The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-25
The Preservation of Health.

tiod, SO far from proving beneficial, it
frequently does great harm. Injury is oc-
rasioned to development by taking riolent
exercise after hearty meal, because no nc.
t'on, no function can be performed withou,
blood. Wherever there is action, or func.
tlonai excitement, there blood is particularly
busy. For digestion, then, there must be
considerable circulation among the organs
OF nutrition, and food supplied to the stom.
Ach is natures signal for a rush of blood in
mat direction; but during violent exercise,
the principal flow of this life. giving fluid
IA at tte surface and cxtremities Of the sys-
tcm-being, by the energy Of action, drawn
away from the organs of nutrition to sup.
port and re.organize the active muscles
By indulging, therefore, in violent exercise
immediately after hearty meal, the neces.
ary quantity Of blood is attracted from tn.
full stomach, and a weakening of the pow
ers, IT not positive indigestion, is the inev.
cable consequence.
And here we see the error Of deep
thinking Immediately after hearty meal:
because the action Of the brain also weak
ems the digestive powers. No human or.
gans require for the performance of their
duties such abundant supply of blood as
the brain and the stomach. These orpans.
therefore, cannot work vigorously together.
1t Is scarcely possible to over-estimate the
discomfort which arises from inatlention to
these facts; and particularly during the
training Of the young. Those acquainted
with tho routine Of schools may call to
mind many instances which have not only
tended to njurc n' n'al and boldly deve.
opment, but which have given rise to posi-
tive injustice and much unmcrited unhap.
piness. Neither deep thought. then, nor
violent exercise, should be permitted direct
~ after partaking largely of substantial
food. Mirth and conversation are the best
medicines for mind and body at that period
Laughter says Professor uufeland, is one
OF the greatest helps to digestion with
Which | am acquainted; and the custom.
prevalent amongst our forefathers, of ex.
citing it at the table by testers and buffoons,
was in accordance with true medical prin.
ciples.' 'Endeavor,' he adds,
ito have cheerful companions a, your meals
What nourishmcnt ono receives amidst
mirth and iollity will certainly produce
good and light blood"
But not "mirth and jollity' alone, but
happiness Of every kind cpnduces to health
1t may be received as an established fact in
physiology, that every pleasure which does
not tend to pain. e. every lawful and
moral pleasures improving to the system.
The very following after health is following
after lawful pleasure: and if, during the
pursuit, a pain of any kind attack mans
constitution, it should he regarded as hint
from nature that he is departing from the
right way"
Nature being perfect, the cause Of trou-
bles must not be sought for in her, but in
our infringe,nents Of her laws. She has
her source in God. 1t is God himself
from whom emanatcs laws for the health
and happiness of male and female; and
every pain which aff1icts humanity is a
proof that these laws have been infringed.
Let us cease, then, to speak of iII-heaI,h as
natural. The great ma iority who talk so
do not think, and therefore are simply guilty
OF not thinking but should there be one
who would deliberately and reflectvely
speak Of sickness, or ailments Of any kind.
as natural, lie: him well consider what he
charges against God: either that he is in
capable OF making perfect laws, or that in
his office Of Lawgiver he is careless and in
different, or that he wills the unhappincss
OF his creatures. In word, to speak of
ill-health as NATURAL is. ignorantly or de.
signedly, to utter bIasphemy."
With regaad to ill-healrh being natural
it may be thus argued. The Creator either
is, or is not, capable Of making laws for
mankind's perfect mental ana bodily deve.
opment; in other words, laws. by following
which mankind may Le kept free from
mental and bodily disease. If we say he is
not capable, we utter blasphemy; but, Of
course, no human being. worthy of the
name, doubts that lie, to whom all things
are possible is capable, and ,0as capable,
at the period of the worlds creation.
The question tlen arises, has he, being
capable of making laws, by following which
mankind may be kept free from mental and
bodily disease, done so, or not2 Was it
His design, 'in the beginning that however
man acted, whether well or i'll, whether as
sinner or moi, lie should su6cr-suff.rinp
should be natural to him-stould Le his
fixed, natural law This is the extreme Of
blasphemy. 1t is making the perfec. and
all-loving God crue! and unjust-a designer
of evil. II turning the Book Of Truth iuto
lie-the sacred volume affirming that
God. when he surveyed his work Of cres
ton. saw that 'everyth;ng' (man's body
mans mind, mans freedom Of thought and
,action-the natural laws-'EvERYrH1Na0
was very good God not. then, in the be.
ginning SO constitute his laws that i'll.
health should he natural, produced or affee.
ted by the laws of growth. formation, or
motion, impressed on bodies or beings by
!" Divine Power Nor can it be looked
upon as such without, to say the least, n-
curing the danger of serious error.
, And If it be an error to speak of IT,.
health as natural. it is equally an error to
speak Of any kind Of death as natural, save
death arising from old age. Science, phioso-
sphy. and inspiration, all point to this
opinion; and the greater the advances
made by science and true philosophy, tho
greater will be the flood of light which
shall illuminate the inquiring mind Willis
Aobeyibg The sacred mandate, Search the