Rise early. Eat simple food. Take plenty of exercise. Never fear a
little fatigue. Let not children be dressed in tight clothes; it is
necessary their limbs and muscles should have full play, if you wish
for either health or beauty.
Avoid the necessity of a physician, if you can, by careful attention
to your diet. Eat what best agrees with your system, and resolutely
abstain from what hurts you, however well you may like it. A few days'
abstinence, and cold water for a beverage, has driven off many an
approaching disease.
If you find yourself really ill, send for a good physician. Have
nothing to do with quacks; and do not tamper with quack medicines. You
do not know what they are; and what security have you that they know
what they are?
Wear shoes that are large enough. It not only produces corns, but
makes the feet misshapen, to cramp them.
Wash very often, and rub the skin thoroughly with a hard brush.
Let those who love to be invalids drink strong green tea, eat pickles,
preserves, and rich pastry. As far as possible, eat and sleep at
regular hours.
Wash the eyes thoroughly in cold water every morning. Do not read or
sew at twilight, or by too dazzling a light. If far-sighted, read with
rather less light, and with the book somewhat nearer to the eye, than
you desire. If nearsighted, read with a book as far off as possible.
Both these imperfections may be diminished in this way.
Clean teeth in pure water two or three times a day; but, above all, be
sure to have them clean before you go to bed.
Have your bed-chamber well aired; and have fresh bed linen every week.
Never have the wind blowing directly upon you from open windows during
the night. It is _not_ healthy to sleep in heated rooms.
Let children have their bread and milk before they have been long up.
Cold water and a run in the fresh air before breakfast.
Too frequent use of an ivory comb injures the hair. Thorough combing,
washing in suds, or N.E. rum, and thorough brushing, will keep it
in order; and the washing does not injure the hair, as is generally
supposed. Keep children's hair cut close until ten or twelve years
old; it is better for health and the beauty of the hair. Do not sleep
with hair frizzled, or braided. Do not make children cross-eyed, by
having hair hang about their foreheads, where they see it continually.
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