Observations on the influence of habits and manners, national and domestic, upon the health of the human race, and particularly ... as it relates to English females in the higher and middle classes of life

Front matter

OBSERVATIONS ON THE INFLUENCE OF HABITS AND MANNERS, UPON THi HUMAN RACE, &c. &c. &c. OBSERVATIONS ON THE INFLUENCE OF HABITS AND MANNERS, Rational ana Domestic, UPON THE HEALTH AND ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN RACE: AND PARTICULARLY ON THE EFFECT OF THAT INFLUENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE PRESENT STATE OP laKftflaiasiiLi œiaifii&iLias.* IN THE HIGHER AND MIDDLE CLASSES OF LIFE. BY RALPH PALIN, M. D. «=«**=- LONDON : PRINTED FOR T. HOORHAM, JUN. AND CO. 15, OLD BOND STREET. — //»jj— 1822. H P. Silvester, Printer, Newport.

Preface

. We are called upon not unfrequently to make the observation, that the character and disposition of youth, particularly of female youth, de pend more on the early impressions received from parents, than on any subsequent ones, which may be communicated by after-circumstances. And if this be the case in the moral, equally true is it in the physical order; so that the character of the constitution and temperament, will be found to depend much more on the management of the early period of life, than of any more ad vanced one. By the early period here is meant that progressive stage, which precedes the full developing of the system ; and, according to the principles, which regulate the physical education, during this progress, the constitution will become vjt

PREFACE.

. ameliorated, or otherwise; and the whole train of conservatory movements receive the impressions of strength or weakness. From the various modifications, we observe taking place in the human race, under the different effects of climate, manners, and habits; and from the various operation of local circum stances, on the animal system ; little doubt can be entertained, but that it might be possible, by means well conceived, and wisely adapted, to act so far upon the constitution, as to improve the particular nature of every individual. While general causes are always acting upon the tem perament of nations, and produce impressions the most varied ; particular ones operate not less cer tainly upon individuals; and hence the physical education becomes an object of importance, not only from its reference to the animal system, but to the moral constitution.

It is from the effects of their mutual and reciprocal influence, that we should direct our particular attention to the rela tions, which exist between the state of the vital

PREFACE.

. VU. stamina, and the social affections; — between the temperament of the body, and the feelings and dispositions of the mind ; in order to render every improvement, in the physical nature of the human species, a step towards a relative degree of im provement in the moral order. To develop the operation of those combinations of causes and effects, on the human economy, which are continually acting and reacting upon each other, so as to be able to anticipate their results, and adopt rules to meet each indication, by which utility and advantage shall follow to the system, may appear a difficult task; and it is rendered more difficult in proportion to the ad vance of civilization. But complicated as the human machine is, in its various parts, and complex as are the designs of nature, she is nevertheless simple in her means.

For though so multiplied the human sympathies; though so delicate and extensive the sensibilities of an organization, possessing so much suppleness and mobility; and though the phenomena of life have such various Vlii.

PREFACE.

. force ; yet they all bear the same uniform relation to certain principles, which govern the movements of thd system. These principles, as far as relates to the management of the animal economy, are few and easily under stood. It is by them that is regulated the im portant task, which parents have to study in the early care of their offspring ;— important certainly in every sense Of the word, since the physical education, in the first stages of life, not only determines the character of the constitution and temperament, as the moral education does that of the mind ; but embraces and involves all that chain of causes and effects, which unite both in a uniform correspondence and sympathy. The following remarks form an attempt at the developing of those principles, before referred to, upon Which SO much depends, in that part of life, which may be said to be most eventful in respect to the future. — The subject which this little Work comprehends, may be said to divide itself into three parts; and perhaps it Would have been prePace.

IX a more perspicuous way of treating it, if such division had been introduced into the body of the work. The two first chapters, which might form the first part, relate to the influence of climate upon the human system, connected with those impressions, which attach to it, from the action of the great phenomena of nature upon the peculiar phenomena of life ; and with those mo difications which it produces, under different circumstances, in the female constitution. The five subsequent chapters, which might be termed the second part, refer to the influence of artificial habits, as they are diversified by the effects of climate, upon the animal system ; and to the modifications, we have it in our power to make, according as the principles just mentioned shall direct our management of early life; for artificial manners and habits may have opposite effects, from the manner in which they are regu- X

PREFACE.

. lated; they may support the best views and designs of nature, or they may frustrate them. The eighth chapter, which might form the third part, refers to the consequences, which, under our climate, often follow, in the female constitution; when the principles, which ought to form the guide of their physical education, give place to others which produce opposite effects. CONTENTS.

Chapter II

Of the moral and physical causes, which act, in determining the character of the female sex 25

SECTION I.

Of the dispositions which the female system acquires, in the progress of its development CONTENTS.

SECTION II.

Page. Of the causes which make climate and temperature act with a varied influence, upon the different sexes; particularly in the more temperate climates 28

Chapter III

Of excitements unequally applied to the muscular system ; and of the effects produced in female habits, from this source, under the influence which domestic institutions have on the muscular and organic fabric 51

SECTION I.

Of these causes as they are calculated to act unfavourably upon the external organization 51

SECTION II.

Of the same causes, considered in the preceding section, as they are liable to act unfavourably on the internal organs 71

Chapter IV

Of the relation which exercise has, in different ages, and under different climates, to the functions of health and life. ... 85

SECTION I.

Of the effects of exercise and air upon the muscular and animal system of females, in the early period of life, under circumstances connected with the influence of climate 85

SECTION II.

Of the influence of exercise upon the nervous system of females. CONTENTS. XIII Page. 148 171 187

Chapter V

Of the effects produced upon the female system, in early life, under circumstances relative to the influence of climate, and to the constitutional temperament, by the natural stimuli which foods produce 126

SECTION I.

Of the effects of particular aliments upon the muscular fibre, and animal system of females 126

SECTION II.

Of the effects of certain diet on the nervous system of females.

Chapter VII

Page. Of clothing and its relation to health, under different circumstances connected with atmospherical impressions. ...... 208

SECTION I.

Of the circumstances, upon which depend our capacity of resistance, to the transitions and variations of climate. 208

SECTION II.

Of the means of producing some salutary modifications of the animal susceptibility to atmospherical impressions. . . 228

Chapter VIII

Of the general views to be attended to in physical education, under the dispositions produced by climate and manners to particular diseases, to obviate their occurrence , . 249

SECTION I.

Of the general causes which are influential in producing particular diseases 249

SECTION II.

Of the scrofulous diathesis or temperament 254

Section IV

Of the relation which the irregularities of the female form have to the habits and manners of life OBSERVATIONS ON THI INFLUENCE OF HABITS AND MANNERS, Rational ano Domestic, UPON THE HEALTH AND ORGANISATION or THI aHNIAIt IBii©ia^ &c. &c. &c.

Chapter I

Of the physical and moral impressions, produced upon the human system, by habits and manners, under the different circumstances connected with the progress of civilization and the influence of climate.

Section I

Of the susceptibility communicated, in the progress of national improvement, to t/ie impressions of constitutional debility. Although the human species possesses, from its great flexibility, the property of resisting the im pressions of climate, in a far higher degree than any other part of the animal world, so that it is observed of man, that he is the only animal which enjoys the privilege of living and multiplying, in every country, from the equator to the poles ; yet we nevertheless see these impressions more strongly marked in the varieties of colour, form, and feature, which distinguish the human race, than in those of any other animal. But a great part of this variety and contrast of character, which are found in the different quarters of the globe, arises from the influence of those moral causes, by which the susceptibility to impressions is so variously modified, and which forms so considerable a share in that combination of circumstances which is always acting upon the frame.

Hence the relative influence, not only of climate and situation, but of habits and manners, both national and domestic, becomes, for obvious reasons, a subject as important as it is interesting. For since all climates, and all circumstances, are not equally favourable to the development of the physical and moral qualities of our species, it becomes the more necessary to render active, on proper occasions, the resources of reason and art, in order to counteract the disadvantages of nature. To this end are the talents and intelligence of mankind called continually into action, in a greater or less degree, in every part of the world, and through all the different gradations of civilization ; and it is in fact the employment of these resources, that forms the principle, to which the customs and usages of countries every where refer, in the for mation of those modifications, which constitute national taste, and are relative to the different feelings and wants experienced under all the various shades of human existence.

If we examine the customs of nations, we may discover generally without difficulty the relations they have to climate. These relations appear much more strongly marked in the higher than in the middle latitudes ; not only because the action of natural causes is there more powerful, but that the moral resistance also is less. Such relations are the result of the effects of the natural properties of inorganic bodies, upon the vital properties of living bodies. Every where is felt the influence of the general phenomena of nature upon the pe culiar phenomena of life ; and, in the order of their lives, the inhabitants of all countries conform to those habits which make that influence most favourable, and render the reciprocal action of those phe nomena as congenial as possible to the movements of the system.

This is the principle which has generally determined the customs of countries, and all that train of moral agency, the effect of which is so great in the improvement of a people. And, if there is an intimate connexion between the manners and morals of nations and the climate; there is one not less intimate between the physical constitution and the national and domestic manners. If the moral temperament be in some sort reflected, b2 as it certainly is, in the customs of a country ; these, in their turn, are reflected also in the physical temperament ; and hence have the action and reaction of morals, manners and climate, upon the sources of life and health, so diversified an influence. From the operation of these causes results great part of that strength and vigour which distinguish the in habitants of some countries, as well as of that deli cacy and debility peculiar to others ; and we refer, in like manner, to a similar correspondence and sympathy between the habits, situation, and cha racter, for the causes, which produce and perpetu ate, in all professions and all climates, the diversity of constitution and of temperament.

But while the character of the climate is more strongly reflected in the national manners of warm than of temperate countries, the reaction of these upon the physical constitution, is far more power fully impressed and more strikingly felt in the last. It is in temperate climates that the temperament is often formed, and constantly diversified, by the in fluence of manners and habits upon the moral and physical existence ; while that regular uniformity of temperament, we remark in warm climates, that striking monotony of features, wearing almost al ways the same expression ; that identity of charac ter and disposition, pursuing an established rou tine of feelings and usages, appear more closely connected with the operation of physical causes, than with the reaction of those which are moral and social.

When therefore we see, in civilized life, manners and moral causes operating, in so powerful a degree, upon the temperament, as is the case in some climates ; and affecting changes so great in the phy sical character of nations, we must refer, for the cause, to a correspondent change in that principle of action, which determines the order of those manners. The natural feelings, which, in a rude state of society, govern all the constitutional sympathies, are interfered with, in civilized life, by moral feelings, which greatly increase the physical sensibility, and have often an unfavourable effect upon the properties of life. That integrity of or ganization whjch distinguishes the life of nature, that energy of the vital principle, which circulates equally in every member, become weakened in pro portion as those new impressions, derived from moral causes, increase their influence; in proportion, in fact, as the due order of the natural sympathies is interrupted by the irregular excitements of progres sive civilization.

It is hence that result notonly that varied physiognomy, that striking mobility of feature, which give new beauty and new expression to animated nature, and which are strangers, in great measure, to a more natural state of society ; but an almost equal diversity of constitution and temperament. We hence obtain the privilege, not al ways the most enviable one, of stamping upon our posterity a double identity, as it were ; and of trans ferring, with our features, all our constitutional pe culiarities, and organic debility ; and, with our ex terior form, our internal disease, varied in ten thousand protean shapes, according to the charac ter of our habits and manners, which are thus con tinually reflected in real life. Nor is it to the humanrace alone that the changes, produced by domestication and cultivation, are con fined : we may trace them in the inferior animals, and even in the vegetable creation; for we observe that plants, under the hands of an expert cultivator, acquire qualities absolutely new, and impress upon their productions, a character, which they bad not primarily.

With respect to the former, the deve lopment of the varieties observable in the animal kingdom, derives its principal source from the change of condition, which domestication produces. A subserviency to the use of man so far modifies the animal nature, that great deviations follow, from that uniformity which distinguishes the more na tural state. The new phenomena, thus exhibited, take their character from the unnatural situation in which they are produced ; and from the artificial dispositions, which are generated, in greater proportion, as the susceptibilities, created by do mesticated habits, are increased. Cultivation effects, in the vegetable world, a change analagous, in some sort, to that caused in animals, by domes tication; and the last differs probably from the natural condition of one order of beings, in the same circumstances, allowing for the difference of their reciprocal organs, which distinguishes the former, from the natural condition of the other order.

The change that takes place in both the animal and ve getable creation, in these opposite conditions, seems to be the consequence of the different quantities of stimuli, furnished from the more or less abundant supply of nutriment and warmth. The excess of stimuli, afforded by the artificial state, gives a facility to expansion, which tends to the production of all the perfection of which the different classes are susceptible ; but becomes, at the same time, for obvious reasons, the frequent source of greater de bility than is found in a state more natural; where exposure to the inclemency of the weather, and to the deficient and precarious supplies of nutriment, may be supposed to furnish constant checks to the exuberance of growth and the development of structure. It is from being reared under these different circumstances, that arises the great variety, which cultivation and domestication produce in flowers and animals.

The domesticated state holds the same relation to the natural and wild condition, amongst the inferior animals, that civilized life has in man to the life of nature. But the difference between the natural and artifical state of man, is capable of so much greater a range than any which can possibly take place between wild aud domestic animals, in consequence of the new sympathies which arise from moral causes, at every step of civilization, that it is evident the analogy cannot be very close; particularly, as this influence of moral causes produces its effects in modifying na tural causes, not so much from the great increase of stimulation, as from the inequality of its application. The sympathies which distinguish the human species, in a state of nature, seem determined, principally, by the functions proper to structure ; and, by the sensations prompted by the simplest wants.

How greatly these sympathies are capable of variation and extension, we discover at the first glance of comparison, between man in a state of nature and in civilized life. As they depend upon the moral faculties, which receive continually new impressions, in Jhe progress of society, it is difficult to prescribe to them even an imaginary boundary, in the course of that luxuriant growth, and of those infinite ramifications, which they experience in that progress. Now we may presume that the indulgence of these sympathies, when confined to their due boundaries by the strict economy of nature, is favourable to the organization which prompts their action. But, in the highly civilized state, when those boundaries are enlarged, in the progress of society, we perceive the new impressions which are received and rendered active, are not always deter mined by the natural order of the animal functions ; but, on the contrary, place, on many occasions, a degree of resistance to that order, and produce the excitement of actions and dispositions in the physical economy, which create great derangement in its operations.

It is from the causes connected with such cir cumstances, that we may best account, probably, for the peculiar inflexibility observable in the or ganization of some nations, and the strikingly uni form resistance they oppose to those demonstrations of debility, which are marked by irregularity in structure; whilst other nations, and, amongst these, the most civilized, are remarkable for the facility with which they slide into deformity ; and for the numerous instances they present of deviations from a regular type. It is the diversified effect of cli mate and manners, acting upon the physical and moral properties, which constitutes, what is deno minated, the national character of a people ; and hence proceeds that variety of personal appearance and of temperament, observable in different parts of the globe.

These impressions and the action of these causes, are always more uniform, in propor tion as the manners of nations remain pure and simple. The more remote man is from cultivation, remarks a celebrated author, the greater his stiff ness and moral inflexibility ; and we may add the greater also his physical inflexibility. The farther our observation extends to the parts of the world which feel least the influence of artificial life, the stronger will appear the evidence of this truth. Iu some countries, whole provinces may be traversed, and even entire nations, without encountering any instance of deformity, or being able to discover the least apparent deviation from the just order of nature ; and, under such circumstances, the physical inflexibility renders the national character particu larly uniform.

There cannot be a stronger proof of the great degree in which the manners and habits of tempe rate climates react upon the physical temperament, than the influence which they have in forming the variety of character, so general in the nations of our quarter of the globe. This is particularly ex emplified, even in females, who escape, in great measure, the operation of many of the causes which act upon the temperament of the male sex, only to be more subjected to the effects of domestic usages. But, as nations approximate to each other in arts and civilization, and thus lose their former charac teristic distinctions, a new source of distinction prevails in the national spirit, which gathers strength from foreign rivalship ; and, in proportion as the physical causes of such variations diminish, the mo ral ones increase.

Thus the gravity of the Spaniard, the vivacity of the Frenchman, and the phlegm of the Hollander, which are reflected in their phy siognomy, and determine, in a certain degree, their respective manners, are intimately, though almost insensibly, connected with the opinions and senti ments, that national pride and national taste cherish and support ; and the physical constitution and personal appearance, receive, from the same causes, their distinctive character and appropriate expres sion. It follows that though, in Europe, the per sonal distinctions between nations are not the same, in our time, as they were in that of Tacitus ; and though the uniform individual appearance, he re marked,* is now lost in a boundless variety of fea ture and expression ; yet there are other distinctions, equally characteristic, which moral causes conduce to strengthen and preserve.

It is only in the more simple and rude state of society, that the physical and moral influence combines with that of climatorial phenomena, in producing that unifor mity of operation, which gives whole nations the expression and appearance of one family, as was formerly the case in those of Europe. To causes the reverse of these must we attribute, amongst ourselves and our neighbours, the present great di versity of feature and modification of form. The new and powerful passions which civilization begets and cherishes, the increasing fund of sensations and ideas, so variously combined in different indivi duals, fail not to impress the system as powerfully as they agitate the heart. And perhaps nothing disposes so much as the mental emotions to diver sify the feature, and give that eternal mutation of expression, that no two faces appear the same ; and Tacitus de moribus Germanorum. the countenance becomes the index of those moral and intellectual operations, which interfere, in such various degrees, with the processes of the organi zation.

With respect to the influence of these causes upon females, it is rendered strikingly evident, not only in the moral, but in the physical character. The different effects of this influence are conspicuous, according as the manners and usages, which appertain to domestic life, are modified by civil and political institutions ; by the taste of a country, or the action of a climate. But while these causes operate generally, there are other secondary ones, which tend still farther to modify the effects of domestic habits, in the different classes of the same country. These consist in those restrictions and limitations, which refinement practices arbitrarily to form its own peculiar distinctions. It is the operation of these, by acting unfavourably upon the form and constitution, in cases where it is too much in opposition to the indications of nature, and the instinct of the system, that becomes the source of those peculiar impressions of debility, either structural or organic, which we find no where more frequent than amongst ourselves ; in that fair class of society, upon -which the habits of domestic life, in all their various modifications, exert a most commanding and absolute influence.

Section II

Of the influence which the progress of society is calculated to have upon the physical organization. Nations, observes Humboldt, attach the idea of beauty to every thing which particularly charac terizes their own physical organization and natural physiognomy. But this observation must not be received without some qualifications, since the source of that great improvement, which nations have frequently made in what relates to form, has resulted from a contrary principle. We may re mark of great communities, that, as they proceed from a rude to a civilized state, their anxiety to im prove their personal appearance, is generally marked and striking; and it were easy to cite instances of some which, from attention to this point, have greatly improved and beautified their race. Of this the Turks and Persians afford good examples.

Originally of a very disagreeable exterior, by their continual mixture, during a long succession of ages, with people more handsome than themselves, they have ameliorated, in a remarkable degree, their na tural physiognomy. This perception of beauty, which seems every where the chief principle that guides men in their union with the other sex, fails not to act, with the greatest effect, in the ruder state of society. Iu barbarous communities the repugnance which deformity excites is so strong, that there are no motives which can overcome the disgust felt against alliance with it; for, in such societies, beauty is the only qualification, in the female, to which any interest is attached ; and, therefore, personal deformities are regarded with insuperable antipathy. " It is obvious," remarks Dr. Prichard,* ' ' that this peculiarity in the consti tution of men, must have considerable effects on the physical character of the race ; and that it must act as a constant principle of improvement, supplying the place in our own kind, of the beneficial control which we exercise over the brute creation.

This is probably the final cause for which the instinctive perception of human beauty was implanted by pro vidence in our nature. For the idea of beauty of person is synonimous with that of health and per fect organization." But as societies advance in civilization, reasons are produced, why that strong repugnance to per sonal defects, which distinguishes the ruder nations, should somewhat relax. The development of the mental powers must render those merely personal of less comparative value; and, though female beauty still retains, in every stage of society, its wonted empire, yet with increasing refinement de formity excites less disgust, in consequence of the concealment which dress is enabled to effect. * Researches into the physical history of man. Moreover the common sympathy towards such de monstrations of debility must increase, in proportion as it becomes evident, that, in unfoldiug the higher qualities of our nature, civilization causes not un frequently a comparative weakness of the physical organs ; and diverts the vital energies, which before were wholly expended upon the animal system, into other channels.

Not that we are to suppose that the exercise of the intellectual functions, is incom patible with the full display of the animal powers, for the contrary is evidently the case; but it appears, that, in this advanced stage of the progress of human society, the habits and manners peculiar thereunto, react most powerfully on the consti tution; and by their influence upon the vital func tions, produce all those varied modifications, which appear so conspicuous in the diversified field of highly cultivated life. On a general view of the natural physiognomy of the human species, we remark that the varieties of the common type, are regulated by certain laws, which act uniformly, when they depend upon climate ; and on the causes connected with natural events. The circumpolar nations of the two con tinents, though apparently of an entire different origin, wear forms that mark the same relative in fluence of situation and climate ; and, if we view the different races of men from the poles to the equator, the uniformity of this active principle, which proceeds from the uniformity of the laws of nature, appears evident in similar determinations.

But a constant source of opposition to this influence arises from the effects of artificial habits, which effects are increased in proportion to the progress of civilization. The distinctions, observable in nations, are of two kinds ; they are those which refer to the usages of life, to those varieties of gesture and of expression, which characterize customs and opinions; and, again, they are those which relate to the peculiarities of form, and the difference of natural physiognomy. All the diver sities of the former kind, all the moral distinctions of nations, philosophers are agreed to attribute, rather to external and incidental causes, than to such as are inherent and innate ; but the sources of the physical distinctions last mentioned, seem, not un frequently, to have escaped their research.

No stronger proof can be given of this than what ap pears in some absurd theories current upon this subject, and which have been countenanced by men so celebrated as Volney and Blumenbach. Amongst these may be mentioned that of attributing the peculiar cast, in the features of the negro, to the effect of a strong light falling upon the face;* and the varieties observable in the visages of some savages, to the efforts made to preserve the eyes from the attacks of insects.f To these may be added the * Volney voyages en Sirie and en Egypte. + Blumenbach de Gen 2. Var. Nat, Damp : Voy. Vol. 2, idea of ascribing the physiognomy of whole nations to the custom of flattening the noses of infants. When the characteristic traits of one half of mankind are attributed to similar causes, we have reason to suspect that the subject is not without its difficulties.