Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-22
TRAVELLING FOR PLEASURE.
MEDICALLY.

In the last number of the Boston Medical
Void we find some suggestive hints on this
subject, the pith of which We will endeavor to
give in a few lines:
The writer thinks that in our country there
is much much travel, ostensibly for health,
where, in his opinion, the injury far surpasses
the gain. Inexorable Fashion says, we must
go from home in the dog days; and in obedi-
ence to her mandate, there is rush in all our
cities and towns, from the metropolis down to
the smallest village, to the place where this
goddess specially presides. This is the
season when the quiet and comfort of home
are the most heathful and necessary. But, in
stead of this, we find people determined to ex
change the large, airy, brick-walled rooms of
the towns, the cool mattresses and fine linen,
for the heating cotton, greasy feathers and dir
ty sheets of tavern, or pent-up village, or
watering place, hotel or boarding house.
But who asks the Doctor, could live through
a hot Summer without visiting Nahant, New
port, Saratoga, or Niagara? He does not de-
ny them an occasional trip to such places, but
protests against taking the hottest season to
make these visits with the expectation Of
sually taken, he says, the organs of digestion
are least able to discharge their Junction.
They sympathize with all the other parts of
the body, and, like them, require rest, and, he
asks, is this the time to leave the frugal, whole
some fare at home, and rush to the gathering
places, where every board groans with its life
killing feasts, and where the luxuries provid-
ed and the exciting presence and example of
hundreds of mouths, eager to reward the purse
at the expense of the stomach, render it next
to impossible to obey the laws of health p
Where, besides, this poor pack horse, this
groaning organ, is teased with mineral waters,
wines, bitters, pills, tobacco juice and tobac-
CO fumes, to ease itself of its cumbersome
burdens.
DIR. Smith maintains that there is nothing
more delusive than the generally received i'm
preston that peopleere growing better, be-
cause as they suppose, they are gaining flesh.
Under the spasmodic action of this parapher-
MALTA of stimulants, there is often an appear
ance OF more flesh. But it is diseased, not
sound, healthy flesh. For every pound of
| such, nature will be revcnged.
Hence it is, the Doctor argues, that most
persons soon after q return from SuCn laSnlon-
able gathering places, have an attack of dis
pepsia, biliousness, sick headache, pulmona-
ry affection, or cutaneous eruption. These a
buses, occurring periodically, undermine the
best constitution.
Taking children to such places the writer
denounces as the very consummation of folly.
More than half the so-called diseases of the
season and the death of children which Occur
in August and September, arise, he says, from
this fashionable dissipation. No place is so
good for children, if you wish them to live, as
quiet home. But take them to places of
fashionable resort, and stuff them with tempt
! ing viands, gravies, puddings and pastries, is
to cheat them out of two of the best things in
the world-a good conscience and good sto-
mach.