Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-08-16
The ounce of Prevention.

Inc ounce OF Prevention.
In view of the many senseless
things we DO, we are getting more
than our deserts when we have rea-
sonably good health. But even thos2
to whom we pin our faith, doctors;
are not overburdened with the sense
of care as occasional accidents reveal
Ordinary care is not a feature of
daily lie. Ali sorts Of persons take
all sorts of risks, and some pay the
penalty. The others escape by rare
good fortune. 1t is not possible to be
prepared for every emergency, but we
might have safeguards against those
which are nearest, like the employee
in an apartment house furnished with
an ammonia plant for refrigerating
purposes. When the tank burst and
the occupants We're in danger of
death the man donned his armor, kept
ready for just such an accident, and
by means of fresh air pipe could
brave the fumes long enough to re
pair the damage.
We can avoid ether dangers as we
keep cut of tine way of horses, autos
ana cars-by care. When we cannot
swim wo should not go in water be
You'd our depth. The majority of ac-
cidents on gasoline boats are caused
by 9 flame of some sort which ordi-
nary intelligence says has no business
to be there. To plunge into cold
water when overheated is not a ra-
tional act, neither is the reckless
curting of draught Heat may urge
us to the excessive use Of iced bev-
erages, but We need no physician to
tell US that serious consequences are
likely to result After all, acid drinks
are a habit and not a very tenacious
o1e at that, as | discovered when
placed where could not get them at
will. Now do not care for them,
even in The hottest weather.
A woman with an umbrella is a
formidable object, men say, because
they are utterly unconcerned as to
how many they make uncomfortable.
Open or closed, the thing of steel and
cloth is a ylenace to the eyes and an
engine of destruction to wearing APP
parel. although common care and
thoughtfulness would reduce the dan
ger to practically nothing. Hatpins
are worse. when worn according to
the prevailing fashion and in crowded
places, but you could not reform a
dozen women by telling them so.
The cautious persons are scarce
enough to be easily counted. They
may not escape all danger, but AT
least they reduce the chances of acct
dent, and that is about all that human
skill can do. have felt my heart
stop beating for a second OF two at
the caring of women who cr1rssed the
path of swiftly approaching cars or
carriages ana newsboys wfo boarded
moving ccnveyances. ] never wit
messed an accident, thank heaven, but
| have seen many narrow escapes.
Men, women and children take awful
risks many times day
Blood poison is such a common
complaint that we do not fear it as
we ought We might wound our
IGS1 ulhtly- WAN aO behN
results, and the hundredth might
bring blood poison. With that knowl-
edge it seems as if we ought to safe
guard ourselves every time the skin
is broken, as doctors say we should,
by some antiseptic preparation A
bottle of peroxide of hydrogen will
lessen the chances of poison, if
brought into use whenever the skin
is broken.
ANIMALS have an instinct that
guides them in such cases, as shown
by the dog bitten by a deadly snake
which Immediately sought the soft
mud of a swamp and remained in it
till the poison was drawn out. HUI
man beings should feel ashamed at
the superior care these creatures be-
stow upon their wounds and their
sick feelings and take a lesson in or
binary methods of regaining health
Think of the number of sick persons
who never even try TO find out what
ais them, but trust - luck to get
strong and well. Is that exercising
ordinary care or is it taking undue
risks with a reckless disregard of
consequences?