Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-11-04
How to
Live
Common Sense Comments ON
Health, Happiness and
Longevity
BY GEORGE F. BUTLER
A. M. M. d.
LESS WORK FOR THE DOCTORS

Far more important and encouraging |
as "signs of the times" than any de-
velopments in politics or industry is
the publicity given In newspapers and
magazines to health topics. This
means future generations with purer
blood, stronger muscles, more cour-
ageous brains. And that, In turn,
means that all the problems of living
personal, social, political-will be
met and taken care OF. No physically
robust people Nwas ever ensaved or
was ever retrogressive. The first warn
Ing Of the downfall OF the Roman EN-
pire before the northern races was the
throngs of weaklings In the pestilence-
haunted cities Of the Mediterranean.
Heretofore In the worlds history CIV
ilizatlon has meant decay, because IL
has meant taking a nations best from
The healthful, open-air toll OF the coun-
try, and degeneratlng IL In noisome
cities where the very ideals Of happi-
ness involve destruction of health. And
our civilization Of over-abundant food,
misunderstanding machinery. would
have meant speedy ruin to us of the
modern world had II not been for the
progress OF sanitary science.
The first fruit OF this progress has
been the skepticism regarding the value
OF drugs and the passing Of the fam
fly doctor-two developments that are
so rapid that. we hardly appreciate
them as yet. II is grand advance
that we have made In discovering that
the body does not wish 10 he sick,
does not accidentally get sick but. on
the contrary, wishes 10 stay well, and
will stay well IL its owner Is not ig-
norant or reckless. This discovery
will make swo great changes In our
system OF education The first viii
be the teaching of breathing. To
breathe properly means health. long
life, capacity for work. Yet, today,
how few people know how to breathe?
The second great educational change
viii be I'm the matter of diet. In this
country. and in nearly all of Europe
except France, we are still eating the
things our forefathers managed 70 di-
gest when they were toiling and sweat
lng terribly in-the open air. instead OF
sitting at office desks.
Nature made the appetite for food
keen because she had to deal with con-
difions I'm which the food supply was
short and hard TO reach, and II the APP
petite had not been keen, the animal
would have given up the struggle.
/ We Ignore the changed conditions, and
use Natures no longer necessary bait
as an exercise for stuffing ourselves
| three times n day and eating between
meals. II IL weren't that sanitation Is
much better nowadays, and cooking
/ also the consequences would be worse
than they are. As 1t Is. we suffer a
great deal from rheumatism, "over-
work" and nervous prostrntion.'
| don't we?
II Is pleasant to eat all we want.
II is more comfortable to ride In an
automobile and breathe lazily in one
corner OF the lungs. than to walk and
take deep breatbs. But, II isn't the
way to he long-lived and healthy. And
IL Is the way to let the other fellow
who breathes and exercises aud eats
properly distance us.
The man who wishes 10 avoid doc
tors and preserve the full integrity OF
his functions 10 ripe old age must
aNoid excuses of every description,
have plenty Of fresh air, moderate
amount Of good nutritious food, and
must. furthermore. endeayor to employ
the higher faculties of his mind some
what more theoretically than Is usual
Nv customary. Mans destiny as re-
CARDS the body Is to great extent In
his own keeping. and. unless disease
is inherited. he VIII, In all probability.
live threescore years and more II the
! body is properly developed and cared
for.
LEARN HOW TO LIVE.
Simple foods, In moderation, the
drinking OF large quantities of pure
water, moderate enjoyable exercise the
: daily bath. free elimination through
: bowels. skin and kidneys, avoidance OF
overwork, worry. excitement or unkind
liness-these conditions will give prac'
teal immunity against all diseases
: save those arising from injury
I n IS better To live in harmony with
, a few simple clearly defined laws OF
I health. such as simple food simple
clothing. simple exercise, simple pre-
cautions. than to try to live In har
mony with public opinion. You should
T not hesitate To change your methods Il
!, you are pretty sure you see better
|. way.
:, Place yourself In harmony with. I'M
: universal law make religious use o
Il life: work while II Is yet day; be a
:. once serious and cheerful know how
- 10 repeat with the apostle: II hav'
!, learned In whatsoever state an
: herewith to be content"
Both brain and bodily work are es
sentia 10 the attainment and main
. tenance ~ perfect health.
- The man who serves himself and hi
fellow men hes; Is he who sfmplihe
lfe
II HE Excuse.