, 1874-09-06
BOW 70 LIVE ONE HUNDRED YEARs

H0W 70 LIVE ONE HUNDRED YEARs. ~
It has been said that the human frame n 4 =
machine, is perfect; that it bears no marx.
| within it by which wo could predict its decsy:
that it is apparently calculated to so On fo1syer
and that only by experience hnvo ne leazned
that it will not do so. 4 French wsiter h.1
tersely remarked that, usually, men do not de-
they kill themselves. There is crest del Ct
truth in this latter, and there Ii great dcal ot
encouragement in tho former saying. That out
organism is SO perfect that the seeds Of deca7
are not observable within it, affords ground ful
hope that rnan may add to tho average nunbz
Of his years. And this is rendered all the mos,
probable az it ia we'll established TINT the ays,.
age Of human life Is longer by very conaiue1shls
fraction than it was century ago. An English !:
physician has lately published work On tha
means Of profonging life after middle ase i.
common With great many Of his profession,
l1r. Gardner. the physician referred to, seems ID
believe in the possibility Of mnn's adding to his
years. Flourens has formulated the Law OF
natural organic life, and claimed that it ID
capable OF extension to five times ths !:
period Of growth. Assuming this law to:
bo true, mans natural years should be from 90 tu
los. Dr.. Gardner appears to have fully coincided
with Flourens- Reasoning from the analogy at
aneathetlcs. be seos no cause to despair OF t1s
discovery ultimately Of genuins elizir taa;==
Meanwhile, be would pro1ong tho reign Of yoHtb
by tranquility Of mind, sobriety, and Uniform
temperature He would have no one fre. Q,
worry. Dr. Dnncnn Gibbs, who has H1ittenS
work on the physical condition Of centenarisns,
and who had personally examined gi1 perscns
over 100 years Of age, confirms Dr. Gs.dneta
views, in this latter respect ut 1eaas.:
In all Elk, Dr.. Gibbs found the lungz
perfectly whole, also tho heart. All six bud
good "bellows-powe1." as evidenced BY tho firm
ness, sonorousnesa, and clearness OF the Toica
In each tho cartilage ut the top Of the windpipa
was in . vertical position. The skin was in each
instance tough aud silrery. There was no cass
Of enlarged or fatty heart. Tho digestion NJ
perfect, and 60 uas the ca1mness Of mind 1ht:
bodily senses and mental faculties wcro untfn'
paired. Drs. Gardner mud Gibbs agreed that
climate Was unimportant as regards lonsasitE
When bordering On old ago, the sdsies,,
given ia to stay at home, to. keep
WARM, to have pleasant occupation, to take prop9,
exercise and dict, to avoid starch Of potato, mals
liquor, and cheese. Dr.. Gardner would IN:
dcrtake to lay down rules by observing vh!eh
T. + -f.~f.
task is m impossible one; and Yct his adEicen :,
not wholly to be dieregarded. It may, If sc1u.4 ]
pulopaly followed out, mako centenarikn
OF Us oil, which perhaps would bs T. /
great misfortune for the world; but"t
will be calculated to make se1agenariaps Of
these who might havo died IN their thistta
or forties. II a man would add to lis yeals let
him take caro- Of his lungs by properly e1escis.
ing them, Of his heart by avoiding all undue e.
citcment, Of his brain by cultivat;ng tranquility
Let him DO temperate and pay proper regasa {
to tho cleanliness and Temperature OF his PsT. {
son, and he will have done more for himself TIM
d doctor and the. whole pharz1ncopgla can d. :
II Lo will do all this, some future Dr.: 0ioes !
may find hin, at tho nge Of 100 or tberss !
bouts, with lungs and heart perfectly Tho!f I
with good " helowe-Fo0cr," firm, clear, 80 /
eororous voice, with tough and eilvery skim 10 :
the cartilage at the top Of Ills wiudppe in a{e1r
cal position, and with his senses aud his facufsa
Us keen as those Of man in his prime-Tith hi :
children and lis chiIdrcn's children around hfo s
Virtue il tho basia of longevity as OF indisadaa
nrQsperitY and NATIONAL greatness.