Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-06
PERILs OF INDOOR LIFE.
Sedentary Occupations the Source of
Many Dangers.
From the Clinique.

from t1e Unique.
The sedentary lives led by most towns
men are declared dangerous. First OF all he
asserts that the character of life In Amer
lea has changed and is still changing, not
only from the outdoor life OF pioneering
and settlement TO the indoor Efe of COM
merce and manufactures but also from
the rough life of manual agriculture TO the
less laborious methods of modern farming.
This change In the mode of life of the peo-
pie has been followed, he believes. by a
corresponding change in the diseases to
which they are subject He says
THE change in physical conditions re-
sulting from the indoor life is of the ut
most Importance from the standpoint OF
national welfare . Inasmuch a
nations existence may depend any time
upon the physical and moral strength OF
the man behind the gum 1t behooves us
to make every effort to prevent the de-
terioration which inevitably follows con-
gestion and overcrowding. In my opinion
the problem Is more sociological than medl-
cal. and there are many thinkers working
on IL In all countries
.'The establishment of parks and play
grounds and the extension of trolley lines
into the country are doing considerable
good in the way of giving the people &C
cess to places where there Is fresher air.
large inland city there should be national
park of larger size reserved forever for the
use of the people and containing attractions
sufficient to draw the crowds away from
the cities on Sundays and on holidays.
The tendency OF the people to live in the
suburbs Is to be commended. especially In
families where there are young children;
but as yet the number OF suburban towns
suitable for the immense population Of
laboring people is relatively small. and the
problem of building up such suburbs for
such class Is one OF the most important
which we have. 1t is probably, however.
not too late in this country to take these
things in time before the general physical
condition of our large city populations Is
hopelessly deteriorated. 1t Is imperative
that those who work in factories and in or
fees should have a greater annual supply
of fresh air than they now possess. Labor
unions should by combined effort establish
colonies of workers In the various nearby
suburbs before the factories and railroad
yards have entirely taken possession or
them.
1.-The problem of supplying fresh air to
those who are even too poor to take a
trolley ride is indeed serious one. 1t Is
said that there are persons In the Chicago
ghetto district who have never seen Lake
Michigan. For such a class the establish
ment Of small parks with swimming pools
as near as possible to their district. ana
the municipal ownership of surface lines
with reduced fares, would be a certain help.
The latter would enable considerable per-
centage of those not wholly submerged to
live farther away from congested centers,
while those who were still obliged to live
In crowded portions OF the city might at
least occasionally have the benefit of a
trip to the suburbs or country
1.-THE poor however are not the only ones
that suffer from the indoor life. In these
days the ability to succeed in business de-
ponds in many cases on the ability to stand
protracted nervous strain quite as much as
Ii does upon the possession of brains.
Hence we find men In prominent positions
who are obliged to make every minute
count; who allow just many hours for
sleep, so many minutes for eating, and
who practically work all the time. 1t IS
among such a class that we are likely to
find neurasthenia. heart disease, diabetes
mellitus and chronic Brights disease. 10
such men we advise the following: Sub
urban residence and the habit of taking two
vacations a year, one in the winter as we'll
as one in the summer. But during the
working season more sleep, less rich food,
less alcohol, less sweets, walk after din
ner in the evening and observance of Sun
day as a day of rest for the mind. and suit
able exercise Tor the body are desirable.
IAN important measure with reference to
the kidneys is the systematic drinking or
water. cool to degree sufficient to be re-
freshing, but not iced. In every factory.
department store, bank and office there
should be a supply of pure water. easily
obtainable, of which not less than three
plnts daily should be drunk by every per-
son able to tolerate It..