The record-union., 1896-10-11

Of absence, and for which 1t Is often
impossible to account. How infinitely
minute such odoriferous particles may
be has been shown by the familiar ex-
pertinent with a piece of musk.
small portion of this substance has
been known to scent the air of a room
for many months without undergoing
any appreciable diminution in weight
Nothing seems more likely than that
there may be a great number Of sub
stances which thus gradually evaporate
and impregnate the air without our
olfactory apparatus becoming in any
way cognizant of them. Considering
the well-known depressing or exhil-
arating effect of many substances
(chiefly carbon compounds) which are
introduced into the lungs in a vapor-
lied or finely divided state, am in
clined to think that the invisible air
borne matters which may so affect us
for good or the reverse are chiefly or
ganic in their origin.
But even if these hypothesis were
proved correct, we should yet have to
explain the physiological side Of the
question. The reasons why mere
change has such a stimulating effect on
the vital forces must be sought within
the body itself. Where the relative pur-
ity Of the atmosphere in two localities
is the same the effect of change of air
may be of the nature of stimulus to
the pulmonary excretory apparatus, SO
that the system is freed from effete and
poisonous material which would other
wise remain and prove detrimental to
health. If So it would be comparable
n a n a Of WI cfi
ulates the excretory functions of the
alimentary canal, or to one of the nu-
merous drugs wherewith we aid such
operations in various parts of the
system. And just as one agent Of the
latter kind is liable to lose its effect if
long continued, SO the air to which we
have become accustomed may cease
to provoke efficient function in the
lungs. In fact, when the effect of
change Of air is compared with the ac-
tion of certain medicines many points
of resemblance become apparent. In
the case of both, the good result hoped
for often reveal themselves only after
certain amount of discomfort. and
constitutional disturbance
BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATION.
There are certain biological laws
which may help US to understand, to
some extent why change Of air is so
conducive to the maintenance or the
recovery of health. We have learned
since Darwin's great discovery, to seek
for the explanation of widely distrib-
uted vital phenomena in the distant
past rather than in the present.
Without going back to any prehuman
being for evidence we SHALL think, find
some suggestive facts in the condition
of existence of our primitive ancestors
The discoveries of archaeologists have
abundantly proved that civilization,
and all the customs and traditions
which have followed in it's train, are
mere modern Innovations and occupy
but very small portion of the long his
tory of the human race The epoch
during which man was a savage hunt
er, with no fixed place of abode, was SO
incalculably longer than the most ex-
tended estimate of historic time that it
| is impossible to ignore the influence Of
such state of existence upon human
nature as we find it to-day That early
man was wanderer on the face Of
| the earth, like all modern sayages who
get precarious livelihood by hunting,
is abundantly proved. With the
change OF the seasons, or as game be-
| came scarce in the vicinity of his cave
dwelling, he was compelled to migrate
| from place to place, in search, not Of
| change Of air, but Of bare sustenance.
That such habits, prevalent through so
| long period, would be likely to leave
| a lasting impress on every cell and fiber
| of the human frame is more than proba-
ole And If these were the prevailing
| conditions Of environment during the
| manufacture, SO to speak, of our physi-
cal constitution, it seems reasonable to
INFER that somewhat similar conditions
/ would be those most favorable to the
smooth working of the bodily machinery
IN modern times. It was found that the
| unfortunate natives OF Tasma nia bred
4 among the hills and woods, perished
| rapidly when removed to a totally diff
1erent environment on Flinders Island,
and the dwarfs which Stanley discov-
| cred in the dense and gloomy forests Of
the AruWhimi only lived a short time If
forced to dwell in a more open and
sunny region. If, therefore, a race of
nomads, to whom vagrant habits had
| become second nature, were compelled
10 I'VE permanently in one spot. one
would expect that some evil conse-
quences would ensue, and that these
would be especially liable to show them
| serves when the general vitality had
Deen lowered by disease. And, con-
Versely, 1t seems reasonable to con-
ciude that renewal Of the conditions
10 which the constitution of man was
originally adapated would contribute
10 the recovery of a normal state of
health.-The New Review.
Liberal Husband.