The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-08
GENERAL DEBILITY"

EDS. COUNTRY GEETLEMAN-The
term general debility is convenient COW
ering for multitude Of physiological
transgressions. In spring time, that sea-
sen of the year when all living creation,
save man alone, is joyfully breaking from
the frost-bound fettters of winter, it is q
sad reflect upon mans good sense to hear
from him the almost universal complaint
of general debility. How weak and Ian
guild he feels How disinclined to labor,
either physical or mental!
Why should man be an exception in
the united rejoicing of all living beings?
Endowed with superior eapacityfor ap-
preciating the natural changes incident
to his earthly existence, why do we hear
from him murmurs instead of praises1 Is
it because the Creator has done lees tor
him than for the rest Of animate nsturef
Surely not; it Is because man, unlike the
brute, makes instinct subordinate guido
in the qualification OF his animal nature.
He Is continually committing deprada.
tions upon the laws of health, and this
renders him as unhappy physically as
violations Of the moral can do morally.
"a little learning is dangerous thing"
especially in regard to the laws and con-
ditions OF health. If man were as igno.
rant as the dumb beast his appetites
would not be guided by a perverted in
teilect; or, were he learned in the science
of health and life, the voice of conscience
would make him feel responsible for his
transgression; but, as the matter now
stands, he attributes his physical suffer
ings to anything rather than to his own
ignorance and folly.
Let us consider briefly, some of the
causes which produce weakness, the bill.
business, and the numerous other physical
disquietudes which are so commonly COM
planned of during late spring and early
summer. The long cold winters Of our
northern climate are anticipated by near
ly all, as fitting seasons for relaxation and
social enjoyment. Visits, parties, balls,
etc, are INDUCED in with much greater
zeal than are the various industries OF
other seasons of the year, and with these
are associated rich dinners, late suppers,
heated and unventilated rooms, aud, l
regret to say, not unfrequently cigars,
wine and brandy. When properly reg
ulated, the qualification of our social fac
ulties is eminently right and proper; but,
as those things are commonly conducted,
they are positive evil, productive alike
of physical disease, mental weakness, and
moral degradation.
The result of this course OF dissipation
is not ALWAYS manifested Immediately. SO
long as the tonic or bracing effect of cold
weather continues, there may be no trou
BILE: but when the cold atmosphere OF
winter is succeeded by the "thawing out
of spring, the system becomes relaxed
and there is nothing to sustain the BODY
against the upheaving OF morbid humors
which have been deposited by the win
ter's designations and imprudences. There
is lo.s OF appetite, biliousness, palpitation,
neuralgia, rheumatism, or some other
form of disease; or at least, there is a feel
ing of general debility But these all
ments are not confined to the ranks OF
dissipation. All who labor less and eat
more during the winter, and sleep IN
small, lily ventilated rooms, on feather
beds, jeopardize their health and bring
upon themselves physical discomforts
which would have been avoided had
different course been pursued.
For the removal of the evils thus in
duced, various drugs are commonly re-
sorted to. Pills, bitters and syrups are
supposed, by most persons, to possess
some specific power, or atoning efficacy,
by which people may escape the natural
consequences of their violations of physi-
illogical laws. But, abe not deceived" .,
man! o, woman! "for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap" All in
fractions of the laws of health are follow
ed, sooner or later, by some form of dis
ease. There can be no escape here. He
who violates law of his country may es-
cape the penalty; but he who disregards
those laws which were written By the I'm
ger of God upon every fibre OF his body,
must suffer for his sin. Flight, acquittsl,
pardon, reprieve-all these are unknown
here. la the realm of physical law, equal
ity reigns supreme. The king upon his
throne the peasant in his cottage, and
the beggar by the wayside, are alike
amenable to its behests.
j. Ii. STEDMAN, NJ. ID.
Wmdham County, VI.