Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-12-29
GBt Dtrmont 4genit.
BRATTLEBoRo
FRIDAY EVENING, DEC. 20, 1876.
Thnnrhts Concerning Health.

and to nations cannot be exaggerated. IL
is vigor, strength, development, beauty,
serenity, and fullness OF life.
All medical science and practice Is based
on the belief that health Is the natural con-
dillon of man, from the first moment of
existence 10 its earthly close; and that all
disease Is the Legitimate result of some vio-
lation of physical law. If in theory We ev-
or entertain the notion that our diseases
come without a cause; that sickness and
death are mysterious providences, which
have no connection with established laws !;
that the thousands who die around us in
the innocence Of childhood, the bloom OF
youth, or tho vigor OF manhood, are sum-
moned hence by stern and relentless des-
tiny; we do not really believe it, for every
day we practically deny such insane fatal
ism. Every day we do things which we
believe will promote our health, and avoid,
If we can, what we believe 10 be the causes
of disease. II attacked by sickness, we do
not lie down TO die without effort. The ply
stefan is called, and we take his medicines.
Whatever confused notions we may have
of destiny, fate, or providence, the univer-
sal practical belief is in the laws OF nature,
and the relations of cause and effect.
We repeat,-The natural condition of ev-
cry organized being-plant, animal or man
lis that of health the unnatural and ex-
ceptioual condition is that of disease and
whenever that exists, there must have
been some wrong, some violation Of the
laws OF health. The life of man should be-
gin with a birth comparatively painless,
and with an organization marred by no
hereditary disease. A healthy infancy is
one OF smiles, love, and joy. The whole
period Of youth is naturally one of the
greatest happiness, consisting Of continual
developments of strength, beauty, and ca
pabili,y. Then comes the full vigor, firm
ness, and strength of manhood, with all its
powers OF action, and its capacity for hap
piness. Then comes the calm serenity of
age and at last, when nature has fulfilled
her work, and man has passed through all
the phases of his varied existence, lie goes
down TO the grave without disease, and
without pain; a long and happy life clos
ing with a calm and peaceful death.
Such is a natural life, and such natural
death. But alas, hoy different, how sad is
the reality! Children are brought into the
world with sickly constitutions, amid the
throes of mortal agony-the pangs ofa dis
eased nervous system. Infancy is often
one long agony of distress and pain /; child
hood brings its peculiar diseases; maturity
brings its fevers, rheumatisms, consump-
lions, and the whole train Of horrors which
men inflict upon themselves and if life is
continued amid these sufferings, old age
comes on with accumulated pains which
continue until death puts an end to the
struggle OF nature with disease. Men be-
come diseased by uncleanness, sloth, glut-
tony, drunkenness and debauchery, by
crowding together, Ivy breathing bad air,
and by all unnatural modes of life; and
tho diseases thus engendered are trans
united through their children TO succeed
ing generations.
All persons, young men especially, will
do well 10 heed the admonitons which
here quote from lecture delivered by the
late Horace Mann, before the Boston Mer-
camille Library Association, in 1850. The
thoughts uttered by that distinguished phi
lanthropist and scholar, oil that occasion,
have lost none OF their value by the lapse
of time.
temptations 10 appetite, the improper in
diligence OF which is in danger of proving
his ruin. Health, longevity, and virtue
derend on his resisting these temptations.
The Providence of God is 10 more respon-
sible, because man by improper indul-
gence becomes subject 10 disease, than for
the picking Of his pockets. For young
man TO iDjure his health, is 10 waste his
patrimony, and destroy his capacity for
yirtuous deeds. Does a man love God
he will have ten times the strength for the
exercise of it, with sound body. Not on
ly the amount, but the quality of a mans
labor, depends greatly on his health. The
productions of the poet, the man of science,
or the orator, must be affected by his
health. Not only are "lying lips" bat
dyspepiic stomach is an abomination TO
the Lord. The man who neglects to con-
troll his appettss, is 10 himself what a stale
of barbarism is TO socety-the BRUSH part
predominates. Our pious ancestors used
10 bury the suicide where four roads meet !;
yet every man or woman who lays the
foundation of disease with turtle soup or
lobster salad, as really commits suicide as
IL hO ubcu luO iOpO VI plStOii ana NcIc
the old law revived, how many who are
now honored with resting place at Mount
Auburn, would be found at the "cross-
roads," If young men imagine that tue
qualification OF appetite is the great source
OF enjoyment, they will find themselves
mistaken. Enjoyment is found in the
highest degree with industry and temper
ance. The epicure who seeks 1t in a din
ner which costs five dollars, will find less
enjoyment of appetite than the laborer who
dimes on shilling. II the devotee OF APP
petite desires its highest qualification, be
must not send for Buffalo tongues, but
climb a mountain, or swing an axe. With
out health, there is no delicacy that can
provoke an appetite. Whoever destroys
his health, turns tho most delicious viands
into aloes. The man who is physically
wicked, will not live out half his days, and
he is not half alive while he does live.
However gracious God may be 10 the heart,
he never pardons the stomach. Let young
man pursue a course Of temperance, sobri-
ETY., and industry, and he may retain his
Vigor till three score years and ten, with
his cup full OF enjoyment, and depart pain
lessly; as the candle burns out in its sock
ct, so will he expire" J.H.s.
r1srr,r 10 7 YxyY5a Am non 1917 NIL