Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-17
HEALTHFULSEss OF HUmOR.
a Wise Physicians Views-Any
Disease, from sOrns 10 CON
sumption, cured by Hearty
Laughing.
Paul p..tnor. in Chicago Interior.

n Wise pulelClau, WhO ucfck oluuiOu
medicine, says that a laugh will cure
anything, from hypochondria to the
humps. believe it. Ifa man can
get up enough vitality to laugh he is
in a fair way to throw of disease. The
only way that health is ever restored
is By vital reaction. Drugs do not
repair the system-they only produce
the proper conditions under which il
may repair itself. And laughter does
this better than drugs. 1t is itself
part of the restorative process. 1t
stirs the blood and Wakens the slum-
beriug forces OF life, and sends the very
thrill Of health along the benumbed
and feeble nerves. Come to US with
cheer, ye faithful servitors of the sick.
and ye shall wake US from the very
slumber OF death. How many sinking
ones have been saved by tho blessed
influence of laugh2
But there is sickness of the mind
which is ministered to by humor, as
we'll as a sickness of the body. The
soul has pulses that need quickening
The man who is not susceptible to
genuine humor or who shuts every
avenue against it is in q fair way to
become a hypochondriac and a sui
eide. The human mind needs the
enlivening influence Of laughter. l
believe that every man ought to have
at least three good laughs q day to
keep in moral and intellectual health;
aud would have these laughs come,
if possible at the table. Three times
a day we all relax the active powers
Of the mind and body, and seek to re-
fresh and recuperate the energies by
food and pleasant conversation. |
think the latter is almost as much
an energizer as the former, bes
cause it brightens and warns and
STRENGTHENS the mind, Just as the
food ministers to the body. We must
have healthy minds as we'll as healthy
bodies in order to be at our best. The
man who has depressed feeling men,
tally, can hardly enjoy the highest
physical vigor. Table humor is one
of the most healthful things in the
world. And how natural it IS, when
the mind is in its normal condition.
very provision of nature for the happy
assimilation of bodily and mental
vigor at the same time. II one of the
family has q good story, or a pleasant
bit of news, or a little personal Qulp
coming to him in moment Of
relaxation, does he not save it in his
memory, like a bit Of uniRyeated cap
ital, until the hour when all are gath
cred again about the fire, and he will
not waste his treasury by beginning
it before the time. Wheh he in
vests he wishes to be as large share
holder as possible in the general mirth
And he gains double share OF profit
by holding his contribution until the
right time. 1t is appreciated TO the
full blessing by both him who gives
and him who receives. The mind is
lightened and perhaps cleared of little
depressing cares by its influence;
pleasure and surprise, twin elements
of humor, send flush to every cheek
and brighton every eye 1t quickens
both meutal and physical appetite, and
puts the whole system in better con.
ditioD to receive benefit from food
and rest. Humor is certainly most
healthful when it is enjoyed at the
proper season, and there could be no
more fitting season than the times
Of natural rest and refreshment.
There are some people who are slN
ways bubbling over with humor, in
season and out of season-everything
is turned by their Midas touch to
sparkling merriment. What uncon-
sciOus physicians these people arel 1t
doeth one good like medicine to hear
their voices, and to SEQ their funny
faces, always running over with laugh
ter like a mountain spring. The
healthiest and longest lived persons
almost always have twang of humoI
iu their makeup. There is something
wonderfully preservatiVe in laughter
A man who cannot laugh is like tree
from which the worms or the wind havt
stripped all its leaves. 1t soon grows
feeble and sapless, and dies before it
time. The healthy tree laughs will
its myriad of leaves for generation
after generation, sound at heart ant
beautiful to look upon; and when i
dies the woodman cuts it down anC
Gnda the allotted number Of rings ii
the firm white wood, and a core al
sound and sweet az the ssplinR's s.
it is with the man whose disposition j
one ofsunshine and laughter. He live
merrily, and dies cheerily, aud tn
world is better for him. His memoir
does not pass away like the sour, glun
misanthrope. There may be grande
things about man than his humor
but there is nothing by which be vii
be remembered so long. After hi
wisdom and bis learning are forgotten
| il he ever laughed that laugh will b
his memorial. 1t will 90 riding on
when every other utterance has die,
away. Happy are they who indulg
in happy laughter.
To Danish contagion from garments an
] linen. disinfect with eilenn'a SulDhu