, 1886-06-03
VALUE OF VITAL FORCE.

An Active and Enduring Energy That
Aids In the ProlongAtion of Life.
There seems to be an active and en-
during energy III 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 su%ppleness 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 a 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 rs 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 sickly. But this differ
ence of appearance need lead no n 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, e njoying at first the same de
gree of health. 1t often happened that
the last died like sheep, because they
were unable to endure the h%ardships and
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 battlefelds.
History furnishes examples of the in
fiuence exerted by the will united with
nervous energy. Louis XII, is a striking
instance. Richelieu is n more familiar
illustration of the principle. The lives
of Voltaire, Queen Elizabeth, Beacons-
field, 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
Fabian army, fighting a little and all
the time retreating adroitly; the last like
a strong fertilization, which having beer
snrmointed Inv the enemv all ia Anst.
Ii follows. then thai the length of I'M
man life denends first ON the amount
of this vital force. and second. on the
care with which it is husbanded. 1t is
probable that it is oftener found in per-
sons of medium stature and Of no great
physical strength, though it may ~co-exis
with the amplest nhvsical 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 thew were
younpr A small nronortion. we nresume
to saw. WHY is il that Young men six
feet tall. or who are athletes. seldom mas.
much bevond middle AGE? First. he
cause their physical and nervous forces
are not usually in ~proportion. and sec.
ond. because presuminp on the super-
abundance of their strength. they ex-
haust themselves in ~oyerexertion and in
temperate indulgence.
Ii may be- stated as an incontroverti.
BILE principle that anv amount of exer.
else more than is necessary To keen the
digestion perfect has n 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 n person
mortally i'll while the digestion is good.
While il is perfect the health is perfect.
When il happens that any part of the
body il diseased the stomach is inyaria-
bly in n morbid condition. Therefore
systematic and unnecessary exercise in
gymnasiums is likely TO prove injurious.
Professional athletes nre rarelv long