Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/73

 55 insufficient exercise invariably bring their own penalty. There is nothing mysterious about illness. It is simply the result of neglect of the common- sense rules of health. Recognition of this fact does not entail that one develops into a faddist. The ideal plan is to study simple health and hygienic measures, to apply them to one's own case sensibly and systematically, and then to cease thinking about one's health at all. Health Faddistn Health f add ism is the antithesis of medical commonsense. The woman who is constantly dwelling upon her health deteriorates physically and mentally. The healthy stomach digests food without its owner being aware of the process at all. If we are always considering our digestion, and wondering if this food or the other is best for our needs, the stomach most certainly deteriorates in health. Concentration of the mind on any organ of the body affects the health of that organ. That is the fundamental truth underlying the many absurdities of faith-healing. If we suggest to ourselves we are well, we im- prove physically. If we fret about our digestion, we are less able to digest our food. So the student of medical commonsense determines first of all to give up all health fads. If she finds that butchers' meat twice daily makes her less " fit " in mind and body, she reduces the quantity of butchers' meat by one-half or more, but refrains from rushing to extreme vegetarianism, and living on nuts and apples all at once. Medical commonsense is essentially moderate. If we adopt commonsense as our fundamental principle we never become physical- culture faddists. We see that there is the germ of truth in all these theories, and we look for it and utilise it — in moderation. The faddist in one direction is too apt to neglect some other health principle. If we live the outdoor life, and at the same time are irregular in cur meals and our hours of rest, we cannot expect that perfect health which is the result of exercising medical commonsense. If we ventilate our rooms in an ideal way, and yet bolt our food at express speed, we are inevitably ocedy rnd out of sorts. If we feed ideally, we shall still suffer if we live at express speed, are constantly on tension, and sleep five instead of eight or nine hours at night. MIKDIOA^ Granted that you wish to become a convert to the gospel of medical commonsen.se, what rule? may be accepted for guidance ? Commonsense Rules 1 . If you are " unfit " in the sense that you are unable to cope with your daily work with pleasure and ability, find out the reason why. There is a cause which can be discovered. Deal with that in a commonsense way, whatever it is. It may be bad teeth, enfeebled digestion, lack of fresh air night and day, insufficient sleep. 2. Replace any bad health habits by good habits and rules of daily life. Early rising saves hurry and an unchewed breakfast. Open windows at night prevent morning headache. A daily walk of five miles deals with one cause of liver, gout, and irritability of temper. Method cures the habit of worry. 3. Study hygiene. Realise the importance of cleanliness. Clean teeth and clean skin affect enormously the state of the health. Clean homes ensure freedom from many infectious ills of the flesh. Soap and water rigorously applied are the best aids to the preservation of health and comfort in home life. 4. Cultivate regular and methodical ways. Ten minutes' physical exercise once a day is better than two hours once a week in the gymnasium. Method in daily work will save both the domestic and business woman hours of worry. Worry is woman's greatest hindrance to health, and worry is always preventable. 5. If, in spite of every effort »to exercise medical commonsense, you are still dissatisfied with your health standard, consult a doctor. In all diseases, the earlier treatment is begun, the more chance of cure. The patient who allows herself to get into a state of serious ill- health for months does not give the doctor or herself a fair chance. A timely visit to a doctor may save months of suffering, like the stitch in time, or the tooth, that is saved to-day by a minute stopping, which would have to be pulled a year hence. 6. Lastly, cultivate the cheerful mind. You will influence for good every organ in the body. Many of these points will be discussed in detail in future parts of Every Woman's Encyclop.^dia. Meantime, you have in small compass some of the main rules concerning the gospel of medical commonsense. By mtdlclne Ufe will be prolonged, yet death Will seize the doctor too. Shakespeare, " Cymbellae. The surest road to health, say what they will. Is never to suppose we shall be ill. Charles Churchill Dame Nature gave him comeliness and health. And Fortune (for a passport) gave him wealth. Walter Harie Grant me but health, thou great Bestower of it, and give me but this fair goddsss as my companion, end shower down thy mitres, if it seem good unto fhy Divine Providence, upon those heads which are aching for them. (.<?ev.) Laurence Sterne Rich, from the very want of wealth. In beavta'a best treasures, peace and health. Thomas Gray Better to hunt In fields for health unbought Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. The wise, for cure, on exercise depend; God never made His work for man to mend. Dryden. To know the disease Is half the cure. Proverb. This Is the way physicians mend or end us. Secundum artem : but although we sneer In health, when ill, we call them to attend us. Without the least 'propensity to jeer. Byron.