The Wilmingtonian., 1885-04-04
I882--l885.
THE WHINING TONIAN'STHIED
ANNIVERSARY.
Mental Hygiene and Sanitary science
of Primary Signth.
cance.

existence, and it may be considered par
douable pride to note the advances which
have been made in the journal during these
years.
On the morning of April list, 1882, The
WILM1NaToNIAN first saw the light of day,
a six column, Okla sheet, and tie close OF
its third volume fipds it enlarged to the size
of the Philadelphia Times.
Sanitary science and detetic medication
was the chosen field of our labor and the en-.
enlargement given to the enterprise isa6un-
dant proof that the initiatory step was notan
lily advised one. The daily press is SO abb
sorbed in tho garnering of passing events
that it is simply impossible for it to make
more than hurried comments on any mat
ter save the stirring events of the day, and
it is consequently left to a weekly journal
to carefully coIlate and elaborate these mat
ters especially concerning the family circle.
Our able and enterprising m olnng, al
ternoon and Sunday contemporaries give
this community the latest and most authen-
tive news, both local and general, and with
this departm ent we claim nothing and dc
noth!ng-they supply the evidence, we seek
to weigh that evidence on the balance o.
public sentiment and to render on it judg
ment wholly disassociated with either per
sonal OR partizan bias.
Mental hygiene and sanitary science arr
now engaging attention never before aecor
dcd to them and as our people become th'
more informed upon these kindred branche
the more they will be enabled to ward Of
illness and prolong life.
General phi ysiology and general sanitation
should be an integral part of the publ
school curriculum, and it should be mad
compulsory that every child in his earl
teens, having educationa! advantages
should be given comprehensive understan
ding of those laws which govern life.
Drastic medication has become the ban
Of modern times, and an enlightened pul
r..,.i i,ctlo Of laptagnnizin
aud counteracting the pernicious induenc
Of over medication,
The question of sanitation intimately
terwoven with our very existence, yet, nc
withstanding its gravity, it is scarcely |
forred in educational institutions and it
only casually noticed by the gener
press.
When we remember that major porti
of the cases of sickness and prematu
death are directly traceable to a violati
of hygienic precepts, is it not time to call
halt in the physiological indiscretions til
are rushing mankind to the grave2
We believe that respectful observan
of the laws of health would obliterate 81
radio disease from the face of the earth, a
that judicious sanitary restrictions wor
circumscribe the limitations of all zymo
affections.
Yet as vital as arc these subjects we
around about us, men of marked inte
gence, willing to pass through life in p
found ignorance of the laws that gov
and control their existence, and it is
until sickness or death invades their imI
diate family circle that they give this m
ter moments thought, n
We do claim that tho intelligent olas
at least should have such knowledge
the laws of life and health, and should kr
such facts respecting removable NOR
influences as may enable them to ward
disease from those naturally healthy,
bring the artificial life of nearly all
approximate harmony with the requiremt
of our physical constitutions-they she
have such knowledge as would secure
them the most perfect attainable phys
development and well being, and CO.
quently render them susceptible Of the hi
est mental and moral attainments.
Our institutions Of learning should 70
liberal cultivation of the laws Of
preservation. This conclusion can not
avoided and the Importance of this inst
tion will appear still more clearly when
consider how few, comparatively speak
in the very bloom and spring time Of
are thoroughly we'll. The sallow cheek,
dim eye, the pain, the WEAKNESS, the gle
the irritability, not only tell of the viola
Of natural laws, but they also unmistak
speak of the waste of time, the preyen
of usefulness and of the curtailment OF
the enjoyment of life,
1t is a matter hey ond cavil that our pl
cal transgressions deduct infinitely
complete living-nay how often do
make life burden and failure instead
5enefaction and pleasure.
Vital statistics show that by disre
of the laws of SAINT alton more than one
of life, and its pleasures and usefulness
ruthlessly sacrificed.
A very large proportion of our disease
preventable; we appreciate tue fact that
laws of health must be recognized, b.
49,, oa,, ta f,ll,, co,nnIiod wifi. conspn,