T H E ljtalth Atformer.

OUR PHYSICIAN, NATURE: OBEY AND LIVE. VOL. 2. BATTLE CREEK, MICR., SEPTEMBER, 1867. NO. 3.

THE HEALTH REFORMER, PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT tural 1,rtirlfto. The Health Reform Institute, Battle Creek, Mich., Sleep. H. S. I.A.A.:Y*, -:o: A PROPER amount of sound, refreshing Terms: One Dollar per Year, invariably in Advance. Address Dr. H. S. LAY, Battle Creek, Michigan. sleep, is indispensable to the enjoyment of good health. The man who deprives Health. himself of a portion of the sleep which he Health is a boon that all desire, naturally requires, deprives himself also Its influence is benign; The rich, the poor to it aspire— of a portion of the health he might other- From noble lord to humble sire, wise enjoy, and is also deficient in mus- Yet few can call it mine. cular and intellectual strength. Nature Though all are ansiousior the prize, How few contented wait has chosen the hours of sleep for the To bow before fair Nature's shrine, assimilation of food, and if a person is And listen to her teaching kind, Which says to small and great : — deprived of a portion of the sleep which Nature requires, his system is deprived of Only obey my righteous laws, And you will surely find so much time which is allotted to it for That, though by many I'm despised, Even by those who're counted wise, the growth of its tissues, and consequently The healing balm is mine. there must be a corresponding deficiency But many heedless'pass along, in all the faculties, both of body and mind. And seek a shorter way, Like Christian, as he journeyed on, We admit that an individual may They lions see,—the road seems long, They care not to obey. accustom himself to a smaller amount of sleep than nature really requires, and Bowers of ease more pleasant seem, Than battling against might; may pass along from day to day without And many sleepers there are found, apparent harm; but this does not prove Lingering on the enchanted ground, Forgetful of the right. that such a course is not injurious. Many Arouse, ye friends of human kind! bad habits may be tolerated for months, The tidings loud proclaim : or even years, without perceivable injury; Nature's own laws are just and good, And all who live as people should, but, at the same time, every day the habit Of ill will ne'er complain. is continued it may be . sowing the seeds Then seek this blessing, old and young, of disease, and bringing its victim to a Seek it without delay; 'Twill help you as you journey On, premature grave. And this will always be your song, I've found at last the way. If sleep is needful for the preserva- SUSAN MCINTOSH. tion of health, it is hardly necessary to say Health Institute, Aug. 12, 1867. that it is of the utmost importance to the invalid, in order to regain his health. WOULD you hear a sweet and pleasant echo, speak sweetly and plepsantly your- The following excellent remarks, from self. the pen of a modern writer, contain many !WWI Mgt: II. NV. IIIIUll1AI1H /.1:1 1 / IIll I I. II 11.111'1 I / .1impuilem

34 THE HEALTH REFORMER.

valuable ideas, and will be read with how constantly the goodness of his Cre- much interest. J. F. B. ator is acting to redeem him from the effects of his transgression 1—how,•when "Regular periods of rest are indispens- the day is spent in continual abuses of ably necessary to the health and functional his body, in the habitual violation of the integrity of all these organs and parts; laws of life ; and when night comes, and and our benevolent Creator has wisely he is lost in sleep, and ceases from his ordained such periods of rest, and placed sins, the hand of God in unremitting those organs whose unceasing functions kindness and parental mercy directs and are essential to our bodily existence so urges on those renovating processes of entirely independent of the powers of the vital powers, by which the injuries animal life, that these latter may be his system has received from his perni- hushed in death-like repose for several cious practices are so nearly repaired, hours in succession without the least in- that when he awakes and rises to another terruption to the action of the former. day, and feels as fresh and vigorous as at " Sleep is the. repose of the organs of yester-morn, he will not believe that the animal life, in order to afford the vital tobacco and alcohol, and other poisonous economy an opportunity to replenish and and improper substances which be in- repair the exhaustion and waste and in- dulged in yesterday, did him any harm; jury which they have sustained from pre- and thus, for the benevolence of God, vious exercise, and perhaps abuse. How who watches over him with unceasing beautifully, therefore, is man in this re- care, and by every means which can be spect adapted to e natural world in brought to act upon his moral susceptibil- which he lives ! While light surrounds ities endeavors to reclaim him from his him, he has organs adapted to perceive sins, he only returns that strange per- it, and by its aid to perceive the visual verseness which, in disobeying God, de- properties of things • and while, with this stroys himself. advantage, he is able to direct his course " In a perfectly healthy and undepraved whithersoever he may choose, and to state of the system, sleep is, as it always whatever object he may desire, he has should be, an entire suspension of all the organs adapted to the audible and olfac- powers of animal life ; every sense is com- tory and gustatory and tangible properties pletely locked up, every thought is hushed, of things, by which he can hear, and smell, and not the slightest consciousness of and taste, and touch ; and he has power.; existence remains; and in such a state of by which he can think, reflect, and reason, the system, this death-like sleep is so pro- and judge, and will, and act, and thus found that it is not easily disturbed by fulfill the functions and the final causes of any external cause. But when continued his organs of external relation, and supply errors of diet and other infractions of the the wants of the internal domain. But laws of life have considerably impaired when the light fades away and darkness the healthy properties of the nervous sys- gathers round him like the pall of death, tem, and especially the nerves of organic his vision is blotted out, and he no longer life, and produced in them an increased needs the exercise of any of his special irritability, approaching to, or actually senses, nor of any of the powers of animal possessing a morbid character, sleep be- life; and when these all naturally require comes less death-like in its profoundness, repose, then nature with a bland and and is more easily broken by external soothing influence gently seals his senses, causes, and almost continually disturbed and draws the shroud of oblivion over his by internal irritations. consciousness, and leaves hill]. to rest in " When there has been so intense and the temporary death of all his moral and so protracted an over-action of the brain, intellectual and voluntary powers; while or of any part of it, as to destroy the the vital economy over which the nerves healthy condition of the part, and induce of organic life preside, unceasingly and in it a highly morbid irritability, then industriously carries forward its replenish- such a state of cerebral disease may be ing and repairing and renovating opera- the immediate cause of dreaming; yet tions, in order that he may wake as by a this state, as a general fact, cannot take resurrection to a new existence, refreshed place without deeply involving the condi- and vigorous, and full of health and hap- tion of the nerves of organic life in the piness in every part. stomach, and to some extent throughout " Oh ! man knows not, nor even dreams, the whole domain, so as to produce a "I LIKE GOOD THINGS." 35 morbid reaction on the cerebral part, action in the brain when its repose should either as an exciting or aggravating cause be perfect." of dreams. Again ; if there has been such an exercise of the brain, by the con- "I tinued action of the mind on some partic- Like Good Things too Well." ular subject, as to produce great cerebral SAID a lady, to a friend of mine not long exhaustion or weariness, without actually since, " I don't see how your kind of folks inducing morbid condition, irritation in live as they do. I could not live on such the domain of organic life will be exceed- food, I like good things too well." Well, ingly apt to cause dreams on the same I like " good things" too ; but what I call subject on which the mind has been em- good she might not, and what she calls ployed in the waking hours. But in all good I am sure I do not. But please no- cases when there is no irritation in the tice her remark again. Said she, " I don't domain of organic lite, cerebral exercise, see." It was once maid, by one, of a cer- which stops short of inducing morbid tain class, " Eyes have they, but they see condition, instead of being in any degree not ;" and may we not expect some, bear- a cause of dreaming, is on the contrary a ing the same description, to oppose them- most powerful final cause of the more selves to the work of reformation now? profound and dreamless sleep; and even If not, then the present is an exception, when there is actually a morbid state of in this respect, to all other times. Again any part or parts of the brain, there will she says, " I could not live on such food." seldom, if ever, be dreams without irrita- Has she tried it? if not, how does she tion in the domain of organic life. know that she could not live on such food ? About three years since I began to eat " Irritation in. the domain of organic but two meals a day, discarding such life, therefore, may be considered the articles of food as I then • knew to be in- grand cause of unsoundness of sleep, and jurious to me; and, from that time until of dreams in all their varieties, from the the present, have been gradually changing most shadowy and vague conceptions of from wrong habits of living, and the pros- things, to the most strongly marked and pects of life are far more. favorable with extraordinary cases of somnambulism; me now than when I began the work of and it will always be found that the re- reform. If I have lived and done well on moval of this irritation is the most certain such living, might not others? and speedy way of preventing such effects. Now let us examine some of the articles The alimentary canal, including the stom- of diet which not only this lady, but thou- ach and intestinal tube, is the ordinary sands of others, call good, and find out, if seat of this irritation ; but the liver, kid- we can, what makes them good. The neys, and indeed each particular organ in first on the list of the " indispensables" is the domain of organic life, may be the pork, boiled, baked, roasted, or fried, special seat of it. Nevertheless, even in highly seasoned with salt, pepper, sage, cases of this kind, the originating causes summer savory, and the like, with rich are generally such as act on the aliment- gravy added ; potatoes, pared, sliced, and ary canal, and induce a morbid condition fried in the grease ; eggs fried in the same ; of particular organs by continued sympa- warm biscuit made of bolted flour, sour thetic irritation. milk, saleratus, and shortened with lard; " It may therefore be asserted as a mince pies made of lean pork, or beef, general fact, that dietetic errors are the which are often diseased, and apples, sea- originating, and generally the immediate soned with cider, brandy, sugar, salt, and causes of unsoundness of sleep and of various spices, whose name is legion, the dreaming in all its varieties. Many.other crust shortened with lard-; cakes fried in causes co-operate with these, to aggravate lard; various kinds of vegetables boiled, their effects and render sleep less refresh- then mashed, and made "good" by adding ing, which, however, would of themselves some of the grease. By this time the seldom, if ever, cause dreaming; and it reader will, without doubt, begin to sus- should be remembered that dreaming is pect it to be the hog that is thoroughly always to be considered as unfavorable to mixed with all these " good things," and the welfare of the human system, inas- which makes them so deliciously good ! much as it is a demonstration of some Said I, to an acquaintance that I had disturbance in the system, causing un- not seen for some time, " How well and soundness of sleep and some degree of fleshy you are looking." "Oh yes," said

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36 THE HEALTH REFORMER. she, " I eat pork, that's what makes me other impurities of the blood. The mu- so." With many the hog has become the cous membrane of the alimentary canal " staff of life," but not with us. The things also participates to some extent in this I like are wholesome and nourishing, and office ; but the external skin probably ex- are eaten with a relish to be coveted by ceeds any other organ, and it has been those dainty, mincing, fashionable livers, supposed to exceed all the other depu- who are destroying their own existence rating organs in the system, in the quan- by high living, and who seem to ridicule tity of matter which it eliminates. It is the idea that there are benefits derived in some measure a respiratory organ, cor- from a plain living, consisting of grains, responding in function with the lungs. vegetables, and fruits, and actually choose Like these, it continually consumes oxy- the consequence (death), rather than aban- gen, and eliminates carbonic acid gas and don it, and live on such food as our be- imperceptible vapor; and at times pours nevolent Creator provides, without taking forth. a flood of sensible perspiration. the life of any living creature. Foreign and unassimilated substances ab- I covet none of their " good things," sorbed from the alimentary cavity are they are welcome to them all; yet I would largely eliminated from the vital domain that their eyes might be opened, and their by the skin ; and the decomposed matter minds enlightened upon this subject which of the body is continually passing off has proved a blessing to thousands, and through this portion of the great limiting will be a blessing to thousands more. I membrane. Since the commencement of watch with deep interest every advance the seventeenth century the opinion has step of the reform, and heartily wish it generally prevailed, which was advanced " God speed," and rejoice in the prospect of by Sanctorius, that the skin ultimately its success. While the work is advancing, throws off, in the form of insensible per- may the especial blessing of the Giver of spiration, something more than one-halt all our benefits be upon its advocates, as of all the matter which enters the vital they labor on to benefit the suffering ones ; domain. Some modern physiologists have and I, in my humble sphere, will try to questioned the accuracy of this estimate; aid in the work by exemplary living, hop- but it is admitted on all hands, that the ing in due time to be so benefited by con- skin is one of the most important depurat- forming to the laws of my being that I ing organs of the system, and that its may be a living witness in favor of its healthy condition and functional integrity saving benefits. A. JONES. are of immense importance to human 4111111. health and comfort. The depurating organs reciprocate with Depuration. each other in function to a considerable. THE following is from the pen of S. eitent, even in the healthy state of the' Graham, copied from his work entitled body, and in a diseased condition vicari- ous function is often attempted. Copious " Science of Human Life." It may be perspiration diminishes the secretion of regarded of the utmost importance, in the kidneys, and on the other hand a sup- preserving health, that all the depurating pression of the cutaneous function gener- organs, and especially the skin, be kept ally increases that of the kidneys. The in a condition to perform at all times skin and lungs reciprocate in the same their functions properly. J. F. B. manner. Excessive .exhalations and ex- cretions of the alimentary canal also fre- The impurities which are continually quently result from a suppression of the accumulating in the blood, by the return function of the skin, and, by whatever of the worn-out matter of the body to the cause induced, they are always attended circulation, and by the absorption of such with cutaneous depression. But the wel- substances as are unfitted for the wants of fare of the particular parts, as well as of the system, are incessantly eliminated or the whole system, requires that each or- expelled from the vital domain by the ex- gan should uniformly and vigorously per- cretory organs constituted for the purpose. form the full measure of its own duly ; The lungs, as we have seen, are largely because frequent excesses arising from an concerned in this work of purification. undue determination of fluids to any one The liver is associated in the same gen- part, lead to debility of the part, and often eral function ; and the kidneys excrete a result in impaired function, imperfect as- large proportion of the effete matter and similation, local diseases, and general in- EXERCISE AS A HYGIENIC AGENT. 37 jury and death. In this manner, sudden and even to life. For, without this recu- suppressions of the functions of the skin perative provision of nature, our vital often lead to diabetes and pulmonary force, or life-power, would soon be ex- consumption, by causing undue determin- hausted, and death would ensue. Exer- ations to the kidneys and lungs, and in- cise increases waste in that part of the ducing inflammation and permanent dis- body called into use thereby. Indeed, ease in those organs. The liver also suffers waste, surrounding circumstances being from all want of integrity in the other equal, is in proportion to the extent to depurating organs; and its derangements which exercise is carried. It is also true compel the skin, and indeed the whole that exercise; properly taken at proper system, to make an effort to throw off the times, assists digestion, and hence assists matter which it should have eliminated. also assimilation and nutrition. Still more excessively morbid and extrav- We have but a limitesl amount of vital- agant attempts at vicarious function take ity, or life-force. WhZn this, with the place when the mammary glands and strength derived from recuperative agen- other organs endeavor to perform the cies within our reach, is expended, our duties of the kidneys. But cases of this work, if not done, is ended. We may kind are very rare ; frequent enough, conclude, then, that in order to enjoy however, to show the wonderful resources vigorous health, and full and harmonious of the vital economy in extreme emer- development of our physical systems, a gencies, and also to demonstrate the great certain amount of exercise of all the or- importance of health and integrity in each gans of the body is necessary. If that and every organ. exercise be carried to excess to the extent that it results in exhaustion, we are con- Exercise as a Hygienic Agent. tinually diminishing our stock of health, strength and vitality. On the other hand, EXERCISE is an important hygienic if that exercise be carried just far enough, agent, in the preservation of health, and but not to the point of exhaustion, the in the recovery of the sick. Leaving this process of nutrition during the hours of last to those qualified to discuss it, let us repose restores the waste during the briefly consider the former. Observation hours of labor—,sleep will be sweet, and teaches that without exercise there can be rest truly invigorating. In this way the no full, healthy development of the differ- system is daily laying up capital for future ent organs of the body. If we look at emergencies, and becoming better prepar- those of sedentary habits, we see that ed to resist deleterious influences. The they lack physical development. Again, limit, then, to which exercise in health we see that those who spend all their time may be carried, to be most beneficial as a and strength in physical labor do not excel hygienic and recuperative agent, must be in intellectual power. between that amount necessary for the Those, also, who apply themselves too development of the organs of our bodies, assiduously in either physical or intellect- and that point where vital force expend- ual labor, overtaxing their strength, ex- ed and waste matter eliminated exceeds haust their energies and ruin their health. the nutriment gained and strength derived While it must be conceded that a certain from assimilation bf nourishment taken. amount of exercise, either in labor or rec- We must, as we value health, stop reation, is necessary, it is also perfectly short of that point where waste exceeds apparent that, carried to excess, it may nutrition. To do otherwise is suicidal. result in irreparable injury. It becomes, N. ORCUTT. then, a question of vital importance, bow those in the enjoyment of health shall so use this hygienic agent that they may be Our Wondrous Atmosphere. most benefited. THE atmosphere rises above us with its There is, in the healthy body, a constant cathedral dome arching toward the heav- building up by assimilation, a growth, a ens, of which it is the most familiar syn- formation of tissue, bone and muscle. onym and symbol. It floats around us There is at the same time going on a pro- like that grand object which the apostle cess of waste, an elimination through the John saw in his vision, " a sea of glass pores of the skin, the liver, kidneys, &c., like unto a crystal." So massive is it that of worn out, effete matter, which renders when it begins to stir it tosses about great the process of nutrition essential to health, ships like playthings, and sweeps cities I It _ II I iiirj1 I I_ I.I 11 I! d 11111111111.111

39 THE HEALTH REFORMER.

and forests like snow-flakes to destruction The Two Workers. before it; and yet it is so mobile that we Two workers in one field have lived years in it before we can be Toiled on from day to day, Both had the same hard labor, persuaded that it exists at all, and the Both had the same small pay. great bulk of mankind never realize the With the same blue sky above, truth that they are bathed in an ocean of The same green earth below, One soul was full of love, air. Its weight is so enormous that iron The other full of woe. shivers before it like glass ; yet a soap- One leap'd up with the light, bubble sails through it with impunity, and With the soaring of the lark; the tiniest insect waves it hside with its One felt it ever night, wing. It ministers lavishly to all the For his soul was( ever dark. One heart was hard as stone, senses. We touch it not, but it touches One heart was ever gay, us. Its warm south winds bring back One worked with many a groan, color to the paleface of the invalid; its One whistled all the day. cool west winds refresh the fevered brow, One had a flower-clad cot and make the blood mantle in our cheeks ; Beside a merry mill, Wife and children near the spot, even its north blast braces into new vigor Made it sweeter, fairer still; the hardened children of our rugged One a wretched hovel had, climate. Full of discord, dirt, and din, No wonder he seemed mad, The eye is indebted to it for all the Wife and children starved within. magnificence of sunrise, the full brightness Still they worked in the same field, of midday, and the clouds that cradle near Toiling on from day to day, the setting sun. But for it the rainbow Both had the same hard labor, would want its " triumphal arch," and Both had the same small pay. But they worked not with one will, the, winds would not send their fleecy The reason let me tell— messengers on errands round the heavens; Lo ! the one drunk at the still, the cold ether would not shed snow feath- And the other at the well. ers on the earth, nor would drops of dew gather on the flowers ; the kindly rain Items for the Reformer. would never fall, nor hail-storm nor fog IT is a mistaken idea that those are diversify the face of the sky. Our naked necessarily the strongest and wisest who globe would turn its tanned and unshad- exhibit the greatest amount of vitality. owed forehead to the sun, and one dreary, Such may properly be said to act the part monotonous blaze of light and heat dazzle of a spendthrift. As long as money lasts and burn up all things. Were there no they make a great show and appear as atmosphere, the evening sun would in a well as their rich neighbors ; but by-and- moment set, and, without warning, plunge by they come to their last farthing, and the earth in darkness. But the air keeps then their folly is seen. Other things in her hand a sheaf of his rays, and lets being equal, those endure longest and them slip but slowly through her fingers, enjoy the best health who live within, or so that the shadows of evening are gath- by a normal expenditnre of their vitality, ered by degrees, and the flowers have and do not use up their life-force faster time to bow their beads, and each crea- than a healthy action of the system re- ture space to find a place of rest, and to quires, by its proper adaptation to all the nestle to repose. In the morning, the means upon which life depends. It is gairish sun would at one bound burst from therefore folly to think that those who the bosom or night, and blaze above the manifest a great and unusual amount of horizon ; but the air watches for his com- strength under the use of stimulants, or ing, and sends at first but one little ray to otherwise, have more vitality than those announce his approach, and then another, who do not use stimulants. They use up and by-and-by a handful, and so gently life faster, and consequently have less to draws aside the curtain of night, and use. One great reason why some feel slowly lets the light fall on the face of the weaker after leaving off the use of stimu- sleeping earth, till her eye-lids open, and, lants is this : while they used them they like man, she goes forth again to her were unduly exhausting their original fund labors till the evening. of vitality, and, on leaving off their use, they have no false spurs to excite them to A BOSTON arsenic manufacturer has undue action, and the system falls back died from the constant absorption of that upon its true resources, and Nature, as a poison. matter of preservation says, Touch not CONSCIOUS RECTITUDE. 39 the reserved capital, or, in other words, Allegorical. she prevents an undue waste of vital-force A TRAVELER, setting out upon a long or life-principle, and says, Live within journey, was assailed on the road by curs, your means. mastiffs, and half-grown puppies, which Aside from the sense of weakness on came out of their kennels to bark at him leaving off the use of stimulants, and from as lie passed along. He often dismounted the system adapting itself to new habits, from his horse to drive them back with there is, with many who adopt the Health stones and sticks, into their hiding places. Reform, au extra expenditure of vitality This operation was repeated every day, in removing impurities from the system, and sometimes as often as twenty times a and this is generally attended with a loss day. The consequence was, that more of flesh, and sometimes individuals are than half the traveler's time was consumed alarmed at this; but such should remem- in chasing these dog-puppies. At last he ber that strength does not depend on an was overtaken by a neighbor, who was extra amount of fat, but on nerve and going the same road, but who had set out muscle. Dr. Windship, who has been the a long time after him. The latter traveler strongest man in this country, weighs less was very much surprised to find the other than one hundred and fifty pounds. The no farther on his journey ; and on hearing great cause of disease with many is that the reason, "Alas, " said he, "is it possi- they have too much fat, or a poor quality ble that you have lost your time and of flesh, and, before they can get well, wasted your strength in this idle occupa- there must be a breaking down of the tion? These same animals have beset me tissues and removing of impurities; but along the road, but I have saved my time this uses up vitality, as is the case when and labor in taking no notice of their persons lose flesh as the result of fevers. barkings, while you have lost yours in Such should favor themselves, not only resenting insults which do you no harm, while losing flesh, but also afterward while and chastising dogs and puppies, whose Nature is engaged in building up with manners you can never mend." better material. The process of building up will also require an extra amount of vitality. D. T. EOURDEAU. Conscious Rectitude. IF a man has correct principles he can never be laughed out of them. The shrug BROODING ON ONE THOUGHT—If you of the shoulder, the biting remark, the think long and deeply upon any subject, contemptuous look, and the scorning air, it grows in apparent magnitude and may cause a slight pain in his bosom, but weight; if you think of it too long, it the pain is produced by a consciousness may grow big enough to exclude the of his own virtue. It is from pity to those thought of all things besides. If it be an who err. He sees the tendency of unbri- existing and p4valent evil you are think- dled passions, and this knowledge often- ing of, you may come to fancy that if times causes a tear to fill his eye. The that one thing were done away, it would principles he has embraced, to govern his be well with the human race; all evil whole life, he knows are founded on would go with it. I can conceive the truth, and, though cast out from the pale process by which, without mania, with- of society, turned away as the off-scouring out anything worse than the workable of the earth, he feels a calmness, a serenity unsoundness of the practically sound within, a consciousness of doing right mind, one might come to think as the buoys him up under every trial. Such man who wrote about stopping thought. are the principles which are based on For myself, I feel the force of this law so Bible truth. Let these principles be yours, deeply, that there are certain evils of young man, as you commence your career which I am afraid to think much, for in life. Be not seduced by evil counsels fear I should come to be able to think or unprincipled associates. With virtu- of nothing else and nothing more.—Fra- ous desires, with a deep anxiety to know ser's Magazine. what is right, and a jealous watch over the natural heart, you cannot but over- MRS. BROWN, who sued a Nashville come any unhallowed propensity, and doctor for $40,000 on account of a hus- finally triumph over every sinful desire. band killed by an over-dose of morphine, has received $2,500. Dare to do right. 111',,1111M1.1WW111.11.1,04111,11U! H IN mu

40 THE HEALTH REFORMER.

skin to throw off a vast amount of impu- ditoriul. rity, and give Nature an opportunity to repair the enfeebled system. The same Samuel Thomson. results often follow hydropathic treatment, THIS distinguished gentlenlan was born although the hydropathic physician has in the town of Alstead, N. H., Feb. 9, many ways of applying water to bring 1769. His parents were poor, and at a about a healthy state of the skin, which is usually much more mild than the heroic very early age he was put to hard labor sweating process of a regular Thomso- upon a farm, -and was subjected during his nian. early childhood years to severe parental discipline. Being of an observing turn of About this time his confidence had be- mind, he acquainted himself with many of come so shaken in the course of treatment the plants which grew in the locality where usually given by physicians that he con- he lived, among which was the renowned cluded not to employ them any more, but lobelia inflata ; and being so familiar with to do the best be could when his family its emetic properties, he used to play off were sick, and await the result. His success many tricks upon his juvenile comrades, was so great that he was often called by getting them to chew this herb. upon by his neighbors to treat the sick, He married at about the age of twenty- and soon acquired a reputation which in- one; and, on account of the anal-practice duced him to devote his time exclusively of physicians, as he claims, his wife was to practice. subjected to many severe attacks of dis- On account of his success and extensive ease, or, rather, attacks which were very practice, he was made the subject of the trifling were rendered severe and danger- most bitter persecution ; indeed it was so ous by the course pursued by them. In great that nothing was too severe and a number of instances he found them to malignant for his enemies to say against disagree among themselves, one saying him, although their statements were gen- that she must be bled, others that such erally false. On one occasion he was ar- a course would prove fatal ; others would rested for the alleged crime of mur- again recommend powerful medicines, der, without the least cause, and thrown while still others would contend that the into a cold, damp cell where he was con- medicines recommended were not safe in fined for forty days, which greatly im- her case. paired his health. At his trial there was Circumstances of this kind led Thom- not one syllable of evidetce adduced to son to distrust their abilities, and he felt prove that he was guilty, or even censur- that he could not let his wife be made the able. He pursued his practice during his subject of experiment, and therefore dis- life, and made many warm and devoted charged his physicians, preferring to trust friends. He founded a system of treating hdr to good nursing, rather than to let her the sick, which has had its adherents in be made the subject of experiment by almost every neighborhood in the United pretending quacks. States, and many in Europe. There are, In his study to relieve his wife during however, at the present time, very few her sickness at this time, he. conceived who adhere to this system as taught by the idea of the vapor bath, which was Thomson, it having assumed a different followed by such wonderful relief that form with most who adhere to what is called his wife was soon in the enjoyment of the botanic system. Samuel Thomson good health. And perhaps more may be himself gave no physic; but his sons who attributed to this process of cure than to practiced after him introduced the giving all other means used by him in the treat- of cathartics into their practice. ment of disease. It was a powerful means That Thomson was a skillful man, and to equalize the circulation, and enable the that he was instrumental in much good, RESPIRATION. , 41

I believe; but that some parts of his feeble condition, and the result would be system were not founded on the genuine the absence of the life principle, or what health principles, I also believe. He main- Thomson calls heat, to a greater or less tained that all disease was the result of degree. cold, and that to restore the sick to health I have known those who have formed a proper amount of heat must be main- a habit of taking an emetic once in about tained in the system, which, if it could be so long a time, and who thought they done, health would be restored. To re- could not possibly have health if they did store and maintain this heat, he gave a not take it; others are in the habit of variety of very warming and pungent continually taking some kind of bitters; medicines, together with his process of and still others used to think they must steaming. In taking these medicines, dif- be bled once in about so often, all of ferent organs of the system—the liver, which practices are simply habits which kidneys, bowels, and especially the stom- are not natural, and which are prematurely ach, would arouse to great activity, and wearing out the system. accumulations of impurities would be Thomson discarded many very injurious eliminated; and after the effects of the medicines which are commonly given by medicines were gone, the system would physicians, and also bleeding and blister- assume a normal condition, and having ing. He recommended the use of water been freed from these accumulations which in the treatment of many cases, and took in a state of health are eliminated through some very important steps in reforming the proper excretory organs, a fair state the commonly-received practice of med- of health would again be enjoyed. But icine. He was determined and persever- that the arousing of the system, or any ing, and never for a moment entertained part of it, in this unnatural manner, is the idea of yielding to any difficulty which followed by a debility of the system, or might arise, but with indefatigable per- the special organ aroused, I believe ; and severance performed that which he under- that, after being thus aroused, the individ- took. J. F. B. ual who took the drugs for this purpose is not capable of living so great a number Respiration, of years, or enjoying so perfect health while living, as he was before taking the OR breathing, is the act of inhaling air into the lungs and expelling it from them medicine, I also believe. If the whole again. The lungs are vital organs. Breath- system, or any part of it, which is in a ing is a vital action. Respiration is one feeble state, can be aroused by a proper of the links in the chain of nutrition. Its use of water and other means which are absence would destroy it. If imper- not followed by debility, the health of the fectly performed, the body is deprived of a portion of its strength, and the whole person may be restored, and his life system suffers to a greater or less extent. prolonged. Defective action of one of the vital organs If any organ has become enfeebled impairs the action of all the other organs. Chyle, formed from the digestion of food, from any cause, there is a deficiency of mingles with the blood, and is carried to circulation in the organ, and consequently the lungs to be vitalized and used for the a deficiency of the life principle, or heat, wants of the system. In the lungs the as Thomson would say; and • if the defi- venous blood, mixed with the chyle, comes ciency in the system, or special organ of in contact with the air and is converted the system, is great enough, a total sus- into arterial blood, having given off a por- pension of circulation would be the result, tion of its carbonic acid and other impuri- and death would immediately ensue. I ties and taken in oxygen. It is found by experiments that the vol- do not think, with Thomson, that cold is ume of air ordinarily present in the lungs always the cause of this feeble condition. is about twelve pints. That the volume A hundred circumstances may cause a of air received into the lungs by an ordin- 11111,111,111pilli I I. 11111141111111 41f4/14

42 THE HEALTH REFORMER. ary inspiration is one pint. The volume Items on Diet. ordinarily expelled is a little less than one pint. The lower parts of the lungs are A HOTEL in the city that did not furnish the most expansive, the greater portion beef-steak would not be largely patron- of the air-cells being located there. There- ized, yet few know or care to consider the fore the lower portions of the lungs arc nature of the food they are eating. Some most effective in abstracting impurities have appeared surprised when we stated from the blood, and conveying to the cir- culating fluid the greatest amount of that we dare not eat it; and they consider oxygen. our statements in regard to the animals It is readily seen that though the stom- killed for food as exaggerations. We ach is the primary blood-making organ, commend to their notice the following the lungs act an important part in per- from the Toledo Blade : fecting the vital fluid and giving it qual- " A gentleman connected with the po- ities to promote the growth and repair lice department of Chicago has testified the wastes of the system. A well-devel- before the Board of Health that most of oped chest and a sufficient capacity for the cattle reserved for consumption in the copious breathing are essential to a pro- city are so weak that they have to be con- longed and vigorous performance of the veyed to the slaughter house on drays, functions of life; and persons are relating and that as to the others, it is sheer cru- themselves most miserably to the enjoy- elty to make them walk. Many of them ment of life and the accomplishment of are covered with sores ; some are gored its duties, when they are taking so much by the horns of others, while some have concern to compress the chest and con- had their own horns knocked off by over- tract the lungs, confining them to the crowding. Many are so far gone when smallest possible space. This often com- they reach the yards that they must needs mences with the first dressing of the infant. have their throats cut in the cars to pre- A bandage is closely fitted around the ten- vent them from dying of exhaustion. der waist, a constant pressure is made to Those which are too weak to stand are bear upon the soft, pliant tissues, and it of course trampled on by the stronger. comes out a trim, slender form, modeled When they reach the yards they are in the style of the Parisian fashion-plates. dragged out with ropes, put on drays, But its constitution is injured, its hold and sent to the slaughter house. Occa- on life is lessened, its liabilities to disease sionly a marketable animal is sent up—to are increased, and its capacities for hap- cover a long series of transgressions, but piness and usefulness are correspondingly nearly all the animals that can survive diminished in proportion to its deformed the journey are taken to eastern cities." development. Those that have been so unfortunate as to have mothers educated And by the time the remainder get to to the refined ideas of the beauty of the the eastern cities they are just as unfit for wasp-like waist, can counteract in some food as those left behind at Chicago, and measure the effects of those violations of other places. the laws of health, and regain something The following contains a remedy; val- of that which has been lost by transgress- ion, by removing all the obstructions from uable, no doubt, to those who need it. I the organs, giving them full and perfect have seen it in several papers under the freedom of action. Then acquire a habit head of drinking at meals:— of deep, full respiration. This may be " When fat meats, or sauces composed assisted by persons placing themselves partly of butter, are taken, and cold drink several times a day in an erect position, directly after, the butter and fat are ren- shoulders thrown back, the head up, the dered concrete, and separated from the hands placed on the hips, and then slowly rest of the aliment. This congealed oily filling the lungs with pure air, and gently matter being then specifically lighter than expelling it from them again. Those hav- the remaining contents of the stomach, ing weak, sensitive lungs should use cau- swims on the top of the food, often caus- tion to not carry this exercise to excess. ing heavy, uneasy, painful sensations about I have known those that have enlarged the cardia and breast, and sometimes a the size of the chest several inches, in a feeling of anxiety; at other times, when few months, by practicing the above. the stomach regains its heat, the fatty P. M. L. matter is rejected by little and little, from REASONS FOR NOT DANCING. 43 weak stomachs, in oily regurgitations, A YOUNG LADY'S REASONS FOR NOT which are very disagreeable. In such DANCING.-1. Dancing would lead me cases, a little compound spirits of harts- into crowded rooms and late hours, which horn, with a glass of warm water and are injurious to health and usefulness. sugar, will convert the fat into soap, and 2. Dancing would lead me into close will give instant relief." contact with very promiscuous company, and " evil communications corrupt good Good so far as it goes ! but I think it manners." may be improved. Thus, if people will 3. Dancing would require me to use put such compounds into their stomachs, and permit freedom with the other sex, they may avoid the necessity of setting of which I should be heartily ashamed, up a soap factory in them, and be free and which I believe to be wrong. from all these horrible feelings, too, by 4. My parents and friends would be anxious about me if I were out late, keep- eating their soap ready made! We charge ing company with they know not whom. nothing for this "R.," as the Dr's. write 5. Ministers, and good people in gen- it, yet for ourselves we have " a more ex- eral, disapprove of dancing, and I think cellent way." But grease-eating epicures it is not safe to set myself against them; will not appreciate it, if we declare it unto if a thing be even doubtful I wish to be them. So we must leave them to the rare on the safe side. 6. Dancing has a bad name, and I enjoyments of "oily regurgitations," or mean to study things that are pure, love- soap eating. J. H. WAGGONER. ly, and of good report. 7. Dancing is generally accompanied with drinking, and I see drinking produ- Wordo from our trigudo. ces a great deal of evil. • . 8. I am told dancing is a great tempta- DEAR DR. LAY: I feel under great tion to young men, and I do not wish to obligation to acknowledge through the have anything to do with leading them Reformer what the Health Reform has astray. done for me, that others may know what 9. Dancing unfits the mind for serious great blessings may be derived from obey- reflection and prayer, and I mean to do ing Nature's laws. I have taken and read nothing that will estrange me from my the first volume of your excellent journal, God and Saviour. and I can truly say that I would not part 10. There are plenty of graceful exer- with the information which I have gained cises and cheerful amusements, which by its perusal for fifty times what it has have none of the objections connected cost me. I could not get along without with them that lie against dancing. it, nor do I think any one would if they knew the value of it. In regard to myself I would say, for the benefit of others, that YOUR OWN Goon NAME.—Some one naturally I was of a pleasant, cheerful turn says to young men, don't rely upon of mind, but, as I grew up to manhood, friends. Don't rely upon the good name dyspepsy began to do its dreadful work in of your ancestors. Thousands have spent my system. I believe my stomach was the prime of life in the vain hope of those very much injured by eating pork and its they call friends; and thousands have grease, and being a great lover of condi- starved because they had a rich father. ments, &c. I performed very much hard Rely upon the good name which is made labor, was up late nights, and the result by your own exertions ; and know that was impatience, irritable temper, and the better than the best friend you can have, like. My life was indeed unpleasant; but is an unquestionable reputation united when I laid aside tobacco, tea, coffee, with decision of character. pork, all kinds of flesh-meats, and excess- ive labor, Nature seemed pleased with A GOOD PLACE TO DIE.—China must such a work, and began to rally and throw be a satisfactory sort of a place for one to off these base intruders, and I begin to die in, for, according to the laws of that feel some as I did in my youthful days. strange country, the physician who kills I believe truly that Nature is gentle and a man has to support his family. It is a kind, and to obey is to live. pity we do not have a law of that kind in L. BARTHOLOMEW. this country. 109 ' ,11 1 1111 , 1 1111. gin11111111111111j1111 11111.1111111 11,1 11111y .11 111 11 nu Rail11111111111111111.1111PIPIIII411

41-4 THE HEALTH REFORMER.

Which Shall It Be. Lack. "Which shall it toe? which shall it be?" "You have had good luck to-day ?" I looked at John—John looked at me. (Dear, patient John, who loves me yet " No, there was no luck about it ; I at- As well as though my locks were jet;) tended to my business." Not long since And when I found that I must speak, My voice seemed strangely low and meek. I heard the above question and reply. It "Tell me again what Robert said ;" struck me as being quite a forcible obser- And then I list'ning bent my head, vation. We often hear persons talking "This is the letter:" "I will give about luck. Such a man, they say, has A house and land while you shall live, always very good luck, and such a one is If, in return for, out of seven, very unlucky, &c. But what is commonly One child to me for aye is given." called bad luck, might more appropriately I looked at John's oldgarments worn, be called laziness, or shiftlessness. One I thought of all that John had borne man has the good luck to have a good Of poverty, and work, and care, Which I, though willing, could not share. crop of corn, and another is so unlucky as I thought of seven mouths to feed, to have his field all grown up to weeds. Of seven little children's need, And then of this: The fact is, one has attended to his crop " Come John," said I, and the other has not. True, a man may " We'll choose among them as they lie do all in his power, and yet, sometimes, Asleep;" so, walking hand in hand, Dear John and I surveyed our band. have what is called bad luck. But it is First to the cradle lightly stepped, generally true that God helps those who Where Lillian, the baby slept. Her damp curls lay like gold alight help themselves. When I hear people A glory gainst the pillowy white. talking so much about their bad luck, I Softly her father stooped to lay conclude that there is something wrong His rough hand down in loving way ; When dream or whisper made her stir, somewhere. D. M. CANRIGHT. And huskily John, "Not her—not her."

We stooped beside the trundle-bed, Two Meals a Day. And one long ray of lamplight shed Athwart the boyish faces there, I HEAR it said often that men cannot In sleep so beautiful and fair; work on two meals per day ; yet many I saw, on Jamie's rough, red cheek, • A tear undried. Ere John could speak, will not eat the third meal until all work "He's but a baby, too," said I, is done, then eat and go to bed. Now if And kissed him as we hurried by. such would eat at four or five o'clock, • Pale, patient Robie's angel face there might be some reason for the third Still in his sleep bore suffering's trace, meal; but to eat just before retiring, is, No, for a thousand crowns not him," to my mind, nothing less than suicidal. We whispered, while our eyes were dim. I have tried eating from two to six meals Poor Dick! bad Dick! our wayward son, a day, and with the two meals I suffer less Turbulent, reckless, idle one— Could he be spared? Nay, He who gave, hunger than with any other method. It Bids us befriend him to the grave; is about two years since I adopted this Only a mother's heart can be system. At first I suffered much from Patient enough for such as he. " And so," said John, "I would not dare hunger, but after a short time I had no To send him from her bedside prayer." desire for the third meal. If any one has a desire for health, and is willing to reform Then stole we softly up above, And knelt by Mary, child of love, a perverted appetite, let them discard all "Perhaps for her 'twould better be," animal food, butter, and condiments, salt I said to John. Quite silently and spices not excepted, and eat two He lifted up a curl that lay Across her cheek in willful way, meals a day, for one year, taking one And shook his head. "Nay, love, not thee," hour's good sleep at noon, before eating The while my heart beat audibly. the second meal, and I will guarantee Only one more, our eldest lad, that they will say the system is a good Trusty and truthful, good and glad— one, and it will be impossible to get them So like his father. "No, John, no; back to the old mode of living. I cannot, will not, let him go." L. BARTHOLOMEW. And so we wrote, in courteous way, We could not give one child away; IT is said that one day the late Dr. And afterward toil lighter seemed, Thinking of that of which we had dreamed. Seymour being asked whether tight lacing Happy, in truth, that not one face was bad for consumption, replied, " Not We missed from its accustomed place; Thankful to work for all the seven, at all, it is what it lives on." This was a Trusting the rest to One in Heaven. wise and witty reply. D. T. B. FOR THE FAMILY CIRCLE.

the fond hope, that his son would be the or at tamilg " staff of his declining years," had sup- ''''' ...... ..... ...... ported him through many a sorrow. Youths of America, would you know The Venomous Worm. the name of this reptile ? It is called the "Outvenoms all the worms of Nile."—Shakspcare. Worm of the Still.—Russell. Wno has not heard of the rattle-snake or copperhead ? An unexpected sight of Don't Fret. either of these reptiles will make even the lords of creation recoil; but there is a Is it a dark, stormy day, everything species 'of worm, found in various parts cheerless, and the atmosphere of the of this state, which conveys a poison of a school-room so thick and humid as to be nature so deadly, that, compared with it, almost without vitalizing power ? Don't even the venom of the rattle-snake is fret. There will come up a sharp north- harmless. To guard our readers against wester soon, and the sun will shine with this foe of human kind, is the object of unwonted brightness. this article. Is your school-room insufficiently This worm varies much in size. It is warmed, and poorly furnished? Do you frequently an inch in diameter, but, as it have everything to do and nothing to do is rarely seen, except when coiled, its with? Don't fret. Do the best you can. length can hardly be conjectured. It is Things will come round by and by. of a dull lead color, and generally lives Do committees and parents interfere near a spring or small stream of water, with you in your work ? Is it your mis- and bites the unfortunate people who are fortune to be unappreciated? Don't fret. in the habit of going there to drink. The Work. Let your light shine. If people brute creation it never molests. They don't see it, it isn't your fault. avoid it with the same instinct that teaches 'Have you got a miserable class ? Do the animals of Peru to shun the deadly you have to tell the same thing over and coya. over again, and then after the twenty- Several of these reptiles have long in- fifth telling find the scholars as ignorant fested our settlements, to the misery and as in the. beginning? Don't fret. Tell destruction of many of our.fellow citizens. them twenty-five times more. Maybe I have, therefore, had frequent opportuni- the fiftieth blow will drive the nail home. ties of being the melancholy spectator of If not, try the hundredth. the effects produced by the subtle poison Do you have so many things to do, and which this worm infuses. meet with so many interruptions you The symptoms of its bite are terrible. don't know whether you are standing on The eyes of the patient become red and your head or your feet? Don't fret. fiery, his tongue swells to an immoderate Stop, and be sure you are on your feet; size and obstructs his utterance ; and then walk as steadily as you can. delirium, of the most horrid character, Are you in a community where there is quickly follows. Sometimes, in his mad- but little interest in schools? Are your ness, he attempts the destruction of his scholars irregular in their attendance, nearest friends. rough in their exterior, careless in their If the sufferer has a family, his weeping habits? Don't fret. You were sent wife and helpless infants are not unfre- there as a missionary, and you could not quently the objects of his frantic fury. have a finer field to work in. In a word, he exhibits, to the life, all the Is your salary inconveniently small? detestable passions that rankle in the Does your friend in the next town get bosom of a savage; and, such is the spell more pay for less work ? Don't fret. in which his senses are locked, that, no Do your work well, and by-and-by they sooner has the unhappy patient recovered will want you in the next town. from the paroxysm of insanity, occasioned Finally, all things may be divided into by the bite, than he seeks out the destroyer, two classes. First, things that you can for the sole purpose of being bitten again. help; second, things that you can't help. I have seen a good old father, his locks To fret about the first would be unmanly; as white as snow, his steps slow and trem- about the second would be utter folly : bling, beg in vain of his only son to quit therefore fret not at all. the lurking-place of the worm. My heart bled when he turned away; for I knew Do nothing without a good reason. 111 PRIMMIRRIIIIRW.011111191WARY111111111 Ng I

46 • THE HEALTH REFORMER.

Make Home Pleasant for Boys. Cheerful Women. Mucu has been said of the rights and IF " gloomy" women did but know wrongs of women ; and volumes of com- what comfort there is in a cheerful spirit! plaints have been uttered against men for How the heart leaps to meet a sunshiny the unjust and selfish laws they have face, a merry tongue, an even temper, made; but as long as boys are subjected and a heart which, either naturally, or, to tyranny, injustice, and oppression at what is better, from conscientious princi- home, so long will the inequality of the ples, has learned to take all things on the rights and privileges of men and women bright side, believing that the Giver of be felt. It is natural for man to wish to life being all-perfect love, the best vffering be avenged of his adversary, and in this we can make to him is to enjoy to the full case custom has placed the means of what he sends of good, and what he allows avenging himself in his own hands. I of evil; like the child who, when it once have one boy in my mind uow, and there believes in its father, believes in all his are hundreds treated like him, who never doings with it, whether it understands sees a moment's happiness at home, and them or not. fairly dreads the hour of meal-time, be- Among the secondary influences which cause of the scoldings and frettings and can be employed, either by or upon a fault-findings, that always greet him when naturally anxious temperament, there is he enters the house. His sisters call him none so ready to'hand, or so wholesome, an awkward, ugly boy,—make cruel sport as that so often referred to—constant of him by mimicking his ways, laughing at employment. A very large number of his untidy clothes, his smutty hands and women, particularly young women, are by face; and his mother calls him a vaga- nature constituted so exceedingly restless bond, a scapegrace—and tells him in al- of mind, or with such a strong physical most every other breath, that he is killing tendency to depression, that they can by her and his father—fairly breaking their no possibility keep themselves in a state hearts with his undutiful behavior! He of even tolerable cheerfulness, except by has heard this over and over so many becoming constantly occupied.—Miss Mu- times that he has almost come to the con- loch. clusion that he is the wickedest boy alive ; he hates himself. He told me that he did SCOLDING NEVER DOES GOOD.—That not see how men could ever want to be is my answer in four words. In the fam- boys again, and wished he could " grow ily, in the school, in the pulpit, in the to be a man in one day, so that he could newspaper, scolding is an evil, an evil on- go where he liked, and get out of the way ly, doing no good, but much evil, evil to of these women folks." the scolder and the scolded. It is a nuis- When this boy does grow to manhood, ance that ought not only to be abated, what inducement will he have to yield but abolished, plucked up by the roots, any rights that he can command to wo- and driven out of every house, and con- man ? What chords in his bosom will signed with all other offspring of total ever vibrate with tender memories at the depravity, to outer darkness and destruc- name of mother? Or what recollections tion. It is the worst possible mode of of a sister's love will ever prompt him to improving the habits of children, and no sacrifice self-interest for woman's sake ? parent who indulges in it ever had the Mothers and sisters—if you would have satisfaction of knowing that scolding men generous, noble-hearted, waiting to benefited his family. It irritates them at grant all the privileges your woman-hood the very moment when their hearts .and has a right to ask, teach them first to love minds should be conciliated toward good you while they are little boys; contribute resolutions to amend. It sets them up in to their happiness then, protect their opposition to the wishes of their parents, rights, show yourselves worthy of their and fills them with aversion to what is respect, and if ever you have occasion to good. There is no sense in scolding. It ask their protection, you will not ask in is a weakness and a folly, as well as a sin, vain.—Sel. and a very small amount of reflection and reason would convince any rational per- STRIVE to make your homes the happi- son that it would be better to go out to est places you can find, and you will in- the north side of the house on a bitter crease your love and preference for home. wintry day, and blow against a north- INFANT MORTALITY. 47

wester, than to fret and scold at children A SECRET WORTH KNOWING.—An able to make them good. It is breath in vain. writer gives utterance to this valuable It is just as foolish in the school as in secret: the family. A scolding teacher is not fit "The looking forward to enjoyment to be a teacher. The same qualities are don't pay. For what I know of it, I needed here as in a family, to govern and would as soon chase butterflies for a liv- improve the young. Every well-ordered ing, or bottle moonshine for a cloudy house and school have their fixed rules, night. The only way to be happy is to and to those rules penalties are essential take the drops of happiness as God gives to order and success. Scolding parents them to us every day of our lives. The and teachers are like barking dogs that boy must learn to be happy, while he is never bite. learning his trade; the merchant while "I tell you now," says one of these he is making his fortune. If be fails to • molders, " if you do that again, I'll take learn this art, he will be sure to miss his you in hand, and give you such a thrash. enjoyment when he gains what he has ing as you never had." sighed for." The thing is done again, and another scolding, not the thrashing, follows. In KEEPING FAITH WITH A CHILD.—Sir a well-governed house, correction is in- William Napier was one day taking a evitable upon transgression. It is admin- long country walk near Freshford, when istered in a spirit of kindness, of gentle- he met a little girl about five years old, ness, of regret, that tells more powerfully sobbing over a broken bowl. She had than blows. " Whip me, father, but dropped and broken it in bringing it back don't cry," was the heart-burst of a boy from the field to which she had taken her who loved the parent about to punish father's dinner, and she said she would him for his fault. Punish ti.e child who be beaten on her return home for having does wrong, but do not scold him. Nev- broken it ; then, with a sudden gleam of er scold anybody. hope, she innocently looked up into his face and said, " But you can mend it, can't you ?" My father explained that Infant Mortality in New York. he could not mend the bowl, but the WE know of nothing more appalling trouble he could, by the gift of a sixpence and saddening than the records of infant to buy another. However, on opening mortality in this city that are transmitted h s purse it was empty of silver, and he weekly to the Board of Health. Most had to make amends by promising to people are so accustomed to hearing about meet his little friend in the same spot at this that they pay little or no attention to the same hour next day, and to bring the it; but we observe that the facts are ex- sixpence with him, bidding her, mean- citing attention in other countries, even if while, tell her mother she had seen a they are ignored by ourselves. In the gentleman who would bring her the last weekly report of. Dr. Harris it is money for the bowl next day. The child, stated that forty-three per cent. of all the entirely trusting him, went on her way deaths in this city were infants who per- comforted. On his return home he found ished before their first birthday; sixty- an invitation awaiting him to dine in Bath eight per cent. were children who perished the following evening, to meet some one under five years old ; while in the densely- whom he especially wished to see. He populated districts along the East river hesitated for some little time, trying to nearly eighty per cent. of the deaths were calculate the possibility of giving the children under five years. We are con- meeting to his little friend of the broken vinced that a very large proportion of bowl and of still being in time for the this mortality is unpreventable by any au- dinner party in Bath; but finding this thoritative action of the Board of Health, could not be he wrote to decline accep- as it is brought about by gross ignorance ting the invitation on the plea of a " pre- or gross neglect of the laws of life by vious engagement," saying to ua, " I can- parents; but still we have no doubt that, not disappoint her, she trusted me so were it possible to keep the houses and implicitly."—Bruce's Life of Gen. Sir the streets in a proper sanitary condition, Wm. Napier. at least one-half of this infant-killing would be prevented.—Neto York Times. Always tell your child the truth. 111111111 '111,1! '1 1111 MI11111111111111!&11111111111/1 .11111.11/11111 1111'1111 1 1 1 1 VIII '1111111.1111111111,11111111,11U111111119

THE HEALTH REFORMER.

OM...1=•• MM. bar WE endeavor to make the Reformer a use- teno. fror onth. ful, practical journal ; and we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have many friends who appre- ger The Health Institute is in a usual state of ciate the work of Health Reform, and who co- prosperity. It is one year the fifth day of the operate with us heartily in it. The following from present month that it has been in operation, and Harris Brothers, Boston, Mass., we give as a sam- its success has more than met our expectations. ple of the enthusiasm which our friends occasion- Nearly all of the time we have had as many pa- ally express: tients as we could accommodate conveniently, and " The Reformer is much the best, most useful quite a large portion of the time we have been and practical publication that has ever come under crowded for want of room. Another year is before our notice. If it was universally read and its us with its care, responsibility, and perplexity, precepts heeded, it would do more good than all and also the satisfaction and consolation which the clergymen in the land, and alleviate more are always the fruits of labor bestowed in a good pain and sufferinjfhan all the doctors in christpn- cause. We trust that no friend will tire of this dom. Success to the Reformer, and to the noble work, nor for a moment cease to put shoulder to pioneers of the Western Health Reform Institute." the wheel, but, with all the zeal which our cause par EVERY month in the year has its influence demands, labor for its advancement. on the health of community. This is not necessa- lam We would call attention to the advertise- rily the case, but, because of the habits of individ- ment of Kedzie's Patent Water Filter, which will uals, we see them suffering at certain seasons with be found in our advertising columns. We have lung complaints, bowel complaints, and general used this Filter for a number of years, and have debility, and so on and so forth. During the found it all that is claimed for it. Few persons present month a great many suffer from bowel are sufficiently aware of the importance of using complaints, thousands (lying yearly from them. pure, soft water, for all cooking and drinking As a preventive of these we would recommend the purposes, as a means of preventing disease, or of eating of fruit. We know that many are afraid the evils entailed upon the constitution by the of it, especiaily if some are sick in the community habitual use of hard or otherwise impure water. with diarrhea, dysentery, or cholera ; but all such Whether it holds in solution animal, vegetable, or fears are groundless. No more wholesome diet mineral products, it is always dangerous, and can be found on the face of the earth than good, prolific of the worst form of disease, which med- ripe fruit. We do not recommend the eating of it ical experience•and history have abundantly veri- at all times of the day, neither to eat that which fied. It is often one of the chief exciting causes is in the least unripe, or in a state of decay, but predisposing to derangements of the stomach and rather that it be eaten regularly, at meal-time, bowels, and renal complaints, resulting in diarrhea, and not between meals, and of the choicest kinds. dysentery, cholera, gravel, ague, fevers, &c. We believe it will then not only not cause dis- Pure air is scarcely second in importance to ease, but act as a preventive. We believe it to be pure water, and 'as it is an element entering so a prophylactic against all kinds of fevers, and, largely into the circulation, the purest of water used properly, aids in keeping the bowels in good ought only to be used, by whatever means obtained, condition. S. F. B. and as good health so certainly underlies all other ,tier WE have erased from our books the names blessings and enjoyments, it becomes a personal of all those who have not renewed their subscrip- and serious inquiry how we may with least trouble, tions, or whom we have not heard from. In doing combining economy and permanency, secure so this we may have erased some names of our warm- great a luxury. est friends—those who are heartily co-operating There seems to be no remedy except in the use with us in the work of Health Reform. Should of a properly-constructed filter, possessing ca- this be the case, we hope they will not feel that pacity, durability and convenience, to furnish a we do not appreciate their labors. Far otherwise. full supply of water for all domestic uses. These We publish the Reformer, and charge our sub- qualities are combined in the Bedzie Patent Wa- scribers but a mere trifle more than cost for it, ter Filter. The most impure rain, river, or hy- and it is absolutely necessary that we receive drant water, by the means of this filter, is freed advance pay on all the copies we send out, if we from all foreign,matter (not held in solution), and continue it at its present price. We trust all will rendered clear as crystal, without taste, color or renew their subscriptions without delay ; for it will smell. In this condition only ought water to be be impossible for us to furnish back numbers to used for all culinary and drinking purposes, as a those who do not soon send in their names. sanitary means of promoting general health. fieirWe present an excellent variety of reading SerREAD Eld. Waggoner's spicy Items on Diet, matter in this number of the Reformer. Show it then choose the "more excellent way." to your friends, and induce them to subscribe.