'Twill smooth the brow, and tranquillity infuse.
iii. _Truth--Fine Lip-salve._
Use daily for your lips this precious dye.
They'll redden, and breathe sweet melody.
iv. _Prayer--Mixture, giving Sweetness to the Voice._
At morning, noon, and night this mixture take,
Your tones, improved, will richer music make.
v. _Compassion--Best Eye-water._
These drops will add great lustre to the eye;
When more you need, the poor will you supply.
vi. _Wisdom--Solution to prevent Eruptions._
It calms the temper, beautifies the face,
And gives to woman dignity and grace.
vii. _Attention and Obedience--Matchless Pair of Ear-rings._
With these clear drops appended to the ear,
Attentive lessons you will gladly hear.
viii. _Neatness and Industry--Indispensable Pair of Bracelets._
Clasp them on carefully each day you live,
To good designs they efficacy give.
ix. _Patience--An Elastic Girdle._
The more you use the brighter it will grow,
Though its least merit is external show.
x. _Principle--Ring of Tried Gold._
Yield not this golden bracelet while you live,
'Twill sin restrain, and peace of conscience give.
xi. _Resignation--Necklace of Purest Pearl._
This ornament embellishes the fair,
And teaches all the ills of life to bear.
xii. _Love--Diamond Breast-pin_.
Adorn your bosom with this precious pin,
It shines without, and warms the heart within.
xiii--_Politeness--A Graceful Bandeau_.
The forehead neatly circled with this band,
Will admiration and respect command.
xiv. _Piety--A Precious Diadem_.
Whoe'er this precious diadem shall own,
Secures herself an everlasting crown.
xv. _Good Temper--Universal Beautifier_.
With this choice liquid gently touch the mouth,
It spreads o'er all the face the charms of youth.
1714. Bathing.
If to preserve health be to save medical expenses, without even
reckoning upon time and comfort, there is no part of the household
arrangement so important as cheap convenience for personal ablution.
For this purpose baths upon a large and expensive scale are by no
means necessary; but though temporary or tin baths may be extremely
useful upon pressing occasions, it will be found to be finally as
cheap, and much more readily convenient, to have a permanent bath
constructed, which may be done in any dwelling-house of moderate size,
without interfering with other general purposes. There is no necessity
to notice the salubrious effects resulting from the bath, beyond the
two points of its being so conducive to both health and cleanliness,
in keeping up a free circulation of the blood, without any violent
muscular exertion, thereby really affording a saving of strength, and
producing its effects without any expense either to the body or to the
purse.
1715. Fitting up a Bath.
Whoever fits up a bath in a house already built must be guided by
circumstances; but it will always be better to place it as near the
kitchen fireplace as possible, because from thence it may be heated,
or at least have its temperature preserved, by means of hot air
through tubes, or by steam prepared by the culinary fireplace without
interfering with its ordinary uses.
1716. A Small Boiler.
A small boiler may be erected at very little expense in the bath-room,
where circumstances do not permit these arrangements. Whenever a bath
is wanted at a short warning, to boil the water necessary will always
be the shortest mode; but where it is in general daily use, the
heating the water by steam will be found the cheapest and most
convenient method.
1717. Cleanliness.
The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where
water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every
person to be clean.
1718. Perspiration.
The discharge from our bodies by perspiration renders frequent changes
of apparel necessary.
1719. Change of Apparel.
Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so
necessary to health.
1720. Cause of Illness.
When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is
either retained in the body, or reabsorbed in dirty clothes, it is apt
to occasion fevers and other diseases.
1721. Diseases of the Skin.
Most diseases of the skin proceedfrom want of cleanliness. These
indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long
where cleanliness prevails.
1722. Vermin.
To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that
infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by
cleanliness alone.
1723. Inducing Cleanliness.
Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy
mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.
1724. Cause of Fevers.
One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of
cleanliness.
1725. Incubation of Fevers.
These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close dirty
houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, eat unwholesome
food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally
hatched, which spreads far and wide, to the destruction of many. Hence
cleanliness may be considered as an object of public attention. It is
not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my
neighbour affects my health as well as his own.
1726. Avoid Dirt.
If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at
least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health should
keep at a distance, even from their habitations. In places where
great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the
utmost importance.
1727. Tainted Air.
It is well known that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air.
Everything, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the
infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.
1728. Clean Streets Necessary.
For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be
permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say that the
importance of general cleanliness in this respect does by no means
seem to be sufficiently understood.
1729. Imitate the Dutch.
It were well if the lower classes of the inhabitants of Great Britain
would imitate their neighbours the Dutch in their assiduity in
cleansing their streets, houses, &c.
1730. No Excuse.
Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of
most towns in Great Britain is more favourable to cleanliness.
1731. Good Impression.
Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honour of the
inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does
anything impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any
people than its opposite.
1732. Cleanliness in Religion.
It is remarkable that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a
great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish
religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications. No
doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at
the same time calculated for the preservation of health.
1733. Not Only Ceremonial.
However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would
seem more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.
1734. Wash Your Hands.
Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting
the sick, &c., to wash before he went into company, or sat down to
meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection
himself, or communicating it to others.
1735. Frequent Washing.
Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin,
but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens
the spirits.
1736. Including the Feet.
Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The
perspiration and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered,
cannot fail to obstruct their pores. This piece of cleanliness would
often prevent colds and fevers.
1737. Warm Water After Exposure.
Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night,
after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom
experience any of the effects from these causes which often prove
fatal.
1738. Especially Among the Sick.
In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness
ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places
is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what
effect that is likely to have upon the diseased.
1739. Bad Chance.
A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick
person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness
is neglected.
1740. Animal Example.
The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them
seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean. A horse that
is kept thoroughly clean will thrive better on a smaller quantity of
food, than with a greater where cleanliness is neglected.
1741. Our Feelings.
Even our own feelings are a sufficient proof of the necessity of
cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel
on being washed and dressed; especially when these have been long
neglected.
[EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE IS A PAGE IN YOUR HISTORY.]
1742. Gains Esteem.
Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery
itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.
1743. Notification of Infectious Diseases.
By a recent enactment (52 and 53 Vic. c. 72) it is made compulsory
that notice of infectious disease shall in all cases be given to the
local authority. By section 3 this duty is imposed on the head of the
family, or, failing him, the nearest relative of the patient. The
notice must be in writing or print, in an approved form, and must be
sent to the medical officer of health of the district. In addition to
this, the medical man attending the patient must send a certificate,
with all particulars, to the same official. Omitting to send either
the notice or the certificate, renders the legally responsible person
liable to a fine not exceeding £2. Each local authority must publish a
list of the diseases to which the Act applies in its district.
1744. Exercise.
Exercise in the open air is of the first importance to the human
frame, yet how many are in a manner deprived of it by their own want
of management of their time! Females with slender means are for the
most part destined to indoor occupations, and have but little time
allotted them for taking the air, and that little time is generally
sadly encroached upon by the ceremony of dressing to go out. It may
appear a simple suggestion, but experience only will show how much
time might be redeemed by habits of regularity: such as putting the
shawls, cloaks, gloves, shoes, clogs, &c., &c., or whatever is
intended to be worn, in readiness, instead of having to search one
drawer, then another, for possibly a glove or collar--wait for shoes
being cleaned, &c.--and this when (probably) the outgoing persons have
to return to their employment at a given time. Whereas, if all were in
readiness, the preparations might be accomplished in a few minutes,
the walk not being curtailed by unnecessary delays.
1745. Three Principal Points.
Three principal points in the manner of taking exercise should be
attended to:
i. The kind of exercise.
ii. The proper time for exercise,
iii. The duration of it.
With respect to the kinds of exercise, the various species of it may
be divided into active and passive. Among the first, which admit of
being considerably diversified, may be enumerated walking, running,
leaping, swimming, riding, fencing, different sorts of athletic games,
&c. Among the latter, or passive kinds of exercise may be comprised
riding in a carriage, sailing, friction, swinging &c.
1746. Active Exercises.
Active exercises are more beneficial to youth, to the middle-aged, to
the robust in general, and particularly to the corpulent and the
plethoric.
1747. Passive Exercises.
Passive kinds of exercise, on the contrary, are better calculated for
children; old, thin, and emaciated persons of a delicate and
debilitated constitution; and particularly for the asthmatic and
consumptive.
1748. Time.
The time at which exercise is most proper depends on such a variety of
concurrent circumstances, that it does not admit of being regulated by
any general rules, and must therefore be collected from the
observations made on the effects of air, food, drink, &c.
1749. Duration.
With respect to the duration of exercise, there are other particulars,
relative to a greater or less degree of fatigue attending the
different species, and utility of it in certain states of the mind and
body, which must determine this consideration as well as the preceding.
1750. Accustomed Exercise.
That exercise is to be preferred which, with a view to brace and
strengthen the body, we are most accustomed to. Any unusual one may be
attended with a contrary effect.
1751. Gradual Beginning and End.
Exercise should be begun and finished gradually, never abruptly.
1752. Open Air Preferable.
Exercise in the open air has many advantages over that used within
doors.
1753. Over-Indulgence.
To continue exercise until a profuse perspiration or a great degree of
weariness takes place, is far from being wholesome.
1754. Early Exercise.
In the forenoon, when the stomach is not too much distended, muscular
motion is both agreeable and healthful; it strengthens digestion, and
heats the body less than with a full stomach; and a good appetite
after it is a proof that it has not been carried to excess.
1755. Care Before Eating.
But at the same time it should be understood, that it is not advisable
to take violent exercise immediately before a meal, as digestion might
thereby be retarded.
1756. Time Before Eating.
Neither should we sit down to a substantial dinner or supper
immediately on returning from a fatiguing walk, at the time when the
blood is heated, and the body in a state of perspiration from previous
exertion, as the worst consequences may arise, especially when the
meal is commenced with cooling dishes, salad, or a glass of cold drink.
1757. Not After Meals.
Exercise is always hurtful after meals, from its impeding digestion,
by propelling those fluids too much towards the surface of the body
which are designed for the solution of the food in the stomach.
1758. Walking.
To walk gracefully, the body must be erect, but not stiff, and the
head held up in such a posture that the eyes are directed forward. The
tendency of untaught walkers is to look towards the ground near the
feet; and some persons appear always as if admiring their shoe-ties.
The eyes should not thus be cast downward, neither should the chest
bend forward to throw out the back, making what are termed round
shoulders; on the contrary, the body should be held erect, as if the
person to whom it belongs were not afraid to look the world in the
face, and the chest by all means be allowed to expand. At the same
time, everything like strutting or pomposity must be carefully
avoided. An easy, firm, and erect posture is alone desirable. In
walking, it is necessary to bear in mind that the locomotion is to be
performed entirely by the legs. Awkward persons rock from side to
side, helping forward each leg alternately by advancing the haunches.
This is not only ungraceful but fatiguing. Let the legs alone advance,
bearing up the body.
1759. Utility of Singing.
It has been asserted, and we believe with some truth, that singing is
a corrective of the too common tendency to pulmonic complaints. Dr.
Rush, an eminent physician, observes on this subject:
"The Germans are seldom afflicted with consumption; and this, I
believe, is in part occasioned by the strength which their lungs
acquire by exercising them in vocal music, for this constitutes an
essential branch of their education. The music master of an academy
has furnished me with a remark still more in favour of this opinion.
He informed me that he had known several instances of persons who
were strongly disposed to consumption, who were restored to health
by the exercise of their lungs in singing."
1760. The Weather and the Blood.
In dry, sultry weather the heat ought to be counteracted by means of a
cooling diet. To this purpose cucumbers, melons, and juicy fruits are
subservient. We ought to give the preference to such alimentary
substances as lead to contract the juices which are too much expanded
by the heat, and this property is possessed by all acid food and
drink. To this class belong all sorts of salad, lemons, oranges,
pomegranates sliced and sprinkled with sugar, for the acid of this
fruit is not so apt to derange the stomach as that of lemons; also
cherries and strawberries, curds turned with lemon acid or cream of
tartar; cream of tartar dissolved in water; lemonade, and Rhenish or
Moselle wine mixed with water.
1761. How to get Sleep.
How to get sleep is to many persons a matter of high importance.
Nervous persons who are troubled with wakefulness and excitability,
usually have a strong tendency of blood on the brain, with cold
extremities. The pressure of the blood on the brain keeps it in a
stimulated or wakeful state, and the pulsations in the head are often
painful. Let such rise and chafe the body and extremities with a brush
or towel, or rub smartly with the hands, to promote circulation, and
withdraw the excessive amount of blood from the brain, and they will
fall asleep in a few moments. A cold bath, or a sponge bath and
rubbing, or a good run, or a rapid walk in the open air, or going up
and down stairs a few times just before retiring, will aid in
equalizing circulation and promoting sleep. These rules are simple,
and easy of application in all cases.
1762. Early Rising.
Dr. Wilson Philip, in his "Treatise on Indigestion," says:
"Although it is of consequence to the debilitated to go early to
bed, there are few things more hurtful to them than remaining in it
too long. Getting up an hour or two earlier often gives a degree of
vigour which nothing else can procure. For those who are not much
debilitated, and sleep well, the best rule is to get out of bed soon
after waking in the morning. This at first may appear too early, for
the debilitated require more sleep than the healthy; but rising
early will gradually prolong the sleep on the succeeding night, till
the quantity the patient enjoys is equal to his demand for it. Lying
late is not only hurtful, by the relaxation it occasions, but also
by occupying that part of the day at which exercise is most
beneficial."
1763. Appetite.
Appetite is frequently lost through excessive use of stimulants, food
taken too hot, sedentary occupation, costiveness, liver disorder and
want of change of air. The first endeavour should be to ascertain and
remove the cause. Change of diet, and change of air will frequently be
found more beneficial than medicines.
1764. Temperance.
"If," observes a writer, "men lived uniformly in a healthy climate,
were possessed of strong and vigorous frames, were descended from
healthy parents, were educated in a hardy and active manner, were
possessed of excellent natural dispositions, were placed in
comfortable situations in life, were engaged only in healthy
occupations, were happily connected in marriage, and kept their
passions in due subjection, there would be little occasion for
medical rules."
All this is very excellent and desirable; but, unfortunately for
mankind, unattainable.
1765. More than Man.
Man must be something more than Man to be able to connect the
different links of this harmonious chain--to consolidate this _summum
bonum_ of earthly felicity into one uninterrupted whole; for,
independent of all regularity or irregularity of diet, passions, and
other sublunary circumstances, contingencies, and connections,
relative or absolute, thousands are visited by diseases and
precipitated into the grave, independent of accident, to whom no
particular vice could attach, and with whom the appetite never
overstepped the boundaries of temperance. Do we not hear almost daily
of instances of men living near to and even upwards of a century? We
cannot account for this either; because of such men we know but few
who have lived otherwise than the world around them; and we have known
many who have lived in habitual intemperance for forty or fifty years,
without interruption and with little apparent inconvenience.
1766. No Link to Background.
The assertion has been made by those who have attained a great age
(Parr, and Henry Jenkins, for instance), that they adopted no
particular arts for the preservation of their health; consequently, it
might be inferred that the duration of life has no dependence on
manners or customs, or the qualities of particular food. This,
however, is an error of no common magnitude.
1767. Moderation.
Peasants, labourers, and other hard-working people, more especially
those whose occupations require them to be much in the open air, may
be considered as following a regulated system of moderation; and hence
the higher degree of health which prevails among them and their
families. They also observe rules; and those which it is said were
recommended by Old Parr are remarkable for good sense; namely,
"Keep your head cool by temperance, your feet warm by exercise; rise
early, and go soon to bed; and if you are inclined to get fat, keep
your eyes open and your mouth shut,"
in other words, sleep moderately, and be abstemious in
diet;--excellent admonitions, more especially to these inclined to
corpulency.
1768. Corpulence.
The late Mr. William Banting, author of a "Letter on Corpulence,"
gives the following excellent advice, with a dietary for use in cases
of obesity (corpulence):
i. _Medicine._--None, save a morning cordial, as a corrective.
ii. Dietary.
_Breakfast._--Four or five ounces of beef, mutton, kidneys,
broiled fish, bacon, or any kind of cold meat except pork, a large
cup (or two) of tea without milk or sugar, a little biscuit or dry
toast.
_Dinner._--Five or six ounces of any fish except salmon, any meat
except pork, any vegetables except potatoes; one ounce of dry
toast; fruit out of a pudding; any kind of poultry or game, and
two or three glasses of claret or sherry. Port, champagne, and
beer forbidden.
_Tea._--Two or three ounces of fruit; a rusk or two, and a cup or
two of tea, without milk or sugar.
_Supper._--Three or four ounces of meat or fish as at dinner, with
a glass or two of claret.
_Nightcap_ (if required).--A glass or two of grog,--whisky, gin,
or brandy,--without sugar; or a glass or two of sherry.
Mr. Banting adds,
"Dietary is the principal point in the treatment of corpulence (also
in rheumatic diseases, and even in incipient paralysis). If properly
regulated, it becomes in a certain sense a medicine. It purifies the
blood, strengthens the muscles and viscera, and sweetens life if it
does not prolong it."
1769. Advantages of a Regular Life.
The advantages to be derived from a regular mode of living, with a
view to the preservation of health and life, are nowhere better
exemplified than in the precepts and practice of Plutarch, whose rules
for this purpose are excellent; and by observing them himself, he
maintained his bodily strength and mental faculties unimpaired to a
very advanced age. Galen is a still stronger proof of the advantages
of a regular plan, by means of which he is said to have reached the
great age of 140 years, without having ever experienced disease. His
advice to the readers of his "Treatise on Health" is as follows: