Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-17
THE PREVENTION OF DISEASE

may affect women in apparently sep
arate and distinct ways because OF
their especial anatomy and physiolog-
ical functions. Such is really not the
case, for all living beings are funda-
mentally the same, dependent upon
the normal functioning of their myr-
lads of chemical cells for health. If
these go wrong the untoward influence
may be felt in especial organs as well
as others This varies with the in
herent tendency of the individual. Tu-
berculoss, insanity, cancer, for ex-
ample, are not inherited, but the po-
tentiality of these conditions, which
means, after all, lowered resistance
on the part of the individual, may ex-
ist Intelligent care and education
along the lines of right physiological
living from childhood up tends to pre-
vent their development. The first
thing of Importance therefore, to reg
ognize in order to prevent disease is
that care of the organism as whole
which results in normal functioning
Of the cell in it's countless thousands.
To be a woman, anatomically and
physiologically. means the possession
of certain especial organs. They are
not vital in the sense that the heart
and lungs are, for example, but they
are necessary to the perpetuation of
the race of human beings.
At certain definite years, varying
with climatic conditions, changes oc-
cur which indicate the beginning of
maturity in the life of the young girl.
This process may occur anywhere
from eight to sixteen years of age. In
tropical climates it takes place at the
earlier, and in cold climates at the
later age The average age for tenn
perate climates is from Ia to Is years,
but many girls reach maturity at the
earlier periods even in temperate cli-
VT l., lzs1.J
life is spent under conditions that are
too stimulating. This is undesirable,
and parents should see that their chill
dren live healthfully. TO this end
abundant out of doors, sunshine, exer-
else, proper bathing. dressing, regular
meals of wholesome food are necessary,
while late hours, excessive excitement
of music, dancing and the reading of
fiction are to be avoided. All these
things are desirable if not carried to
excess. There should always be ju-
dicious admiXture of work and play
in the child's life, while brain and
hands should be taught useful things.
Happy the child, and afterward for
tunate the woman, who is taught the
art of housekeeping in earlier years.
Before the time for maturity arrives,
however the mother should have so
Informed herself that she can tell her
little daughter of the nature of her
pnySlOlOSlC IunctlOn, Wnen and now
often it should appear and of it's re-
lation to the beautiful mechanism of
life. If she is not capable-that Is,
has not been instructed herself-she
should ask help of the wise physician
of her own SEX Both daughters and
sons should be told of their physiolog-
ical functions, that they may do moth
ing to prejudice their well-being. This
duty does not end with the mother,
but belongs to the father as well.
All bodily functions should be equal
ly physiologic, and any departure from
normal should at once receive recogni-
tion, not for the purpose of molly
coddling," but for the prevention of
ultimate disease. None of the appe-
tites and desires of the living being
are ignoble of themselves, but through
their misuse and abuse
Nothing is more important to the
end of keeping girls and women well,
after the physiological functioning of
the CELL than normal digestion. This
means the taking of suitable food, at
proper intervals, it's thorough masti-
tween meals save as needed by the
growing child. when the food should
be simple and wholesome, the neces-
sity of water drinking other than at
mealtime, and the avoidance of stim-
ulants than which none are more in
furious than tea and coffee used in
discriminatory. In addition, the habit
of thorough elimination by bowels and
kidneys daily must be secured.
The habit of tight lacing, of wearing