Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-05-22
THE. GROWTH OF THE BEARD
Medically AID Historically Considered.

Medically AID Historically Considered.
The fact, that in the creation of man,
the Almighty in his perfect work, for
wise purposes, planted beard upon
his face-mahing it a law of his phys
icaI being-shouId make us pause be-
fore we lay razor 10 lis roots, and cut
it down as tree of evil fruit. What
-glaring incongruity in those who con-
denim the beard as a needless and dam
nable appencage, yet reverence, as the
word of God, the Levitical Law, which
is quite as explicit in fordbiding the sha-
wing of the beard, except in cases of
disease, as is the command to remem-
Der the Sabbath day to keep it ho-
ly.
For my own part, do not think that
man has improved the work Of Omnl-
science in personal appearance Or phys
ical well-being, by emasculatlng his
face with arazor Your correspondent
has shown that diseases of the throat
in many cases, are directly traceable
to the shaving of the beard. My expe-
perience corroborates his statement
having worn, for the last half dozen
wears, neither stock nor other neck
bandage, but in Ecu thereof much OF the
beard, and have escaped affections of
the throat; whereas, before taking this
course was much subject to them
Physologically, then, it would appear
that man has not only not improved the
work of his maker, but for his presump-
ton has not in this respect, more than
in others, escaped the penalty OF a VI
dated law of his being.
The wearing Of the beard Or its ex-
tinc.ion in past ages, is but trans
cript of the fashions Of those ages
The long flowing boards and the wo-
men, faced men have frequently alterna-
ted in the different ages of the world;
and boards seem now to be coming into
favor again. The Bible and Nature are
certainly on the side of boards, how
ever much efeminacy may prescribe
them. Christ is never seen in por
SHz with d shavsn face. A scrap of
New particularizes his hair and his
go and Tertullian, an early Chris
lain Father, declares the shaving of
the beard to be sblasphemy against the
face
The pilgrim Fathers, as represented
standing upon Plymouth Rock, are
bearded men. Governor Winthrop is
bearded man of his day; but before
the opening ofthe 18th century boards
appear to have become nearly or quite
extinct. A portion of the aristocracy
of South Carolina are in the habit Of
wearing their boards, but for the last
one hundred and fifty years women
faced men in this coutry and in much
of Europe, have been in the ascendant.
In these portions of the world the bon
dage of the beard TO the dictatorship of
an efeminate fashion, has been COM
plete, but the day will come when it
will again come forth, redeemed, re-
generated, and disenthralled-'
The growth Of the beard, medically
considered, presents breast work Of
protection for the lungs and throat; and
useful for the healthy performance Of
the functions Of these parts. It is ma
lures S own respirator; and none made
by art can meet the indication so well.
Pains of teeth. and other neuralgia
ailments, are greatly prevented BY the
growth Of the beard and, BY high au-
th6rity, relapses in fever have been
ascribed 10 the shaving Of this appen-
dare--to say nothing Of its other re-
laisonship 10 health and disease.
An English Magazine Of much emf