The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-11-09
The Fear OF Death.

Familiarity with death is apt to
alter ones earlier conceptions of it.
Two ideas are very generally accept
ed, which experience shows to be
false. One is that the dying usually
fear death; and the other, that the
act of dying is accompanied by pain.
1t is we'll known to all physicians
that when death is near it's tcrrors
do not seem to be felt by the patient.
Unless the immigration is stimulated
by the frightful portrayal of the sup
posed ''pangs of DEATH" or of the
sufferings which some believe the
soul must endure after dissolution, it
is rare indeed that the last days or
hours of life are passed in dread.
Oliver Wendell Holmes has recorded
his protest against the custom of tell
ing person who does not actually
ask to know, that he cannot recover.
As that loving observer of mankind
asserts, so must every one who knows
whereof he speaks assert that people
almost always come to understand
that recovery is impossible; it is
rarely ncedful to tell any one that
this is the case.
When nature gives the warning,
death appears to be as little feared
as sleep. Most sick persons are very
very tired; slcep-long, quiet sleep
is what they want. I have seen
many people die. | have never seen
one who seemed to fear death, except
when it was, or seemed to be, rather
far away. Even those who are con-
stantly haunted, while strong and
well: with dread of the end of life,
forget their fear when that end is at
hand. As for the act of dying-the
final passage from life to dcath-it is
absolutely without evidence that the
oft repeated assertions of it's painful
ness are made. Most people are un-
conscious for some hours before they
die; and in the rare cases where con-
sciousness is retained unimpaired
until few minutes before the end,
the last sensation must be of perfect
calm and rest. 1t is worse than
cruel to add to the natural dread of
death which Expresses the majority
of us while in good health, the dread
of dying. There is surely fear
enough in this suffering world let
us not increase it by imaginary to
real causcs.-Dr. j. West Roosevelt,
in Scaibner's Magazine for October
The Apple as Medicine.
DR.. G.. r. Scarles, of Brooklyn,
n. Y, thus discourses on the apple
as medicine: "Thc apple is such
common fruit that very few persons
arc familiar with its remarkably cfi-
cacious medicinal properties. Every
body ought to know that the very
best thing they can do is to cat ap-
pies just before retiring for the night.
Persons miniatcd in the mysteries
of the fruit arc liable to throw up
their hands in horror at the visions
Of dyspepsia whicl. a suggestion may
summon up, but no harm can come
to even delicate system by the cat
ing of ripe and juicy apples just be-
fore going to bed. The apple is an
excellent brain food, because it has
more phosphoric acid in easily digcs-
tiblc shape than any other vegetable
known. 1t cXcitcs the action of the
liver, promotes sound and healthy
sleep, and thoroughly disinfects the
mouth. This is not all. The apple
agglutinatcs the surplus acids of the
stomach, helps the kidney sccrctions
and prevents calculus growths, while
it obviates indigestion and is one of
the best preventativcs known of dis
eases Of the throat. Everybody
should be familiar with such knowl-
edge, and | hope you will help dis
seminate it. In addition, next to
the orange and the lemon, it is the
best antidotc for the thirst and cray
ing of the person addicted to the
alcohol or the opium habit"