The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-01-15
The Law of Longevity.

Health Association, a paper was read b.
DR.. Nathan Allen, Of Lowell, Mass
upon what he denominated the Law o
Longevity" In this essay some new and
if true, very important views were present
ed. This gentlemen has devoted specia
attention for many years to physiology II
its bearings upon the changes and increas'
of population, and is the author of severa
| pamphlets upon this and kindred subjects
which have attracted much attention.
He maintains that nature has establish
ed a great law of increase, which apple:
not only to the human race, but prevails
with modified conditions throughout the
whole animal and vegetable kingdom.
This law is based in physiology upon the
perfectionism of structure and harmony OF
function. or, in other words, that every or
gan in the system should be perfect in
its structure, and that all should perform
fully their respect functions in har-
mony with each other Upon this same
basis or foundation Dr. Allen places the
law of longevity, and in the paper referred
to adduces many striking facts and argu-
ments in its favor, of which we can give
only brief synopsis The existence of
such a law is supported by all the we'll
known truths in Physiology and Path
ology. Every change from a normal to
an abnormal state, or in the prevention
and cure of disease, affords evidence of
such a law
The prerequisites to, or necessary con-
ditions Of longevity, DR.. Allen discussed
under three heads first, sound copstiu-
ton; second laws of inheritance, and
third, obedience to the laws Of hygiene
In order to secure good health and long
life, sound and well.balanced physical
organization is.found indispensable. But
where is our guide or standard to test this
soundness or balance? We have only ap.
proximations towards this standard, and
great diversity of opinions respecting
them, because there is no universal type or
perfect model upon which to base our judg-
ments.
In some respects the human body, in its
normal state, may be compared toa perfect
machine made ofmany complicated parts.
How different the working or running
of such machine from that of one imper-
fcctly constructed and uncqually balanced !?
The one seldom needs repairs; the other,
frequently. 1t is so in reference to the
body. Whenever certain organ or class
of organs are relatively too large or too
small, or are exercised too much or not
enough, causing want of harmony in
their action, there must be greater liability
to disease. How often it happens that
some slight arrangement or triAing weak
ness 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 bet.
ter. This is indispensable, not only for
good health, but for long life. Bnt such
a constitution can be secured only from
long-liyed ancestry. This accords with
universal experience, as we'll as with all
the principles of physiology. If we apply
the well.known law, that "like begets like to
the healthiest families found, and observe
it through several generations, the result
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 a powerful influence
upon health, but they are secondary,
agents. The general law exists in the
body, and not outside. The laws of inher-
itance are part of it; so are the principles
Of hygiene. 1t is not mere theory or
speculative hypothesis, but can be easily
compreheuded and applied. There is one
place where it can he made of incalculable
value, viz, in the matter Of life Insurance.
It furnishes the medical examiner stand
ard of organization to which the constitu-
ton of all persons applying for life insur-
ance can be compared, enabling him to
Judge very correctly what are the devia-
tions from the normal Standard then,
what are the liabilities to disease, and what
arc the probabilities of long life.
1t 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 hu-
man system are governed by law: that
l:,o,.o oc ,yb botoynr chnrocfor mr. whpreyer