The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-01-12
DOCTORS IN sPlpsMIcs.
Their Manner of Protecting Thcmsclvo
from Contagious Influences.


from Contagious Influences.
1t has been often asked If medical
men have or use any prophylactic, go.
ing so much among infectious diseases
as they do, and seeming TO boar a
chained life. Thoy DO not u5o any
prophylaetic strictly so called, but
they do all that human nature cnn to
cultivate the me2s S0la IN co,pore
sdno. You will never find medical
man during epidemicsan seldom,
indeed at any other time--malSing any
mistake ip taking stimulants. He rises
early If he has been "all night in;" II
not, he does not begrudge himself an
extra houY or two in bed, knowing the
extreme value of sleep. Ha knows
well that good, solid, refreshing slum-
Der is one of the pillars that support
life--one of the keystones to the arch
of existence.
Then, as rule, the doctorh bath
every morning; in all probability a
cold sponge or shower. He does not
dress as If for wager; well he knows
that hurry of all kinds means excite
ment, and that excitement means tenn
porary congestion of the brain, and a
consequent burning off and wear OF
more nerve-call power than there is
any necessity for expcnding, So his
toilet is made leisurely, and II during
the process there are any worrying
thoughts, or any anxiety obtrudas it
self on his mind, they are quickly
banished. Hurry and worry claim q
hundred times us many victims every
year as consumption itself
The doctor having slept woll, in a
large, cool, pleasant room, having
bathed and dressed, has begun his day
well. Perhaps he has q turn round
the garden before sitting down to
breakfast. He will eat heartily If he can.
Mark these three last words, for he is
too wise to force nature, and so, should
there be any languldness and feeble
ness of appetite. his morning meal will
be spare one: toast, eggs, not over
strong tea or coffee, with probably a
morsel of whole-meal bread and fresh
butter When one is languid of a
morning, strong tea may suggest itself,
but the inclination TO take it should be
resisted-for bear this in mind: it is
stimulant, and the tannin il contains is
somewhat constipating; WELL reaction
will follow its use. and in summer
greater heat and thirst will be felt
about three hours after. Cocoatina is
less Objectionable. Tie fault with
this, if taken too strong, is that bilious
ness may follow But should the doc
tor feel the need of food or sustenance
between breakfast and lunch, he may
eat biscuit, drink glass of milk and
soda water, or even swallow n raw egs.
To continue our doctors day: while
doing his duty faithfully in time
of epidemic, he will guard against un-
due fatigue and all approach to worry.
When attending infectious or con-
tagious cases he will take every rea-
sonable precaution for his own safety;
there need be no necessity for bending
too much over bed or inhaling un-
healthy vapors, and he will see to it
that the rules of disinfection are most
is well ventilated and every thing kept
sweet and clean, even TO the dress of
the nurse. Nor viii the doctor expose
himself to the risks of infection when
faint and hunger. 1t is well that every
one should know this; a prevailing
epidemic seems like thief on the
watch, quietly biding his time
to spring upon and overpower
his victim. That time comes when
the victim is weak and off guard. On
the one hand, then, hunger may open
the door tor disease TO come in, while
on the other oyer-eating by fevering
the system simply makes bed for the
ailment to lie upon. Well, then. our
doctor has managed to keep this sys-
tenn up during all his weary day, and
he is glad to return home with an ap-
petite and ability to enjoy we'll
cooked and nicely yserved dinner.
Over-indulgence he will carefully
avoid. He will not commit the foolish
error of reasoning thus: wine is
good to sustain the system, therefore,
I'll take a glass or two" No; but
II he feels that sparkling ginger
ale will suit his palate better,
why, he will take that. In
fact, the man eats and drinks to
live. He does not regard dinner as a
luxurious repast so much as neces-
sity. Then, if after dinner he rests in
his easy-chair with a book or newspa-
per, surely we will not begrudge him
that repose.
1t is hours yet before bed time. He
may or may not take u biscuit or glass
of milk before retiring, but If his body
is heated with tho hardly-yet-banished
fatigues OF the day. warm bath, with
a cold sponge t. follow, will reduce
the temperature, exquaiize the circula-
ton, and induce calm. refreshing sleep.
--Cdssets Magazine.
-