Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-05-18
Sun.Force and Brain Health.


Every entelligentpersons understands
the effect of cutting off the supply OF
sunlight from a plant, but very few are
aware how important srln-force is to
the subtle mechanism of brain and
nerve, and how terribly miscellaneous is
the result of a life too exclusively con-
fined to houses, shops and stores
Recent science has brought to light
a series of intensely interesting and ex-
tremely significant facts i'm regard to
the action of the brain, and the invarl-
able connection of this action with the
working of the mind, and has also
ahcwr that brain action is largely de-
termined nv the Influences, direct and
indirect, of sun-force. Professor Tyn-
dali has lately expressed the extreme
view of this when he SAYS that the adj
vocates of natural evolution, or many
of them, "would probably assent to
the position that at the present mo-
ment all their philosopy, all our peo'
try, all our science and all our art
Plato, Shakespeare, Newton and Raph-
ael-are potential in the fires of the
sun" We may pronounce this extreme
notion monstrous, as Professor Iyndail
does. bnt the most conclusive results OF
scientific inquiry put it beyond all
doubt that the force OF the suns intiu-
ence plays a chief part i'll sustaining
the life of the brain, and is too i'm
portant to brain health to be neglected
without fatal peril.
The almost miraculous play of the
al 1f tl,n l,r.;,, ,ul, oh nnnEtl
tutes 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 af-
fects Of ignorance became manifest IN
complete or partial breakdown OF the
mind. At this moment all civilized
communities, where a high spirit of en-
terprise has long prevailed, are suffer
ing to a most serious, not to say terri
BILE, extent from brain deterioratian,
the result of working the brain too
hard, and Of cutting it off from yivify
ing influence of the sun.
We need not enlarge upon the facts
to which study of this subject bears
testimony. 1t is more to our purpose
here to point out the practical necessl-
ty, for our men and women who have
chiefly indoor life, especially if that
life be one which taxes the brain, of
special attention to feeding the brain
with sun force, or bathing the brain
in the solar influences. And we believe
practical experience warrants the state
ment 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 fresh
est air and the closest contact of the
feet with the kindly magnetism Of the
earth The fact is that garden is as
much Eden now as ever it was, and
that work in garden, rightly engaged
i'll, is the surest safeguard to one who
needs to take special care Of the health
of the brain. Days in spring when we
have a fresh east wind, warm sun,
and the soil alive with the new intlu-
ences of the season, ought consclentl-
oasly to be improved bypeople of over
taxed brains, to whom the exercise and
exposure we speak of would be farmore
useful than amy vacation from labor IN
can be. Thirty days at
this season of the year, iudiciously de
voted to putting body and brain undet
her influences of sun, and soil, and
air, would do more to renew brain
power than all other means together
can do.
Perhaps some of our readers can
command time for holding such a
protracted meeting with Nature and
Natures Author, to reinvigorate body
and soul for the burden and labor of
the years work but it is practicable
for most persons to devise their way of
life SO as to get ont into the sun for
some moderate exercise, and let earth
and sun have their kindly play of sub
tie forces through the jaded system.
Cities hardly admit of it, and for this
reason brain-workers should avoid cities
as they would a 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 o'clock does not find such workers
out in the country, as rule, sixty will
find them fit, or nearly lit, for the in
sane retreat.
In the country any bit of ut-of-doors
may be made the basis of that keeping
of a garden which has so much prom
Use in it for the wearled worker The
more pleasure which can be devised,
by creating beauty, and cultivating an
interest in plant and flower and tree,
which comes with personal care, the
better; but most persons, if they will
only turn themselves out for this pur-
pose, wall 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 let the amnteur in hOrticnlInrn