Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-13
rse ssA,rn oe Ins eARMea

THE HGAlTh or THE FARMER
La many ways people living in the
country have advantages for preserving
health that are not enjoyed by their city
neigheors. In fact, the city has been
termed ''the grave Of the physique OF
our race" Ia the rural Districts the
average number OF deaths year Is IL 9s
To the thousand, while In the cities IL lie
3S.as. Much Of the advn ntsge possessed
by the country 10 this respect comes
from pure food would il were often
more wholesomely cooked, better san
itsry Surroundings and freedom from the
debilitzting habits which overtake the
dweller In the city.
But there Is no room for doubt that II
the farmer took better care OF himself he
would live much longer than he does.
As people we are very reckless In this
respect. And this recklessness shows
itself most plainly in the ~ay we expose
ourselves 20 Indictment weather and iu
the matter of overworking ourselves.
The farmer thinks he may 60 on year
after year working out Of doors, rain or
shine, aud be none the worse for It. He
laughs at the man who suggests that he Is
running great risks by thus exposing
himself. He wants YOU TO understand
that he has toughened himself 10 endure
all kinds OF weather. With vet shoul-
ders and still wetter feet he plods through
the mud and wet grass, coming In at
night TO 'dry off," without thinking IL
worth while to make any change OF
clothing.
His wife Il. II possible, even more
careless than himself. With no cover
ing upon her head, and only a thin dress
TO protect her shoulders, she goes out
many times q dsy TO attend TO the vari-
Gus duties which have fallen TO her lot
Rarely does she think II worth while to
put on pair Of rubbers. Through the
act grass with skirts bedrsGGled and
ankles cold and uncomfortable she goes
through the day.
But nature will not long endure such
outrsges with retsilisting, and soon the
farmer sud his wife wake up TO the fact
that they have rheumatism or kidney
troubles badly. Coughs and colds are
followed by ssthms, bronchitis or con-
sumption OF the lungs. Heart disease IL
the sequence Of rheumatism, aud so on,
until the fsrmer finds himself broken
down prematurely.
The report ~ the State Commission
ia I.anacy for New-York presents some
startling statistics. Out OF fourteen oc-
cupstions, admitted TO the State hospitals
10 the year ending September 30, 1897,
only four classes were more largely rep
resented than the farmers. Those set
down As having been engaged In agri-
cultural and pastoral pursuits contriout-
ed q per cent OF all admitted In that year.
IL might be thought that the quiet OF the
country would serve ss psnaces Tor All
troubles Of the mind. This does not sp-
pear TO De true. Over~ork and worry
are the causes Of a large percentage of
the insanity among farmers
An important lesson ought 70 be re-
rived from such considerations ss these.
IL should be plain that every farmer
ought To protect himself from the
weather Go cold stormy days he should
see 20 II that his body Is shielded from
lind and storm when 10 IL necessary TOT
him 20 90 out. He would not permit MS
stock 10 be out Of doors on such days.
Why should he be less considerable OF his
own health: He should see TO it that his
iie and family are provided with rub
bers snd other garments for keeping on
the vet, aud see TO |, that they are used
when needed. He should be as moderate
about working ss he csn, remembering
thst the extra dollsr earned today msy
call for double expenditure tomorrow.
N he happens TO he caught out In
storm and gets thoroughly drenched, he
should lose no time In putting of his
vet clothing and replacing II with dry.
Such care Ss this cannot but tend 20
NArd Of disease and lenethen life
Edgar l.. Vincent, 10 New-fork weekly
Tribune.