Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-01-17
Written for the Yorkyille Enquirer.
"LaBoRDE's INTRODUCTION TO
DIIVSTnT nCtvo

To render n work on Physiology useful to the
general reader it must afford birds eye view of the
entire human organization, as compared with the
present such details of the peculiar conformation Of
mankind as will be readily understood. In these
respects DR.. LaBorde has succeeded beyond what
could have been anticipated in so limited space,
md has truly given US "nnultum in parvo." He has
generalizcd without becoming obscure and has par
ticuarized without running too much into minutie.
On points practical interest he has written with
freedom, and has displayed much judgment in the
expression Of his opinions on hygiene, while many
appropriate suggestions are made with view to
correct the erroneous customs and habits Of our peo
pie. The prophylactic regimen would do much to
obviate disease and it would be well for the health
of ladies especially if the views Of our author were
adopted and acted upon. But the progress of knowl
edge in all other departments seems to be in in
verse ratio with the precautions as to health; and
while the mind is stimulated to great attainments
the taste is vtiated the appetite depraved and the
body left to suffer the consequences. All the refine
ments of Dress all the lu1uries of the table, oil the
gayetics of the fashionable midnight throng bring
until it is too late to arrest them.
When We consider the irregular and unnatural
course Of life amongst many Of the higher class of
people at the present day, it is not susprsing that
diseases have increased and that inyalids are more
numerous. Habit will do much to accommodate the
human organization to any particular mode of living,
and we know that even articles of poison are used
in small portions at first and gradually increased,
until the system demands their continuance and can
not dispense with the accustomed allowance without
the most painful results. But this cannot be urged
in justification of the practice, as the organization
would have been in O much more favorable state
without the influence of such drugs originally, and
is in an abnormal condition, forced state while
der their influence. 's.s
Thus it seems that adherence to an improper
habit does not exempt entirely from its consequent
ces, and when it is broken in upon or interrupted
disastrous effects ensue. How then can we expect
those ordinary habits of man which appertain to his
very existence and relations to Others to be viola
penalties to the violation of Natures laws and
those who trespass must abide the Consequences
While man is fitted to undergo mental and physical
efforts it is designed that his mind should at GER
tain times, have reposc, and his body have rest
While food gives nourshment, and clothes impart
protection, there are ways in which either may be
rendered hurtfu, and, instead of comforts, become
sources of pain and disease
These points arc presented by DR.. LaBorde in such
way as to impress the reader with their import
ance, and no one can peruse the chapters in which
the laws of health arc discussed without feeling that
the regime under which we exist is more unfavorabe
to proper Development of the powers of man and
woman.
The "conditions of healthy nervous action arc
an originally sound constitution of the brain due
supply of arterial blood, and proper exercise OF
the brain and nervous system. AS the last element
is most under our control it is specially con-
sidered The exercise of either body mind is ad-
vantageous within proper limits, thus illustrating the
intimate relations of the corporea and mental pow
ers And our author justly remarks that "lt is well
to remember that man is constituted not OF one organ
but of several; that each is endowed with its own
peculiar functions that they ore united by the most
intimate sympathes and relations, and that the
health of one depends upon the health Of the Others
'They act and react upon each other, giving and re-
ceiving aid in the common struggle of life against
disease and death"
In consequence of the reciprocal influence of body
and mind, the author infers that 'the mind should
not be heavily exercised Immediately after meal
and he points out the importance ofregular exercise
of the brin but does not undertake to decide with
defnitencss the mooted point as to the particular
time of day or night when the mental energies ore
most efficient.
The conditions necessary for perfect digestion are,
nm adequate supply of gastric juice, steady tenn
peraturc of 0So or 1909 Farh, and gentle contin-
ued agitation of the alimentary mass in the stom-
ach. The first effect is the production of Chyne
from that part of the food which is in contact with
tho gastric juice; this passes from the stomach, as