Huntsville gazette., 1882-08-19
Health, Strength, and Long Life.

1t is claimed by some that the human
race, in civilized communities at least,
is degenerating. We can not say if the
claim is founded on fact, but it is cer-
tain that no other animal will stand so
much abuse as man. We are fearfully
and wonderfully made. The machinery
of our bodies is complex; the action OF
| bones and muscles, of tendons and
sinews almost incomprehensible, while
of the nerves and their action we know
comparatively nothing. What are popu-
| larly called diseases we are told are only
symptoms indicating that the human
machinery is in some way out of order
and needs repairing. Whether this IS
best done by leaving nature to do her
own work or by assisting her with pills
potions, drugs and doses, has not been
satisfactorily determined. Of one thing,
however, we may be sure. There IS
much less care taken to keep this human
machine in good working order than
there should be. AS rule, there IS
not an animal on the farm so much
overworked as the farmer himself.
Perhaps during the year he does no
more than he should, but his labor Is
not equally divided, and is done accord
| ing to time and seasons. The inven-
ton of various machines has enabled
| him, if he will, to save his strength, but
the way in which they are usually en-
ployed is not much of a let-up to his la
Dor after all. With machine, he is not
willing to do the same work easier, but
works Just as hard and accomplishes
| hn f,o5h nj nd
therein that are so much talked about as
giving to country boys health and
strength, are very good, but they are
not used to the best advantage.
In proof, we have only to turn to the
record of our recent civil war, when it
was proved by actual experience that
companies recruited in cities could stand
more hard usage and endure fatiguing
marches better than those made up of
country boys. Of course this ought not
| to be so, but it is nevertheless. What
care does the farmer take OF. his health
and bodily welfarep The great promot-
ers of health and long life are acknowl-
edged to be air, water, exercise and diet.
Does the average farmer do all that he
might to insure purity in the atmosphere
that surrounds his home? Are ponds in
the vicinity drained and filled? Are the
barnyard and hog-pen prevented by
proper care and treatment from filling
the air with poison? Is there proper az
rangements for carrying she waste and
dirty water from the house a sufficient
distance, and then giving il necessary
treatment, or is it allowed to contami-
nate the ground adjacent until it is a
mass of poisonous material? Are privies
properly constructed with arrangements
for disnfecting and deodorization? Are
cellars clean, dry, and well ventilated,
or are they generators of poisonous
gases? If the poison in the atmosphere
surrounding most of our farmers homes
could be seen, means to abolish it would
be more readily taken. 1t is well the
breezes spread it abroad through field
and forest, for if it was not carried away
the effects would be terrible.
What is the water the farmer uses,
and how does he use itP The geological
structure of the country makes it hard
or soft, as it does or does not contain
lime. Hard water is an abomination in
itself. What is it, then, when the wells
receive the water from the surface of the
ground after it has absorbed the filth
and nastiness with which it comes in
contact, or that which filters through
the soil filled with all sorts ofimpurities
None but rain water properly filtered
should be used for drinking or culinary
purposes.
But there are other uses for water
The skin has millions of pores through
which nature desires to throw off effete
matter. When these are closed, as they
must be to a greater or less degree
when the dust and perspiration conse-
quent on labor in the field cover them,
their work must be done by other or
gans, which are thereby unduly taxed.
There can be no healthy skin that is not
cleansed frequently. In how many
farm houses is there bath room or any
conveniences for thoroughly washing the
person? Much as personal cleanliness
is neglected in cities and towns, we be-
lieve it is more so in the country. If
there is a panacea for human ills and
ailments, it is water. We may not be
hydropathists in our therapeutics, but If
we were to choose in our treatment OF
diseases between all water and no drugs,
or the whole pharmacopGia and no water
we should take the water and throw
physic to the dogs. The farmer, then,
fails to do justice to himself when he
fails to provide pure water and plenty
of it, and the proper places and appli-
ances in and by which to use it.
We will add only word about exer-
cise The farmers labor exercises to an
injurious degree many of the muscles,
while others are undeveloped. The
blacksmith's right arm may be abnor-
mally large and strong, while other
limbs may be deficient in both size and
strength. We like to see the farmers
boys have half holiday occasionally,
and engage in game of. ball or some
other sport that brings into action the
muscles not used at the plow, hoe, OF
scythe. True exercise is that which
brings all the organs of the body into
harmonious use, not overtaxing some
and giving no work to others; conse-
quently that which is called play some
times is of essential service. All work
and no play not only makes Jack dull
boy, but really an unhealthy one.-N.
Y. Sun.