, 1906-03-16

Not so very long ago, a popular
magazine published an editorial article
in which the writer asserted, in sub
stance, that all disease should be re-
garded as criminal. Certain it is, that
much of the sickness and suffering of
tain of Natures laws, which, if under
stood and implicitly followed, would
result in the prevention of much of the
sickness and suffering of humanity.
But to say that all sickness should be
regarded as criminal, must, on a little
sober reflection, appeal to every rea-
sonable and intelligent individual as
radically wrong.
Thousands suffer from contagious and
infectious diseases most innocently and
uncOnsciously contracted. Other thou
sands suffer and die of generous atfec-
tions, the cause of which no medical
man has yet been wise enough to fer
ret out and determine, and which can
not, therefore, be avoided. Then too,
many times stress OF circumstances
compel people to expose themselves to
various disease-producing agencies, such
as malaria, bad air in overheated factor
les, coal mines, and many other situations,
and surely those who suffer therefrom
should not be branded as criminals.
insofar as disease is contracted or
brought on ones self from harmful ex-
cesses, oyer-eating, intemperance and
other like ~indulgencies and d~ebauchery,
we think, with our editor friend, that it
should be regarded as little less than
criminal. On the other hand. we think it
would be harsh, unsympathetic, cruel, yes
criminal. to condemn the poor, weak
Over-worked housewife who sinks under
the heavy load of household cares and
burdens which she Is obliged to struggle
along under until she succumbs to the
strain and oYer-eXertion, and suffers from
weaknesses. various displacements of
pelvic organs and other arrangements
peculiar to her sex.
The too frequent bearing of children,
with its exacting demands upon the sys-
ten, coupled with the care, worry and
labor of rearing a large family, is often
the cause of weakness, arrangements
and debility which the mother has to bear
and which are aggravated by the many
household cares, and the hard, and never
ending work which she is called upon to
perform. DR.. Pierce. the maker of that
WoTld-famed remedy for women's peculiar
ills-Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription
says that one of the greatest obstacles to
the cure of this class of maladies is the
fact that the poor, overWorked housewife
can not get the needed rest from her
many household cares and labor to enable
her to secure from the use of mis- "Pres-
cription" its full benefits. 1t is a matter
of frequent experience, he says, in his
extensive practice in these cases, to meet
with those in which his treatment fails
by reason of the patients inability to alb
stain from hard work long enough to be
cured. With those suffering from pro-
lapsus, ante-versiOn and retro-version
of the uterus or other displacement
of the womanly organs, it is very neces-
sary that, in addition to taking his VIA
vorite Prescription" they abstain from
being very much, or for long periods, on
their feet. All heavy lifting or straining
of any kind should also be avoided. As
much outdoor air as possible, with mod
crate, light exercise is also very import
ant.
1t is DR.. Pierce's observation that many
housewives suffer much in ID weakened
condition of their system from too close
confinement indoors. Often the kitchen,
where they spend most of their time, is
lily ventilated and the bad air and over
heating thereof act most unfavorably
upon the woman's strength, until she
finds herself suffering from various weak
nesses attended by backache, bearing
down pains, or dragging-down sensations
that are extremely hard to bear. A ca
tarrhal, pelvic drain, Of most facilitating
and disagreeable nature, is a common
symptom of the congested or infamed