Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-02-10
nov TO LIVE LONG.

part OF the instinct OF nunianAey' 49,
times it does not seem to be ut all mod
fled by the prospect of continuous ana
severe suffering. But in the desire tor a
long life, We surely should include the
desire for healthy life.
The great inclination of youth is to
exercise. The free use of the body up
to the extent of its powers is not only
the means of acquiring more power, but
to retain what We have. So we are to
insist upon it that all through the
period of life the law of activity pre-
walls. There is no substitute for it.
This tends to prolong the period OF
growth. Some have contended that
the longer this period can be made the
more likely is long life to be secured.
Animals that live long are generally
slowest in reaching perfection. Food
at the early periods needs to have
special reference to construction. Hence
it is that milk and eggs and all the va.
rious foods are relished in quantities.
In childhood the healthy appetite ac-
cepts all of the various forms of food.
There is growth, energy, and much con.
structive force, and so all of the food
elements are needed. Later on, the
person, if wise, comes to study food
and exercise with reference to the kind
of exertion that is put forth.
The indoor life, even if it be one Of
toll, must not be dealt with as the out.
door life. Sedentary callings must
have some relief by exercise in the open
air if the same food supply is used.
Now is the time, too, to study the ten
dency of the system. If it is to
leanness on one hand, or plethora on
the other. the fact should govern the
diet.
Most of those who die between %
and 60 unless they die by accident, 'lie
by some indiscretion. 1t is the over
indulgence of appetite, or the neglect
of food when needed, or the overstrain
of business, or the exposure to changes
of temperature without corresponding
changes of clothing. 1t is intelligent
caution that saves sickness, and this
caution ought to be in possession and
exercise before middle life. It is so
much easier to prevent serious sickness
than to secure recovery from it. Hence
it is that many who are deficient in vigor
in early life outlive the vigorous and
careless.
After middle life it is always to be
, recognized that q process of degenera-
ton has begun. The tissues are less
flexible and less easily nourished. Or
gans have not the activity of youth.
Some of them have become more OF
less impaired. The safety is in recog-
nizing the fact and treating them &C
cordingly. 1t is wonderful how the
system often bears up under the partial
disability of an organ or part if there
is adaptation to its weakness, and some
compensation therefore. The enlarged
heart freed from excitement and fatigue
lasts a score of years. The weak
stomach accepts the substituted diges-
ton of the rest of the digestive tract or
the outside digestion which chemistry
offers. Even the age tends to last.
The natural degeneration of tissues OF
vessels is too often hurried forward by
| spells of undue exertion or by too con-
slant repose; while good food is needed
and more frequently than in middle
! life, there is often error in the over-use
of concentrated foods. There must be
| adaptation to our more retired and
| quiet life. The equable life makes the
old person a comfort to himself and an
example of healthful prudence to his
! friends. -I1adepeaede,1t