Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-05-19
The Study Of Physiology.

While seeking to impress upon the
minds of the masses the absolute neces-
sity, for their better business manage
ment, Of a fair knowledge of political
economy, there is another branch Of in
formation which the journalist who de-
sires to be useful should not forget.
In surveying the condition of life that
falls to the lot Of fnine-tenths of the worlds
inhabitants, nothing strikes the humane
observer more painful than the wOeful
ignorance manifested in the matters of
food, clothing, ventilation, and physic-
al habits.
Wisely it has been written, in refer
ing to the physical constitution of man,
that 1--WE are fearfully and wonderfully
made;n and yet, how astonishing is the
neglect visible on every hand, in the
treatment of that eXquisitely delicate
machinery, the human system. The
very same intelligent man who would
not dream of exposing the works of his
watch to clouds of dust or draUghts of
damp air, will never think of protecting
his own eyes, nOstrils and skin from the
same dangerous action. He will set, at
one moment, amid intense, sweltering
heat, in close apartments, to which not
a breath Of pure air can penetrate, and,
the next, run out, with every pore open,
to face the rain strOm or the WintTy
blast.
Probably three-fourths, or more, OfaU
the physical ills that flesh is heir to, are
brought upon the multitude by their ig-
nOrant recklessness in this respect.
Ventilation seems to be the one chief
matter constantly neglected. Our close
offices, crowded and sitting hot church.
es, halls and theatTeT; our stuffy cars and
stages, and, too often, our OveT-heated
and air exhausted dwellings, annually
hasten the progress Of thousands to the
grave. Men and woman, otherwise sane,
will sit, hour after hour, breathing put
rid compound, and up of the refuse of
each others skin and lungs; or roast the
livelOng day over q fiery, gas-fuming
stove and yet go home wondering what
gives them "such a headache, 'Only to
repeat the dose of poison in their own
rooms, and in the morning send for
doctor to cure them of some malignant
fever.
Here is an individual who is constant
ly grOaning over his dyspepsia. Watch
him for a day. Rising late in the morn
ing, he performs his ablutiOns with the
least quantity of fresh water he can pre-
tend to wash his face and hands in; then,
instead of taking q whiff of fresh air out
side, he cuddles up to the fireplace or
stove, usually the latter until called to
breakfast. Summoned to his morning
meal, he hastily swallows half pound
OfhOt bread, or half-baked cakes, with
some mOuthfUls of heavy, richly-saUc-
ed meat, and gulps two or three cups of
strong tea or coffee nearly at the boiling
point. Then, before the digestive pro-
cess has even begun, and while nature
for oil tho 1.-Two bie yr-o etod Cro-o
can furnish, to lubricate the mass OffOOd, /
and cOunteTact the insidiOus stimUlent,
he must have his cigar. Then, away to
his hot Office; in q car; then, the arm
chair; again the choking clOseness; an /
other cigar; mass Of pastry for lunch
con; perhaps ga nip' or two of ardent
spirits; cigars once more; the cars home; |
the heavy hot supper; the theatre, or the
shUt-in paTlOT; more prOvendeT, late at
night; another cigar, and bed.
Now, who can wonder at the mani
fold ailments, the premature badness or |
gray hairs, and the early death that wait
on men like these?
five descend lower, we find much the
same thing among the poorer classes, on |
ly that the food is cOaTseT, the tobacco
stronger and more constant, and the air
worse, with still fewer moments of rec
lEuLlOllY 6AlGll tlo IL IS luCIG Is llldIludl
exercise, to be sure, bUtnOt the right sort, |
for it is dull, mOnOtOnOus, hard labor, .
chiefly indoors. Of1cdtcr, let us not say /
a word.
Wanted, then, along with the politi- /
cal economist, instructors in our public /
who shall teach our folk of all /
how to keep house-the house /
of the body, which, ifsweet and clean, /
aired and properly nOurished, /
is the more likely to bo the taberanacle .
of q healthy mind.
Let us have few sound lectures on .
,aud we warrant it, there will /
be much less disease, mental and phys
ical; and, for that reason among the rest,
far less crime.
Pure air, fresh water, early hours, ,abun-
iant outdoor exercise, proper food,
and appropriate clothing, have a great
deal more to do with the progress and l.
of nations than pseudo
have been wont to imagine.