Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-12-06
The Law OF Longevity,

Longevity" In this essay some new
and, if true, very important views were
presented. This gentleman has devoted
special attention for many years to
physiology in its bearings upon the
the changes and increase of population,
and is the author of several pamphlets
upon this and kindred subjects, which
have attracted much attention.
He maintains that nature has estab
lished a great law of increase, which
applies not only to the human race, but
prevails with modified conditions
throughout the whole animal and vege
table kingdom. This law is based in
physiology upon the perfectionism of
structure and harmony of function, or,
in other words, that every organ in the
system should be perfect in its struc-
ture, and that all should perform fully
their respective functions in harmony
with each other. Upon this same basis
or foundation DIR. Allen places the law
of longevity, and in the paper referred
to adduced many striking facts and ar
guments in its favor, of which we can
give only brief synopsis. The exist
ence of such law is supported by all
the well-known truths in Physiology
and Pathology. Every change from
normal to an abnormal state, or in the
prevention and cure of disease, affords
evidence of such law.
The prerequisites to, or necessary
conditions of longevity, DR.. Allen dis
cussed under three heads first, sound
constitution; second, laws of inheri-
lance, and third, obedience to the laws
of hygiene. In order to secure good
health and long life, a sound and we'll
balanced physical organization is found
indispensable. But where is our guide
or standard to test this soundness or
balance? We have only approximations
towards this standard, and q great
diversity of opinions respecting them,
because there is no universal type or
perfect model upon which to base our
judgments.
In some respects the human body, in
its normal state, may be compared to a
perfect machine made of many COM
plicated parts. How different the
working or running of such machine
from that of one imperfectly construct
ed and unequally, balanced? The one
seldom needs repairs the other, fire.
quently. 1t is so in referance to the
body. Whenever a certain organ or
class of organs are relatively too large
or too small, or are exercised too much
or not enough, causing want of har-
mony in their action, there must be
greater liability to disease. How often
it happens that some slight derange-
ment or trifing weakness operates as
an entering wedge to the most serious
and dangerous diseases Hence the
importance of a sound and we'll
balanced constitution, and the nearer
the approximation can be made to it
the better. This is indispensable, not
only for good health, but for long life.
But such q constitution can be secured
only from long-lived ancestry. This
accords with universal experience, as
well as with all the principles of physi-
ology. If we apply the well-known
law, that "like begets like" to the
healthiest families found, and observe
it through several generations, the re-
suit will be, that we obtain very sound
and healthy constitutions.
Longevity is not dependent so much
upon climate or food or employment as
upon the physical organization itself.
1t is true these have q powerful infu-
ence upon health, but they are second
airy agents. The general law exists in
the body, and not outside. The laws
of inheritance are part of it so are
the principles of hygiene. 1t is not a
mere theory or speculative hypothesis,
but can be easily comprehended and
applied. There is one place where it
can be made of incalculable value, viz. +,
in the matter of life insurance. 1t fur
nishes the medical examiner standard
of organization of which the constitu-
ton of all persons applying for life in
surance can be compared, enabling him
to judge very correctly what are the de-
viations from the normal standard /;
then, what are the liabilities to disease,
and what are the probabilities of long
life?
It points out the true sources and
means of health and life, and that there
is no chance or mystery in them. 1t
shows that all the changes that occur
in the human system are governed by
law that disease of whatever charac-
ter, or wherever found, is q violation of
law. and all treatment, whether pro
vided by Nature or not, must be viewed
as an agent to repair the injury. To
describe all the various ways in which
this law of longevity may be practically
applied, would require, said the writer,
volume. The closing paragraph of
this paper was as follows It expounds
correctly the great laws of inheritance
which furnish the groundwork-the
prerequisite, for good health and long
life. 1t teaches the absolute necessity
in the outset of possessing a sound
constitutions we'll balanced organiza-
ton. 1t shows the relation and i'm
portance which human agency holds in
propogating sound and healthy stock.
1t presents constantly before us for
imitation that perfect standard and i'm
age in which man was created, together
with an embodiment of those laws and
conditions with which we must comply
in order to secure the greatest amount
OF happiness and the longest duration
of life. 1t teaches every individual
more clearly what are the peculiarities
and weaknesses of his own constitution,
as well as what are his particular dan
gers or liabilities to disease. It is this
exact, this definite and personal knowl-
edge that may be turned to the greatest
account in the preservation of health.
II every individual could thus be made
thoroughly acquainted with his own
| physiology, together with the laws of
hygiene in his own case, we should
soon see a most surprising diminution
of sickness as well as of early NOR
tality.