Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1876 — Prevention vs. Cure. [ARTICLE]

Prevention vs. Cure.

It is said that ‘hi# ounce of prevention Is worth a.ptflmd bf rare.” This is especially true of.soriMi aitteases, at least of those of long continuance and those regarded as incurable. It is fur easier, for example, to put on an extra coat or garment, when about to lie exposed to the cold and damp night air, titan to remove the.cold thus contracted «r the fever that nathrally follows'tuch a yoßl. The one may consume the time of a few mmutes,’ the other that of a few inOntliK It is easier, or should be, to control the appetite, living properly plainly, than to cure the dyspepsia or the gout, to say nothing of the difficulty of enduring the tortures of these kingly diseases—kingly in their origin and in their sway. The indulgence of a few moments three times each day is to be estimated in contrast with hours, and days, and weeks, and months, and years of suffaring of tortpres.sucli, as no man is able to Justly ’ K such an indulgence A g<>bd fnvefltsiteit ? It is easfer to refuse ,thc first glass of beer, cid(*r, ale, porter or wine, than to resist the full tide of the mighty and devastating stream of/intemperance when the victim, degraded, imbhitefi* and completely reduced to a state of the most abjflet slavery feels that he carpiot assert his freedom—cannot ob*y of his higher nature. It is easier to decline the first cigar proffered, or the first quid, than to control tlte ainiosY insiitirt'blfc *<*ravings of one of the most tyrannical of the appetites—one that evjer says ‘‘Qiy<_ give.” It is easier to resist such a solicitation when every .impulse, uml sepse of- the body is arrayed against tllifl vin/weerf, A hen an absolute loathing is felt, than •to airay one’s weakened against .suclf a habit after the whole current of the physical being has been reversed, depraveU, vitiated and corrupted. A single no, persistently to, will suffice for <be •first, while many ‘resofcrs, many effdrts, many struggles with the insidious foe, many falls and ns many efforts to rise again, have often failed of final success, leaving the fallen victim to feel that hq is a slave. Yes, an unequal war, a trial of strength between man, made in the image capable of unlimited exjiansiAn, mil a soul destinefl tto endure tos loijg as* G<xl exists on the one yde, and a contemptible plant op;, th* otter. Tlie “weedkrthe ’vi|t<ft‘~tne'maif fire vlAftn,‘ fire and for life! It is easier to, construct a ventilator in tire sleepjng-x<x)hi by which the foul and pestjferqfis air inky escape, and open an orifice through which a reasonable Supply may enter, or to arrrange windows and d<x)rs, than it is to remca-e that niost--40-be-<|reatl^d v of usual jifeeaws of society, pulmonary consumption, when its firm grasp has bqen fixed ppon the vital domain. It is eksiet to go out into tire pure air of heaven by day, to enjoy its sweetness, to be invigorated, by the blessed light of the glorious surf, breathing in joy, and strength aqd health, thus fortifying One aghihsttlfdinsidiQUS attapfs. pf this potent fifeease, than to dislodge it When once it has taken of Ug unsus 4 pecting victim. It is easier to labor each day, 'doing what may bg done with, comparative ease and safety, and thus r retain lle'altlrand strength, than when reduced, emaciated and worn out by excesses and exposures, stimulate to action dormant energies, and almost raise from the dead a body rudely sacrificed. It is easier to avoid the /ice creams, the ice water, the green and unripe fruits of all kinds, the decayed fruits and vegetables, thajl to resist the cholera attack so hatural after such improper indulgence of articles known to be unfavorable to health. In fine, prevention is not only easier, but cheapen than cure. — H idtknnd Home.