The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-11-06
ESBURG, OHIO, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1856.

fiuence of light. Animals in general droop
when deprived oflight; they become unhealthy,
and even sometimes die. When a man has
been long confined in dark dungeon (though
well airedl his whole complexion becomes SAL
low /; pustules filled with aqueous humors break
out on his skin and the person who has been
thus deprived of light becomes langaid and fire.
quently dropsical. .r . H = ~
Ifese facts then show us that the sick room
should be well lighted, and exposed to the rays
of the sun, so that the great luminary of the
day may dispel the dampness and humidity
which ore evolved from various causes in the
sick room thereby giving it that cheerfunless
which can in no other way be supplied. The
bright warm rays Of the sun are the best enliv
eners that we have for all occasions am well
aware that this is disputed point in physio-
Logical Mat. Med, and that able pens have
written let there be da rltuess in the sick ROOM
and that the practice has accorded with the pre-
cept from olden times But Notwithstanding
this injunction, until room shut out from the
congenial influence of the light of the sun is as
pleasant, healthfIl and inviting to me, or any
one else, except he is Of the evil one, exposed to
its healing beams of Light and warmth. it
seems but just, Ond right to say and think that
they are wrong in thus excluding his daily visits
from the chamber Of sickness.
Some may say that, If the light of dav be ad-
mltted 1t will be source of much uneasiness
and distress TO the patient; and that it will de-
priye the patient Of much sleep that will be
beneficial. Granted, if il be permitted to fall
directly on him, in many cases, especially where
the trouble is in or about the head. But who
would be worthy to have the charge of any ones
life aud health that could readily remove all
cause of just alarm from this source by shielding
and shading the couch, and still enjoying all of
the saiubrity of sunshine in the room? But
must hasten to its therapeuticaI effects.
The Therayeutical uses of light are easily de
ducible from the physiological influences yet,
to strengthen its chance for investigation, will
iust appeal to some of the highest authorities
that wc have upon the subject.
"Madcai men have always noticed that dis
eases of all kinis, from the most trifling tooth
ache, qninsy or rheumatism, to the severest at
tack of fever, scTofu!a or consumption, are
much less manageable in low, dark apartments.
And it is nOt0rious Lhat, during the prevalence
OF ppidrmics, as the cholera, tn, sha ded side of
narrow street invariably exhibits th4 greatest
cato Of fatal cases."--I z. I. Trai.L 1.-The
observation Of Dr.. Edwards on the inlhlea,ce of
light a promoting the perfect development of
| animals, ted him to conclude that, in climates
where nudity is not Incompatible with heath,
exposure of the whole surface Of the body to
light is ftcorahie to The regular conformation OF
the body; and he has therefore, suggested isct
ton ia tte open air as a means caictlated to
restore healthy confirmation in scrofulous chill
drcn whose deviations of form are not incura-
bic" " As ia bright soiar light we feel more
active, cheerful and happy, while obscnriiy and
darkness give rise to looinv aud depressed con-
ditons Of miud, so we employ isolation in the
in the open air as a mental stimulus in meau-
choIy, iowuass OF spirits and desponden y, -
And also - in maladies characterize by imper-
feet nutrition and saRgrfcation, aS scrofuia,
rickets and anTmia, AMI in weakly subject
with glemaious limbs, &c, free exposure to
sOiar light is sometimes attended with very
happy effects. .'--Periera.
II seems, them that it is no Idle fancy Of the
Imagination, but the effort Of natural causes.
which can be overcome, in part, only by light
ing the sick room, TO say that as the Wild
beasts start from their lair at the irs shallow OF
nighl(ai across the mountain brow, So disease
with all lis fore. holds reign until the first
! beam of morning fight strikes upon the lstticed
| window of the sick mans chamber. Thea its
mad ragings begin 10 abatc. and steep. thar
sweet sovereign balm. dispels the sorrows of
/ the king of night with its kind embrace. Of,
| ten in deep anxiery have | wished it could be
/ all day to my weary patient, until the dread Of
| the darkness Of night could b. disprlIed from his
aching brow, until the means in use could aid
! the restorative powers of nature TO overcome
| the disturbance she was laboring under. Then
do not turn day into night in the sick room.
by excluding the light, without considering well
| its banelul Effects, and the advantages hoped Ia
be derived from the same, lest you may be paned
to hear, i'll the agonies of DEATH your unfortu-
nate patient cry out as did Goethe with his
last breath '' Let the light euterr"
/ Phillips, Me. p. -.