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Classic
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page 406
the body work at a disadvantage. It is a common fault to breathe from the
surface of the lungs only, not bringing into play the abdominal muscles, and so
not filling the more remote air cells of the lungs. By this defective action the
system is deprived of a part of its supply of air, and by inaction the air-cells
become diseased.
Evacuate the bowels daily, and above all regularly; the best time is after
breakfast; partly to be rid of a physical burden during the day, but chiefly to
relieve the bowels. Constipation is safer than diarrc“a. For the former,
exercise, ride horseback, knead the belly, take a glass of cool water before
breakfast, eat fruit and laxative food; for the latter, follow an opposite
course--toast, crust, crackers and rice are the best food. Pain and uneasiness
of digestive organs are signs of disturbance; keep a clear conscience; rest,
sleep, eat properly; avoid strong medicines in ordinary cases.
Keep the person scrupulously clean; change the clothing worn next to the skin
(which should be flannel) often. Don't economize in washing bills. A cold bath
every morning for very vigorous persons, or once or twice a week and thorough
rubbing with a coarse towel or flesh-brush mornings when bath is not taken, for
the less robust, is necessary to keep the functions of the skin in health, and
is very invigorating. After warm baths a dash of cold water will prevent chill
and "taking cold." In bathing in winter, the shock from cold water is lessened
by standing a minute in the cold air after the removal of clothing before
applying water.
A very prolific source of disease is defective drainage. In the country, slops
and waste water are thrown into the back yard to trickle back into the well and
pollute it, or to form a reeking cesspool which poisons the air. In cities, the
sewer-connections with houses allow the foul gases to rush back through the
waste-pipes to closets or sinks and into the house. Neatness will cure the
first, and a flue connecting each system of drainage-pipes with the tallest
chimney in the house where a fire is used, will draw off and consume the gases
in the second.
It should be remembered that the use of chloride of lime, and other fumigants,
does not destroy filthiness, but only renders it less evident. Cleanliness,
fresh air, and sunlight will purify. Cleanliness is a very strong word. Carpets
filled with dust or grease, dirty furniture, or walls covered with old paper,
defile the atmosphere as much as a refuse heap in the cellar or back yard. A
dark house is generally unwholesome and dirty. The sunlight is second only in
importance to fresh air. To convince one that light purifies, it is only
necessary to go into a darkened room and note the corrupt smell.
Ventilation can not be accomplished by simply letting the pure air in; the bad
air must be let out. Open a window at top and bottom, hold a lighted candle in
the draft, and see the flame turn outward at the top and inward at the bottom,
showing the purifying currents. Windows on opposite sides of the room ventilate
still more perfectly. In sleeping rooms, avoid "drafts" when possible, but
danger of taking cold from them may be averted by extra clothing. In
living-rooms, an open fire-place or grate insures
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