The North-Carolinian., 1855-09-22

disease has been hidden from observation, no
one has ever had recourse to analogy to find it
out
NJ Raspail enumeratcs, among thr tat:scs o:
diseases, the Introduction of foreign bodies into
the organism; of poisons, or substances which,
far from being adapted for assimilation and the
development Of the organic tissues, combine
with them only to disorganizc and destroy them.
Next long continued excess of cold and heat
or sudden transition from one temperature to
another contuSOns, solutions of continuity of
the muscles, hurts aud wounds, the introduction
into our tissues of gramineals (grasses,) }: dust
aud sweeping of granaricS. awns, prickles, down
of plants or of grains, which, when present in
the cavities of our organs. generate or develop
themselves there, or swell under the influence
of moisture. Again want or impnrty of air;
for the most trtling alteration of the constitu-
tion of the atmosphere causes disturbance of
the regular functions Of our organs. Pnre air is
the bread of respiration. Other causes
prvation. excess, insuficicncy of food had quail
ty and adulteration of the alimentary substan-
ces People die of Indigestion we'll of
starvation; the sniferings in the one
equal TO those in the other; and the indiges-
ton of the rich may lie looked upon species
of set-off to the starvation of the poor Others;
again, are the external and internal paristism
o. hyda tids maggots, larvae of flies or cater
pillars. ticks insects, coleoptera, and especially
intestinal worms that seize the infant in the
cradle, and often adhere to man through life
quitting him only in the grave, where they hand
him over to other worms. Ineecd, NJ. Raspai
ascribcs the ''parasitism of the infinitely small"
as the cause of nne-tcnths of our diseases lie
finally ranks among aids to it, if not causes of
illness, moral laGlics-violcnt Impressions
wounded affections, deceived hopes, tisappoint-
ed ambition, weariness and despair. Hereditary
and constitutional diseases he seems determined
to ignore, and is even silent to the diseases
of deformty and defective organizatio The
causes are perhaps self-cvdent.
Now having told why VIC are i'll, the an
thor proceeds to tell us how we can keep well.
Short and scntcntious are his hvgenic prcccpts.
You are to choose Il dwelling exposed to the
sum- but shelf cred from the noxious emanations
of swamps, bitches and rivers gasworks and
factories. You are not to inhabit the Kitchen
aoo: if you help it. Let your dwelling
room be high and look to any point of the
artists, to whom northern aspect is desdera-
tum.) Don't turn vour bedroom into work
ROOM library kitchen. Keep window
at least in it open all day. DO not place any
thing in it that emits smells, agreeable otls=
wise Danish even flowers; they evolve snt1o-
eating gases The walls shonld be painted, or
prepared with good sound paper. pasted down
firmly with size, scented over the FIRE with
black pepper, alocs garlic (!) which NJ Ras-
pail terms the 'camphor of the poor" Have
no paintings on the walls, no hangings to the
bed. Sleep Il hard mattress. Have far-
niture in your bedroom but the bed, wash
hand stand, and two chairs Very healthy all
these arrangements, no doubt NJ. Raspail, but
exceedingly ugly.
Stop the clinks between badly joined
boards with paste of -four. pounded pepper.
pounded alocs. plaster and clay. BY thefe
means you will avoid draughts, need no rermin
annilator and be enabled to set rats, nice,
l,,o.e IoE I l,nyo
what similar process adopted in the North Of
England; it is there called Plugging Rats and
mice abhor aloes; ratsbane they don't much are
for especially if they can get sufficient qtamitv Y
of water to drink afterwards. Put black pep
per in grains, and small Jumps OF campflof, int .
the wool of your mattresses. Garni>h the beds
of infants of tender years with picked leaves Of
tho wood fern. (IIow far Il border of the ferns
of Great Britain, ture-printed of course,
wonld be advantageous in sarnishing q baby's
crib. / am rather at a loss to know As an
infant of tender years. / remember, myself,
having my he'd garnishcd sometimes with the
crumbs of French rolls occasionally with the
brstles of hair-brush. cut up small, and on
one occasion with poker and pair Of tonss;
bnt beyond producing sensible irritation or
nrticatiOn Of the epidcrn:s, ! am not prepared
to state what sanitary benefits derived there
from. NJ. Raspail can at least quote tradition
in support Of his leafv system of garn :shing-for
Ol0 not InC FODDln rCO breasts cover !ne niue
children in the wood with leaves, and were not
! those infanrs of tender years?
Wash your bedsteads frequently with cam
phorated brandy. Keep chloride Of lime con-
stantly at hand. Have a fire in yonr bedroom
from time to time, and burn some vinegar on n
| red-hot iron plate Have your bed we'll aired
every day. Change your body linen night and
! morning. Take bath often yon
can never scour floor; and dry rub it.
Let your clothes be made wide and easy.
Gentlemen, leave off chimncv-pot hats aud afl-
round collars. The first press on the brow and
chill the brain; the second impede the respira-
ton. Ladies' don't wear stays. Nurses and
mothers, never swaddfe your babies Tightncss
of dress is torture to an infant. When tho
weather is warn let yodr children roll and kick
about in the open air; it will make them healthy
and strong.
Now hear NJ. Raspail upon culinary hygcn-
| les, Good cheer, he says is one of the chei
preservatves of health Keep regular hours for
your meals Eat and drink in moderation vary
your dishes Never force yourselfto eat if you
have no appetite. Rest yourself half an hour
after each meal; then take some bodily exer-
else. Never use any other water for your
drink for culinary purposes than spring wa
ter and well f!terated river water. There are
many diseases that arise entirely from the use
of unwholesonsc water. Many epidemics might
be traced to She abominable compound of dirt
and putridity which the water companies are per
mitsea to palm on ms. Never drink water out
of ditch or pool, if yon can possibly help it
You may swallow, nnwittingfy small Ieecbcs