The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-08-28
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Sanitary Suggestions.

Sanitary Suggestions.
With lthe departure of the swallows sum-
mer may be said to end; and under different
skies and with new surroundings it becomes
necessary that the body should be carefully
watched in order to secure the preservation
of health. As necessary result of the in
tense and long protracted heat, multitudes
find themselves in weak and debilitated
condition needing not only protection
against new exposure, but vigorous toning-
up of the system. While every one admits
that prevention is easier than cure, and it
has therefore become a proverb, very few
are found who take as much care to keep
we'll as they do to get well. If preventive
measures were as well systematized as reme-
dial measures, and men were as willing to
adopt the former as they are the latter when
compelled by necessity, much sickness might
be avoided. By wise forethought we may
so easily adjust ourselves to the change of the
seasons and the necessary fluctuations in our
own external conditions that no serious or
permanent disturbance will follow.
At this season TOO much care cannot be
given to our diet. Excess and impIudence
can never be justified, and as at this time
they are positively dangerous such consid-
GRAFTON may have weight With those not in
fuenced by other reasons. Just now gar
dens are in the fulness Of production, fruits
and vegetables are arriving at maturity, and
the very abundance Of the supply aud the
ohn rfr IF s;so ~
to indulgence. Probably more mischief fol-
lows from an indiscreet use OF food during
the last month ofsummer than through the
remainder OF the year from the same
cause. We do not attribute however
the prevalence Of those disorders veil known
a. Summer complaints" to the use, or even
excessive use OF ripe fruits and vegetables.
By the wise provision of Nature the fruits of
autumn ripen in orderly succession and just
when the wants of the body require them.
1t is our privilege to partake of them as deli.
cious luxuries, and due regard to physical
health and soundness will lead as to use them
as corrective and curative remedies. If an
entire meal was oftener made from the ripe
fruits within our reach, the better it would
probably be for us. 1t is however very diff
ferent matter where we undertake to use I'M
ripe apples, cherries, cucumbers or melons,
as articles of food. By some persons and at
some times they may be eaten and perhaps
digested with impunity, but ordinarily they
are unwholesome and dangerous. Many
promising lives are cut short each year that
may be recokoned as victims of this 'midsum-
mer Madness Ripe fruits are wholesome
without being cooked, but unripe and raw
they are not suitable articles of food-we say
therefore. avoid them.
Although the excessive heat Is over, the
dog star still RACES; and while the days are
warm, the nights are chilly and damp. For
few weeks there is danger to be appre-
hended from cholera-morbus, dysentery and
fever; and while these disorders may spr ing
from inattention to diet, they are many times
aggravated by exposure to the evening air.
To guard against the attacks of these
violent and frequently fatal diseases
the internal organs are not only to be
kept in a normal condition but the
whole body itself is to be shielded from
assaults without. This is simply and effect
uaily done by wearing warm clothing. Dur
ing the heat of the day the covering OF the
body may be almost oppressive, and yet not
sufficient protection against the evening
air. Additional garments should be put on
in such case, or there should be an entire
change of raiment. Neglect here means sur
render, for IL is like opening the gates Of a
citadel-death more frequently enters by an
outer door left. open and unguarded than by
sapping and miuing some inner seat of life.
Let therefore, long and fatal sicknesses be
prevented by timely attention to ones
wardrobe; by giving the body ample protec-
ton against the approach of autumn. 1t is
better to give an early order for roll of fan
mel than to require the services of physi-
clan or undertaken.
We do not imagine that the drouth is d.
recsly unfavorable to health, except so far as
the lungs may be injuriously affected by the
particles OF dust floating in the air; operating
however as it does upon all sources OF water
supply, it is often the occasion of disease BY
turning the ponds and reservoirs into stag
nant pools, by exposing vegetable matter to
decay, by diminishing the volume of a stream
and thus giving increased power to some min
erai faint, great harm is often done. Now is
the time for digging new wells, for sinking
deeper the old ones, for thorough cleansing
OF reservoirs, for purifying drains, sinks and
cess-poos, and Tor all that intelligent super
vision and control which makes water the
source OF health instead of disease. These
who neglectstheir duty in this respect. may
well fear lest the exhalaiions that rise from
the foul haunts around their dwellings shall
stalk through their homes in search of vic