The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-12
Laws of Health.


and their practice, cannot be learned
all at once, but only progressively-the
same as we learn trade. an art, or a
- science-by observation, study, and ex-
perience.
The human constitution has it's laws
of order, as definite and certain as
those of astronomy; yet, they are even
more difficult to learn; for the human
constitution is the most complex and
perfect of all created existence. Hence,
what we can here say is only suggest
i've land fragmentary.
CHEEREULNEss-and good will are
of the first importance to human
health. Therefore take the generous
side. Study benevolence and the well
fare of others for earth's sake as well
as for heaven. He whose tendencies
are all centrifugal or outward can hard
ly be sick,
SUNLIGHT-isa as essential to animal
as vegetable life. A celebrated physi-
clan says, the number of patients cured
in hospital rooms exposed to the rays
of the sun, were four times as great as
those confined in darkened rooms.
FRESH AIR. The air is the only
agent which keeps the blood pure and
enables it to circulate and impart life
power to the system. 1t no less sus-
tains life, by imparting this wonderful
property to the blood, than by expeI-
ling the impurities or worn-out matter
which the veins have collected and
brought to the lungs for expulsion, and
which if left in the system but few
moments, would cause death.
.ExERC1sE-is best if taken in some
employment for an object. Begin and
end slowly. It is we'll to carry out our
exercise to the point Of fatigue if the
system soon rallies from it; but for
health no greater fatigue should be in
Cured than q nights rest will remove.
To sleep well and gain strength, the
body must be fatigued.
FOOD. A free use of palatable fruit
is essential. We must learn to dis
tinguish between a real appetite and a
mere superficial taste. The taste of
sugar, for instance, may be agreeable
when there is no real need or appetite
for it.
Take few varieties of food at one
meal. It is we'll now and then to omit
by turns the use of every article Of
food-even bread, thus preventing the
system from becoming tied to any in
furious routine. It would not be amiss
to make an occasional meal of some
palatable fruit or vegetable, in its sea-
son, when best relished.
WATER. An abundant supply and
free use of pure, soft water is essential
to health. Water is the only fluid ca
pable of circulating in all the tissues of
the body, and penetrating its finest
vessels without irritation or injury.
No other liquid than water can dis
solve the various articles of food taken
into the stomach. 1t is water alone
which forms all the fluid portions of
the blood, and thus serves to convey
the nutriment to all parts of the body
for its growth and replenishment.
And it is water which takes up the
decaying particles, and conveys them,
by most complicated and wonderful
system of drainage, altogether from
the body. When good soft water can
not otherwise be obtained, small out
lay for cistern and filter will secure an
abundant supply of rain water, equal
to any.
BATHING. Much cold bathing ex-
hausts vitality. Much warm bathing
produces undue relaxation and sensi-
tiveness. Hence, to secure the best re-
suits, avoid these extremes. The tenn
perature of the water and surrounding
air should be such as to allow u bath to
be taken deliberately. With these coll
ditions, and moderately coarse towel,
a yard in length, to apply the water,
very thorough bath may be taken.
The towel bath affords excellent eXer-
else for those engaged in sedentary em-
ployments.