Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-05-27
How to
Live
Common Sense Comments ON
Health, Happiness and
Longevity
By GEORGE r. BUTLER
A. Nj. nj. q.
SUNSHINE.

than sunshine. Sunshine costs moth
ing, is refreshing, invigorating. life-giv-
ing TO both sick and WELL People
somehow have got the idea that moth
ing is valuable that does not cost some
thing, and are apt to value all bless
ings by the money value they pre-
sent. II Is as well always to bear in
mind that the three greatest blessings
humanity receives sunlight, pure air
and water-are all free TO all they are
everywhere and can be had without
money and without price. If you
would enjoy good health, see that you
have pure air 10 breathe all the time,
that you receive the direct benefit of
the sunshine an hour or two every
day, and that you quench your thirst
with nothing but pure water. Houses
should be so built that every room oc-
cupied for living or sleeping purposes
shall receive the full benefit OF direct
sunlight at some time of the day. The
sleeping rooms should be large and
roomy, and, II possible, an eastern ex-
posture TO receive the benefit OF the
morning sun. Too many shade trees
too close TO the house are an injury
rather thnn a benefit and should be
removed If they prevent free access OF
the sunlight 10 all the rooms. Let In
the sunshine that is struggling with
blinds, shades and awnings, and let II
do its blessed work Of publication.
Very intimate relations exist be-
tween the sun and digestion. Diges-
ton and assimilation become weak and
imperfect II the man or animal is not
freely exposed TO the direct rays Of
the sun. No plant or animal can d.
gest I'm the dark. Plant potato in
your cellar If there is little light,
that potato will sprout and try to
grow. But surround il with the best
manure, water il, do the best for II.
only you shall keep it, in the dark, II
cannot digest and grow. See how
slender and pale II is. Now open a
window in another part of the cellar,
and notice how the poor hungry thing
will stretch that way. Or give the
stalk little twist. and see how Il will
lie down. 1t can't raise itself again.
No matter how much food and drink
you give II, IL can't digest. The proc
ess of digestion, the great function of
assimilation can't 30 on without sun
shine. Did you ever notice that grain
growing under trees is not so large
and does not fill as well as that grow
Ing in the open where there is plenty
OF sunshine?
The white light OF the sun is most
powerful inhlbltory agent for the
growth Of all forms of microscopic
life. Somehow the actnic rays OF
white light, the same that cause the
change in the silver salts In photog-
raphy, are able to initiate alterations
In the chemical constituents of mi
crobes that eventually lead TO their
complete destruction. The improve
ment in health among the poor Of our
large cities. as the result OF letting
the light into the tenements, shows
how much good the great solar scav-
enger can accomplish even under I'M
favorable circumstances.
Lack Of sunshine tends 70 mental
mental condition Is improved; how we
feel more inclined to work and take
outdoor exercise. on sunny days. So
great an authority ms DR.. Arnold Lo-
rand, physician To the baths. Carlsbad.
Austria, says: Let us be grateful for
every ray OF sunshine. and take advan-
tage of II. Some ladies avoid the sun,
4. 4.
II possible 10 expose our whole bodies
10 its RAYS. Let us remove all the
curtains from the rooms in which we
sleep or sit. especially from our work
room. In the train let MS sit on the
sunny side and not draw the curtain.
unless we are reading; in short, let us
seek the sunshine wherever II shines
We shall soon observe how much bet
ter we feel after long sojourn in the
sun. There is no denying that, as n
rnle. those who spend much time in the
sun look better and healthier than
those who live in dark rooms or Of
fees" Particularly in old age is sun
shine precious, and instinct tells old
people that the sun is good for them,
and they eagerly watch for II to shine
LEARN HOW TO LIVE.
One of the principal benefits derived |
from n vacation AT the seaside is the !
comparative freedom one may have In |
dress. which may be adapted to expose |
the body 10 the suns rays.
II Is not only the part OF expedIency !
but morally imperative for every one
To do all that lies In his power to be |
well. steadily and joyously well.
All mon desire happiness, hut few |
know how 90 secure II. II is wise 10
seek for Interests rather than pleas
ures
We must learn our limits; we are
all something, but not everything. We !
must not expect too much.
Every one is ruled nv somebody. and
II Is better 10 be governed by oneself |
flnu Law apybotlV tf~p