Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-05-18

Every intelligent person understands
the effect Of cutting off the supply of SUM-
light from plant, but very few are aware
how important sun force is to the subtle
mechanism of brain and nerve, and how
terribly mischievous is the result of life
too exclusively confined to houses, shops
and stores.
Recent science has brought to light a
series of intensely interesting and extreme
ly significant facts in regard to the action
of the brain, and the invariable connec-
ton Of this action with the working of
mind, and has also shown that brain action
is largely determined by the influences, di-
rect and indirect, Of sun-force Professor
TyDdall has lately expressed the extreme
view of this when he says that the advo-
Gates of natural evolution, or many of
them, would probably assent to the posi-
ton that at the present moment ali our
philosophy, all our poetry, all our science
and all our art-Plato, Shakespeare, New
ton and Rsphael-are potential in the fires
of the sum" We may pronounce this ex-
treme notion monstrous, as Professor Tyn.
dali does, but the most conclusive results
of scientific inquiry put it beyond all
doubt that the force of the suns influence
plays chief part in sustaining the life
of the brain, and is too important to
brain health to be neglected without fatal
peril.
The almost miraculous play of the par
ticles Of the brain, which constitutes the
life and action of that organ, is very little
understood, except by scientists and those
who pay special attention to science. 1t
goes on i'll or well, and no heed is paid to
causes which affect it, until perhaps the
effects of ignorance become manifest in
complete or partial breakdown of the
mind At this moment all civilized COM
munities, where high spirit Of enterprise
has long prevailed, are suffering to most
serious, not to say terrible, extent from
min-deterioration, the result Of working
the brain too hard, and of cutting 1t off
from vivifying influences, chief among
which are the influences of the sun.
We need not enlarge upon the facts to
which study of this subject bears testi-
mony. 1t is more to our purpose here to
point out the practical necessity, for our
men and women who have a
chiefly indoor life, especially if
that life be one which taxes
the brain, of special attention to
feeding the brain with sun-force, or bath
ing the brain in the solar influences. And
we believe practical experience warrants
the statement that for anything like an
adequate result there should be an active
state Of the body, while in the sun bath,
and as much help as may be from the
freshest air and the closest contact of the
feet with the kindly magnetism Of the
earth. The fact is that the garden is as
much Eden now as ever it was, and that
work in garden, rightly engaged in, is
the surest safeguard to one who needs TO
take special care of the health Of the brain.
DAYS in spring when we have fresh east
wind, warm sun, and the soil alive with
the new influences of the season, ought
conscientiously TO be improved by people
of overtaxed brains, to whom the exercise
and exposure we speak of would be far
more useful than any vacation from labor
in midsummer can be. Thirty days at
this season of the year, judiciously devot-
ed to putting body and brain under the in.
fuences OF sum- and soil, and air, would
do more to renew brain power than all
other means together can do.
Perhaps some of our readers cannot
command time for holding such "pro-
tracted meeting" with Nature and Ma
lures Author, to reinvigorate body and
soul for the burden and labor of the years
work; but it is practicable for most per.
sons to devise their way Of life 80 rs to get
| out into the sun for some moderate exer.
else, and let earth and sun have their
kindly play Of subtle forces through the
faded system. Cities hardly admit of 10,
and for this reason brain workers should
avoid cities as they would Calcutta Hole.
| No work involving severe brain labor can
| long prosper in cities, except at the cost
of using up those engaged in it. If 9
O'Clock does not find such workers out in
the country, as rule, sixty will find
them fit, or nearly fit, for the insane re-
| treat
In the country any bit of out .ofdoors
may be made the basis Of that keeping Of
| garden which has SO much promise in n
| for the wearied worker. The more pleas
ure which can be devised, by creating
beauty, and cultivating an interest in plant
and flower tree, which comes with per
sonal care, the better; but most persons,
| if they will only turn themselves out for
| this purpose, will find interest enough. A
flower garden serves the purpose most
satisfactorily in most cases, and is more
practicable than any other labor Of the
kind Do not undertake too much; put
your wits to 1t as we'll as your hands, and
make as much Of it as you CAMS the ad-
vice which we believe can be followed
G.. ot.n Y,.J.