Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1893 — THE BODY AND ITS HEALTH. [ARTICLE]

THE BODY AND ITS HEALTH.

A Caution. —Never venture- into a sick-room if you arc in a violent perspiration, for the moment your body becomes cold it is in a state likely to absorb the infection and give you the disease. Never visit a sick person when your stomach is empty, as this disposes" the system more readily to receive the contagion ; or, if in low vitality yourself, or ailing in any manner. In attending a sick person, place yourself where the air passes from the door or window to the bed of the invalid, and not between the diseased and any fire that is in the room, as the heat of the fire will draw the infections vapors in that direction, and you would run much danger from breathing it. If you are a nervous person, or one easily frightened, and feel any alarm whatever in being in the presence of one suffering from an infectious disease, for your own sake, and that of the patient, we advise you to stay away. Pn ysiolooy ok Athletics,Pro and Cox. —Considerable interest was some time ago created by the assertion of Dr. B. W. Richardson, an eminent English authority in physiological study, that there is not in England a trained professional athlete of the age of thirty, five who has been six years at his calling who is not disabled; adding to this assertion the remark that when the artificial system of training cesses, the involuntary muscles —the heart especially—remain in strength out of all due proportion greater than the rest of the active-moving parts of the organism. Contrary to these assertions is the result of studies and investigations made in this line by Dr. J. Madison Taylor, as communicated to “The Journal of the American Medical Association.” In this are given the brief histories of a score of men now living which, he thinks, at least illustrate how vigorous and strong such men may be, even long after the age limit which Dr. Richardson has assigned them. Dr. Taylor is strongly of the opinion, from these and other evidences, that the judicious pursuit of bodily exercises, either in the line of ordinary avocations, special duties or sports, tends greatly to maintain and enhance the vigor of both body and mind; and not only this, but the hurtfulness of severe muscular exertion, short of profound exhaustion, is merely tempoiary and recoverable. and that dangers to internal organs and vital centres are comparatively rare. Pungent Odors. —Everyone does not know that aromatic salts and very strong, pungent odors are injurious to the nerves of smell, and often produce difficulties. It is well understood, says a medical authority, that certain scents start the action of the secretory glands of the nose and throat, and often the eyes fill up with tears. Frequent indulgence in the use of such perfumes will soon overtax the secretory organs and weaken them. Some day the person observes that the hearing is less acute than usual and the sense of smell seems defective. This is, of course, accredited to a cold or some similar cause, and but little is thought of it. After a tim,e the entire head becomes affected, hearing and smell are almost, if not altogether lacking, and there are throat and lung complications which are likely to end in chronic, if not fatal, illness. It has taken the medical world a great many years to discover that loss of hearing is almost invariably caused by some disease of the throat or nose or both. But very recent researches in these fields have demonstrated this fact beyond question, and it is now admitted by the most advanced medical men that, aside from rupture of the ear drum, there is scarcely a symptom of defective hearing which is not traceable directly to the condition of the nose and throat. In view of the new discoveries, ear specialists are finding their occupations gone, save as they make their particular branch an assistant in further investigations. It is said that the use of smelling salts is one of the prolific causes of deafness, operating by weakening the olfactory nerves, and through them the auditory system. All strong or pungent odors should be avoided as far as possible.

To Preserve Beauty. —Women who wish to preserve their youthfui appearance and to avoid those talebearers of age, wrinkles, should pay attention to their mode of taking rest. In the first place, the soft downy pillows which seem to woo repose by their inviting appearance should be strictly avoided; and a rouud long hair pillow, placed under the nape of the neck, after the fashion of the little wooden blocks used by the Japanese women should be employed. These blocks are hollowed out to fit exactly the nape of the neck, so that the elaborate headdress of the Japanese girls may not he disturbed, for it is not an easy matter to arrange the smooth bands of hair, which form the chief ornament of a Japanese woman’s toilet, and they are seldom taken down. A correct position of the body in sleeping should also be observed, and the most perfect iest is obtained by lying on the back. Care should be taken to have the chest slightly raised and the shoulder blades flattened against the back. The hair pillow then placed under the neck will throw the head slightly back, raising the chin, and thereby giving needed rest to the muscles of the face, particularly those around the mouth and eyes, and the formation of lines under the chin will be lessened. It is a very bad habit to sleep with the mouth open, as it not only stretches the muscles at the side of the mouth, but is also extremely bad for the teeth when the slightest acidity of the stomach prevails. Of course as the face reflects the emotions of the mind, those muscles which are most frequently used leave, in becoming relaxed, ineffaceable lines. It is well, therefore, if one must have wrinkles to take care that they shall be pleasant ones. The habit of wrinkling the forehead is a very common fault. Some people cannot talk, without distorting the face in the most horrible manner, thinking that this gives greater emphasis to what they are saying. This is a mistake, and it would be well if those people could have a mirror suspended before them for one day, so that they would become aware how greatly they detract from their appearance by so doing. We find that people of a phlegmatic temperament retain their youth longer than those of a nervous, excitable disposition. Do not hurry or worry, and thereby allow that ugly little scowl to become fixed between your eyebrows. Things taken quietly will soon’ arrange themselves. Cultivate, therefore, repose of mind and manner. Eat regularly and not too much. Bathe every day and change the garment next the skin very frequently. Takeplently of outdoor exercise. Wash the face with hot water and pure palm oil soap at night; rinse with cold water to restore a healthy tone to the skin. Bath the neck and shoulders occasionally with alcohol to keep the flesh firm and hard, also the arms. Do not wear the same veil very long as the dust settles in it and will injure the complexion. Try to preserve a happy, contented disposition, and you will be beautiful even though ah old woman.