Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-04-12
Keep your Mouth shut.

It y well established Sect in hygiene
that great many of the complaintsto which
these poor carcasses of ours are subject, or
at any rate which we have to endure,
are brought on or excited by inhalation,
drawing in the poisonous miasma of tue
atmosphere by the wretched habit of keep
ing the mouth open. Nature Intended the
mouth as the receptacle for food, to be
kept closely shut except for mastlcatng Puf-
,,,osas or as an outlet for the voice; it never
mos intended to be used as 4 bellows, II so
of what usc is q nose on 4 mans lace. The
formation of the latter named article shows
clearly the uses for which it was to be APP
piled, in its peculiar adaptability to tie
human face divine, and we outrage all laws
of nature, besides doing ourselves 1ncalcu-
liable injury, by thus forcing one organ of
Our system to perform the functions OF an
other. There is q vast deal OF wisdom IN a
closed and silent mouth, and the advice
contained i'll the text of this article Is as
applicable now to the political condition OF
the Southern people as it is il regard 10
diseases of the body.
Our condition as q people IS indeed de-
plorable we have suffered al the horrors
of war and pestileuce, and now Gaunt
famine stalks throughout the land and
withers up the very springs OF lie. Our
political condition, too, the sudden ana
radical change that has been made III our
habits and mode of life, the upturnlng OF
society as it we're from its very foltnda-
tons, calls for the exercise Of tho utmost
patience and sGlf-dcnlal.
Taking into consideration the peculiar
organization of Southern society, our nab
its of life, education and associations, We
doubt if any people have ever suffered rs
keenly, or been compelled to feel more
acuteIy the bitter consequences OF failure
than we have. It is Il marvel TO us that
we have not followed the advice given by
.:ob's wife, to the bilious and suffering pa
triarch, to securse God and die By the
way, that woman was q trump, we have al
ways admired her candor and Straight for
wardness in speaking out hor thoughts, and
have felt disposed to lock with ienlency
upon her violent cbuIlition Of temper, for
she must have had hard fine 81 II with
old Job and his boiles.
To is wonderful ~e repeat, bow web our
people have borne Themselves under the
terrible caIamitie6 they have been called
upon to endure Still there is room toI
improvement III many ways. 1t does ut
good to attempt to kick against the prlcks
there is no earthly use i'll arguing questions
of national policy with Il hostile and over
wbelming majority against us: 1t but adds
fuel to the flame. Let us keep our mouths
shut; what right have VIC poor devils tt
an opinion. or rather the expression Of one
It NAV be difficult to curb that unrnly
member, and we know from experience
that it is, but time and philosophy will worl
wonders. Keep tbs mouth shut, and ;
bride on the tongue, aud We will escape
many troubles and annoyancce. Give tul
swing to the Imagination, if SO disposed
and revel te safety III the realms Of fancy
or like the Owl IN the table, keep up
ssdevil of q thinking" but be careful no
to think aloud. In plain English, keep you
mouth shut, by doing which you may cs
cape disease TO the natural BODY, and cal
certainly do no injury to the body polite