The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-04

be benevolent If they knew what fun 1t
was. This seems TO be the only dissipa-
tion which he allows himself. Many peo
pie would enjoy exciting themselves in the
same way if they had the money. but
that part of Dr. Pesrsons' scheme is not
essential In all probability the ordinary
person could get as much benefit from Civ
ing away half dollar as the Chicago ply
stefan receives from his larger generosity
Altogether there is great deal of solid
common sense in the ideas OF this vigor-
| Gus old gentleman. The trouble with two
thirds of the people who die before their
time is that they do not live healthy, nor
NAL, comfortable lives. Some of them can
| not, and that is a pity. but it is possible
for almost any adult human being to live
hygienically if determined to do it. Fresh
air is attainable TO most people; so is
sleep and the two are closely connected.
\ great many nervous and sensitive per-
sons who are troubled with insomnia
could get rid of their disordered nerves if
they would stop drinking strong tea and
coffee. take exercise in the open air, and
steep with the windows open. They allow
themselves TO worry desperately over their
affairs, under misty impression that this
is being conscientious. when it is really
only foolish. They eat and drink things that
disagree with them, shut themselves up
in a hot, unventilated room all the eve
ming and sleep with the windows shut for
fear of taking cold. OF course. they lie
awake. and fret and worry over their trou-
bles. Nature does not work miracles.
Perhaps the most sensible suggestion
which DR.. Pearsons makes is Don't fret"
lil-temper is responsible for great deal
OF disease. OF course. fit of crossness
does not create. but it weakens the nerves.
and upsets the system so that it loses the
power to resist contagion. The general
advice to avoid all excitement. particu
larly that which leads to irritability and
ill-temper does not mean that one should
vegetate, like a cabbage. 1t is perfectly
possible for man to lead very excit-
ing life without becoming excited, nerv-
Gus, or restless. There used to be an old
fashioned housekeeper's proverb, Drive
your work: don't let 1t drive you The
man or woman who does this. who keeps
control of the nerves and does not allow
worry to get the upper hand, will LIST
twice as long as one who follows the OPP
posite course. A great deal of nervous
irritation is caused by mistaken idea of
duty. When duties become so numerous
that they cannot all be well done, the
wise worker will sit down and reckon
them over, and decide which to leave out.
or whether il is better to do them all as
well as possible and leave perfection out
of the question. Having arrived at this
decision, nothing should be allowed to
change il. Wiseacres may talk 0. lack
of energy. and others may preach about
neglect of opportunities. but in most cases
the person who does not try TO do every
thing in one life will accomplish mere
than the one who does. Generally speak
ing round of tasks which wrecks the
nervous system. spoils the temper. ond
causes constant irritability. fretfulness
and depression, ought to be cut down to
proper limits Most people can drop
something from their daily programme. if
necessary, and they ought not to wait Nh
til the doctors orders force them to do IT,