Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1852-07-07


MENTAL lIYGIENE.-We may reigiously observe
all The laws OF Hygiene in relation 10 air, light drink
food temperature exercise, sleep, clothing, bathing
and the eXcrelious, and yet slack thing" II the
passions nur masters and not our slaves, they
will rule aud ruin, instead of oheyug and serving
There is single hygienic influence more condtl-
Give health happiness and long life, than cheer
iul, equablc temper OF mind and there is nothing
that will more surely disorder the bodily functions
exhaust the vital energies, and stamp premature in
frmieS on the constitution, and hurry us on to an
early grave, than uneven, irritable lrctfu, or pas
sbnate mental habit.
DIFFERENT PASSIONS AS AFFECTING HEALTIi.-
There is, in the vigorous exercise Of the higher men
tai powers-lhe moral affections and the intellectual
iacucs-an elevating sustaining, scli-supporing
influence while the violent Indulgence of the lower
order Of passions-the animal propensites rapidly
wears out the mental machinery, and enervaics all
the physiological powers. Who that has ever felt the
holy inspiration of lore and the depressing influence
of haired can fail TO appreciate the importance oil
mental hygiene? Contrast the emotion of benero-
ience, or gratitude, Ueneraton conSccnfiorsness
mnfhJuiness or filth, hope, with that of enuu re-
uenge. ieaionsN fear orie re,nnrse. dosy~iI n,y
energies the mind and reaIIiuIaCs the body-the
other sinks, chills, and enieehes both; one manu-
features, creates AS it were, vital power-the Other
wastes and destroys it,
llEALTHFUL EXERCISE OF THE PAssIoNs.-lt is
true that all the prOpeusities with which en-
dowed intended TO he exercised actively and
vigorously, hut always in relation the use pur
poses for which they were given-never with vo-
leuce or in mere wantunness. When they are all
exercised tremendously with each other, their com
hned influence is 10 invigorate, cnnohle, and eXa
the whole being; but if one or several ''grow muffin
Gus aud rave" The whole physiological and psychoo
gical nature experiences deterioration proportional
TO the time and degree i'll which ungoverned passion
is in the ascendant.
Those who would maintain permanent and uni
form health and attain longevity should cultivate the
'betier passions" with the same sedulous and unre
hitting that they would cultivate the hest fruits
and vegetables. That anger which "dwelIs only il
the bosom of FOOLS" should be Il rare or unknown
ysltant and the "eHiIs of life" should he met will
courage ior,itude, and resolution, instead of waug
complaining and lanentation. That unhappy dis
position which treats all the little or great perpeXi
ties, crosses, trials, disapponnents or troubles
which are incidental to existence, and which NOR
or less beset the earthly pilgrimage of every ndvid
ua' with retng, Scolding, aud tault-fnding not on
aggravates all the Unnecessary evils" of life but great
ly multiplies them and what is worse, disspate
looishly those talents and energies which should b
devoted to overcoming obstacles, and, by profitin
from lessons OF experience, "bringing good out Q
evil"
/ THE Passions AS CoNNEcrED WITH LONGEVITY
In all ages OF the world philosophers, divnes, natur
allsis, siatesmen and other men whose studies am
a1ocations were especially calculated to develop
and MAINTAIN the supremacy of the moral aud intel
IS' i'h PoNce, nave bCSll lHONelnlally lOhS-INeu-
! In TINS connection we may name among the ancents
/ Homer, Hippocraies, Pyllagoras, Plutarch, Plate
/ Ihales, Aenophon, Carneades, SOphoces, Zenc
Galen, Democritts and among the mOderns Locke
Newton, Calico, Boyle Liehuitz, Button, Oilers
Blumenbach lialnemann, Swedenhorg, Sir Edwar
Coke Fontanelle and in our own country, Marshal
Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Jay, and Madison A
of the persons above quoted distinguished fo
active and laborous habits, and some of them wer
intense if not Incorporate workers. The experenc
of host of men renowned for great attninInents i
morals theology, and various departments of scienct
proves that AN immense amount of mental labor ca
be accomplished by an individual of ordinary n,turf
capacity, when the propensties are larinonibusl
balanced, and an even, cheerful, hopeful spirit con
stantly cherished and maintained
The PASSIONS AS AFFECTING THE SEcRETIoNs-
IL is well known TO medical men that violent fits {
passion will arrest alter, or modify tho various q
ganc secrelions suddenly as will an electric shoe
They may be depraved or vilialed as readily bv e,
cessve mental emotion as 10y drug-poison take
into the stomach. A paroXysm of anger will rendt
the bile as acrd and irritating as a full dose of cali
mel: excessive fear will relax the bowels equal TO
strong Infusion of tobacco intense grief will ARE
the secrellons OF castle juice eectually as be III
dona and violent rage will make the saliva ms poi
onous as will n mercurial salvation. MANY nur
ing mother has sent her babe to the grave nv indu
ing furious emotion, which changed the chnract
$ Of her milk from bland nutrment to deadly moi
These facts, which could I've multiplied Ia
great extent demonstrate the law that n sound bo,
cannot exist unless connected with a well-balance
mind
' PHYSIOLOGICAL LAW OF THE PAssIoNs.-Tl
e grand essential of n cheerful mind is sell.contro
!. This is the great law of mental hygieie. Tho
$ who cannot govern the lower range of propensiti
v Tho corporal and social groups-by the NOR
/ sentiments and intellectual faculties should study
G acquire selfgovernment the one thing needG
+ in the mental operations. II may require Ion
e patient, and thorough discipline; il may cost mu
h seh-denial and appear to demand great tempora
: sacrifice, but il is worth all it costs Occasionally