Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-09-15
Natural Causes of Death.

From the commencement of life to the moment of death, there are mechanical and chemical changes constantly and un- interruptedly going on in our bodies. For example, we eat and drink for the express purpose of providing, materials for re. pairing the waste of matter resulting from the working of the machinery. A soft oily fluid is poured into an axle box of a car wheel to prevent it from wearing away the metal. Our bones are all frequently renewed, as we'll us our flesh, from infan- cy to age; but not in day or an hour, Nature acts consistently, but accomplishes nothing by spasmodic efforts.
 As soon as particle of lime which was held in solution in food is placed in the stomach, it is carried to the heart by ap- propriate vessels and from thence carried into artery to be distributed to point where most needed in some bone. Then the little particlei is deposited, and becomes incorporated with the substance of the hard structure where it was left. It be- comes vitalized.in its new connection. An old particle, or as it were, an Q|d brick, is detached from the wall to giv6 place to a new one It is carried out of the body as useless matter, as its vitality has been ox- pended So particles are pefpetually changing places. This is vigorous life and health so long as this process is regu- larly performed.
 In the lapse of time the vital artisans, such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, stomach, etc, are weary of years of inccs- sant toll, and fail e act with that system atic activity ch(racteristic of younger days. By this laxing new particles are not sent forwardof enough, nor are the etfete ones removed quickly, and conse- quently there is aneohanical ircgularity, and chemical onekp Thus we wear away; and finally d old age. When disease sets in, it mz sudden clcg of the wheels, as it were. The vital action by which life and consciousness IS maintained cannot be suspended but moment at forthcst, without the hazard of death. When man is drowned the machine stops If however, certain measures are quickly adopted, provided respiration has been suspended but few minutes, life may possibly be recalled. That is, the heart may be urged into contraction and the lungs oLce more commence filling and eollapsing.
 When there arc no violations of the vital laws great longevity is attainable. Few, however, are so careful and discreet as not to trespass upon themselves in some form, the penalty of which is sickness, suffering aud premature death.
 Whales, sharks, and some few of the land animals whose food is invariably easy of digestion, and whose habits, regulated by instinct, are unchangeable as nature herself. live to immensely long periods. It is tho opinion of some naturalists that the white whale of the Artic regions may reach the patriarchal age of a thousand years. Sharks, whose skeletons are not bones, but flexible cartaliginious levers, are also supposed to continue several cen- turies, if not destroyed by enemies.
 Notwithstanding the universal desire for life, which is instinctive, we thought lessly hasten the approach of the very calamity VIC So much dread. With all the light of modern science, in an age, too, remarkable for intelligence, We pursue practices daily which we know to be de- struciive to life. Each thinks himself re- moved from the danger which threatens others and acting upon the idea that all others are mortal but ourselves, we at last fall, as generations have before us, to be remembered no more forever.
 Youth may reach three score and ten by simply conforming to those natural laws which give health and happiness A deviation is perilous hence it behooves those who love life to shun every influence which ightinterfere with the enjoyment of the most valuable of all blessings--a sound body and a clear mind.
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