Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-14
For the Dlspatch.l
Aristocracy of Health.

Apr0pos to Benedict's article in your Sun
DAVIS issue on Healthy Marriages" / find
the leading editorial IN the Medical WOrd
of Philadelphia of this month on the
Aristocracy OF Health" which may be Of
interest TO your readers, both ladies and
gentlemen. IL is as follows:
" We wish 10 propose the establishment
of an aristOcracy Of health. What grand
thing 1t is to be well b0rn-to come into
this world with a sound physique and an
unclOuded intellect. What a splendid am
b1tion II is to live so that the integrity Of
the body NAV remain unimpaired and the
power Of the mind may increase until adj
yanced age.
Imagine in the distant future the nc
count of a marriage IN = one of our most
select circles The perfect symmetry and
exquisite complexion of the bride and the
manly strength and bearing Of the groom
sustain their claims to descent nom faul-
lies that for many generations have been
free from the slightest faint of scrofuia,
tuberculosis, insanity. nervous debility,
rheumatism, and all organic weaknesses
or constitutional tendencies to dis
ease. but the members of which
whose rOsy-cheeked women never wore
corsets or tight shoes; never suffer
ed imprudent exposure, nor INDUCED
in unwhOlesome forms Of social dis
sipations; whose men never weakened
their nerves with tobacco, fired their It's
sues with alcohol, or clOgged their systems
bv commanding or Incidence; whose nus
bands and wives did not spend their physl-
cal capital faster than 1t accumulated, but
reserved their vital forces to contribute TO
more perfect health and higher and nObler
forms of mental activity.
What a blessed promise such union
rivcsl Who would not like to marry into
such an ariStOcracy Who would not be
proud to be q descendant from 1t. What
bower such a race would have among their
fellows-far beyond that conferred by
wealth
And vet such desirable condition OF
things Is not at all impossible or even dlt-
fcult of attainment. Simply little intel
1pent study and daily attention 20 PLAIN
laws of health will accomplish the object.
Each husband and wife may begin now
and resolve that henceforth their daily lives
will contribute to this glorious cause.
Each Young person may prepare TO be-
come q partner IN establishing an Illus
trious family in this wonderful new arts
tocracy. And each victim OF lncurable DIS
ease NAV at least resolve TO spare himself
the pain of seeing group OF slchy chill
dren around his hearthstOne.
"By Joining in this movement YOU do
not stint and deny yourselves, like the
miser. to leave an inheritance for your
heirs to fight over and squander after your
death. You enjoy the full and rich benefit
of it yourself. and leave them a wealth
that no man can take from them.
Then. all hail and all hasten the glo-
rions new order-the aristocracY OF health,
whose escutcheon shall be the erect, ath-
letlc form, the blooming cheeks and ruby
lips. the pearly teeth, and cleaning eyes
of happy race Of healthy men and wo-
men,"
Another reason not mentioned by Bene-
dict why men should not marry sickly
women IS that the men are very poor
nurses and can't acquire the art even by
study; whereas if woman marries a slckly
man her lot is not so hard. as she is born
nurse and shines beautifully in this sphere.
/ mention this as sort Of apology for
Benedict. y.