West-Jersey pioneer., 1866-03-17
SUNSHINE. /"

BY the use of this term we do not mean
merely sunlight, but the direct rays or shine
of the sun. Mankind are dying for the want
of it. We build our houses, to be sure, with
world of windows, bnt they are chiefly put in
to make handsome display outside. We are
careful to curtain them inside and blind them
outside, so as to shut oHt the precious rays of
the sun, it is good argument in favor of cur
tains and blinds, that if the light be let in too
strongly it will fade the carpet. So far as
carpets are concerned this is true, as they are
generally made, but can we have no colors in
carpets which the light will not seriously eff
feet Ifcarpets fade by letting the light in,
there is another thing that fades by keeping
the light out, viz, the human being. On the
shady side of the street, the hospital and pri-
son, cholera, scrofula, bilious complaints and
nervous diseases are more frequent and fatal
than on the sunny side. We advise everybody
to live on the sunny side of their houses. The
room in which the family spends most of its
time should be on the side where the sun can
find it's way into it, Let the parlor, if it be
seldom used, be on the shady side. We OBJ
serve that there is not a cottager SO ignorant
that will not set her plants, if she have taste
enough to grow them, in the East window in
the morning, and at noon carry them to the
South window, and in the afternoon to the
West window. But perhaps she is careful to
keep her children in the shade, and her pre-
cious self, SO far as possible, out of the rays of
the sun. The plants, in obedience to natural
law, are kept healthy, while the children and
mother, being kept in the shade, suffer in con-
sequence.
Light is beginning to be considered a great
curative agent, aud we apprehend that the
time is not far distant when there will be sun
baths, corridors with glass roofs will be SO ad-
justed that persons can properly remove their
clothing and take bath in the sun for an
hour or two, much to the improvement of their
health. The chief advantage Of going to the
country is to get into the sunshine, and to be
in the pure breezes. If we desired merely to
keep cool, we should stay in the shady city,
People talk of hot walls and burning pave
ments; it is much hotter in the country, for
| the breeze that plays there IN midday brings
only heated air in from outdoors. But in the
city the breeze brings air in from the shady
| side of the street, and the lower rooms of a
city house are consequently much cooler in
| midday than the exposed houses of the
country
! Our soldiers, who are able to bear the labor
and fatigue of war, are invigorated By the out
| door life they lived. We know young man
| in New York who came back from the war and
resumed his former occupation of book keep
ing, and lost thirty pounds weight in six weeks.
| 1t would do him good to be farmer.
Parents dan do nothing better than to put
them on farm for three or four summers, and
| let the sun bathe them the live-long day. They
will, by such a life, grow rapidly. and become
tough, brawny, and broad, We have seen this
tried to the highest advantage in more than
| one instance under our advice. A
Our attention has recently been called to
this subject by series of articles in the Neu
Jerusalem Messenger, by DR.. John Ellis. We
commend the subject to other physicians, to
preachers, teachers, and parents. Be not
afraid of sunshine.-Phren. Jour.