The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-08-22

occupations. Nearly all began life upon
the farm. Eight hundred out of 1000
women had been farmers wives.
The diet of these people had been regular
New England home dishes of meat, vege-
tables and pastry. All were moderate
eaters with good appetites. More than
thirds were habitual users of tea and
coffee. Few of the men and none of the
women were users OF Intoxicating bever-
ages, and not a dozen out of the number
used liquor to excess. A large majority of
the men used tobacco, both smoking and
chewing. Quite number quit after using
it for twenty thirty or fifty years.
Out of 1,049 men $50 had never been
sick from childhood, and out of 800 women
% had never been sick. The men were
bony and muscular and the women plump.
While these people were clearly, they were
not much given to bathing, and were not
informed on sanitary matters. Only few
of these old people were employees. From
this evidence one writer has drawn this con-
clusion: EITHER that man with the ele,
ment of long life within him is more
independent in nature or that a spirit of
independence fostered for years tends to
prolong existence. 1t needs no collection
of statistics to prove that in most cases one
who works for a long period for another has
weaker individuality than he who is an
employer.
1t is evident from the foregoing facts that
these old people conserved their vital forces,
were regular in their habits, abstained from
Intoxicating liquor had good food, clothed
themselves comfortably, had much Outdoor
exercise, and above all led an independent
life.
One queer fact ELECTED by this investiga-
ton was that five out of every six OF these
octogenarians were blond, with blue or gray
eyes and abundant brown hair The dark
complexioned people seemed to be out of
the race for longevity. 1t may be true that
in the ages to come all races of men will
fiAally succumb to the white, die out natu-
rally and perish. Then will the change
continue among the white race until the
dark features are entirely eliminated; until
the light complexioned displace the dark
complexoned. In BRIEF is the typical
coming man to be the perfect blonde?
An injury to health, and consequently a
shortening of life, is the turning of night
into day. The sun is the life-giving force
of the universe. The day is the time for
work and exercise; the night the time for
rest and growth. any attempt to reverse
this order will be disastrous to health. The
night is the time nature utilities for growth.
} Plants grow much more in the night than
in the day, as can be proven by measure
ment The growth is from two to three
times that in the daytime. The same fact
is true of animal life. Children grow more
rapidly in the night time. The nights
sleep recuperates the powers and energy of
the adult. Plants and animals must have
the alternate of night and day. 1t was
observed by gentleman who had pear
tree in his yard under an all-night electric
light, that the tree which had borne fruit
prolificly before, ceased to bear fruit when
subjected all night to the artificial light.
The continuous light killed the tree as a
fruit bearer. 1t was necessary for the
alternate of darkness to insure the blossom
and fruit.
Outdoor life is also requisite to lon
gevity. Exercising in gymnasium will
not take the place of open air life.
In Genesis vi chapter, Sd verse, we read
"The days of man shall be an hundred and
twenty years. David sings 'The days
of your years are three score and ten. "
Button, the naturalist and Flourens, the
Psychologist, both expressed the belief that
man should live to be 100 years old. Pro-
lessor Hufeland, William Kinnear and Dr.
William A. Hammond, former surgeon
general of the United States, all affirm that
the prolongation of life to 200 years is no
dream and that man should live to that
age. All authors upon that subject agree
that man should live to be 100 years old
No law of nature clips the thread of
existence at three score and ten. Vital
statistics show that among the higher races
the average of human life has nearly been
doubled in 200 years. The causes that have
operated so far to increase our years are
still operative and are multiplying their
power The grosser races are falling under
the influence of sanitary laws. The most
subtle and sweeping causes of disease are
hunted out and are being put under control.
Mans will is increasing its dominion. The
question has even been raised whether we
may not be able to so control environments
as to live forever. Certain it is that at
present our vitality is for the most part
wasted. The result of more profound
knowledge of physical and psychical laws
it is certain will induce us to live far more
wisely than we do. There seems to be nc