Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-01
METHODS PROPOSED FOR PRO-
LONGING MANS YEARS.
Theories of Old Egypt-Emetics and
Sweatings-Greek and Roman
Ideas-Games and Bathing.
From Longevity.

That men have striven by many and
earnest methods to prolong their lives,
since reason began to dawn, goes without
saying. The same principles by which
even the lowest types of the brute crea-
ton instinctively or unconsciously strive
to protect themselves, avoid and avert
danger, prompts the rational man to seek
{ the means for prolonging as well as pro
tecting his own life. Such means have
varied with the general intelligence OF
men in different ages. with their views as
to the nature of individual life and the
nature of being as whole, and have
usually referred to modifying the condi-
tons of the body or the conditions of the
environment. Exclusive of fantastica
methods, 1t might be said that these are
the only ways in which the individual
life can be improved; and, as modifica-
tiOnS OF the environment must react upon
the organism, these are reducible to one.
But as the views as to the real nature of
life in itself and in it's relations to it's en-
vronment have varied among men and
in different ages, so have the means varied
by which they sought to modify and i'm
prove human life.
Prehistoric man must have recognized
something of the similarity between the
activities of his organism and the ac-
tivities which We now attribute to ma
chimes. He probably observed some cor
respondence between the action of his
joints and limbs, and that of the tree
branch and stone representing a simple
lever and fulcrum when he overturned an
obstacle. He doubtless observed that his
breath was expelled, and that sweat eX-
uded from his pores in a ratio proportion
ate to the vigor of his work or exercise.
Early Egyptian Methods.
IN no.
with the Egyptians that free perspiration
and a stomach freed of unnecessary or
excessive food supply tended to enhance
life. So generally was this idea directed
to preserving health among them that
when two of these ancients met q usual
form of salutation was: How do you
sweat?' To which, from a very common
practice among them, we may presume
the reply TO have been: Very we'll. thank
you. and l have taken my emetics regu-
larly"
the Egyptian mysteries and their secret
methods of instruction had considerable
reference to the control of vitality, while
the extent and value of that instruction
in shown in the fact if we may believe
the records. that Moses, the great SemetiC
leader, who instituted special hygienic
measures among the Jews. Herodotus
the father Of history, and Pythagoras. the
Samian teacher of philosophy and ethics
were all educated among the Egyptians
Pharaoh Thotmes III, according to some
authorities. attained the great age of one
hundred and thirty-eight years, presuma-
bly, illustrating the results of taking at
least two emetics per month and daily
sweat.
Greek and Roman Methods.
The Greeks and Romans were convers-
INF url,i 10
eating the advantages of temperance,
pure air and bathing. they made advances
in certain ways upon the Egyptian meth
DDS. Accounts are extant how great men
among them took their emetics imme-
diately following their debauches at pri-
vate banquets and public feasts. while
the institution of the Olympian and SINH
lar gymnastic games seems referable not
only to the idea that free perspiration
was desirable as an incentive to health.
but TO the further thought that the &C
tivities involved tended to produce a
higher type Of physical strength and
beauty. That body and mind should be
exercised in about equal degree as a
means of improving and prolonging the
life of the individual was doctrine
taught in the schools of Greece and
Rome. Out of this mechanical method
developed all systems for cleansing and
improving the body in a mechanical way.
One class includes the various methods
of bathing-hot and cold water treatment
Russian and Turkish baths, and internal
baths or flushing the colon periodically-a
valuable method if not carried to excess
so a = to weaken the natural muscular ac-
ton. Another class refers to systems OF
physical culture, calisthenics and setting
up" exercises such as are employed in
military and other training
The wearing of belts and stays to sup
port organs and maintain an erect post
ure. and the protection of the body and
parts of the body by special appliances
involves a third class of derivatives. AT
the Aberdeen meeting of the British AS
ISOLATION for the Advancement of Sci
ence. in 1885, Protheroe Smith, NJ D., read
a paper on the preservation and pro-
longation of life, in which he advocated
the toe of pelvic band supporting costa
springs adapted to the sides of the chest
by which the organs of the chest could be
supported and the ills of a depressed
STOPPING form prevented. In this the
danger of relieving the natural mus
cular action should be guarded against.
Gerocomic or Emanation Method.
Another early method OF vital improve
ment was the gerocOmic from the Greek
geron an old man. and komeo to take
care. This method, also called that of
emanation> seems to have prevailed
among the ancient Phoenicians by which
in practice they associated the young
with the old without indulgence. as a
means-of renewing the latter's vital pow
els. The case of King David and Abs
hag, the Shunamite, is an illustration of
Jews. AS Involving scientific princi-
pie. IL Is especially worthy of cOnSidera-