How to Live

I-Cons

d to a steam-engine, its wa

n of Bod

poisons which are harmful to the body. Abnormal conditions of the intestines are largely responsible for the common headache malady, and for a generally lowered resistance, resulting in colds and even more

ling matter. It represents a constant and cumulativ

r-Dr

al in constipation. Free water-drinking at meals may prove constipating. Excess of wate

tive

are prunes, figs, most fruits except bananas, fruit juices, all fresh vegetables, especially greens of all sorts, wheat, bran, and the whole grain cereals. Oils and fats are also laxative but can not be used in s

nd Aga

also the use of agar-agar, a Japanese seaweed product. This is not digested and absorbed, but acts as a wa

ral

progress, provided the oil is first freed, by long-continued shaking with water, from certain dangerous impurities. Many refined prepara

ding

gs are often very harmful when their use is long continued and the longer they are used the more dep

em

h warm water followed always by a second enema of cool

e of t

ement of the ends of the fingers on the left side of the abdom

by merely living a reasonable life, being careful especially to avoid overfatigue, to include sufficient bulk in th

ed Water

ysiological attitude in defecation. They prevent the individual from exercising abdominal pressure so essential for this function. Such seats should b

of Defe

e shortcoming in this regard, and doubtless millions more suffer from some shortcomings of which they are not conscious. Many believe they have free movements when

hing Pro

five minutes, may disappear. There are few health measures more simple and effective than restoring the normal sensitiveness of this important impulse. It may require a few weeks of special care, during which cold water enemas at night, following evacuation by paraff

he importance of avoiding the poisoning which comes from too much protein. This

f Sou

stines to constantly manufacture lactic acid, putrefaction will be reduced. But, as Professor Rettger and others have shown, the mere swallowing of a little sour milk or of sour-milk tablets is seldom sufficient. The "good germs" swallowed die of starvatio

ces of

tent to which our diet is injuring us. The odor is less offen

n II-P

r support or pressure to the abdomen, including the great splanchnic circulation of large blood-vessels. In an habitual slouching posture, the blood of the abdomen tends to stagnate in the li

e result of disease or lack of v

nsumpti

s to tuberculosis partly through the lowering of resistance resul

of them after a few weeks of correct posture, sometimes reenforced by the artificial press

r the abdomen presses the blood out of

ng and

ying on the back, by raising the legs or head, strengthen the abdominal muscles. Slow, deep breathing, through t

ng and

, chin up, and the arms hanging in front of the body. To those who walk or stand in this fashion, let it be known that thi

ched forward, the stomach in and the neck perpendicular, like a column, and the chin

f flabby relaxation. When one changes a slouching posture into an erect posture, there

a correct and pleasing carriage and a healthful relation of the organs

relationship, adjusted for the best achievement, is well expressed in sculpture dating back to 500–600 B. C., when the Spartans

e

Weak foot, and its final stage, flat foot, are more common among women than they are among men, because it is not a purely local condition in the arch of the foot, as so many suppose, but prima

Straigh

ing, so commonly noted among girls and women, places a great strain upon the arches of the foot. The correction of this fault by persistent toeing in,

ai

the abdominal circulation, if the lower back is properly supported. Bad posture is common among sedentary people. The ordinary chair invites it. Every chair should be modeled like most modern automobile seats, on a curve

tt

the elbows stretched outward, the body too far away from the desk or table, and the weight resting on the buttocks. Very often the desk or

it well back in the chair, but close to the desk, so that the fleshy inner part o

e the habit of inclining the body forward by ben

ded people, the light should fall over the left shoulder or directly from above. The body should rest upon the full length of the thighs, not solely on the buttocks, and the feet (

faulty posture. Writer's cramp and many other needless miseries are ca

e in C

mities that interfere with physical and mental efficiency throughout life, and often lower the resistance to d

tandard for ourselves, and any departure from this standard should be looked upon as a menace to health. As in the case of eye-strain, flat foot, work, worry, and

Correct

ls, especially as there is the temptation to crouch over the school-desk-which is usually the source of the first deviation from natura

and Ch

ion tends reflexly to produce that emotion. Therefore, not only does self-respect naturally tend to brace a man's shoulders and straighten his spine, but, conversely, the assumption of such a braced-up attitude tends to "brace up" the man's mind also. Tramps and other persons who ha

he swagger of the bully or the dandy, there is the golden mean in posture, which stands

I-Poisons

the intestine. It is not alone important to keep down the total amount of poisons produced withi

Drugs and Pa

iency is total abstinence from all substances which contain poisons, including spirits, wine, beer, tobacco, many much-advertised patent drinks served at soda-water fountains, most patent medicines, and even coffee and tea. Many so-called patent or proprietary medici

ng the

natural tendency of drug-craving is in the opposite direction, from weak drugs to strong ones, as from beer to spirits. In actual fact, it is much easier to abstain than to be moderate. It should also be noted that the lax spirit in which many people make an exception to the rules of health in favor of some mild indulgence is very likely to lead to the making of many other exceptions until they are, without knowing it, carrying a heavy load made u

especially harmed by these poisons. A family history of ner

co

he contrary, the user of alcohol in excess is weaker after taking it. Special classes of workmen have been tested as to their efficiency under liquor in small amounts and without it entirely, and it was invariably found that the liquor was a handicap, but that, also invariably, the workmen thought they could work harder

d Infectio

the white blood-corpuscles is one of the strong arguments against the use of alcohol. The experience of life insurance companies in England

effect of alcohol on the germ-plasm is distinctly injurious. It is a fair

ba

tness. The ordinary smoker is unconscious of this and often denies it. He sometimes says, "I'll stop smoking when I find it hurting me; it doesn't hurt me now." The delusive impressi

tudents not using tobacco during the college course had gained over the

voluntary muscles, presumably because of the depressing effect on the central nervous system. There is also much experimental evidence to show that tobacco in animals induces arterial changes. The present well

e

ities of which tend to increase with the multiplication of the germs. It is, therefore, especially important to avoid infe

d La Gri

may avoid exposure to infection from grippe and common colds by keeping away from congested public places when t

hen the mucous lining is injured. Nasal douches are injurious and impair the protective ability of the mucous membrane. They should be used only on prescription. A very gentle, warm spray of weak salt an

ulosis

putum has been allowed to dry, has become pulverized and is breathed into the system. All sputum shoul

e Malaria and

d other diseases. As some one has said: "A yard of screen in the window is better than a yard of crape on the door." The greatest triumph in connection with the building of the Panama Canal was

they breed. Even a small puddle can breed millions of mosquitoes. No empty tin cans should b

d-free

r to destroy possible typhoid germs and other dangerous germs and impurities. Where hygienic water has been used a very large proportion of the deaths from typhoid has been eliminated. Where this is not feasible, it is desirable to use chlorinated lime (ordinary bleaching powder)

at are not filtered or refilled constantly,

id-fr

is liable to contain typhoid or other dangerous germs, such as raw o

Typho

heir breeding. Their favorite places for this are horse-manure, but they will breed in almost any mass of fermenting organic material. Manure piles and stables should be screened, and the manure removed at least once in seven days. Garbage-pails should be kept tightly covered. Fly-paper and fly-tra

n, Eugene, Ore., which any one is free to construct and which, if used universally abo

sect powder), used in the proportion of 2 lbs. per 1,000 cubic feet of air space, will either kill or stupefy flies and mosquitoes, so

r Ve

e which it is generally regarded. To its credit are placed such maladies as relapsing fever. The flea has been responsible for such terrible diseases as the plague. It often operates by means of rats as its carrier to the h

ok

luted by victims of the disease, by preventing soil-pollution through th

anl

an, especially before meals. Any cut or crack in the skin or mucous membrane may let in germs when the spot is dirty or is touched by dirty hands. T

re dirt is likely to be carried to the mouth by the hands. Probably many diseases get a foothold in this w

oes not bathe daily is pretty certain to carry on his skin some perspira

pira

exercise is perspiration. When a person can not or will not take exercise, perspiration can be induced by hot baths. Such extreme measures ought not, however, to be taken too often. How often will depend on the corpulence and other circumstances of each individual. Sweating may be ove

Infe

eritonitis, paralysis, and insanity. They are to be avoided by living a life hygienic and clean, not only in body but in mind and heart. From even the narrowest interpretation of hygiene, a decent life is necessary for the m

hould be informed on the subject of reproduction and the dangers of venereal diseases. Superficial information is not true education. On the other hand, it is

can furnish special pamphlets

on the productive energy of the family, and the blighting destructive effect of

IV-Teeth

n conditions-or, perhaps we should say, modern conditions are out of adjustment with it. Notwithstanding the numerous bacteria that flourish within its portals, mouth secretions and the mucous membranes do not seem to h

h-da

fects the tooth proper. Pyorrhea, or Riggs's disease, affects the tissues surrounding the root of the tooth, and is accompanied with infection by

al D

hich dissolves the lime salts on the surface of the teeth, leaving only the organic matter. This organic matter is then attacked by bacteria. Putrefaction sets in, and you have a cavity. This cavity is, of course, a m

or

en an accumulation of tartar or lime-deposit. As the infection progresses and destroys the membranes that attach the root of the tooth to the socket, a

uries from M

he teeth rise and fall in their diseased sockets in ordinary chewing, bacteria are forced into the circulation and may be carried to

Infe

rate into outside tissues through the blood- and lymph-streams. In joint affections, they clog and obstruct the small blood-vessels, interfering with the nutrition of the joint-tissues, causing deformity and enlargement, as in arthritis deformans, as well as in

ntoxi

s, whereby substances are released into the circulation in quantities harmful to the organism; in other words, where the secretions of the body are altered, e

due to infection from outside sources. Intestinal toxemia is, no doubt, a fairly frequent cause of illness, but it has lately been shown that stagnant bowels may cause true infection by micro-organisms t

tain obscure affections-chronic rheumatism, arthritis deformans, certain forms of anemia, goitre, chronic heart and kidney troubles, diabetes, ul

d Resi

ance, in which the focus, even though it be the mouth, has participated, and permitted the successful activities of germs or parasites. After the f

o wide an application, but no one can question the importance of preventing the bacterial hosts of the mouth fr

m are to more than justify a vigorous and world-wide campaign for the better care of th

the Mout

ntistri

d to give extra care to tooth- and gum-cleansing under the closest dental supervision. Others have spent large sums for dental work that has filled the mouth w

al Hy

ersonal hygiene, in order that a general resistance to m

us Use

of the jaws by thorough mastication, and the eating of hard, resistant, c

ans

dvocate more tooth-, gum- and tongue-cleaning rather than less. They should be cleaned night and morning and after each meal if possible by rapid rotary brushing. Strong pressure is not advisable. Rapidity of movement is th

of

t the innermost crevices of the teeth may be reached. If the gums are sensitive, a m

e Bru

with the tooth-brush. By taking care not to h

wders an

ance. Perhaps once a day for their use is often enough. Some powders,

al F

teeth, provided care is taken not to pr

et

ccessfully used in amebic dysentery, is now employed in the treatment of this trouble. Such a remedy should only be used in connection with thorough surgical treatment and dental prophylaxis. It is claimed that in the early stages of pyorrhea a mouth-wash composed of two

ne Den

d A

s render removable the mucin plaques and prevent the formation of tartar. They also cleanse the tongue and membranes of the mouth generally, which may be important sources of infection. These acids

os

e teeth, especially as to whether there is any erosion or destructio

ic Exa

es for giving preventive treatment by specially cleaning the teeth, he should be visited every other month

ng T

without proper effort to save them, but it is far more important to save a heart or a kidney or a set of joints than it is to save a tooth. This is not to say that all bridge- and crown-work is improper, but that such work should only be

arities

ace. If upper and lower teeth fail to fit well together, extra strain is placed upon certain teeth and the sockets are liable to injury and infection.

mporar

e care should prevent this. If cavities form, they should be filled under proper precauti

Infectio

into this asylum, infectious diseases-diphtheria, mumps, scarlet fever, pneumonia, measles, whooping cough, tonsillitis, chicken-pox, croup, etc.-had been