The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-08-24
Concerning Health

teaches us to dress properly for the
weather, can believe that this critic
voiced a general opinion. l have had
reason all my life to be grateful for
the independence and wisdom of
very sensible mother, who thought it
a duty of her daughters - to be well.
Not merely privileges positive,
religious duty.
Without health, ones pleasure is in.
terfered with on every turn. This
would be small matter il ones
chances to be useful were not also
greatly diminished by fragile and .un.
certain health. People who are NOR.
bid and blue, and easily discouraged,
who make mountains of molehills and
see lions in the way where others
walk safely, are usually the prey of
their nerves and have not reserve
force enough to carry them through
what they undertake. Schoolgirls.
and those at college, too, sometimes
break down through overwork, al.
though I am inclined to think that
this is seldom the case unless in adds.
ton to their legitimate work they at.
tempt something else.
Unless girl is very strong. she
should not try to pay her way through
school or college by her own work.
Some girls do this, successfully, but
they are exceptional. Still more dan.
gerous is the effort to combine study
and society. The girl at high school,
living at home and trying to go to
parties and concerts and other even
ing amusements, cannot maintain
her proper rank in the classroom.
Briefly stated, unbroken health is
within the reach Of most of US. We
are fortunate if we have inherited Wig
orous bodies from parents and grand
parents. Yet If we have begun life
with tendencies to delicate health, we
may overcome them by resolute will,
careful dieting and generally hygienic
living. An abundance of good, plain,
nutritious food is essential to health.
Thousands of schoolgirls owe their
dull eyes, sallow compilations, pimples
and frequent headaches to constant
surfeiting on rich food and to eating
too many sweets. A habit of eating
between meals, nibbling chocolates
and bon bons is fatal to digestion and
good looks. A girl who is half sick
most Of her time will lose her comeli-
ness, and as beauty is the birthright
of sch olgirls, which they should not
sell for the modern mess Of pottage
in the confectioner's window, one can
not but regret the spendthrlft folly.
Equally fatal to health is the habit
of taking drugs. The girl who never
gets far from the pill box will not
have the high spirits and gay good
humor which should be her portion.
/ seldom see group of girls stand:
ing around soda fountain without
wishing that they knew the advan-
tages Of drinking plain cold water.
only that and plenty of it, and letting
sweetened syrups alone. Fruit should
take the place of pastry, and it is
better for growing girls wholly to
omit coffee and tea from their bill OF
fare. Bread at least day old is
better choice for beauty than hot
biscuits, and fried food should not be
chosen If anything else can be had.
Another secret of health for the
schoolgirl is plenty of sleep. The
beauty sleep must be taken before
midnight. Go early to bed if you
would be strong and equal to what
ever you have to do. The temptation
to sit up late because others do 50 is
always great, but it should be re-
sisted.