The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-06-10
VALUE OF VITAL FORCE.
An Active and Enduring Energy That
Aids in the PrOIongatiOn of Life.

An Active and Enduring Energy That
Aids in the PrOIongation of Life.
There seems to be an active and en-
during energy In man that Is not pure
physical strength, and yet aids in the in
definite prolongation of life. 1t is not
the mysterious vital principle, though
closely related to it. 1t is not firmness
of muscle nor suppleness of limb, though
these are useful attributes of the body.
Neither is it the will, though this may
sometimes help to keep the vital spark
for time within the mortal frame. 1t
Is sometimes called nervous force, be-
cause it is more observable in persons of
nervous constitution. Whatever it may
be it is quite as valuable as mere
strength, and by judicious management
it may be made to keep the possessor in
health and to extend his life far beyond
the allotted term of mans usefulness.
Young men reared in the country are
large, muscular and healthy. Beside
them, young men reared in the city
seem pale and siolxly. But this differ
ence of appearance need lead no one to
suppose that the city youth has not equal
or greater powers of endurance than
those who have grown up among green
fields and breathed the purest mountain
air. When the war of the rebellion
broke out it called the young men of the
country alike from farms, counters and
counting-rooms. The city regiments
and country regiments encamped side
by side, enjoying at first the same de-
gree of health. It often happened that
the last diel like sheep, because they
simple complaints Incidental to camp
life, while their neighbors from the city
grew strong and lived to do duty after
ward on a score of battleields.
History furnishes examples of the in
duence exerted by the will united with
nervous energy. Louis XI, is striking
instance. Richelieu is a more familiar
illustration of the principle. The lives
Of Voltaire, Queen Elizabeth, Beacons-
6eld, Gladstone and some literary men
Of our own times prove conclusively the
value of vital force as compared with
mere physical strength. The first is like
a Fabian army, fighting little and all
the time retreating adroitly; the last like
q strong fortifcation, which having been
Surmounted by the enemy, all is lost.
Il follows, then, that the length Of hui
man life depends, first, on the amount
Of this vital force, and second, on the
care with which it is husbanded. It is
probable that it is oftener found in per-
sons of medium stature and of no great
physical strength, though it may co-exist
with the amplest physical development.
Let any one run over In his mind a list |
Of all the old men he has ever known.
How many of them were six feet in
height How many of them were men
Of superior muscle when they were
young5 A small proportion, we presume
to say. Why is it that young men six
fest tall, or who are athletes, seldom pass
much beyond middle age9 First, be-
cause their physical and nervous forces
are not usually in proportion, and sec
ond, because, presuming on the super
abundance of their strength, they ex-
hsust themselves in overexertion and in
temperate indulgence.
1t may be stated as an incontroverti-
bic principle that any amount of exer-
else more than is necessary to keep the
digestion perfect has a tendency to shorten
Life. The digestion is the fuel under
the engine, the oil which lubricates the
points Of friction in the machinery of the
body. We cannot imagine person
moftally i'll while the digestion is good.
While it is perfect the health is perfect.
When it happens that any part of the