Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-08-19
Health In Summer.

We presume that even the most con-
| firmed doubter in America will admit
without argument that dog-days are upon
us. The seasons are not always reliable ;
they have a way of bringing untimely
| rains, avy winds, unexpected droughts
| and many other apparent ills at the most
unexpected periods; but they never fail to
bring a most trying "spelP of hot weather
in August, and of giving the same heated
| term faculty of continuity which even
devout believers in the wisdom of Provi-
dence would fain see transferred to more
desirable sort of weather. Even the peo-
pie who know that the fruits and the later
grains need the August sun to do his whole
duty do not perspire any the less freely on
that account Those fortunate souls who
can flee TO the mountains or the sea-coast
for the summer may not be particularly
troubled by the heat OF the season; butthat
great body of humanity which has no va
cation but that Of Sunday knows by ex-
perience that the heated term is to be
dreaded.
We have no new methods Of alienation
to suggest; but there are but few of our
readers who will not do well to put into
immediate practice all those precautions
which have always proved beneficial.
attention to personal cleanliness. In no
other season do soap and water and fire.
auent change of clothing have SO much in
fuence upon the health. The daily bath
is within the reach Of everyone, and is one
Of the most effectual preventives of dis
ease; and daily change of all clothing
which touches the skin richly paysf for the
extra labor it occasions. There is not a
greater subject of wonder among physi-
clans than the fair average condition Of
health among people who neglect these
duties.
Heating articles Of food and drink
should be carefully avoided Those foods
which contain considerable oily or sweet
material are necessary in cold weather TO
supply the requisite amount OF physical
heat, but in summer they infiame the
physique and depress the mind. Fruits,
vegetables and farinaceous foods are not
| only equal to the supplying OF all bodily
needs in hot weather, but prevent that
mental activity which is one of the pecul.
lar torments of the system in the heated
term.
Too much ventilation in hot weather is
an impossibility and a current OF air
should If possible, be secured in all living
and sleeping rooms
All refuse matter should be quickly re-
moved from residences and the vicinity
thereof In neighborhoods where there Is
no public arrangement for the collection
of garbage each household should see
that tits buried, and covered with dry
earth when possible. Where neighbors
neglect such precautions and pollute the
air which is breathed by more careful
people, no mistaken ideas of delicacy or
the requirements of friendship should pre-
vent earnest remonstrance, or, II neces-
sary, legal proceedings for the removal OF
nuisances.
Finally, nothing but matters of life and
death should be allowed to be cause for
excitement. The rapid waste and conse-
quent prostration that are induced by ex-
element are more serious in their effects
than anyone not Psychologist even
dreams of. The horse who trots mile is
| more exhausted than if he had walked
over five times as much ground the paral'
| lei holds good in man, but the results are
more serious when the mind partakes OF
the excitement of the body. Al best,
human energy and force are severely taxed
| by existence in temperature equaling
| that of the blood, and, as vital force is
| literally the hody's only fortification
against disease, it cannot be too carefully
| husbanded.
Doubtless our remarks will suggest
other precautions which are well known
but too frequently unheeded too many OF
them cannot well be put into immediate
practice, and there are few OF them which
will not, when applied, speedily show
beneficial results. - Chrtsttae Union.