Year: 1863

scientific knowledge. This position we
presume none will be disposed to deny
We now assume, and will endeavor to
show by conclusive reasoning that. in ell
the relations and avocations of life, a
knowledge of the laws of health, of the
laws that govern the human system, is of
the utmost Importance. and that the bene-
fits to be derived from such knowledge is
second to no other.


Life is the most desirable of all the
boons from bene6cent heaven. When the
"father of lies" said ''yea all that man
hath will he give for his life." he uttered
a truth which is demonstrated every day
in the worlds history. Life may not only
be borne. but will be tenaciously clung to
even in tortures and privations--amid cir
cumstances of suffering. deprivations and
wretchedness. But the more perfect is our
health, the better we are able to enjoy life
and its Messing. For want of knpwl-
edge Of Physiology. of the laws CT health.
many unwittingy transgress the laws that
govern their physical nature, and as a con.
sequence fail to enjoy life. which proves q
burden to them, and brings them TO a pre-
mature grave.


We will refer to some facts in corrobo
ration of this statement. A young mar
who is blessed with native talent of the
first order, good constitution, is ambi
tious to place his name high on the pin
nacle of well earned fame. Ambition:
and aspiring. he pores over the mid nigh
oil, overtaxes his mental power. fails tc
take exercise requisite for securing good
health, until abused nature sinks beneatl
the repeated violations of her laws, and il
the prime of life, and what might have
been the meridian Of his usefulness, h,
sinks into an early grave, and the world
is deprived Of his abilities, and the name
that might have graced his country's his
tory, is buried in oblivion. Had this vic
tim to ambition made himself acquainted
with the laws that control his system, and
then have acted in harmony with them, ht
might have been an honor to himself and
blessing to the world Again, large
proportion of the Inhabitants of this coun
try are afflicted with Dyspepsia. which in
majority of cases is induced by disre,
gard of rules which SD onld be observed by
all,-but many, probably most act injudi
ciously, in ignorance of the fearful conse
quences which will inevitably follow
The individual who is suffering from Dys
pepsia cannot enjoy life, or feel comfor.a
BILE, either in body or mind. and thousands
annually go to premature graves. the vic
tins of this disease. after having lived
lives of wre,chedness, and in most instan
ces these woefnl results might have beer
evaded, had the unhappy sufferers under
stood the laws OF health, aud acted in har
mony with them. Other cases might b,
referred to in reference to which individu
ais drag out miserable existence, see n,
no satisfaction in the world. life is bur
den, and in what might have been the me
ridian of their usefulness. sink into tn
grave. All theee fearful calamities nigh
have been avoided, had they, in early life
when attending the common school studied
Physiology-made themselves acquainteC
with the laws of their being, and then act
ed in harmony wish them.


By recommending that oil should pur
sue these important studies, it is not to b
understood that we advise oil to becom
physicians. but the course which we hav
recommended would enable individuals 81
to steer their course as not to be under th
necessity of employing physician a
much as in the case where they are desti
tute of this knowledge. Not only so. bu
when necessity exists for the services o
a physician. they are better qualified to ap
preciate his services aud to follow his di
rections correctly. Every intelligent physi
clan will coincide with us. when we sa,
that it is far easier to treat the sick sue
cessfully. when those who have charge o
them. as well as the patient, are enabled t
understand the explanations given, ant
the abnormal condition of the system in TIN
case under treatment. And it is too Offer
the case that when an individual is attacl
ed with disease, or is suffering from an &C
cident. and it is impossible to obtain med
ical aid at once. that means are at hanC
arrest the progress of disease, are neglect
ed through ignorance until the case is be
yond the reach of help. We will relate
case in point. A medical friend was sum
moned in haste to attend upon a man wht
was bleeding from having the carotid arte
ey severed. He had some distance to go
and when be arrived the sufferer was dying
from loss of blood. Weeping friend.
stood around that couch of death, not on
ly willing but anxious to do all in thei
power for him, and had they been cogni
zant of the fact they might easily hav,
applied a compress below the wound
which would have stopped tho flow o
blood until the arrival Of physician. VIII,
would have tied the artery. and the man.
life would have been saved. For the wan
Of this knowledge. fond wife was made
widow. and helpless children deprived of ,
fathers care. In our own practice we have
seen instances where, beyond question
death resulted from too long delay in Us
ing needful remedies or applying for med
zeal aid in consequence of want of &C
quaintance with the pathological condition
of the system which is gained by the study
of Physiology.


We will mention in this connection an
other idea which is intimately blended
with the welfare of the human race. W.
now make reference to the propagation o
the human species. In the propagation o.
animals Of the lower order the utmost care
and vigilance is used to prevent the spread
of hereditary disease, but in the propaga.
tion Of the human race, which is of inf
nifolv mora inanorfance th;s ;doa 10 sa q