St. Landry democrat., 1888-08-11
HEALTH ON THE FARM,


ahe Importance of Attending TO the More
simple Sanitary Arrangements.
AS rule intelligent farmers NAV not
nave less regard for their health than
others have. 1t is failure, we had al.
most said a crime. common to every
class, condition and occupation of men,
and, perhaps, it is more common with
those who have no occupation than
others. How far this vice may have
been encouraged, by the advertisement
OF cheap nOstrums that will cure all the
ills that flesh is heir to and efface at
once the effect of every imprudence, no
stop is made to inquire. A few timely
hints to the reader is all that the writer
has in view.
In the matter of a fragrant violation
OF sanitary laws there has been much
general improvement within the past
few years. The writer distinctly re-
members when the reapers went to the
field as the first rays of the morning
sun fell upon the yellow grain, and two
hours later returned to breakfast, with
their clothes as wet with dew as water
could make them. Now, it is pretty
generally known that health demands
that no hard labor should be attempted
on fasting stomach. Let the morning
be given to the care of the team, to the
examination of the machinery to be
used, to see that its joints are well
oiled and every screw-nut is frightened,
and that all the conveniences of the
kitchen are in good working order, etc.
between six and seven o'clock take
breakfast OF plain, substantial food, and
by this time the sun will have drunk
up the dew, and the grain, Or the grass,
or whatever calls for work, is ready
for the work to begin. Let the days
work, he says, be begun moderately,
till the team and hands warm up to the
work. -Four hours will bring the noon
recess, which should continue till at
least one o'clock. Perhaps some will
consider this waste of time in busy
season, but it is actually necessary to a
preservation of the best health.
There should never be a rush of labor
In hot weather. Let the labor be mod
crate and uniform, and do not suffer
the appearance of d cloud or the dis
tant mutterings of thunder to betray
you into an impetuous rush of work
that will exhaust the ability to work,
and perhaps entail more serious conse-
quences.
The summer clothing of the farm la
borer should be light. and should be 50 |
loose as not to impede muscular motion
in any direction; and at the noon recess,
If the clothes are wet with perspiration,
as they probably will be, put on light |
wooden coat to prevent a sudden chilli
ness from the rapid evaporation from
wet clothing, and avoid draft of air,
however pleasant it may feel at the
time. When the days work is done,
let the wet clothing be exchanged for
dry suit of night-clothes. A cool sponge
bath before retiring will be a good
preparation for a restful nights repose
on firm mattress in well-ventilated
room. We hardly need to say that this
rest should occupy the whole of the
short summer night; the midnight dis
sipations of fashionable life should
never reach the farm.
The diet of the field laborer in the
heat of summer should be nutritious,
but not stimulating nor heat-producing.
Fat meats should be avoided, but poul-
try, mutton and lean beef should be
freely used, and the farm garden at this
season should furnish an abundance of
fresh vegetables and small fruits, which
will make a healthful and
palatable diet. A cup Of coffee, with
it's temperature reduced by liberal
supply of rich cream, will not be OBJ
jectionable as a breakfast diet drink.
Milk is the best table drink for dinner,
but if water is preferred let its temper
ature be not below sixty degrees and
at meals avoid ice water.
Digestion Of food requires tempera-
lure of ninety degrees, andf very cold
Dr. very hot drinks be taken digestion is
till the normal temperature
g restored. Buttermilk is the most
aealthful drink we have in warm
Weather. The Tactic acid it contains is
grateful to the stomach and supplies
IN important condition of di- j
yestion. No person should take food
while feeling sense of fatigue. First {
est, then eat.-Iasdiana Farmer.
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