The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-16
MOUNTAIN HEALTHFULNEss.

| there Is a remarkable immunity from con-
sumption. The tract is 80 miles long by five
or six wide, has population of 5000 people,
and has never had case of phthisis. DIR.
Wight sanitarian, studied the reasons for this
remarkable immunity. He found the inhab-
most devoid of what we call luxury They
worked and ate, and slept, regardless of the
world about them. Their houses were win
dowless and often doorless. They only sought
shelter, and neither consumption nor any
other disease found foothold among them"
The mountain regions Of western North and
| South Carolina, and OF eastern Tennessee and
Kentucky, where the primitive conditions of
life are largely in force are freer of consump-
ton than New England or the lake region
of the United States, but they maintain their
per cent, Is to 1000, of the average mortality
by other diseases, notably malarial and enteric
fevers, and especially digestive disorders, due
to bad cooking and the insufficient use Of
fruits and vegetables.
An observer who spent two sum-
mers walking through the regions
indicated, and taking his meals three
times daily with different families of mount
aineers and Crackers, rarely got anything
save corn-pone, bacon and coffee. Chickens
were abundant, and sold for Is cents a
'bunch" thirteen in bunch; but these were
always fried with bacon, and their flavor and
value impaired or destroyed You may travel
hundreds Of miles, where blackberries are
abundant on every by-way, but they never APP
pear on the tables, while a dish Of snowy
mashed potatoes is unknown. What veg
etables are used are cooked in the SAME fat
with the bacon and the result is greasy and
indigestible mess.
A few good cook-stoves in place of open
knowledge Of making light bread, and cooking
vegetables, would change the entire aspect of
humanity in one of the most naturally healthy
regions of the United States. The water,
climate and scenery are all shat could be de-
sired, and many of these favored localities are
within easy reach, by rail, Of Indiana and
Ohio Mosquitoes are unknown, the nights
are cool and the entire region far more desira-
BILE for continuous living or for summer saun-
tering than either Michigan or Wisconsin.
-
For years Rev. Theodore L. Cusler of
Brooklyn, has been prominent as. an adrneate
of total abstinence and prohibition. lie may,
indeed, be regarded as one of the pioneers of
the present temperance movement, having
preached and labored for the cause in season
and out of season, at time when the subject
was not the popular one it has since become.
Mr. Cuyler last fall voted for st. John. In
view of his extreme opinions his advice to
the brethren as given in letter in the indie
pendent will probably cause some sur
prise but cannot fail to have
much influence. The Brooklyn pastor
is wise enough to see the mistakes made by
the friends of temperance and the danger
ahead. He urges them to devote themselves
to the social and moral features Of the work
before them, and to avoid political entangle
ments. GAS Prohibitionist," he says II
feel entirely confident that temperance re-
formers are committing most serious error
in giving such excessive prominence to the
civil and political aspect Of the reform He
does not 60 so far as to admit that prohibitory
laws will not prohibit, but says: Drinking
saloons do not owe their existence to few
lines on statute book, nor are they to be on
tirely and permanently uprooted by simply
enacting a few opposite lines on statute
book" The inference to be drawn from his
remarks is that he has become convinced that
public sentiment is not sufficiently advanced
and enlightened to make such laws Of much
value, and that the old weapons of reform in
the shape Of education and moral agita-
ton should be taken up again and used
| vigorously. 'Righteous and beneficial as are
all laws of prohibition when well enforced, /"
he says, ''yet to rely on law alone, without any
moral efforts against liquor drinking would
| be as insane as to dam up torrent at its
mouth while neglecting to dry up its fountain
head" He appeals to the advocates of tenn
perance to get out of the ruts of legislative
prohibition, and to organize their forces in
other directions. DR.. Cuyler's advice does not
differ in nature from that urged upon the Pro
hibitionists by many other writer's who see that
their plans are not practicable, but will have
more weight, owing to the fact that he has
been so thoroughly identified with the ex-
tremists. 1t is only when the quarrels among
the temperance workers cease and they unite
upon the most available plan of action, that