THE

WATER-CURE JOURNAL, DEVOTED TO THE EXPLANATION OF THE PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF .

HYDROPATHY, OR THE WATER-CURE. " MMf be M»Mr*4»

JOEL. SHEW, M. EDITOR.

Vol.. IV.— No. 4.] NEW- YORK, OCTOBER, 1847. [Whole No. 40.

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF VEGETA bably been more extensive than that of BLE AND ANIMAL FOOD any other individual in any age ; and I IN ENABLING THE HUMAN SYSTEM TO RE have, as a general rule, always found that SIST THE ACTION OF MORBIFIC CAUSES, a pure and well-regulated vegetable diet, AND TO RECOVER FROM DISEASE. under a correct general regimen, is de (Continued from page 232.) cidedly better than that which contains any portion of animal food. I have, it is The celebrated Dr. Chevne, of Eng true, met with some invalids, whose gene- land, who flourished about a hundred years ral physiological condition seemed to re ago, says—" For those who are extremely quire that a portion of animal food should broken down with chronic disease, I have be retained in their diet for a few weeks found no other relief than a total absti and perhaps a few months, till the general sluggishness and torpor of their systems nence from all animal food ; and from all could be overcome ; but such cases are sorts of strong and fermented liquors. not common ; while on the other hand, as In about thirty years? practice, in which I have already stated, I have seen multi I have, in some degree or other, advised tudes of chronic diseases of every name this method in proper cases, I have had and type, which had long and incorrigi bly withstood medical treatment of every but two cases in whose total recovery I kind, yield, in some instances, immediate have been mistaken : and they were both ly, and in others, in a few weeks or too deeply diseased and too far gone for months, to a pure vegetable diet, and ge recovery before I undertook with them." neral regimen regulated by physiological Dr. Lambe, of England, now upwards of principles. I .could fill a large volume with well-authenticated and most interest seventy years old, after a' very long, ex ing detailed accounts of a very great va tensive and successful practice, speaks riety of cases of chronic disease, cured most decidedly against the use of animal in this manner. But this is not the place food of any kind in chronic disease. And for such a detail. during the last seven years, my own op In regulating the diet of chronic pa- ticnts, however, it should always be re portunity to prove ^pc virtues of different membered that the extensiveness and sud kinds of diet in chronic disease, has pro denness of any change should correspond 282 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. with the physiological and pathological ered as criteria of the excellence of any condition and circumstances of the indi regimen prescribed for a chronic invalid. vidual : and most especially should it be Every intelligent person knows, that when remembered, that the diseased organ an individual is taken with an acute dis OR PAKT SHOULD BE MADE THE STANDARD ease of a highly inflammatory character, OF THE ABILITY OF THE SYSTEM. If the the physician cuts off all food at once, boiler of a steam-engine is powerful e- and adopts a course of treatment which nough in some parts, to bear a pressure of rapidly reduces his strength and flesh; fifty pounds to the square inch, while in because it is believed that there is no oth some other parts it can only bear ten er way of arresting the progress of the pounds to the square inch, we know that disease and preventing fatal consequences, it would not do for an engineer to make but by greatly reducing the general ac the strongest parls of the boiler the stand tion of the vital powers : for always, when ard of its general ability or power, and to the action of the vital powers is diseased attempt to raise a pressure of forty pounds aci ion, the more violent it is, the sooner to the square inch, because some parls will it destroy the vital constitution of the can bear fifty pounds : — for in such an diseased part or parts, and the more speed attempt, he would surely burst the boiler ily will it break up the vital economy of at its weakest parts. He must, therefore, the system. But the main difference be make the weakest parts the standard of tween acute and chronic disease, is in the the general power of the boiler, and only degree of the morbid activity of the vital raise such a pressure of steam as those parts powers: and if we would not indulge in can safely bear. So he who has diseased "a generous diet of highly seasoned ilesh- Jungs or liver, or any other part, while at meat, rich pastry, wine, &c.," when la the same time he has a vigorous stomach, boring under acute inflammation of the must not regulate the quality and quantity pleura, lest we should destroy life by the of his food by the ability of his stomach, violence of a general fever, and the mor but by the ability of the diseased part. tification of the inflamed part, with what This rule is of the utmost importance to propriety can we indulge in such a (iiet, the invalid, and one which cannot be dis when laboring under a chronic inflamma regarded with impunity, and yet it is con tion of the same or any other part, since) tinually and almost universally violated. the chronic inflammation as certainly Few things are more common than to tends to change of structure as the acute, find individuals, who are laboring under though with less rapidity and violence ; — severe chronic disease, indulging in very with less rapidity, because the morbid ac improper qualities and quantities .of food tivity of the vital powers is less excessive, and other dietetic errors, and still strongly and with less violence, because the con contending for the propriety of their ha servative economy of the system makes bits and practices, on the ground that less resistance to the progress of the dis " their stomachs never trouble them." Alas ! ease, but, as it were, more quietlv suc they know not that the stomach is the cumbs and suffers the enemy with stealthy principal source of all their troubles: yet death-tread, to march, perhaps unsuspect by adopting a correct regimen and strictly ed, into the citadel of life. Nevertheless, adhering to it for a short time, they would the chronic invalid himself, and generally experience such a mitigation of their suf his friends, and sometimes also his physi ferings, if not such a restoration to health, cian, seem to think that fleshiness and as would fully convince them of the se muscular strength are the things mainly rious impropriety of making a compara. to be desired and sought for, and that any tively vigorous stomach the standard of prescribed regimen is more or less correct the physiological ability of a system oth and salutary, in proportion as it is con erwise diseased. ducive to these ends. Whereas if they Another equally common error of opi were properly enlightened, they would nion, is that the fleshiness and the mus know that the more thjKy nourish a body cular power of the body are to be consid while diseased action is kept up in it, the WATER-CURE JOURNAL. more they increase the disease. The | happy is it for them, if it does not soon grand primary object to be aimed at by lead them into deeper and more inextrica the invalid, is to overcome and remove ble difficulties than those from which they diseased action and condition, and restore have been relieved. all parts to health, and then nourish the body with a view to fleshiness and strength, Diet with reference to Longevity. as fast as the feeblest parts of the system Concerning the comparative effects of will bear, without breaking down again. animal and vegetable food in prolonging And the regimen best adapted to remove human life, the principles which I have the diseased action and condition, more already explained, and the facts which I frequently than otherwise, causes a dimi have presented, are such as to leave little nution of flesh and muscular strength — necessity for physiological discussion and while the disease remains — in regulating demonstration in regard to this point. the general function of nutrition to the There is no more general and invaria ability of the diseased part. But when ble physiological law appertaining to the the diseased action ceases, and healthy ac animal kingdom, and, indeed, to the whole tion takes place, the same regimen, per organic world, than this. The more slow haps, will ihcrease the flesh and strength ly the healthy and complete vital functions as rapidly as the highest welfare of the are performed — the more slowly living constitution will admit. bodies are developed and attain to matu S..me invalids, after trying the virtues rity, — the longer will be the natural dura of medicine and generous living for many tion of life. It is admitted by all eminent years, with a continual increase of their physiologists, that intensive and extensive sufferings, have adopted a simple vegeta lile are incompatible. "The more slowly ble diet and severe general regimen, and man grows," says Professor Hufeland, very soon experienced a great alleviation " the later he attains to maturity, and the of their distress, and in the course of a longer all his powers are expanding, the few months, an entire removal of their longer will be the duration of his life, as disease, and a restoration of the healthy the existence of a creature is lengthened action and condition of every part. But in proportion to the time required for ex at the same time, and by the same means, pansion. Every thing, therefore, that they have also experienced a great dimi hastens vital consumption, shortens life ; nution of flesh and muscular strength ; and consequently, the more intensive the and believing that there can be no health vital action, the shorter the life." We without these, and having neither faith have seen that the human body is formed nor patience to wait for the more slow from fluids, that in early childhood all the and safe effects of a mild, unstimulating solids are exceedingly pulpy and moist, diet, they have, after subduing their dis that the proportion of the fluids to the so ease by their abstemious regimen, return- lids is very great — more than ten to one — -ed to the use of flesh-meat and to a gene and that as life advances, even under the rous living, and, for a while, increased in most favorable circumstances, the relative flesh and strength with great rapidity ; proportion of the fluids gradually dimin and of course, believed that their restora ishes, and that of the solids increases; tion to health was wholly attributable to and, at a certain period, depending in a their generous diet ; and that if they had measure on the general habits of the in ^persisted in their abstemiousness, it would dividual, all the solids begin to be less surely have killed them. It is strange pulpy and to become more dry, inflexible, that such people can so soon forget, that inelastic and unyielding, — producing the before they adopted their abstemious re various phenomena of old age. We have gimen, all the animal food and wine and seen also, that this change in the relative medicine they could swallow, only in proportion of the fluids and solids may be creased their sufferings. This, however, effected more slowly or rapidly, according is but one of the innumerable delusions to the dietetic and other voluntary habits with which mankind are cursed : and of the individual : and moreover, that a , 2S4 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. change in the relative qualities and condi are too sharp and violent to be tions of the fluids and solids, may be very without being qualified by the arec-nut rapidly effected by dietetic and other vo and a little lime. Tobacco, one of the luntary errors, causing irritation and dis worst of narcotics, and arrack, a very in ease, and bringing on premature old age, toxicating, fiery and destructive alcoholic with a thousand- fold more decrepitude and liquor, are also in common and excessive infirmity than are incident to the most use among them. They marry at twelve extreme natural old age. and even ten years of age, are unbound All alcoholic liquors of every kind dis edly licentious, indolent and inactive ; tilled and fermented, — all narcotic sub and their climate is by no means the most stances, fluid and solid, all pure stimu favorable to long life. Is it strange then, lants, or substances which stimulate with that such people should afford compara out nourishing the body, all improper quan tively few instances of longevity? Yet tities and qualities of food, all pernicious it is common for the Bramins of India, preparations and conditions of aliment, who are strictly temperate and of correct all inordinate exercise of the passions, in general habits, to attain a hundred years. short, all things that produce over-excite In comparing the effects of vegetable ment and irritation in the system, increase and animal food on the human body, with the intensity of life, hasten the changes reference to long life, therefore, the sim in the relative proportion, qualities and ple question is whether, all other things conditions of the fluids and solids of the being precisely equal, flesh-meat is as con body, and shorten the period of its exis ducive to longevity in man, as a well- tence. Hence Professor Hufeland very chosen and well-ordered vegetable diet : — justly observes, — "If you would live long, and to this question I affirm, that both live moderately, and avoid a stimulating, physiological science and fact fully and heating diet ; such as a great deal of flesh, unequivocally answer No ! eggs, chocolate, wine and spices." As I have repeatedly stated, and as every I do not, however, intend to class flesh physiologist must admit, flesh is always of with alcoholic and narcotic and other in a more stimulating and heating nature, toxicating and stimulating substances, as causes a more rapid pulse, a hotter skin, equally pernicious to the physiological hastens all the vital functions of the body, properties of the human body ; but I sim causes a greater exhaustion of the vital ply intend to compare it with a pure, well- powers of the organs, and wears out the ordered vegetable diet. And here again, human constitution considerably faster, I acknowledge that an exclusively vegeta than a proper vegetable diet. Hence, ble diet, with every other circumstance great longevity is never found among unfavorable to life, will not sustain human those tribes and portions of the human existence so well and so long as a mixed family who subsist principally or entirely diet of vegetable and animal food with on animal food or flesh. meat. The Pata- every other circumstance favorable to gonians, with a climate and almost every longevity. Tbo Hindoos, for instance, other circumstance except their diet, ex subsist mostly on vegetable food, but as ceedingly favorable to longevity, rarely we have seen, they always eat with that attain to seventy years of age : and the food an excessive quantity of stimulat average duration of life is greater with ing, heating and irritating spices. And them than with any other flesh-eating from the highest to the lowest, male and tribe or nation. female, old and young, from morning till We have already seen that, according night, they smoke a composition contain to all history and tradition, the primitive ing opium ; and almost every man, woman inhabitants of the earth subsisted entirely and child, habitually, and often to a very on vegetable food, and lived to a very great excess, chows a cud composed of great age. The ancient Chinese, who opium, lime and betel-nut, wrapped up in subsisted on rice and water, are said to a sera-leaf of very acrid and pungent have been remarkable for their great lon qualities. The properties of the betel-mvt gevity. "The Pythagoreans, who lived WATER-CURE JOURNAL. 285 on a simple vegetable diet," says Hufe- life. Instances of the greatest longevity land, "afforded the most numerous in are to be found among men, who, from stances of old age." "The Essenes, as their youth, lived principally on vegeta we call a sect of ours," says Josephus, bles, and who perhaps never lasted flesh. ''live the same kind of life as do those Even very sound health may shorten tho whom the Greeks call Pythagoreans. duration of life : and on the other hand, They are long-lived also, insomuch that a certain kind of weakness may be tho many of them live above a hundred years, best means of prolonging it." by means of their simplicity of diet, and Such are the opinions which one of tho the regular course of their lives." most distinguished medical men in Ger In fact, it is true of those portions of many has embraced and published, after all the ancient tribes and nations, who the most careful and extensive research preceded the period of luxury, and who on the subject of human life ; and I am subsisted on a plain, simple, coarse and the more gratified to cite them from such natural diet of vegetables, fruits, and wa authority, because I had advanced them ter, that they possessed great bodily vigor, in my public lectures for three years, be and lived to a very great age, exempt fore I knew that they had been expressed from most of the diseases of body and by Hufeland or any one else. I might mind which so abundantly afflict the lux proceed to corroborate the physiological urious and the intemperate. " It has been principles and general statements which established by nature on the best grounds," I have advanced, by a very extensive and says Hufeland, "that our nourishment interesting detail of individual cases of should be used in a form rather coarse ; extraordinary longevity. I might narrate securing full mastication and insalivation, the case of Robsrt Bowman., who, subsist and a longer retention in the stomach. ing wholly on a vegetable and milk diet Plain, simple food only, promotes mode of the plainest and simplest kind, retain ration and longevity ; while compounded ed his bodily vigor and mental and moral and luxurious food shortens life." " The powers to very great age, — who, when a most extraordinary instances of longevi hundred years old, joined the chase and ty," continues Hufeland, "are to be found ran after the hounds : and at the age of among those classes of mankind, who, a hundred and twelve, assisted his family amidst bodily labor, and the open air, lead in the harvest field. Or tho case of tho a simple life agreeable to nature; such as French peasant, who, subsisting on coarse farmers, gardeners, hunters, &c. The brown bread baked semi-annually, and more man follows nature, and is obedient goats' milk, and breathing the pure air of to her laws, the longer will he live : the the mountains of Switzerland, retained all further he deviates from these, the shorter his faculties and power to the age of a will be his existence. This is one of the hundred and fifteen, with uninterrupted most general of laws. In the same dis health, and remarkable vigor and activity ; tricts, therefore, so long as the inhabitants and at the age of a hundred and twenty lead a temperate life, as shepherds or hunt was carried to Paris and presented to the ers, they will attain to old age, but as king ; and there, by a change of diet and soon as they become civilized, and bv such other circumstances, rapidly declined for means sink into luxury, dissipation and two or three years and died. Or the case corruption, their duration of life will be of Thomas Parr, of England, who. sub shortened. It is, therefore, not the rich sisted almost all his life on bread, milk, and great, not those who take gold tinc old cheese and whey, and who, at the age tures and wonder-working medicines, who of a hundred and thirty, was able to per become old ; but country laborers, farm form every kind of work of a laborer, — ers, &c. Mortality prevails in the great who, when a hundred and forty yeard old, est degree where men deviate most from manifested little of the failing of age, and nature, where her most sacred laws are who was removed to London, where an despised. Rich and nourishing food, and entire change took place in his mode of an immoderate use of flesh, do not prolong living, and he soon died at the age of one WATER-CURE JOURNAL. hundred and fifty. two. Yet, judging from manifestly increased rapidity ; and they the condition in which all his viscera were rarely long survive the chiinge. The oth found on examination after dtath, it was er is, that when individuals who have lived the opinion of Dr. Harvey that he might to sixty or seventy years of ago and up have lived till he was two hundred years wards, on a mixed diet of vegetable and old, had he remained in his native country animal food, and begun to feel much of air, and continued his regular, plain, sim the decrepitude of old age and to expe ple and temperate hiibils. Or I might rience many of its inlirmities, if before narrate the case of Henry Jenkins, of they are completely broken down and England, who subsisting much in the same brought upon their death. beds, they adopt manner as Parr did, retained his faculties a well-chosen vegetable diet and good and powers in great vigor for nearly a general regimen, they always greatly im century and a half, and, with little abate prove in health, throw off many if not ment, carried them up to the age of a most or all of their infirmities, and retrieve hundred and sixty-nine : — or the case of much of the activity and vivacity of ear Demetrius Craboski, who was recently lier life. I have witnessed this fact in living near Polask, on the frontiers of numerous instances. But I have said Lithuania, at the age of one hundred and enough on this point. No intelligent and sixty-eight. "This Russian Methuselah," unprejudiced individual can faithfully ex says the St. Petersburgh Gazette, " has amine this subject, and long remain in always led the humble and tranquil life of doubt that a pure and well-ordered vege a shepherd, assisted by his two sons, the table diet is better adapted than one con eldest of whom, Paul, is one hundred and taining any portion of flesh-meat, to pro twenty, and the younger, Anatole, ninety- long human life and to preserve the elas seven years old."* But it is more enter ticity and activity of the body, and the taining than useful to devote our time and vivacity and cheerfulness and vigor of the attention to such details. There are, as mind. I have frequently remarked, so many Diet with reference to Prolificness and modifying circumstances and causes, to be taken into consideration when reason Endurance of Cold. in^n,M ing from individual experience, that with There are two other departments of evi- out the best physiological knowledge to dence pertaining to the physiological guide us in our researches, we are quite powers common to all organized bodies, as likely to arrive at erroneous as at cor which require a brief consideration, be- rect conclusions. cause they have been preoccupied by the There are two grand facts, however, in advocates for the carnivorous character of relation to this matter, worthy of all con man, and insisted on as affording irrefra sideration. The one is, that when indi gable proof of the constitutional necessity viduals who have lived to old age on sim of at least some portion of flesh. meat in ple vegetable food, begin in advanced life the diet of human beings. The first re to partake of animal food, the infirmities lates to the perpetuation of the species, of age always increase upon them with a and the second to the ability of the human body to endure the intense cold of the frigid zones. * Indeed, it is very common for native Rus sians, living on a coarse and scanty vegetable diet, It has been asserted by Buffon and oth even in that severe climate, to exceed a hundred ers, and is perhaps generally believed by year3 of life. The late returns of the Greek professional men in flesh-eating countries, Church population of the Russian empire, give, that " if man were obliged to abstain to- in the table of deaths of the male sex, more than one thousand over a hundred years of a?e. There tally from flesh, he would not multiply." were forty-nine between a hundred and fifteen and To an intelligent and unsophisticated a hundred and twenty ; forty between a hundred mind, this position must, on a little reflec and twenty and a hundred and twenty- five ; six teen between a hundred and twenty-five and a tion at least, appear so palpably erroneous, hundred and forty ; and four between a hundred that it hardly seems necessary to attempt and forty and a hundred and fifty. a serious refutation of it. Yet, when we WATER-CURE JOURNAL. 287 consider how powerful is the force of edu south of the Rio Negro, an extent of cation, preconceived and long-cherished country which might contain a population opinion, and deeply established habit, we of several millions, there are at the pre are less surprised that men of certain kinds sent day less than eight hundred inhabi- of training should cling to opinions which tants. If this fact were owing to the they have been systematically taught to mere scarcity of the food on which they believe indubitably true ; and we see the subsist, then it would appear either that importance of endeavoring to set men they have taken precautionary measures right, even in regard to errors which are to prevent too great an increase of popu most obviously preposterous. lation, or elsS"that, whenever the popula It is not necessary that I should enter tion exceeds the alimentary supplies of into any physiological reasonings on this the county, they have swarmed like bees, point. If, as 1 have endeavored to show, and sent off the excess of their population a pure and well-chosen vegetable diet is to some other part of the country. But best adapted to sustain the organic econ neither of these hypotheses is true. They omy of the human body in all other re are as prolific as they can be, and yet spects, it cannot be possible in the nature their number is vastly less than might be of things, that this particular point is a spe sustained by the alimentary resources of cial exception to the general physiological the country. Though prone, like all other laws of the system. And on this point, human beings in similar circumstances, to we may, with more propriety than in re indulge in the use of tobacco and intoxi gard to almost any other, appeal directly cating drinks/yet they are so situated, and to the general history of the human kind. hitherto have had so little commerce with We know that in all times, and in all cli the rest of the world, that they have been mates, those portions of the human fami able to procure only occasional and very ly which subsist mostly or entirely on ve scanty supplies of those articles, and there getable food, are vastly more prolific than fore, have probably never suffered to any those portions which subsist mostly or en considerable extent from the use of them. tirely on animal food. The purely flesh- Neither is there any evidence that their eating tribes are never prolific. Indeed, as population has been often and considera a general law, the number of births among bly reduced by frequent and destructive them in a given time, rarely much exceeds wars, nor by epidemic disease or pesti- the number of deaths : and hence, such lence. There is, therefore, the strongest tribes, if they continue to be strictly car- evidence that the nature of their food is nivorous, generally remain for centuries the principal if not the only cause of their with very little increase in their numbers; being so unprolific : and this conclusion is and sometimes, even in the most favorable powerfully corroborated by the general climates, they slowly decrease. fact already stated, that all tribes and na There is probably no purely carnivo tions subsisting wholly on flesh and fish rous portion of the human family whose are remarkably unprolific. The inhabi climate, quality of food, habits and cir tants of Terra del Fuego, we have seen, cumstances generally, are more genial to have the greatest abundance of animal the physiological interests of the human food, and yet their number is very small. body, and more favorable to the multiplica On the other hand, we find the vegeta tion of the species, than those of the Pa- ble-eating portions of the human family tagonians. If, therefore, flesh-meat were are so exceedingly prolific; that they aro adapted to render the human species pro constantly under the necessity of devising lific, the Patagonians ought to multiply means and adopting measures to check or very rapidly. But the reverse of this is to dispose of the exces-s of population. signally true. For three hundred years To sav nothing of the vegetable-eating at least, they have inhabited a country millions of Asia, with whom the very whose mild climate and salubrious atmos earth and atmosphere seem to teem, we phere are exceedingly favorable to human find nearer home a fact so signal and so life.; and yet in all eastern Patagonia notorious, that it is greatly marvellous that 288 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. it has never met the eye and fixed the at But the notion that the physiological pow tention of those philosophers who so stren ers and functions of the human body are uously contend for the necessity of a por betier sustained by flesh-meat than they tion of flesh-meat in the diet of man. It can be by a well-chosen vegetable diet in is well known to almost every body in the wintry regions of the poles, is entirely Europe and America, that a very large false. Could proper vegetable food be majority of the ,inhabitants of Ireland, had in abundance in frigid zones, it would from generation to generation, never par be better aliment for man in every respect take of flesh- meat enough to have any than flesh-mcat, even in the coldest spot appreciable physiological effect on the or where human life can be preserved. That ganic economy of their bodies ; and yet is, provided man is accustomed to such a Ireland, besides being at all times in such diet in those regions from his childhood up, a state of over-fulness of population, as to or fully habituated to it before he enters be constantly threatened, and frequently those regions. Or in other words, aJi suffering with extensive distress from want other things being precisely equal, the man of food, and the lives of hundreds of thou who is fully accustomed to a pure vegeta- sands are shortened by starvation, has ble diet, can endure severer cold, or bear poured out such a tide of emigration that the same degree of cold much longer, than she has deluged England, Scotland and the man who is fully accustomed to a flesh America, with her naturally hardy and diet. energetic offspring. Were animal heat a mere chemical ef On the whole, therefore, the true evi fect, or were it produced in the same man dence in the case, when correctly appre ner as we produce a sudden, sensible glow hended and accurately appreciated, instead throughout the system by drinking alco of serving, in any measure, to prove that holic liquor, it might not be easy to per the integrity of any function in the or ceive how the same diet which best ena- ganic economy of the human body re hies us to endure the intense heat of the quires that flesh-meat should form a por torrid zone, should also best enable us to tion of the diet of man, goes very pow endure the intense cold of the frigid zone. erfully and conclusively to prove that the But let it be remembered that animal heat physiological interests of the human con is purely the effect of vital function, and stitution are, in every respect, best sustain that the power of the body to regulate its ed by a pure vegetable diet. temperature according to the surrounding In regard to the necessity for flesh-mcat medium, so as to sustain the extremes of to enable the human body to endure se heat or cold, is always greatest when its vere cold, it is contended that God, in physiological properties and powers are in creating man with a constitutional capa their most healthv and vigorous state and bility of acclimating himself to the wintry condition. And this, wo have seen, is regions of the North, has made it essen most perfectly secured by a pure and well tial to his most perfect and successful chosen vegetable diet. adaptation to those regions, that he should Reasoning from false notions derived subsist mostly or entirely on animal food. from mere momentary sensation, mankind To this I reply that, so far as God has long clung to the opinion that alcoholic constituted and ordained things in such a liquor would enable them better to endure manner as that animal substances are all both heat and cold : and although modern or nearly all that the frigid zones afford experiments are beginning to set them for human aliment, and in such a manner right concerning alcohol, yet they blindly as that the human body is far less inju cherish the idea that flesh- meat is better riously affected by the free use of flesh- for them in cold regions, than vegetable meat in cold regions than in the torrid or food ; without pausing to consider that even in the temperate zones, so far it may while it actually affoWsthem less real and with propriety be said that God has made permanent nourishment, it stimulates them it necessary for the inhabitants of the more, and exhausts the vital powers of frigid zones to subsist on animal food. their organs more rapidly, and therefore, WATER-CURE JOURNAL. in all that it differs in its effects from ve rendered me one of the most unsightly" getable food, it approaches more nearly to not to say monstrous productions of na the character of alcohol. ture. I ought not to say nature, perhaps ; We know that in some of the coldest for, if not perverted, she produces no such portions of the Russian Empire, the peo monsters. At the age of six months, my ple subsist on coarse, vegetable food, and weight was twenty-five pounds ; and it are exceedingly hardy and vigorous. I rose soon after to thirty or more. have been assured by highly intelligent When I was about two years of age, 1 gentlemen who have spent many months had the whooping-cough, and having been in Siberia, that no exiles to that wintry brought up to the height, and more thah region endure the severities of the climate the height of my condition, by over-feed better than those who have been all their ing with fat meat, I suffered exceedingly. lives accustomed to a simple vegetable I recovered at length, but I had lost my diet. And it has proved universally true, relish, as I am informed, for flesh-meat; except in cases of far gone and incurable and from this time till the age of fourteen, disease, that all those who have adopted I seldom ate any but the leanest muscleu a strict vegetable diet and correct general I was tolerably healthy, but, from the age regimen, in this country, within six or of two years, was slender ; so much so, «even years past, have experienced a de that at five or six, I only weighed fifty cided increase of physiological power to pounds ; and was constantly either found endure severe cold, and have found them fault with, or pitied, because I did not eat selves able to preserve the temperature of meat in quality and quantity like other their bodies more uniform and agreeable people. Nor was it without much effort, with less clothing by day and by night. even at the age of fourteen, that I could It is unquestionably true, however, as bring myself to bo reconciled to it. I was testified by those who have attempted to also trained to the early use of much ci- explore the polar regions, that when Brit der, and to the moderate use of tea and ish sailors and others who have been ac spirits. I have spoken of my slender con- customed to live mostly on salted animal stitution ; I believe this was in part the food, are taken into those regions, they result of excessive early labor, and that it ire enabled to endure the intense cold was not wholly owing to a premature use letter by subsisting on the fresh animal of flesh-meat. iood of the natives. Nevertheless, it is I had suffered so much, however, from ntirely certain that both they and the na- the belief that I was feeble from the latter ives would endure the cold still better, if cause, that I had no sooner become re ley were well trained to a correct vege- conciled to the use of flesh and fish — iible diet. which was at the age of fourteen — than I indulged in it quite freely. About this Soft water is the most suitable drink for time came on an attack of general dropsv, nan, since fermented liquors are rather the from which, with great difficulty, I recov- iroduct of art than of nature. — Zimmerman ered. I also had a severe attack of the measles, which, in its turn, came very VEGETABLE DIET -EXPERIENCE OF near carrying me off. These two com plaints, or the mercury, digitalis, and oth DR. W. A. ALCOTT. er poisons used in endeavoring to effect a .From Dr. Alcotl's work on Vegetable Diet. Boston, 1838 ) cure, left me with nn eruptive disease, From the age of five or six months to peculiarly troublesome in hot weather, that of two years, I was literally crammed and with weak eyes. with flesh-meat ; usually of the most The eruptive complaint was soon dis gross kind. Such a course was believed, covered to be less severe, even in hot by the fond parents and others, ns likely weather, and while I was using a great to be productive of the most healthful and deal of exercise, in proportion as 1 ab happy consequences. The result was an stained from all drinks but water, and ate ccumulation of adipose substance, that none but mild food. Owing to the dis 290 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. covery of this fact and to other causes, I happy medicinal effects on my much in chiefly discontinued the use of stimulat jured frame. Hot food of every kind, ing food and drink, during the hottest part and liquids, with the exception just made, of the season ; though I committed much I rarely touch. Nearly every thing is error in regard to the quantity of my food, taken in as solid a form and in as simple and drank quite too freely of cold water. state as possible; with no condiments, ex Still I always found my health best, and cept a very little salt, and with no sweets, my body and mind most vigorous, at the sauces, gravies, jellies, preserves, &c. I end of summer, or the beginning of au seldom use more than one sort of food at tumn, notwithstanding the very hard la a time, unless it be to add fruit as a se bor to which I was subjected to on the cond article ; and this is rarely done, ex farm. This increase of vigor was, at that cept in the morning. I have for a year time, attributed chiefly to a free use of and a half used no drinks with my meals-; summer fruits; for, so deeply had the be and for some months past, have had very lief been infixed by early education, that little thirst at all ; and have seldom drank highly stimulating food and drink were anything. indispensable to the full health andstrength And as to the effects, tbey are such, and of mankind, and especially to people who have all along been such, as to make me were laboring hard, that, though I some wonder at myself, whenever I think of it. times suspected they were not true friends Instead of being constantly subject to cold, to the human system, my conscience al and nearly dying with consumption in the ways condemned the suspicion, and pro spring, I am almost free from any tenden nounced me guilty of a species of high cy to take cold at all. During the last treason for harboring it. winter, by neglecting to keep the tempe This brings up my dietetic history to rature of my room low enough, and by the period at which it commences, in the neglecting also to take sufficient exercise letter to Dr. North. The study of medi in the open air, I became unusually ten cine, however, from the age of twenty- der, and suffered to some extent from colds- four to twenty-seven, and the subsequent But I have been well again during the study and practice of it for a few years, spring, and now feel as it I had recovered joined to the changes I made at the same my former hardihood. time in my physical habits, and my obser- In regard to other complaints, I may vations on their effects, led me to reject, say still more. Of rheumatism, I have one after another, and one group after have scarcely had a twinge in many another, the whole tribe of extra stimu years. My eruptive complaint is, I be lants — solid and fluid. lieve, entirely gone. The weakness of i The sequel of my history remains to be my eyes has been wholly gone for many told. Nearly three years and a half have years. Indeed, the strength and perfection elapsed since the date of my letter to Dr. of my sight and all my senses, (though North, and the results of my experiments about forty years of age.) hearing perhaps are by no means less interesting than excepted, in which I perceive no altera those of the former period. tion — has appeared to be constantly im For the last four years, or nearly four proving for many years. My stomach years, I have not only abstained from flesh and intestines perform their respective du and fish — not having eaten half a pound ties in the most appropriate, correct and of both during the whole time — but I have healthful manner. My appetite is cor*- used but little butter, cheese or milk. For stantly good, and as constantly improv some time past, I have discarded butter ing; that is, going on towards perfection. entirely, and cheese almost entirely. The I can detect, both by smell and taste, al occasional use of milk, in very small most anything which is in the least offen quantities, once a day, has, however, been sive or deleterious in food or drink ; and resorted to ; not from necessity, indeed, yet I can receive, without immediate ap or to gratify any strong desire or inclina parent disturbance, and readily digest, al tion for it, but from a conviction of its most anything wfcich ever entered a bu WATER-CURE JOURNAL. 291 man stomach--knives, pencils, clay, chalk, tain by auscultation. The sounds which &c. perhaps excepted. I can eat a full are heard during respiration, in the region meal of cabbage, or any other very ob to which I have alluded, leave no doubt jectionable crude aliment, or even cheese on the minds of skilful medical men of or paste, — a single meal, I mean, — with their origin. Still I doubt whether the apparent impunity ; not when fatigued, of disease has made any considerable pro- course, or in any way debilitated, but in gress for many years. the morning and when in full strength. But, during the winter before last, my It is true, I make no experiments of this employments became excessively labori sort, except occasionally as experiments. ous; and, for the whole winter and spring, In my former statement, I gave it as were sufficient for* at least two healthy my opinion that vegetable food was less and strong men. They were also almost aperient than animal. My opinion now whoily sedentary. At the end of May, I is, that if we were trained on vegetable took a long and rather fatiguing journey food, and had never received substances through a country by no means the most into the stomach which were unduly healthy, and came home somewhat de stimulating, we should find the intestinal pressed in mind and body, especially the or peristaltic action quite sufficient. The former. I was also unusually emaciated, apparent sluggishness of the bowels, when and I began to have fears of a decline. we first exchange an animal diet for a Still, however, my appetite was good, and vegetable one, is probably owing to our I had a good share of bodily strength. former abuses. At present, I find my The more I directed my attention to my plain vegetable food, in moderate and rea self, the worse I became ; and I actually sonable quantity, quite as aperient as it began soon to experience darting pains in ought to be, and if I exceed a proper quan the chest, together with other symptoms tity, too much so. of a renewal of pulmonary disease. Per I have now no remaining doubts of the ceiving my danger, however, from the vast importance that would result to man state of my mind, I at length made a pow kind, from an universal training from erful effort to shake off the mental distur childhood, to the exclusive use of vege bance which succeeded. This, together table food. I believe such a course of with moderate labor and rather more ex training, along with a due attention to ercise than before, seemed gradually to air, exercise, cleanliness, &c., would be set me right; and I have now been, (May the means of improving our race, physi- 1838,) for six or eight months, as well as callv, intellectually and morally, beyond I ever was in my life, except the slight ten anything of which the world has yet con dency to cold during the winter of which ceived. But my reasons for this belief I have already taken notice. I never was will be seen more fully in another place. more cheerful or more happy ; never saw They are founded in science and the ob the world in a brighter aspect ; never be servations of facts around me, much more fore was it more truly " morning a!l day" than on a narrow individual experience. with me. I have paid in part the penalty There is one circumstance which I of my transgressions, of the winter before must not omit, because it is full of admo last ; and may, perhaps, go on, in life, nition and instruction. I have elsewhere many years longer. stated that, twelve years ago, I had inci I now fear nothing in the future, so far pient phthisis. Of this fart, and of the as health and disease- are concerned, so fact that there were considerable inroads much as excessive alimentation. To this made by disease on the upper lobe of the evil — and it is a most serious and common right lung, I have not the slightest doubt. one in this land of abundance and busy The symptoms were such at the time, and activity — I am exposed, both from the subsequently, as could not havo been mis keenness of my appetite, and the exceed taken. Besides, what was, as I conceive, ing richness of the simple vegetables and pretty fully established by the symptoms fruits of which I partake. But, within a which existed, is rendered still more cer- short time past, I seem to have forgotten 292 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. the victory, in a good measure, even in merely fifteen years, as was Hezckiah's, this respect. By eating only one or two but forty or fifty. things at a time, usually only one, and by measuring or weighing them with the eye THE CRAVAT. — for I weigh them in no other way — I On the propriety of covering the neck» am usually able to confine myself to near in men, the ancients entertained very ly the proper limits. different ideas from those which prevail This caution, and these efforts at self- at the present day. The Romans, in government, are not needed, because their particular, left this part of the neck un neglect involves an immediate suffering ; covered, excepting in inclement weather, for, as I have already slated, there was when the toga was held around the throat never a period in my life before, when I with the hand. They knew nothing of ,was so completely independent — appar the modern cravat ; though under certain ently so, I mean — of external circumstan circumstances of disease, or in coming ces. I can eat what I please, and as out of the warm bath, they were in the much or as little as I please. I can ob habit of wearing upon the neck the/ocaZ« serve set hours, or be very irregular. I — a kind of collar formed of silk, cotton can use a pretty extensive variety at the or wool. This, however, we learn from same meal, and a still greater variety at Quintilian, it was considered effeminate different meals, or I can live perpetually to make use of in public, excepting un on a single article — nay, on almost any der the same circumstances in which a thing which could be named in the animal covering to the head and legs was per or vegetable kingdom — and be perfectly missible. contented and happy in the use of it. I " Palliolum 8icut fasciae et fucalia eicusare potest can, in short, eat all the while, work all valetudo." the while, think all the while, sleep all the The question as to grace and health, while, converse all the while, or play all upon this point, will probably be decided the while ; or I can abstain from any of in favor of the Romans. That the cravat these, almost all the while. Let me be by no means contributes to the beauty of understood, however. I do not mean to the figure, will be confessed by every indi eay that either of these courses would be vidual of taste, and hence the best mas best for me, in the end ; but only that I ters in sculpture and painting, endeavor, have so far attained to independence of whenever it is possible, to free the neck external circumstances, that, for a time, I from it in their busts and portraits. believe I am able to do or bear all I have That it is not essential to health, even mentioned. in our uncertain climate, is also evinced One thing more, in this connexion, and by the fact, that in the female sex, those I shall have finished my remarks. I sleep parts of the neck and throat which in too little ; but it is because I allow my man are enveloped with so much care by mind to run over the world so much, and numerous folds of muslin or cambric, are lay so many schemes for human improve left uncovered with impunity during all ment or for human happiness ; and be seasons ; on the contrary, the custom of cause I allow my sympathies to become covering the neck too warmly, it is more so deeply enlisted in human suffering and than probable, is not (infrequently Iho human wo. I should be most healthy, in cause of disease. the end, by spending six hours or more in We do not object to a light and ioose sleep; whereas I do not probably much cravat, particularly in winter ; we should exceed five. I have indeed obtained a even recommend its use, did the laws in respite, from the gr^ve, of twelve years, regard to dress emanate from the study of through a partial repentance and amend the physician, instead of the shopboard of ment of life, and the mercy of God ; but the tailor or the saloon of some fashion did I obey all His laws as well as I do a able milliner : as conservators of health, part of them, I know of no reason why we may, however, be permitted to say, my life might not bo lengthened, not that the constant use of the cravat, too WATER-CURE JOURNAL. voluminous, or composed of too thick ma from the English, who introduced it in terials, renders the neck peculiarly liable order to conceal the hideous and disgust to the impression of slight degrees of cold : ing fears left upon their necks by the we believe that to this cause are to be re scrofula, a disease endemic and hereditary ferred many inflammatory affections of the among the latter : and, strange to say, throat. There are indeed few individuals this fashion too often occasioned in the accustomed to wear constantly the cravat French, who had the folly to adopt it, now in fashion, who can throw it aside scars equally unsightly — the consequence for an hour or two, even in summer, with of the inflammations and ulceration in the out contracting some degree of hoarseness, glands of the neck to which it gave rise." and experiencing some uneasiness in the During all exertion of the body, it is throat ; and if exposed to a draught of important that the neck be left free from air, or in the evening, a decided quinsy compression. The cravat should be is often the result. loosened, also, when we are engaged in Around the neck are situated many reading, writing, or profound study ; and large bloodvessels connected with the invariably should it be removed, together brain, as well as other important organs, with all ligatures from every part of the which cannot be compressed without inju body, on retiring to sleep — whether at rious consequences. So long as the cra night, or during the day : much evil has vat is loose and light, no inconvenience is been occasioned by a neglect of such pre experienced ; but when it is made to em caution. brace the neck with the grasp of a halter, A great deal more might be said in re as was a short time since, and is now, too gard to this subject. We might hint to much the custom, the free return of the the singer and public speaker, the in blood from the head is impeded ; the face jury voices sustain by a cravat of too becomes red and turgid ; and the martyr great bulk, or one so tightly drawrnas to to fashion experiences pain and an over- compress the throat and windpipe, — we fulness of the head, without suspecting for might warn the young of the danger, a moment, " the source from whence his when heated by exercise, of throwing off ills arise." When the body is thrown the accustomed covering of the neck, — into exertion with the throat thus begirt, and a word might be said upon each of the evil is augmented ; and in those of those diseases, the presence of which ren full habits, dangerous affections of the ders the use of a large and tight cravat head are the consequence. Vertigo ; altogether inadmissible; but we refrain — swooning; violent bleeding from the nose, the goddess of fashion reigns with too des difficult to arrest ; and even apoplexy, — potic a sway, to allow her mandates to be are said to have resulted from this cause interfered with from mere considerations alone. of comfort or of prudence. — Journal of A highly respectable physician of this Health. city informed us, not long since, that se veral young gentlemen have come under his care affected with very distressing and ABSTEMIOUS DIET. almost constant pain of the head and eyes, Many cases of illness, both in adults Finding that in every instance the cravat and children, may be readily cured by ab was drawn too tightly round the neck, he stinence from all food. Htadaches, dis directed it to be worn in the future more ordered stomachs, and many other attacks, loosi !y ; little else was required to relieve are caused often by violating the rules of them of their complaints. • health ; and in consequence, some of the Perc)', a French surgeon of great celeb organs clogged. Omitting one, two, or rity, observes, that most of the fashions in three meals, as the case may be, gives the dress have been invented to conceal some system a chance to rest, and allows the weakness or deformity. " That of enor clogged organs to dispose of their burdens. mous cravats originated from similar mo The practice of giving drugs to " clear tives.1 It was borrowed by the French out the stpmachs," always weakens the 294 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. system, while abstinence secures a good a dram in the form of smoke. Cigars result, without doing any injury. operate in the same manner, the only dis Said a young gentleman to ^distin tinction being, that they are burnt with guished medical practitioner in Philadel out the intervention of a pipe. Tobacco phia, — is also chewed ; a method of use still "Doctor what do you do for yourself more revolting than that of consumption when you have a turn of headache, or in the pipe, and more surely stimulating other slight attacks ?" in effect. " Go without my dinner," was the re Intoxication to a lesser or greater ex ply- tent is a certain consequence of using to " And if that does not cure you, what bacco in any of its forms ; hence, between then ?" the habitual smoker and the habitual dram- " Go without supper." drinker there can scarcely be said to be a "But if that does not cure you, what shade of difference. It is only because to then ?" bacco does not ordinarily produce that " Go without my breakfast. We phy excess of intoxication known as drunken sicians seldom take medicines ourselves, ness, that it is viewed as a thing less per or use them in our families, for we know nicious. The young beginner in smokmg that starving is better; but we cannot usually experiences its poisonous effects ; make our patients believe it." he is overcome by nausea and a peculiar Many cases of slight indisposition are giddiness, and not unfrequently vomits. cured by a change of diet. Thus, if per Fortunately he is unable to continue the sons suffer from constipation, have head dose, otherwise the consequences might aches, slight attacks of fever, or dyspep be stupor, convulsions, and death. Prac sia, the cause may often be removed by tice in this as in every other 'species of eatyig rye, mush and molasses, baked ap intemperance, lends to a vitiation of appe ples and other fruits. — Dora. Rec. Book. tite and hardened state of feeling ; but the intoxication nevertheless does its work on TOBACCO. the constitution. The secretion and waste of saliva is considerable ; thirst is This is an acrid weed, possessing, when provoked ; and thus the pipe and pot are dried and prepared, a power of stimula generally associated. ting and intoxicating ; and of poisoning It has been represented that smoking when taken in excess. It is used in a va may be advantageously employed as a riety of forms. Put into a pipe, to which preservative against moisture of climate ; fire is applied, its fumes are drawn through and the prfiptice of smoking among the the mouth, where they act on the nerves, Dutch is pointed to as an example. This insensibly lulling and sttipifying the smo. is a fallacy : smoking, instead of strength- ker. In general, smoking is resorted to ening, weakens the nervous energy and for the purpose of producing a soothing general health ; and the practice is only effect on the feelings and appetite — a hard a vice of the males in Holland, for the laboring man, for example, taking a smoke females of that country do not smoke, and by way of a lunch ; but it should always they are not less healthy than members be borne in mind that any imaginary of the other sex. Driven from this ex benefit from this temporary stimulus, is cuse, the advocates of smoking represent at thecost of a corresponding if not greater that it is favorable to study — that it ex depression afterwards. The effect of the cites the reflective faculties — is the friend smoke may be to stay the appetite, but it of the meditative ; and that for these vir is only a deceit ; the value of the tobacco, tues it has been eulogised by poets and applied to the stomach in the shape of divines. We reply, that the brain, in a food, would be much more beneficial. In state of health, requires no such auxilia short, unless in the mere mode of appli ry, and that this application is at the best cation, the fumes of tobacco are an in a deceptive friend, for it promotes dreamy toxicant, like opium or alcohol — they are and visionary notions, and finally robs its WATER-CURE JOURNAL. votary of the power of either thinking or WHY IS THERE SO MUCH DISEASE anting in a manly manner. Used as a AMONG US? habitual indulgence, its lulling and stupi- Because, in numbers of things, we do fying effects keep the Germans in a state just what, by our nature, we were never of contented suhmission to despotism, and intended to do. For example : — wrapped, as it has heen said, in a " tran 1st. Man is intended to draw fresh air scendental cloud." We feel assured that every time ho breathes. Almost all peo- no great or ennobling thoughts ever issued pie, when in their shops, breathe the same from the fumes of this intoxicating plant. air over and over again. To show the When drawn into the nostrils in the necessity of allowing fresh air continual form of snuff, tobacco does not lose its in ly to enter living rooms, and bad air to toxicating properties. The particles stim escape, it may be stated that every per ulate the nerves of the nose, and this son, during each minute of his life, de stimulus reaching the brain, the centre of stroys a quantity of air twice as large as the nervous energy, intoxication is the re himself. sult. Though usually taken in such small 2d. Man ought to breathe pure air doses that it communicates only a slight every breath. Our sewers and drains are excitement, it nevertheless causes a de so bad that the vapors and foul gases rangement of certain functions of the arise, and we breathe them. nose. These functions are very evident. The nostrils are the outlet of the supera 3d. Man was intended to take exercise bundant wash secreted for cleansing the every day. Neither his heart, his stom eye, and if these be stopped, the waste li ach and bowels, his liver, his skin, his quid overflows and corrodes the eyelids, lungs, his kidneys, nor his brains, will act causing pnin and unsightliness. They rightly without walking exercise every also discharge mucus from their inner sur day. Most of us do not get any walk, face ; and if this is injured, the healthi or only a very short one, which is scarcey ness of the organ is interrupted. The ly of any use. stopping up of the nostrils also impedes 4th. Man is formed to take simple and breathing, and so far interrupts one of the wholesome food. He eats all sorts of most important processes appointed by na things, which not only do him no good, ture. Besides, the nostrils are in imme but do him harm ; and drinks large quan diate contact with the gullet, and a certain tities of beer, spirits, and wine, which amount of snuff is always more or less hurt his stomach, and take away the pro passed down into the stomach, thereby in per use of his brain. flaming its coatings, and impairing the di 5th. Man ought to wash himself all gestive functions. A habitual snuff-taker over with water every day, so as to cleanse is generally recognizable by his loss of the pores of the skin, else they get stop- smell, by his snuffling and snorting, and, ped up ; he cannot perspire rightly, and if a public speaker, by his defective mod his skin cannot breathe. The majority ulation of voice. Preachers, teachers of of the people only wash their hands and vocal music snd languages, and, indeed, face. all those to whom a clear and distinct ar- 6th. Man should wear clean clothes , ticulation is of consequence, ought to avoid next his skin, because the body gives off this habit, which, when carried to excess, bad fluids. At present, many people wear is in this respect extremely prejudicial. the same thing day after day, for weeks Those, too, who have a regard for clean together. liness, will not accustom themselves to so 7th. Man was intended to live , in the nauseous and hurtful a practice. — Albany light. Many have scarce any light in Patriot. their rooms. 8th. Man, in this climate, must wear Food not too fat or gross, and water as warm clothing. Many have no flannel, a drink, render our bodies the most firm and many are clad with heavy useless and strong. — BoerJiaave. things. — iVeic York Evangelist. 296 WATER-CURE JOURNAL.

WATERCURE JOURNAL. fake a cold bath when you are much fa tigued. Take, then, the tepid or warm NEW-YORK, OCTOBER, 1847. bath, or wait until becoming rested. 3. Never take a cold bath when the MR. LOCKE'S PATENT PORTABLE COM body is cold or chilly. Cause first warmth, BINATION SHOWER BATHS. by friction on the surface, exercise, wrap WITH HULKS FOR BATHING. ping up warmly in bed, or by the warm The advantages of this Bath are, bath, as at from 92 to 98° Fahrenheit. 1. The water is elevated by means of a 4. Do not bathe within three hours crarik and pulley, requiring but slight ef- after a meal, and four hours is still better. fori, the apparatus being very little liable 5. It is better to wait at least half an to pet out of order. hour after bathing before eating. 2. The Bath is used either in the form 6. Always get warm after a bath. Ex of shower or douche, according to the ercise is the most natural and therefore the fancy of the person bathing. best mode. But if this is not practicable, 8. A liberal supply of water is used at use an ficial means. each time of bathing. 7. Do not take the shower or douche 4. By placing a cork in the bottom of bath on the head. It is better merely to the apparatus, it is conveniently used as a wash well, or pour water on that part. hi] I'lith. The force of water striking upon the head 5. It is a very convenient arrangement sometimes causes headache and other un in which to take a vapor bath, with the pleasant effects. You can easily incline usoi'il addition of a tepid, cool, or cold the head forward while in the bath. one in connexion. 8. Under the above rules, sedentary 6. At such times as the bath may not persons, and those not in good health, may be in use, it may be used as a wardrobe, bathe advantageously two and even three the top being entirely covered, a thing not times a day; the time of rising in the common in portable baths. morning being one of the best. 7. With the aid of the steam appara 9. The vapor bath is generally made tus, which is heated by means of a spirit too violent. Let it be moderate, particu lamp, the vapor bath is made ready in larly at first. Do not, without the advice seven minutes, or from warm water in of a physician, go beyond the very first less -time. appearance of perspiration. Wash, at the same time, the head in cold water. This SOME GENERAL R0LES TO BE OBSERVED prevents rushing of blood to that part. IN BATHING. You may also keep a cold wet towel on 1. Beginners and weak persons should the head during the time of the vapor commence moderately. Many are injured bath. Take then a tepid, cold or cool by beginning too rapidly. If you have bath immediately after the vapor, and, all any doubt, take first the lukewarm or things properly managed, you have a lux tepid bath (from 80 to 90° Fahrenheit.) ury which one may indeed well be thank This would not injure the feeblest child. ful for. Then, from Jay to day, gradually lower Would you enjoy health, happiness, and the temperature as you feel you can bear. long life? The next thing to preserving 2. A most important rule is, never to a clear conscience, and in all things tem WATER-CURE JOURNAL. 297 perance, take regularly, daily, some form same time, present, decided exliaust ion from of bath. — Would you preserve soundness fatigue. In a hot day, when the body is and beauty of teeth, clearness and ruddi heated but not exhausted, or in a fever of ness of complexion ? Avoid tea, coffee, whatever kind, if attended with an in and tobacco, and take your daily bath. — crease of heat, or in a drunken debauch, Would you be free from dyspepsia, rheu which is neither more nor less than an ar matism, agues, fevers, consumption, and tificial fever, caused by the poisonous stim the many ills that afflict life 1 Live much ulus taken, how grateful and salutary is in the open air, and jn all respects plainly nature's beverage — pure cold water — to and regularly, and take your daily bath. — drink. But if there is exhaustion, with Would you enjoy, amid the trials of life, or without the heat, then, mark, cold wa serenity of mind, clearness of perception, ter, wliether internally or externally ap and the highest perfection of all your plied, if to any considerable, extent, is dan bodily and mental powers, in connexion gerous ; and thus has many a life been with all the other rules of hygiene 1 Take lost. This is the science of the matter. ALWAYS YOUU DAILY BATH. So Mr. Chronotype, or any one else, try prove to the contrary, if you can. Use Death from drinking Cold* Water. — cold water when you are heated or warm Who ever heard of a bottle being broken and not exhausted by over-exertion, but by being simply immersed in cold water? use it not when you are cold. Every Yet if you take a bottle out of boiling-hot water and plunge it into cold, see if it good thing has both its abuse and use. don't snap. So let a rum-drinker turn down, into his cindered stomach, a tumb Poisoning by the Compounds of Lead in ler of iced water, and see what becomes Cards and Wafers. — The New Haven of him. The next day you will see his Register mentions lately the case of a death by cold water in all the papers. — Chronotype. child of Mrs. Charles Chapman, of Dan- And who ever heard of health and life bury, Ct., that was poisoned by its putting being destroyed by the use of fruits and a visiting card into its mouth, which the grain, where these had been the food mother had given it to play with. It died chiefly ? But take a stomach irritated, in forty-eight hours from the effects. An inflamed, cancerous, rotten, with flesh, analysis of the card, by Dr. Bennett, grease, salt, pepper, countless other im showed that the enamel or coating was proper stimulants and destructive drugs, and fill it at once and repeatedly with composed (wholly or in part) of the- car. man's proper food — if death, sickness or bonate of lead. We believe all cards prostration follows, it is all attributed to have more or less of the compounds of vegetable diet. — Regenerator. lead in them. The first of these extracts is based on a Wafers always contain preparations of perfectly erroneous notion, and a very lead, and for that reason should not be prevalent one. It implies that heat is the put in the mouth. Not much harm could cause of the danger in drinking cold water. be expected from an occasional application But scientific demonstration proves incon- of the poison in this way, but so long as trovertibly, that the more heat there is pre we know there is lead in the composition sent in the living body, the more genial, of wafers and that persons have been tbus salutary, and charm-like is the action of poisoned, it is the wiser mode to avoid ithft cold water, provided there is not, at the practice referred to. A little water to the WATER. CURE JOURNAL. wafer is sufficient lo moisten it fur use. try practice, nor the people for their do- We have warned many persona concern mesiic use. Not only the successor of ing the practice, but, as far as we know, our friend, but a brother-in-law of his, a they generally go on in the same old heed druggist in a country town, informed him less way, precisely as do the tea and cof that such was also the fact in his place. fee drinkers, users of tobacco, tlie eaters These things show that " there is a better of salt, &c., &c. Go on, heedless men time coming," than that in which we and women ! you will get your pay even were all school-boys, and dosed and basted tually — with principal and compound in by our good mothers for the itch. terest. Death caused by accident in the use of Mental Aberration. — A singular mode Drugs. — By the papers we are informed of applying water.— 'We are credibly in that a short time since, in this city, a poor formed, that something upwards of a year old lady came to her death by taking ago, a gentleman of this city, a druggist laudanum, which she had sent her by an by the name of Thorn, living in Pearl st., apothecary for rhubarb. Both the apo at or near the corner of Madison, was seen thecary and- his clerks are indicted for one morning to be throwing his bottles out manslaughter. of his store window at a tremendous rate. Still later, a young lady sent a prescript Possibly he might have felt something of tion, written by an old and experienced the self-reproach of Faust, when he says : physician, to a drug store. On receiving " And thus with most infernal pills, Among these valleys and these hills, the dose she swallowed it, and in two hours Far worse than did the Pest we blazed. afterwards was dead. The doctor had Thousands did I the poison give; They withered off, and 1 must live made a mistake in the prescription, and a To hear lh' audacious murderers praised." poison was administered. How often have No person dared venture riear the drug there been calamities of this kind ? gist, but at length some one bethought himself that he would try the effects of Balls (at Grafenbsrg). — It is stated that cold water. A Croton hose-pipe, such as balls are very frequent with the patients in is used for watering the fronts of houses, the mammoth cold water establishment at the streets, &c., was attached to a hy Grafenberg. They must be spiritless gath drant, and the full force of water was erings — no champaigne, no negus, no cold punches, to stimulate the brain, brighten thrown in upon the crazy man through the eye, give color to the cheek and volu the window. In a short time his fever of bility to the tongue. Regular wet-hlanket delirium was quelled, and he became quiet amusement, and all water, with pail faces and manageable. and inanimate cup-les ! — N. Y. Sunday Times. Decrease in the sale of Drugs. — A Ye men of Bacchus, go to Grafenberg worthy friend of ours (a practitioner of and see whether water, fresh air, exercise, water), who was, a f. w years since, en plain food, and regular habits are not suf gaged in selling drug", informs us his ficient to give such health, spirits, vivaci successor finds that within the past two ty and true enjoyment of both moral and years, there has been a decided falling off corporeal powers as you never yet in your in that business ; that neither the physi most intense bacchanalian revelries dream cians are buying as much, for their coun ed of. Or rather, practise yourselves for WATER-CURE JOURNAL. one twelvemonth the Grafenberg regimen, from eating some of the above mentioned and see what will be the result. articles, called pure and healthy food. I consequently resolved to leave the estab EFFECTS OF BAD DIET IN A CASE OF lishment. On informing the doctor of , WATER TREATMENT. this, he replied that he felt it his duty to charge me double the price I had agreed LETTER FROM ELIZA GRIFFEN. to pay ; alledging, among other reasons New York, 8th mo. 17th, 1847. for so doing, that my leaving so abruptly, Dr. Shew: — For the benefit of that would be a thousand dollars damage to large class of suffering invalids, who may his establishment. be seeking health at the various hydro- I do not write this for the purpose of pathic establishments of our country, — injuring any one, I do it because I wish I communicate for thy journal the follow patients to investigate the subject of hy ing particulars of my case. As thou wilt dropathy and dietetics carefully, so that recollect, my difficulty is a very serious they may not be deceived as to what ihey injury of the spine, and that I have for consist in ; for water treatment, in very several years past, spent much time and many instances, must prove unavailing, money in pursuing the popular mode of unless the diet consist of the purest arti treatment, which seemed only to aggra cles prepared upon strictly physiological vate my disease, and this to a most for principles. Reason teaches that it must midable degree. Finally my attention be highly injurious to abstract the animal was directed to the true system of healing. heat from the system by cold applications, After practising home-bathing a while, ac in chronic diseases, without supplying the cording to thy directions, I was conveyed stomach with proper nourishment, by to New York on a bed ; and finding the which the requisite degree of caloric may situation, which thou didst then occupy, be kept up. rather noisy for my frail and shattered It is, indeed, a very easy matter for any nerves, after some delay I placed myself dentist cr doctor, however ignorant he under the care of another practitioner. may be of physiology, hydropathy, or Under his judicious management, with a dietetics, to fit up baths and purchase the strict and unexceptionable diet, I became cheapest articles of provision, and then greatly benefitted. In 4th mo., I removed advertise "every convenience for bathing, to a new establishment in which my phy- and a physiological diet." sician was interested. I still remained Iam now again under judicious care, under his immediate direction, and con and am glad to say that my health is again tinued to improve until the first of 6th improving. When first thou didst see me, mo., when he retired from the firm, and I I was unable to keep upon my feet but a came under the care of the remaining moment at a time. I can now walk about practitioner. for half an hour without resting ; and my With a change of physician came a general health is much improved. I take change of diet, which I found, as did oth- the wet sheet, a shower bath, and moderate ers, most unfortunate ; and I realized, by douching, daily, with frequent local appli sad experience, what I had before learned cations. My experience convinces me, in theory, that fresh-baked bread, some that without as correct a diet as I am per times heavy and sour, stale eggs, rancid mitted to enjoy, water would fail of effi butter, greasy puddings, decayed fruits, cacy in my case. &<:., &c., were not exactly such a " pure Thine respectfully, ly dietetic" way of living as was calcu Eliza Griffetj. lated to do credit to the " dietetic" pro fessor, or justice to his " dietetic" patients. Tight Lacing. — A learned doctor, re Although I did not partake of the hard ferring to tight lacing, avers that it is a pump water, with which his table was public benefit, inasmuch as it kills all the bountifully supplied, I suffered repeatedly foolish girls, and leaves the wise ones to in the form of convulsions and spasms, grow to be women. — Selected. 300 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. DYSENTERY. increased as the stomach is found able to (From the Water-Cure Manual.) bear. This disease occurs oftener during the A Case. — At a time during the hottest summer and autumn, and in hot climates of the past summer, I was called to attend more than in cold. Upon shipboard, when the little son Aaron, of Mrs. Potter's, a passengers are much crowded together, very worthy and industrious colored wo among sailors, in camps and prisons, in man, residing in the basement story of the crowded cities and other places of impure house of Professor Ives, No. 417 Houston air, this disease, often so destructive, takes street. Not having kept any notes of place. It occurs sometimes as an epi the case at the time, I give it from me demic, and is then often very malignant mory. and fatal. The lad, eight or nine years of aire, Causes. — These appear to be principal was taken with dysentery, commencing, ly impure air, improper food, and irregu as it often does, with bilious vomiting. larity in meals. Panic is often the ex His health had been poor and the bowels citing cause : as upon ships, if passengers irregular, for some time previously. The begin to die, more and more begin to have tormina, (griping pain in the bowels,) and the disease. tenesmus, (bearing down of the lower Symptoms. — The disease is mostly an bowel,) were very severe. There was al inflammation of the mucous or lining so high general fever, and much heat in membrane of the colon, 6r lower bowel. the abdomen. The discharges frequent, The discharges are mucous or bloody, and and pains and desire almost constant. there is severe tormina, (acute griping or It was already the second day, and the colicky pains.) and tenesmus (frequent boy was quite emaciated and weak. He and painful, and yet unavailing desire to had been unwell for some time. I com evacuate the bowels.) As in other severe menced by giving a tepid bath, in a wash inflammations, there is always general fe- tub, he being supported the whole while verishness. When the discharges are by assistants, and frictions practised over white, the disease is called dysenteria alba, the body as well as he could bear. The or white dysentery. bath being considerably cooler than the Treatment. — This is very easy to under body, removed much of the general fever stand. We must, of course, quell the and the pains. Fomentations were to be general fever. The disease being in the kept about the body, and injections of lower bowel, we can get at that directly Croton water, a little tempered, as often by injections. Use these always as cool as the pains and bearing down were severe, as the patient desires. If it is an infant, and as often as the general fever should that cannot speak for itself, use the injec rise he was to be placed again in the half tion tepid, quite lukewarm, so as to be bath as at first. As much cold water was comfortable, but never so high quite as to be taken as could be conveniently, in 98° F., the heat of the blood. The in small quantities at a time, and no nourish jection should be persevered in so long as ment was to be given. These means caus there is pain and bearing down, and as ed at first a good deal of amendment, often as a discharge takes place. Sitz still the disease did not give way, as baths, not too cold, are very useful. There such cases generally do very soon under cannot be too many injections used so such treatment, and, after about the long as the pain or discharge continues. third day, he became worse and worse. I Not a particle of nourishment should be saw the little patient a number of times given until the disease is arrested, even if every day, and according to the general it require days. Water in small quanti course mentioned we did the best we could. ties to be drunk to the full extent of thirst ; However, at about the end of the first and as in all affections of the stomach week we had succeeded in mastering the and bowels, food must be commenced with disease, when, in the absence of the moth the greatest caution, in tea-spoon quanti er, she having many duties to perforin, ties, or even less at a time, and gradually the little fellow could not resist the temp WATER-CURE JOURNAL. 301 tation, and took an amount of food that down many beats to about its natural again brought on the attack more violent standard. Very greatly to my satisfac th in at first. We then set to work again, tion, he, from this moment, rapidly recov treating him upon the same principle as ered. Now, it may be doubted whether before, of keeping almost entirely with water of so mild a temperature could pos out nutriment. We found, as before, sibly produce such results. I have given that by placing him in the wet sheet, two the facts as they occurred, and for one, or three double, from the arm-pits to the in the weak state in which the patient knees, and wrapping him up so that he was, I dared not use the water any cold was neither too warm or cold, he could er than I did. often sleep for two or three hours quite Every medical man well understands well, and then again, in spite of our best that this disease is every now and then ex efforts, the griping and bearing down ceedingly obstinate; and runs on for would return, and the discharges become weeks, passing often into a very bad worse. In just two weeks from the first chronic form. Severe attacks of this dis attack, of a Sunday morning, the disease ease are always dangerous, whatever be was at its worst pitch, the discharges tak the treatment adopted. This is parti ing place almost constantly, and the pains, cularly true in city practice. As a gener if possible, greater than they had been. al thing, we are able, by water treatment, From care and anxiety, and constant toil to arrest attacks of this kind in a very among the sick, I was at this time com short time, and I never yet, in any in pletely worn out. I called upon a medi stance, had the misfortune to lose a case cal friend in whose skill I had confidence, of the kind. The disease should be at and whose treatment I knew vould be tended to at the very first onset, especial very simple. I said to him, "I have a ly if it be epidemic. If this is not done, case thus and so, the most obstinate I have it may soon pass to ulceration of the bow ever had of the kind." I expected soon els, in which there could be but little hope. to be in a stale I could not possibly at If the disease has passed into a chronic tend the boy. I desired him to go with form, the principles of treatment are the me and I would make one desperate effort, same, and must be longer continued. and if I became so sick that I could not keep on, I wished him to study the case, THOUGHTS ON HEALTH. and be ready to attend it. Accordingly Sir William Temple says, " A man has wo went, and as before said, the disease but these four things to choose out of : to was at its highest pitch. The little suf exercise daily, to be very temperate, to ferer was, by this time, of course, very take physic, or to be sick." In reference weak. I took a force-pump syringe, and to these remarks, Dr. Bell says, " We may with my own hands, the mother aiding, venture to assert, with a much later wri commenced giving injection after injec ter, that the principal secrets of health are tion, using the water quite lukewarm, or early rising, exercise, personal cleanliness, warm, as it would be called, my medical and leaving the table unoppressed." If a ,friend and myself judging it, from the. sen family rises early in the morning, you may sations, to be at 95° F. Without having calculate it is well governed, and its mem the boy rise, we gave injection after in bers are industrious and healthy. A pro jection, keeping the bowels all the time as per use of water is as necessary as of ex full of water as we possibly could. It ercise. — "Dispel the ill humors from the was not long before the pain began to give pores." Cleanliness is an important virtue. way, and the pulse grow less frequent. — Johnson, speaking of a book in which I continued thus giving the injections for temperance was recommended, says : about an hour and a half, and during this "Such a book should come out every time the pains and profuse discharges had thirty years, dressed in the mode of the all ceased. Hard round bails of excre times." And an old proverb says : " He ment were passed, and finally, a quite na- that would eat much, must eat little." tural movement, and the pulse had come But it should ever be remembered that 302 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. " temperance is not starvation, but moder he still made his professional visits, giving ation." This has been one grand reason bread pills, starch powders, drops of scent why much that has been written about ed anJ colored waters, dsc., directing his temperance in eating, has produced no attention to causes that impede the efforts more effect. of Nature, removing them, and leaving The proper use of food has been dis I he rest to her. At length he called his carded, and starvation, instead of moder employers together, and told them his ation, recommended. But radicalism al views and practice. Of course then no ways finds its true level soon. body would employ him any more? Just It has well been said, "They are the the contrary ; he had expected to be o- most healthy who have nature for their bliged to give up his business, but had as cook ; hunger for their caterer ; who have much as ever ; his people preferred him, no doctor but the sun and fresh air; and medicine or no medicine, and as long as no other physic than temperance and ex he stayed with them he was their medical ercise." — Journal of Health. adviser. Dr. Jennings' book contains a theory of (From the Clironotype.) Human Life ; theory of Disease ; view of MEDICAL REFORM. its occasions, causes, and chief phenome A Treatise on Man's Physical Being and Disorders, na ; results of his own experience and tes embracing an Outline of a Theory of Human timony from others, corroborative of his Life, and a Theory of Piseasc, its Nature, views ; examination of Medical Theories, Cause and Remedy By Isaac Jennings, M. D. orthodox and heterodox ; answers to ob pp. 375. — Oberlin, Ohio, Filch

SCOLDING. A man, whose stomach has for years, if A great deal of injury is done to child not from the first hour of his life, been ren by their parents' scolding. Many habitually abused by way of medicine, children have been nearly or quite ruined, food and drink, cannot, by any possible and often driven from home, to become means, become at once a ploughman or a vagabonds and wanderers, by scolding. It sours your temper, provided it is sweel, pavior in health. Nature must be allowed which is a question ; if you scold, the time in which to do her work. more you will have to scold, and because you have become ciosser, and your child Daily use of the cold bath, much exer ren likewise. Depend upon it, they can cise in the open air, sleeping on a hard not like you as well after you have be bed, and rigidly temperate habits through rated them, as they did before. You may approach them with firmness and decision, out, were the practices of the Duke of you may punish them with severity ade Wellington, and as a natural result, ho quate to the nature of their offences, and enjoyed, to a green old age, remarkably they will feel the justice of your conduct firm health of both body and mind. and love you, notwithstanding all. But they hate scolding. It stirs up bad blood, Let hunger regulate your food, and nev while it discloses your weakness and low er eat too much at once ; excessive eating ers you in their estimation. Especially tires the stomach, and produces many dis at night, when they are about to retire, eases. — Chinese Art of Health. 308 WATER-CURE JOURNAL. ESSAYS ON THE TEETH -THEIR STRUCTURE, DISEASES, AND TREATMENT. [ No. 2. ] BY JOHN BUBDELL, DENTIST. Plate 2 gives a side view of the upper and under jaw, with the external alveolar sockets removed. The front, upper, and under tooth, which appears darker than the others, belong to the other side of the jaws. After the superior maxillary branch passes through the foramen of the skull, it is subdivided, giving off twigs to different parts of the face, as well as to each !joot of the upper jaw teeth. The maxillary nerve of the lower jaw is subdivided, not only at the place where it enters the inside of the jaw, near the ear, but at about half its length, where it is seen passing out of the foramen of the external alveolar plate ; these twigs are distributed to the lips and integuments of the lower part of the face. The nerves of each Plate 2. jaw are united near the brain. The divis ions entering the roots of the teeth frequent ly sympathize . with each other. One tooth may be diseas- >. . ed, and at the same \J\ time the correspond ing one, or the one near it, will appear to be the seat of pain. Under such circum stances, many sound 2 and valuable teeth have been extracted, without giving relief, while a careful inspec tor would have de tected the offender, and saved the inno cent for performing duty, perhaps during NERVOOS CONNECTION OF THE TEETH. a long life. — Let it be remembered, that the loss of a tooth cripples the body, and in some measure shortens life. Each member of the system is necessary in its place to sustain the balance of the whole. The permanent teeth are arranged in the following manner : 1st. The two cen tral incisors, or the two most prominent teeth in front of the mouth. 2nd. The two lateral incisors, one on each side of the central, which are smaller, and not as wide. 3rd. The cuspid, or eye-teeth, being pointed, one on each side. 4th. The bicuspids, or small double teeth, two on each side. 5th. The grinding teeth, three on each side, and are much larger and stronger than the others. Periods at which the permanent teeth generally appear, commencing in the lower jaw :— First molares at 6 years. Second bicuspids at 10J years. Central incisors 7 " Cuspids, or eye-teeth 12J " Lateral incisors " Second molares 13-14 " First bicuspids 8 " Wisdom teeth., 19-21 "