to become impaired. 
128
DECLINE.
  This failure of the mental powers should, if
possible, be more sedulously guarded against than
that of the merely physical.   A  person  may be
never so infirm in body but that, if he retains his
mental faculties, he may be, not only a comfort to
himself, but a blessing to those around him.   The
best way to ward off this mental decay, is to take
a deep and lively interest in all that is going on ;
to live in  the present, and not in the past; and
both in reading and in conversation, to keep one-
self  thoroughly  posted,  in  all matters, both of
public and private interest, morally, socially and
intellectually.  But,  this must not  be  done by
" fits and starts ;" but it must be done regularly,
constantly and persistently.
  Unfortunately, however, people who are  grow-
ing old, are only too apt  to live in the  past.
This is all  wrong.  The present  and the future
are  all  that  are  really worth  consideration.
Bygones are  bygones ; and they  should  always
be  allowed  to  remain so.   It is all very well,
occasionally, to recur to the past,  by way of com- 
DECLINE.
129
parison  with the present; but  to  be constantly
dwelling upon it, especially if it be in  a hanker-
ing spirit, is not  only prejudicial to the mental,
but it also seriously disturbs the emotional sphere;
and consequently the general health.
  Above all things avoid frequent reveries ; for
if unchecked, they are only too apt at this time
of life,  to lapse into dotage.   Keep  the  mind
ever active; and  never allow  it to dwell  upon
the  dark  side  of  things.  Hopefulness and
cheerfulness  are  the  strongest  aids both to
mental and physical longevity ;  and should, at all
times,  and  under all circumstances,  be  most
studiously and carefully encouraged.
  Take  especial  pains to cultivate the  memory;
and if it has already begun to  fail, lose  neither
time nor effort to regain its lost power.  One of
the very best means  of accomplishing  this, is to
connect the subject,  sought to be remembered,
with something else, either  as  to object, person,
time or place.  By  frequently  practising this
        9 
130
DECLINE.
simple method, not only can a good memory be
retained, but one that is impaired may also be
regained.
   Always have something  to  do.   If  you have
made money, or are rich, don't live a life of use-
less idleness.  If your fortune has been made by
hard  mental labor, let your recreation be a life
of physical activity,  in which  the mind can also
take its part.  A life of inglorious ease is ever
prone to  lapse  into one  of  disease ; and  that
often of so serious a character as  to speedily end
in decease.
   Nature's  common law  is  constant motion.
Life itself is but a constant succession of chem-
ical   decomposition  and   reconstruction;   of
waste and  repair.   Every organ and  tissue  of
the body, without exception,  is subject to these
metamorphoses.  Perfect health consists in  an
equal balance  between  these  vital forces.  Too
much waste hastens vital consumption ; and con-
sequently shortens life ; whereas too little waste,
or too much repair, are  equally prejudicial to 
              THE TURKISH BATH.         131

 health, by causing plethora ; and so, as it were,
 clogging  the  wheels  of life ;  which,  if  not
 removed, will, sooner or later, stop them alto-
 gether.   Therefore, one of the main secrets, in
 the science and art of prolonging life, consists in
 the maintenance, for as long a time as possible,
 of this perfect equilibrium.
   One of the best and surest aids in the accom-
 plishment of this all important aim is the use of

             THE  TURKISH  BATH.
   The Turkish bath not only equalizes  the  cir-
 culation of the blood, but it  also has an especially
 beneficial effect upon the organs of secretion and
 excretion : and although, at  first sight, it might
 appear that, instead of equalizing  the  latter, it
 had a tendency rather  to increase the waste, by
 reason of the profuse perspiration, which is, and
 should be, a prominent feature of this bath.  The
 fact is, however, that the secretions are also stim-
 ulated ; and the perspiration which ensues, merely
carries off  the  effete matters; and if the bath is 
132
THE SKIN.
properly taken, a perfect balance will be the ulti-
mate result.
  This bath, moreover, prolongs life in a variety
of ways:  chief among which is the elimination
of diseased and poisonous matters, through the
pores of the skin.

                   THE  SKIN
is really  the  most  important  and  extensive
secretory  organ  of  the  body:   hence  it  is
also  a most important  purifier  of  the  blood.
These depurative operations of the skin, are car-
ried  on through the agency of upwards of seven
millions of little pipes or pores, which open out
upon its entire surface: and  unless these pores
are  constantly  kept open, not only  will  effete
matters be reabsorbed into the general circula-
tion, but additional work will also be imposed
upon internal vital organs; especially the  lungs
and the kidneys: which if long continued, must
of necessity end in organic disease.   Mere wash-
ing with water  will not suffice to keep these pores 
THE TURKISH BATH.
133
clear :  that operation, however thoroughly it may
be done, only removes the dirt from the surface :
sensible perspiration is  also needed to effect the
object desired;  and though I freely admit, that
thorough perspiration can be easily produced, by
many  other means, than the use of the Turkish
bath ;  nevertheless, I maintain that  there is no
other method so efficient; especially, when it is
remembered that the great majority of mankind,
including both sexes, and all ages, do not  take
sufficient exercise, or do enough work, to produce
it in the ordinary way.
  The Turkish  bath, however, does not consist
in the  mere production of a profuse sweat.   The
subsequent operations to which the bather is sub-
mitted, not only remove all  effete matters, but
they put the skin into such a thoroughly free and
healthy state, that it actually breathes : it absorbs
oxygen, and gives out carbonic acid, as, by nature,
it was intended to do : and it is just as necessary
that we should exhale impurities, through the
pores of the skin, as it is that we inhale pure air, 
134         THE TURKISH BATH.
through the lungs.  Many people suppose  that
this bath peculiarily disposes  one to take cold.
But a greater  mistake  cannot possibly be made.
On the contrary, if, after having taken  a bath,
the bather is careful that  the  hair is thoroughly
dry, and keeps the mouth shut, when first going
into the open air, it is  almost  impossible to take
cold ;  by reason of the tonic  effect, produced by
the bath, upon the capillary circulation.   More-
over,  it is quite unnecessary to  put  on either
warmer or heavier clothing; a Turkish bath itself,
being always equal to an extra top coat; even in
the coldest weather.
  This bath is equally beneficial to the wearied
body, and the  overtaxed brain ; and is of especial
value to those, who have so exhausted their nerv-
ous system, that  they are unable to take sufficient
physical exercise, without increasing the physical
exhaustion; and also to such as lead a  sedentary
life within  doors.   It is equally applicable to the
young, and to the  old:  it will make the young
man  stronger; and the old man to feel younger. 
THE TURKISH BATH.
135
It never weakens; but always strengthens; unless
improperly taken, or too frequently indulged in.
For curative purposes, a Turkish bath  may be
required two  or three times a  week;  or even
every  day, in some cases.   But,  for  the mere
purposes of health, and also as a real luxury, once
a week will be amply sufficient: and every body
would be the better for this weekly purification.
  As a remedial agent, the  Turkish bath  is, of
itself,  capable of affording much relief.  It is
especially beneficial in  cases of rheumatism, in all
its varied forms, and kindred ailments ; and also
in many  so called blood and skin diseases.  As a
general renovator, it stands unequalled ; and it is
a most potent and  efficient adjunct to scientific
medical treatment, in every form of disease.
  The Turkish bath should, if possible, be  taken
in all its  purity and integrity, and it is well worth
any one's while  to come  from some  distance, so
to obtain it.   Unfortunately, however, Turkish
bath houses are not, by any means, as common as
they ought to be.   Many, even large cities, are 
136         THE TURKISH BATH.
entirely destitute of such luxurious and necessary
adjuncts to modern civilized life.
  For the benefit, therefore, of such as cannot
obtain a Turkish bath in all its luxuriance, I here
submit a  plan which, if  minutely and faithfully
followed, will constitute a  very efficient substi-
tute for the genuine.
  Procure a common  spirit  lamp,  capable  of
holding at least half a pint of alcohol; also, a disk
of  very heavy sheet iron, at least  twelve inches
in  diameter;  also,  four common bricks; and
lastly, a  cane-seated chair, sufficiently large that
its legs shall pass easily over the iron  disk when
placed in position  as directed below.
  When about to take a bath, put the lamp, filled
with alcohol, upon the floor.  On each side of it
put a brick, standing on  its  end, but not so close
that the  edges  of the  bricks shall  touch one
another, but at such distances as that they  shall
properly support the iron disk, which is now to
be placed upon them ; over all put the cane-seated
chair, taking care  that the lamp shall be exactly
under the center of the seat thereof. 
THE TURKISH BATH.          137
   Strip yourself stark naked and sit down in the
chair.   Let an attendant thoroughly envelop the
whole of the body, except  the  head, in blankets
or quilts, taking care that the upper edges fit
very closely about the neck, and the lower  ones
closely around the outside of the chair, and down
to the floor, so as  to  prevent the ingress of  any
cold air from without.
   When all these  preliminaries  are thoroughly
arranged, light the lamp, and  sit still until pro-
fuse perspiration ensues, which may be consider-
ably  hastened,  by drinking copiously of  cold
water.
   When ready, throw off the blankets entirely,
and  lie down, either upon  the  floor, or upon a
broad board, laid upon trestles, and let the attend-
ant thoroughly rub and knead every part of the
body.  When this is done, the body must be  well
scrubbed with soap and hot water, by means of a
mitten or flesh brush; and afterwards well rinsed
off with hot water; gradually lowering the tem-
perature, until it is quite cold. 
138
THE SKIN.
  An artificial Russian bath may be taken in the
same manner, by merely substituting a large pan
of boiling water for the iron disk, allowing the
lamp to burn, so as to keep up the heat of the
water.
  Any sensible person can readily see that a bath
of this kind, can be easily taken, entirely by one's
self ; without even the aid of an attendant, if such
is not convenient.  All that is needed, is that all
the above  named  requirements are  fulfilled;
otherwise, the good  effects of the bath  will be
diminished, just in proportion as the above details
are neglected or omitted.
  I need hardly add, that if there is a bath room
in the house, not only would  it be the most
appropriate room to use, but, by a little common
sense  manipulation,  which  will readily suggest
itself to any person having any gumption at all,
an almost perfect Turkish bath may be easily
improvised, in a well appointed bath room, prop-
erly supplied with hot and  cold water. 
          FEW ARRIVE AT OLD AGE.       139

  " Few among mankind arrive at old age :  and
this suggests a reason why the affairs of the world
are not better conducted ; for age brings experi-
ence, discretion and judgment, without which no
well informed government could have been estab-
lished  or  even maintained."   These  words of
Cicero are just  as applicable to-day, as they were
when they  were  written, some two  thousand
years ago.  They apply wdth more especial force
to the affairs of this country, than to those of any
other, that I know of:  for, at this present time,
there  is, not only less respect  paid to age, but
it is also, to a very great extent, ignored and con-
temned.
  In  this great  country, you  hear very little
indeed of  a  "grand old man," but one's ears are
eternally pestered with  the extravagant praises of
half-fledged  goslings, without either experience,
judgment, or  even  common  discretion ; whose
only merit consists in an overwhelming amount
of egotistic  and bombastic arrogance, effrontery
and self-conceit.  In many of  the universities, 
140       FEW ARRIVE AT OLD AGE.

and schools of learning, you frequently find, that
some of the so-called professors are, comparatively
speaking, mere boys, whose want of age and expe-
rience alone, should disqualify them.   How can
such youths expect to command the reverence and
respect, which should  always  exist  between the
teacher and the taught; especially when, as is so
often the case here, the scholar is older than the
master %  The same thing obtains, in a greater or
less  degree, in the forum, on  the bench, and  in
the pulpit.
  This is one of the principal  reasons why there
is so little honesty in the affairs of  state, such  a
lack of thoroughness in the schools, partiality on
the bench, insincerity in the pulpit, and so little
true religion  in the church.
  This want  of  respect is, in a great measure,
due  to the  faulty manner in which  children are
brought up.   Instead  of the parents governing
the children,  the latter, as a rule, lead  their par-
ents by the nose.   The same sort of thing occurs
also in the schools; the teachers are not endowed 
FEW ARRIVE AT OLD AGE.      141
with sufficient authority; especially in correctional
matters; and the same phase is not altogether
lost, even  in  the universities  and the higher
schools of learning.
  Such a state of affairs is altogether wrong; and
has very much to do with shortening of the life,
both of the young, and of the old.
  The aged, instead of being, as they should be, the
friends, and advisers of youth, and the mainstay
and strength of the community, socially and politi-
cally, they become listless and apathetic, through
the indifference  and neglect usually manifested
towards  them.   They  feel  that they  are  "laid
upon the shelf;"  and, as a rule, they are  content
to remain there ; and instead of maintaining their
mental  faculties  intact, they steadily lapse  into
dotage; and the  physical organism, from want of
exercise and care, either sinks from nervous decay,
or is more  suddenly cut off, by apoplexy, or some
such kindred disease.
  If this be the fate of the aged, what becomes
of the  erst-while wonderful young man ?  Like 
142      FEW ARRIVE AT OLD AGE.

any other  precocious child, he is  altogether too
wise, to live long ; like a meteor in  the sky, which
for a few brief moments, burns most brilliantly,
but it falls ; and in its fall, it bursts, and is utterly
lost, in a shower of sparks.  He is literally con-
sumed  in  the fire of his own ardor; and either
dies of  disappointment, or, what is far worse, he
perhaps  becomes   reckless,  and  dies  the  dis-
honored death of  a drunken debauchee.
  Few,  indeed, arrive at old age.
  If, only for a few moments, any sensible person
will seriously  consider  this matter, the utter
absurdity, as well  as the  error of such a state of
tilings, cannot fail to impress themselves upon his
mind.   That age,  as a rule, impairs the physical
strength is true, but that it weakens the intellect
is, by no means, necessarily  so.
  In both  ancient and  modern times,  we have
innumerable  instances recorded of  those who, not
only retained the full vigor of their  intellectual
faculties, even up  to the very last  moment of an
unusually long life, but also of those whose great- 
         FEW ARRIVE AT OLD AGE.      143

est works were not accomplished, and whose fame
had not even began, until long after the meridian
of life had  been passed.  Nor indeed is this to
be wondered at, especially when we consider that,
in many branches of science, an ordinary lifetime
is barely sufficient to enable a student to become
even  tolerably  conversant  with  them;  others
again, require half a  lifetime of study and pre-
vious  preparation, before  even entering upon
them; at least with   anjr  hope  of ultimate pro-
ficiency therein.
  A well spent life  from infancy to manhood,
and one  that  has been  profitably used, and not
abused, from that time, up to its prime will, even
then, be only just upon the point of ripening;
and if properly cared for and preserved,  will last
for many a year, before it  finally dries  up and
dies ; and if both mind and  body are  suitably
employed, instead thereby of shortening life, it
will be the  very best and surest means  of pro-
longing it;  and  the  preservation of  one  really
valuable life, be. it never so old, is of  far more 
144      FEW ARRIVE AT OLD AGE.

consequence  to  the world  at large,  than the
sacrifice of a hundred of such  as have nothing
but youth to entitle them to life.
  "Young men think  that old  men are  fools ;
but old men know that young men are such," is
an old saw, as wise as  it is true.  Infinitely bet-
ter indeed would it be, if the great majority of the
youth of the present day, instead of putting the
old  man aside, would not only cherish and sup-
port him, but would also be taught  by him ; and
profit by the well earned experience, which would
be, not only his duty, but his pleasure to unfold
to them.  Each and every period of life  has its
appropriate  uses  and  duties,  assigned to  it by
nature   herself ;  and  after  having   wisely
distributed peculiar  and proper  enjoyments  to
all the  preceding periods  of life,  it cannot be
supposed  that she would neglect the last, and
leave it destitute of suitable enjoyments. 
OLD AGE.
145
                 OLD AGE.
  As age advances, vitality decreases.   The per-
fect balance, which has hitherto existed between
the processes of waste and repair, becomes more
or less disturbed, just  in proportion as the  vital
powers decline.   Notwithstanding  the fact that
the above statement  is true, and  also that the
facts  implied  are  inevitable;  nevertheless,  it
must not, for a moment, be supposed  that those
circumstances are at all disadvantageous ;  on the
contrary, by acting strictly in accordance with a
knowledge  of the facts,  they  may  even  be
turned to positive advantage ; for at this period,
as well as at  every other stage of life, people
may live either fast  or slow, just  as  it pleases
them.   By  disregarding these natural changes,
life will be speedily  shortened ;  whereas,   by
regarding  them,  it  may be prolonged  to  an
almost incredible extent.
  In  order, however, that this may be success-
fully  accomplished, there must  be  a strict com-
        10 
146
OLD AGE.
pliance  with   certain  requirements,  specially
called for at this time of life.   I shall, therefore,
briefly describe such as  are indispensable.
  Order  and regularity,  if  never  before
practised, is absolutely necessary now.  There
must be  a time set  for  eating and drinking, for
the taking of exercise and rest, and for the per-
formance of all  the other duties of life ; and
such times when set, must be rigidly maintained.
Bodily  comfort and peace of mind must also be
carefully provided for.
  Warmth is especially necessary; for as the
vitality  decreases, the power of engendering heat
is also diminished.
  The clothing of  the aged  should  always be
warm;  and it is better  that it should consist of
several  garments,  composed  of  comparatively
light materials, rather than a  smaller  number of
thicker ones;  for  between  each  garment,  there
will always be a  layer of heated air; and conse-
quently such  clothing  will be  a much  better
protection against the outside cold. 
OLD AGE.
147
   The house, and especially the bedroom, should
also be warm, but  not too hot.  Seventy-five
degrees of  Fahrenheit's  thermometer  (75° F.)
being about the right temperature ;  that of the
bedroom should never be permitted  to go below
60°  or 65°  F.  There  should  also  be  good
ventilation.
   As I have elsewhere  stated in  this book that,
not only is the health improved, but life  is also
prolonged, by removal  from a  cold to  a warmer
climate.   This is especially true in regard to the
aged.  Therefore, if thought desirable, and the
means will permit, much may be done to prolong
life, by adopting such a course.
   Food.   It is the greatest possible mistake to
starve  old  people.  Now, more than ever, they
require good and sufficient food ;  but it must be
of such a character as is suited to their peculiar
condition.
   It must be plain,  wholesome,  nutritious and
easily digested.   It should also be administered
in a more  refined and  concentrated form ; the 
148
OLD AGE.
coarser  materials  should  either  be altogether
avoided, or so  altered in  form as to be easily
acted upon by the altered animal juices. Milk, to
which has been  added a  tablespoonful either of
lime water or of a saturated solution of borax, with
or without the same quantity of good old Jamaica
rum, to keach half a pint  of milk.  It may  be
taken cold or warm, as is most agreeable, and is
best taken the  first thing in the morning, and
the last thing at night.   Good strong and  well
seasoned soup,  eaten  with toasted bread, forms
an  excellent lunch for the  aged; and  a little
tender  roast beef, mutton, or  fowl, with baked
or mashed potatoes, and such other vegetables as
do  not  cause flatulence, followed  by some light
pudding made  with  milk,  may  be taken  for
dinner.    Pies,  cakes,  so-called   biscuits,  new
bread, and all such things should be carefully
avoided.  Poached eggs on toast; or soft boiled
fresh eggs, are also appropriate food ;  and so is
oaten or  wheaten gruel, made with water, and
when served, mixed with  an equal  quantity  of 
OLD AGE.
149
warmed milk, to which may be added, if desired,
a  glass of  good sound wine.  A glass of good
genuine beer, brewed from malt and hops alone,
may also be taken at  dinner  time, if  the  person
has been accustomed to its use; but if it causes a
sense of heaviness or  weariness, its use should be
at once abandoned.  Black tea and good coffee
may also be used in moderation.
   It is better that the aged should take five mod-
erate, rather than three " square " meals  a  day,
as is usual.   Not only do their stomachs require
plenty of rest, but they are unable to do as much
work at one time, as they could when they were
younger.
   Although the food for the aged needs to be of
a  more concentrated and stimulating character,
than that required by younger  folk, it must,
nevertheless, be distinctly understood, that made
dishes  and  messes of  all kinds,  are especially
unsuited to their digestive powers, and not only
will do them no good, but will surety do them
serious harm.  The plainer their food, both in 
150               OLD  AGE.
quality and in cookery, the better it will be for
them; the stimulating condiments may be sub-
sequently added, if necessary and desirable.
  " If  age renders us  incapable  of  taking an
equal share  in  the  flowing  cups, and  luxurious
dishes of the tables  of the  wealthy, it thereby
secures  us from  painful  indigestions,  restless
nights  and  disordered reason," so  said  Cicero,
and whatever he said  was usually right,
  Bodily Exercise must not be neglected ; but
the greatest care must be taken to avoid exposure
or fatigue.   Damage  in  this way, may be easily
done, but  not so easily  mended.   Whenever
possible, however, such exercise should always be
taken in the  open air; but  those  who have an
habitual tendency to cold feet and hands, thereby
showing a sluggish circulation, especially towards
these parts, should remain in doors, in extremely
cold weather, no  matter how beautifully fine and
enticing the  weather may appear to be outside.
But the aged cannot  have  too much sunlight.
They should therefore, avail  themselves of every 
OLD AGE.
151
opportunity to be in it, either outside or  inside
of the house; always  remembering the  above
named precautions, and taking especial care to
avoid draughts of every kind.
  Particular attention should also be paid  to the
skin.   It should always be kept  clean, soft  and
moist; and the very best way, not only to accom-
plish  these, but also  many other  good   things
besides, is the weekly use of the Turkish bath.
There is nothing  in the world better suited to
the hygienic requirements of the aged, than is
this glorious bath.  It matters not how weak and
infirm  they  may be,  it  will always do them
good, and make them stronger, both in fact  and
in feeling;  and if regularly persisted in, may
even add many years to their life.   But if  this
luxury  cannot be  obtained, a  warm bath, to
which a little  ammonia has been added,  should
be taken  at bed-time,  at  least once or twice a
week.   The skin  should  be thoroughly  dried,
and may be afterwards sponged with alcohol, or
vaseline may be well  rubbed in.   These  opera- 
152
OLD AGE.
tions, however, should always so be done that the
person stands no chance of taking cold; at the
same time, everything requires to be thoroughly
done, and that without hurry or bustle.
  Constipation of the bowels must also be sedu-
lously avoided.   If there is not a perfectly  free,
easy and  natural passage from the bowels, at
least  once  every  day,  the  aid  of  medicine
should be  invoked ; and I know of  no other
remedy under the sun, better  adapted  to  fulfil
these requirements,  both in reference to age and
condition,  than  Freidrickshall water.  It is
simply perfect, not only as a laxative, but also in
its general good effects upon the nerves and circu-
lation.  A wineglassful of this water,  added to
an equal quantity of boiling water, may be taken
the first thing in the morning.  If this  quantity
is  not sufficient, half  a gobletful, with an  equal
quantity of  boiling water, may be taken at the
same time of day as before recommended.  It is
perfectly harmless ; and may be left off or taken,
at  any time, just as it  suits the needs or desires
of  the person using it. 
OLD age.
153
  In  any case, straining  at stool must be  most
carefully  avoided ;  as serious  injury, or  even
sudden death, may be the result.  At the  sanie
time, diarrhoea, or any other profuse evacuation,
must be just as  carefully guarded  against; such
things having a decidedly weakening tendency,
at any time, but  especially so, at this particular
period.
  Sleeplessness must be  particularly guarded
against, for although, as a rule, the aged  require
less  sleep  than  the young,  it  is imperatively
necessary that they should have  an ample  suffi-
ciency ; the particular amount required, varying
with  the mental  or  bodily activity of the indi-
vidual in question;  the greater the activity, the
larger the  amount of  sleep required ; and vice-
versa.
  Therefore, reading late at night, exciting con-
versation, or even mental  anxiety, or disquietude,
or  care;   indigestion  or  constipation  of  the
bowels; cold hands or feet, insufficiency of, or
too  much   bed  clothing;  the  abuse of tea or 
154
OLD AGE.
coffee, and all such things as annoy the body, or
disturb  the  mind,  should  be carefully avoided.
The use of drugs  should be strictly prohibited,
except in  cases of absolute need;  and  then  only
for so long  as  actual need  exists ; for although
they may and do produce that which  resembles
sleep, such a substitute  can never, satisfactorily,.
supply the place of natural sleep.  Moreover, the
habitual use of drugs tends still further to enthral
the brain ; and so, in time, renders natural sleep
almost an impossibility;   and in  many  other
ways, they not only injure  the  general health,
but they also shorten life.   However, if sleep-
lessness is accompanied by coldness  of the ex-
tremities, and  of  the  surface of  the body in
general,  including also the  head,  a  moderate
stimulant may be taken at bed-time, in the shape
of a glass of  " punch ; "  which is better if made
without sugar.   If the head is habitually hot, the
pillow should be moderately  high; but if  cold,
it  should always be low.   Sleeplessness arising
from active  congestion, is usually transient, and 
OLD AGE.               155
occurs during the fore part of the night; where-
as, that which proceeds from passive congestion,
is more  permanent, and is troublesome towards
the early morning.  Sleeplessness, however, aris-
ing from any cause, other  than  actual  physical
pain,  can generally be overcome,  by avoiding
such things as I have  before mentioned, and liv-
ing a regular life; if  such  cannot be done, con-
sult an educated and conscientious physician, and
take his advice  and use the remedies  which he
may  prescribe  only for so  long  as  they are
actually needed;  use  all your powers of will to
procure natural sleep, for be well  assured that
drugging in any shape, inevitably shortens life.
  By following  the  advice above given, and
endeavoring  to cultivate  a happy,  cheerful and
contented  frame of  mind, at  peace alike with
God and man, life on earth may not only be spun
out to its very utmost length, but it may also be
most thoroughly  enjoyed, even to the very last
moment; and death itself may even come in such
a  shape, as  to be  scarcely distinguished  from
peaceful, natural  sleep. 
156
OLD  AGE.
  The advantages of age are  inestimable, if we
consider it as delivering us from the tyranny of
lust  and  ambition, from angry  and contentious
passions, from inordinate and irrational  desires,
*  *  *  The satisfactions of this life are many ;
but  there comes a time when we have had a
sufficient measure  of its enjoyments, and  may
well depart contented with our share of the feast.
Cic.
  And when that time arrives, as  come  it must,
for each  and every one of us, if  we have only
made the most of our advantages here, and have
striven to the  utmost  of our power, to  do our
whole duty to ourselves, to our neighbors and  to
our God, we need not fear the day, the hour, or
even the moment when the heaving  chest  shall
cease to breathe, and the weary heart shall cease
to beat. 
RECAPITULATION.
157
       RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION.

  Having, at length, traced the passage of human
life through all its stages, pointing out, in pass-
ing, such things  as must be done, and such as
must  be avoided, in order to  prolong  life: and
having discussed these various needs and require-
ments as fully as the limits of this eminently
practical treatise will  allow, all that remains for
me now, is to say a few words  by way of recapit-
ulation and conclusion.
  Be  it remembered then, in the first place, that
if  an  infant is healthy when born, it should be
hardened and strengthened,  in order that it may
be the better  enabled to resist disease in after
life:  instead of being pampered and weakened,
and so rendered, not only unable to resist disease,
but thereby made more susceptible thereto.
   The most common errors  to be avoided in this
respect are,  improper feeding, keeping the infant
too warm,  and  depriving it of sufficient fresh
air. 
158
RECAPITULATION.
  If it is not healthy, or if there be any signs, or
even  suspicions  of hereditary predisposition to
disease, the advice of  an expert and experienced
physician should,  at  once, be  sought,  and the
diseased condition  thoroughly eradicated, and the
predisposition removed.  If attempted now, not
only can it be done, and done thoroughly, but it
is a comparatively easy thing to do : but, the
longer such matters are delayed, the more diffi-
cult  are  they  of successful  accomplishment.
These last remarks apply  with equal force to
childhood, youth, and early manhood and woman-
hood.   Constant careful watch should be kept
for any signs of  latent disease : and just as soon
as any show themselves, steps should at once be
taken for their thorough eradication.  Palliation
will not do.   They must be extirpated, root and
branch.
  Almost without  exception, every one of  us has
a weak point in his composition : and, as the old
saying has it, "Everything  goes to the weak
spot."   Therefore, it behooves  every sensible 
RECAPITULATION.
159
person to search for that weak spot;  and having
found  it. to endeavor  by every possible means,
to support and strengthen that point.
   Among the various ways and  means, whereby
this weak spot may be  discovered, are the follow-
ing, to wit: In  the event of taking cold, or of
over exertion, or during the course of any disease,
observe  in what part  or parts of the body the
worst  effects are experienced.   Observe  also in
what part  of the body perspiration first breaks
out—showing a weakness of  the  nerves at that
point.  Observe also in  what part of the body heat
is most apparent—thereby evincing a determina-
tion of blood in that direction.   All these parts
will usually be found  to be the weakest; and if
the  experience,  thus   acquired,  be  frequently
repeated, the fact will thereby be  confirmed.
Moreover, any part of the  body,  which  is  con-
stantly overtasked, or  in any way abused,, will
be thereby weakened,  and consequently will also
be a likely seat of disease.   Having  found these
weak  spots, endeavor,  by every possible  means,
to rectify, harden and  strengthen them. 
160           RECAPITULATION.
  In  order  thoroughly  to  accomplish this, you
may have to call in a doctor.   If you do, beware
of that man who seeks only to remove the exter-
nal signs of disease.   Such  treatment is but
palliative, at the best: and  may be the means of
setting up a worse disease within.   The external
symptoms are but signs, which point  in  what
direction the educated man must search, in order
to ascertain their cause.  The cause of the dis-
ease should alone  be searched for, through the
symptoms.  Having found  this cause,  remove it,
all  effects must  then, of necessity, cease : and a
radical and  permanent  cure will be the desired
result.
  At the present  day, there are  altogether too
many popular books, and popular means of cure.
These combined have, not only done much to
perpetuate  disease,  and  injure   mankind  in
general, but they are also prolific in shortening
human life.  Rudimentary  anatomy, physiology,
and  the  means  whereby disease  may be pre-
vented, should be taught in the public schools; 
RECAPITULATION.           161
but the treatment of  disease should be relegated
to the educated physician alone.
   Guard against extremes and  sudden changes
of temperature.   Extreme  heat  is  especially
unfavorable to children.   Extreme  cold is most
injurious  to the aged.   Sudden  and  frequent
changes of temperature  are  always  detrimental
to health and  predispose to disease.   Dampness,
at any time, is  also  very  injurious.   Heat and
moisture, in the summer, and dampness and cold
in the winter, are the principal causes of such
diseases as  are  usually prevalent, during those
seasons of the year.
   Notwithstanding all this,  however, plenty  of
exercise in the open air, during all seasons of the
year,  and in  all kinds of weather,  must never
be neglected.  It helps to harden and strengthen
the body, and enables it  the more easily to with-
stand these sudden changes, and  other  atmos-
pheric vicissitudes.   Besides all this, it promotes
digestion, and good circulation ; it stimulates the
organs of secretion and  excretion, and helps  to
maintain the balance  between waste and  repair.
       n 
162           RECAPITULATION.
  But physical fatigue must be carefully avoided.
Undue exercise of any particular organ, or set of
organs, should also be, as far as possible, carefully
guarded  against.   The principal aim  should be
to maintain  " the  balance of  power," and an
equality  of  tone,  in all  parts of the   body ;
equally avoiding  " hypersthenia," or too much
strength  ; and asthenia, or no strength at all; for
it is quite possible, even in this respect, to have
too much of a good  thing; which is  always no
good  at all.
  Too much  labor increases vital consumption ;
whereas, too  little, unduly  retards it.   Strive,
therefore, to  maintain the  happy  mean.   The
mind must be exercised as well as the  body; but
especial  care  must be taken that it  be not over-
tasked ; for injuries here, are not only more easily
done, but are also much more difficult to  repair,
than  such as  result from  mere physical fatigue;
even  if  such fatigue be carried  to the verge  of
exhaustion.
   Neither the mind nor the body should ever be 
RECAPITULATION.
163
worked at the expense, or to the  detriment  of
each other;  or both will  equally suffer.  Both
should be  exercised alike; in which case, both
will receive equal benefit.
  Keep good control over the emotional sphere.
Cultivate  love, joy, hope,  cheerfulness and con-
tentment, for these tend to prolong life.  Studi-
ously avoid anger,  anxiety, fear, grief, hate, dis-
contentment and  despair,   for  these  invariably
shorten life.
  Take good care of the  stomach,  and  avoid
indigestion.  Eat only such things as are whole-
some and  nutritious, and be careful that they are
plainly, but properly  cooked.   Take plenty  of
time to eat, and never drink until you have fin-
ished eating.  Eat first, and  drink afterwards;
and take care that the quantity of the latter, shall
amount to at least three pints of liquid, taken in
divided potations, in the course of the day.
  " Keep the head cool, the feet warm, and the
bowels open," was  the laconic advice of a very
celebrated  man.  The advice was good when  he 
164
RECAPITULATION.
uttered it, it is good now, and will remain so for
all  time.   Therefore,  take heed thereof,  and
invariably follow the same in its entirety.
  Everything should  be done  decently and in
order, and with regularity and method withal.
These things, if  not  carried to excess, help to
improve  the  mind.  " The rule of thumb " is a
very good rule, but too  much  of it is no good
at all.
  " He that is wise will ponder these things, but
a  fool  will  not  understand them."   Whoever
desires to live long and to see good  days, will
follow the advice herein given, always remem-
bering that " wisdom alone is the source of pleas-
ure, and  folly is the cause of misery." 
INDEX.
                                           Page.
Absolute cleanliness for infants  .    .    .   .59
A girl stronger than a boy when born  .    73, 87
All should do their best.....100
All that is needed is " grit".....04
"All work and  no play makes Jack a dull boy" 27
Altogether too  wise to live   ....    141
Always get up  when wide awake   .    .    .   32
Always have something to do    .   .    .    130
Approaching age inclines to repose .    .    .  124
Approaching age, undue deposition of fat .   . 124
A rare bird in the land......87
Artificial feeding of infants.....48
Artificial feeding, author's plan ....   49
Artificial feeding, instance in support thereof   52
As age advances, vitality decreases .    .    .145 
166                INDEX.
                                           Page
At bedtime, cast all care aside   .    .    .    .31
Avoid anger, anxiety,  fear, &c.     .    .    .163
Avoid physical and mental fatigue  .    .    .162
Avoid reveries.......12 9
Avoid indolence  and sloth.....125
A white man can live  anywhere  .   .    .    .34
Bedrooms should be large and airy .    .   .  . 30
Be slow to make haste......81
Best climate has least  variations   .   .    .    37
Best climate is not too dry.....37
Be sure you are right, then go ahead  .    .    .82
Be up and doing.......95
Bodily comfort and peace of mind    .    .    146
Brain work is beneficial......74
Brainworkers require  more sleep .   .   .    .31
Bright's disease of the kidneys     .   .   .   117
By-gones  are by-gones......128
Can stand anything......Ill
Cause of catarrh.......112
Change of climate prolongs life   .   .   .   .34 
                    INDEX.                 167
                                           Page.
Children are brought up wrong .    .    .   .140
Cicero, on old age   .   .     10, 122, 127, 138, 156
Climate influences diet......35
Clothing of infants.......55
Coolly, calmly and deliberately   .   -   .    108
Cultivate love, joy, hope, &c.....163
Cultivate the memory.....129
Diabetes.........117
Digestion and nutrition are not the same .   .  104
Digestion is a chemical process .    .       .104
Disobedience of nature's laws    .   .   .   .14
Don't be afraid of going up stairs   ...    95
Don't drink raw spirits......116
Don't feed a child whenever it cries   .   .    52
Don't go into the cold after a full meal  .   .26
Don't keep an infant too warm    .    .   .    . 56
Don't live in  the past......128
Don't put flannel next to an infant's skin  .    .55
Draughts shorten life......113
Drink.........     25 
168                 INDEX.
                                           Page.
Drunkenness........114
Eat before going out in the morning  .   .    .26
Eat first, drink afterwards.....163
Elements of human trinity    .    .   .   .     102
Enough work strengthens, too much weakens .  99
Everyone is born with certain capabilities  .     99
Everything goes to the milk.....41
Everything goes to the weak  spot  .    .   .    158
Excessive  joy seldom kills.....106
Exciting and depressing emotions  .   .   .    106
Exciting emotions  as bad as depressing  .    .108
Exercise.....23, 36, 64, 72, 125, 150
Exercise both body and brain  ....   28
Extreme grief  often ends in death    .   .     106
Fear, anger, anxiety, most depressing   .   .107
Female training defective.....70
Few indeed arrive  at old age    .    .   .  138, 142
Fitful and violent exercise always bad    .    .  76
Food.......24, 63, 77, 147
Fresh air .......    . 20, 36, 57 
                    INDEX.
                                           Page.
Get rid of the long clothes.....56
Gluttony.........116
Gout..........117
Grandmothers and mothers appealed to    .    93
" Grand old man".......139
Guard against sudden atmospheric changes  .  161
Harden and strengthen an infant  .    .    .   157
Harry Jenkins........11
Harvey, Dr.........    12
Have an aim in life.......82
Have method........82
Healthy offspring of unhealthy parent   .    .41
Helter skelter, hurry skurry, no good  .    .    81
Hopefulness and cheerfulness aids to longevity 129
Houses, shops, &c, kept too warm  .    .   .112
Hurry and excitement kill.....108
Improper  feeding of infants.....45
Improper  feeding cause of infant mortality .   45
Inadequate rest and recreation  .    .    .   .118
Indolence  causes much mischief   .   .    .    .93 
170                 INDEX.
                                           Page.
Infancy the time to lay solid foundation    .    38
Infant mortality........10
Infants should not sleep with their parents .   58
Infants starve upon impure milk  .        .   .47
Incincerity in the pulpit.....140
It is never too late to mend.....15
Keep control over the emotions ....  163
Keep the head cool, feet warm, bowels open   163
Keep the mouth shut   ...   .    .23,112
Lack of thoroughness in the schools   .    .    140
Light   .    . '.......20, 57
Life, average duration of......9
Little honesty in affairs of state .   .    .  .140
Little true religion in the  churches    .    .    140
Live in the present.......128
Lost in a shower of sparks    .   .    .    .    142
Louis II., King of Hungary.....'13
Main secret of prolonging life    .    .    .    131
Man is a trinity.......   102
Marriage........83, 91 
                    INDEX.                 171
                                          Page.
Marriage, from an animal point of view  .    .  83
Marriage, from an emotional point of view  .    84
Memory fails first.......127
Mental unchastity as bad as physical   .    .   70
Milk spreads disease.......40
Mind and body equally worked, prolong life .  143
" Molly Codding"......95,110
" More truth than poetry".....90
Nature's laws are set at defiance   .   .   .    97
Nature's common law is constant progression  130
Never give solid food to an infant    .   .    .54
Never marry an unhealthy woman  .   .   .  . 85
Never marry a fool.......92
" Night-hawks " die early.....120
Night is the time for sleep.....32
Nine out of every ten eat too much    .    .   116
No healthy infant needs food at night   .    .51
No one should be suddenly awakened  .    .  .  32
Nursing mothers need no fermented liquors .   46
Nutrition is a vital process     ....   104 
 172                 INDEX.
                                             Page.
' Old age..........145
 Old age, bedroom in......147
 Old age, clothing in......146
 Old age, constipation in.....152
 Old age, house in.......147
 Old age, order and regularity in           .    146
 Old age, want of respect for.....139
 Old age, warmth  in......146
 Partiality on the bench......140
 Patience and perseverance, etc.,   ...    94
 Perfect health is an equal balance  .   .    .     130
 Physicians, alone  should treat disease   .    .161
 Physiology should be taught in schools    .     160
 Practice self-denial.......82
 Precocity......             63
 Premature death,  result of violated law     .    14
 Prolongation of life, necessities therefor  .   .18
 Refreshment should be the opposite of labor    27
 Retribution, slow  but sure.....11 n
 Rob sleep, rob life......       H9 
                    INDEX.                173
                                           Page.
Russian bath, artificial......138
Scrofula, rickets, &c,     .....62
Sexual excess........117
Six for a man, seven for a woman, &c.    .    121
Sleep........30, 36, 66,  78
Sleeplessness causes insanity     .   .    .   .121
Sleeplessness in old age.....153
" Slow and steady wins the race"   ...    80
Sowing wild oats........78
Special form of exercise.....126
Speculators, stock jobbers, &c.....108
Sudden transitions, dangerous   .... 107
Sympathetic sun and moon    .    .   .    .   105
Take plenty of time to eat  ....  26, 163
Take good care of the stomach   .   .    .   .163
Teachers have not sufficient authority .   .   140
The downfall of monopolies    .   .   .   .110
The scramble for wealth kills thousands  .    .109
The skin........132,151
The skin actually breathes.....133 
 174                INDEX.
                                          Page.
 The skin must be kept clean  .    .   .    -    132
 The skin, mere washing will not do     .    .132
 The survival of the fittest     .   .    .   . 75, 110
 The sympathetic nervous system   .   .   .    104
 The Turkish Bath  .   .    .   .     131, 133, 151
 The Turkish Bath, always strengthens   .   .135
 The Turkish Bath, artificial   .   .    .   .     136
 The Turkish Bath, cannot do harm .    .    .  134
 The Turkish Bath, cannot take cold after   .  134
 The Turkish Bath, first-class remedial agent .  135
 The Turkish Bath, good for body and brain  .  134
 The Turkish Bath, good for old and young .  134
 The Turkish Bath, never weakens  .    .   .135
 There is no place  like home.....92
 Thomas Parr.......11, 12
 Those on the road to destruction   .   .    .    106
 Tippling worse than " an out-and-out spree" .  115
 "Tomboys"........71
Too high pressure bursts the  boiler    .    .   108
Too  much animal  food    .     .    .    .     117 
                    INDEX.                 175
                                           Page.
Too much study for children is wrong .   .     65
Too much tea and coffee.....117
Too little waste causes plethora .    .   .      130
Too much waste shortens life   ....   130
Underwear     . -.......112
Unhealthy mothers should not nurse    .    .   39
Unhealthy mothers cause infant mortality   .   39
Use and abuse of alcohol.....114
Use wealth during your lifetime     .   .    .110
Vaso moter nerves    ......    105
Ventilation      ........23
Violation of nature's laws.....96
Want of sufficient sleep.....119
Wasting care causes premature death    .     101
Wasting of muscles......123
Weaning.........60
Wetting and wet feet kill thousands    .    .  113
What keeps out cold, keeps out heat  .    .    113
When married, do your whole duty    .    .   91
W hen married, go to housekeeping at once   .  92 
176                INDEX.
                                          Page.
While there is life, there is hope   ...     14
Women.........86
Women, do too little work   ....     100
Women, channel for spreading disease .   .     43
Women, Nature good to    ....    .73
Women, not really weak      ....     88
Women, unhealthy should not nurse infant  42, 44
Women, unhealthy should not marry   .   42, 44
Women, when pregnant should be active  .  .   94
Women, very inconsistent.....89
Young men think old men are fools, etc., .    144
Youthful brains are often overworked  .   .    74
Youth require no stimulants.....77 
              OTHER  WORKS
                  BY THE SAMH AUTHOR.

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