A health manual : containing How to live, or Health and healthy homes

Preface

WHEN I was requested by the Publishers to write a popular work on Health and Healthy Homes, I readily consented to do so because I believed then, as I do now, that a concise and practical treatise on this all-important subject was very much required. For although there are many excellent works which have been published of late years on health, there are very few indeed in which any attempt has been made to treat the whole subject, so far as it relates to the domain of Domestic Hygiene, in a systematic and comprehensive way. Some of them are devoted almost exclusively to a description of the various structures and uses of the organs of the human body; others to practical details concerning food and diet; others to causes of disease, and rules of life and conduct; while only a few contain special information concerning the home and its surroundings, or the prevention of dangerous infectious disease.

Now, a glance at the table of contents will, I trust, convince the reader that it has been my special aim throughout to render the work as complete in these and other respects as its prescribed limits would permit, and to present it, in accordance with the title, as a trustworthy guide to Domestic Hygiene in all its branches.

In the Introductory Chapter, I have endeavored to prove by an appeal to vital statistics, how vast is the amount of preventable disease and suffering, which still saps the foundations

iii iv PREFACE.

of national health, and have tried to interest the reader by explaining all the more important bearings of so dry a subject in as attractive a way as I possibly could. In the Second Chapter, I have entered with sufficient fullness into the structure of the human body and the physiology and functions of its various organs, to supply all the information which need be required to understand clearly the nature of those intricate processes going on within us which constitute the miracle of life, and which are so essential to an intelligent appreciation of the laws of health. In the Third Chapter, the numerous causes of disease are explained and illustrated—whether induced by hereditary influence; by personal habits, mode of living, or mental worry and overwork; by material agents, such as impure air, bad or tainted food, and polluted water; by local causes connected with the home and its surroundings; or by so-called disease-germs, which are still so recklessly disseminated among all classes of the community. In the Fourth Chapter, the important subject of food and diet is treated, giving in detail the nutritive values of different articles of food,—including water, beverages, and stimulants,—together with a large amount of useful information concerning food constituents and the principles of dietetics, the qualities and examination of numerous articles of food, the preparation of food, and practical hints on diet in respect to age, sex, and conditions of life. In the Fifth Chapter will be found instructions with regard to cleanliness, bathing, and clothing, in their relations to health; while the Sixth is devoted to a consideration of the hygienic uses and adyantages of exercise, recreation, and physical training. In the Seventh Chapter, the essentials of healthy homes and their surroundings are fully detailed; and in the Eighth Chapter, the principal dangerous infectious diseases are described, the various modes in which they are disseminated explained, and the precautionary measures for their prevention indicated. I have only to add that, without in any way interfering with the continuity of the work, I have so arranged it that each chapter may be read as a separate and distinct essay on the subject of which it treats.

How far I may have succeeded in carrying out this somewhat extensive programme with commendable precision and pr \

PREFACE. v completeness, I leave the reader to judge. I may, however, be permitted to say that I have avoided technicalities as much as possible, and while I have endeavored to treat every subject with all attainable accuracy, I have written avowedly for all classes of readers, and, I trust, in such a practical way as to be clearly understood without being diffuse or tedious. The book in no sense infringes on the art of curing disease, but aims solely at its prevention, by affording such information and inculcating such principles as will tend to preserve health and prolong life.

In conclusion, I venture to hope that this little work will be specially welcomed by parents and teachers, and that it will prove a reliable and readable guide to all, whether old or young, who carefully peruse it.

EDITOR’S PREFACE.

THE admirable manner in which Prof. Wilson has performed his task leaves little to be done by an American editor, save the addition of a few notes respecting matters wherein variations of climate, habits of life, social surroundings, and, above all, sanitary regulations in the United States, differently condition the hygienic problems so ably discussed.

If, besides the other eminent services to humanity this book is calculated to fulfill, it should inspire a more general and active public opinion, in favor of the preservation of public health by legal enactments, (which in accordance with the true spirit of our institutions, shall thus more fully secure the greatest good to the greatest number), philanthropists of our mother country will doubtless heartily sympathize with us, in gratitude for the benefits it must confer upon the people of America. GE

PHILADELPHIA, April 13, 1880.

vi

Chapter I. Introductory

Vision of Mirza . 4 ‘

Casualties which befall a Geneption in tie ‘Marck ieough

Life at different Stages . 5 F : Natural Duration of Life eae : P 5 Uses of Vital Statistics . K é i 5 “ Calculation of Annual Death-rate . : ; : Calculation of Zymotic Death-rate . ° . ‘ Zymotic Diseases defined. 4 o8 es 6 ine Rate of Infant Mortality . : : “

Difference between Rates of Mortality in ‘different Tite

Amount of Preventable Disease . oan 6 Possibility of lowering General Denth-rate ° .

CHAPTER II. Tuk Human Bopy

Vii

33 33 35

Vili CONTENTS.

II. Food Constituents y 5 . ‘ i Bits 5) Functions of Nitrogenous Counties : : . - 36 ’ Functions of Fatty Constituents . $ : t : eG Functions of Farinaceous Constituents . “ : . Rael Functions of Water and Saline Constituents . z 4 Mee 3}o) III. The Tissues : ‘ a ms : ‘ : . 40 The Connective Tissue . 4 - i 4 é ‘ - 40

The Skin . 2 . : 4 A : 5 i ~ Al The Muscular Tissue 5 a 3 4 : i ; . 4) The Bones . A 5 5 3 : ; Pe

The Nervous Syste : 2a emailer Aor rai aintla eee DV Digestion and. Nutrimon,:-'." 3. > S0 wae bw es ee aA

Mastication . : : : ; 4 : . 46 Function of Ealivany Glande ied 5 2 5 3 . 47 Swallowing . 4 peat . . AT The Stomach and the Gaxitic J uice ‘ 2 : . «Me Secretion of Liver . ; ; : 5 . 48 Changes which Food a Ea in Titesiiaes : ‘ . 49

How Food is absorbed into the Circulation and uonieaa into | Blood A 3 - : i 4 3 : 2 ABO Assimilation . ; ; x i i OL V. Composition of the Blood ‘ : : : a acga Wa apt Ol VI. Circulation of the Blood . ; ‘ Sr aay ; aay Structure and Mechanism of the Heart . F 5 aati:

Structure and Distribution of the Arteries : fe % apo: The Pulse 5 2 , A : 4 : . o4 Capillaries : ; A . F . 4

Structure and Distribution of thie Veins ; : : ; POD Rhythmical Action of the Heart . i - 4 , eID 3 VII. Respiration, Oxidation, and Excretion . “ 3 et Structure and ‘Actionofthe Lungs . . . . . . 858

Functions of Respiration . ; s = : ‘ . 3-09 Composition of Air . : ‘ ° ° : + 309 Difference between Inspired antl Brcined Air ; 60

Changes which the Blood undergoes in its Passage throusti the Lungs : : A : . z : : : Oi Excretion . ; 4 ; ° ° ° + 162 Relation of the Vital Proccaies: : . ; ° 23 68 “itaiooalae of Dead and Living Neder ele ee . 64

CONTENTS.

Chapter III. Causes Of Disease

Advantages of Sound Health... adda : Uncontrollable Causes of Disease

Atmospheric Changes

Controllable Causes .

I. Hereditary Influence

Illustrations in Domestication of Keres invades Family Characteristics

Atavism . . 7 Limits of Heveditars Ponce Hygienic Application of Laws of Heredity

Ages at which Special Hereditary Serdenclee are ieabte: to iis developed . : Course of Hereditary Transmission Consequences of Unsuitable Marriages . 2 Obligations on entering the Married State . ° Il. Self-Induced and Social Causes of Disease . : 1. Intemperance 2 : : Statistical Details Physiological Action of AtoohGI Diseases induced by Intemperance . ‘ Estimate of Annual Mortality from Intemperance . How to cope with the National Evil of Intemperance 2. Tobacco and Narcotics Injury of Smoking to oT Precautions : 3. Errorsin Diet .

Excess of Food Eating at Irregular Hours Careless Feeding of Infants 4, Mental Worry and Overwork Symptoms and Results : ; Effects of Physical Strain ot va ar 5. Idleness : ‘ 6. Immorality . ‘ “ 7. Irregular modes of Life = é F ‘ ‘ ix { x CONTENTS.

Late Hours . y ; ° Besar Amount of Sleep foun pita : :

Importance of cultivating Habits of Regularity iid Panetn.

ality 8. Errors in Clothing

Ill. Material, Local, and Commueneiiie Gaus of Disses

1. Impurities in Air

Evils of Overcrowding . é .

Consumption .

Typhus Fever.

Diseases induced by Benes Ae id Foul Effuvia

Diseases induced by particular Trades . Diseases induced by Dampness of the Air

2. Impure Water

Impurities in Water.

Diseases induced by Polluted Water

8. Unsound Food

Agency of Milk in the eae of icon Diseases induced by Unsound Butcher’s Meat Diseases induced by Unwholesome Fish : Diseases induced by Unsound Vegetable Food Effect of Adulteration Acts ; : 4. Disease-Germs . : Mode of Propagation of Infectious Dies :

CHAPTER IV. Foop AND Diet

I. Nutritive Values of Foods . . ‘ Table of Alimentary Equivalents .

Amount of Food regulated by Amount of Work é Proportion of Several Food Constituents required- in

Healthy Diet .

Necessity of a Mixed Diet IL. Choice of Food and Drink . 1. Vegetable Foods ON da Paeewat Flour. Regs Ren ae ere patted er

119 122 123

124 126 126 126 127

CONTENTS.

Characteristics of Wholesome Bread Oatmeal . -

Barley Meal .

Rye Meal

Maize ‘.

Rice and other Tatuwicens Ronda

Pulses or Legumes, such as Peas, Beans, and ‘Leutits

Potato

Turnips, Carrots, Caltawes ae Mushrooms

Sea-weed and Lichens

Sugar and Treacle .

Pickles and Condiments . fs “ 2. Animal Foods . Fs i x ‘ Milk 3 i 3 , 3 A x Condensed Milk . ; Characteristics of Good Milk .

Butter

Cheese

Butcher’s Meat

Characteristics of Good Bae 8 Meat.

Most Economical Parts for Cooking Bacon i

Poultry .

Game : Fish 5 A ‘Turtle

Eggs

Preserved Meat

3. Water, Beverages, and Stimulants Sources and Qualities of Drinking Water Mineral and Aerated Waters .

Non-alcoholic Drinks $

Tea ‘ * “ Characteristics of Gena Tea

Coffee. : : é ; ‘ Cocoa. , > 3 : Alcoholic een . - ‘ xii CONTENTS.

PAGE Amount of Alcohol which can be consumed daily without

Detriment to Health : ; : ; 147 Distilled Spirits . : S A ‘ : : 147 Wines 148 Safest Wines to Denk 149 Beers, Porters, and Ales 5 : ; : 4 : . 150 IIL. Preparation of Food Sci eeat Ve dpa gi ee Faults in Cooking . ; 4 : ; 3 . 152 Soup Kitchens and Cooking Depots i ; ; ‘ 154 Formule for Soup Kitchens . . 154 Hints for Economy in the Diet of the estate eal Labonte 155 How to make Broths and Soups 156 General Details with respect to Boiling, basking Biowiiy

and Braising . ‘ : : , : ‘ : . by IV. Hints on Diet . : , : ; : ; ; eb9 Necessity of Variety . ; 3 . 159 Relative Digestibility of different ‘Aetilen of Diet 159 Hints on the Feeding of Infants . : A : : . 160 Diet Suitable for Children 163 Errors in School Diet ; ; ; : j : . 164 Diet during the Period of Youth . - A : : e160 Distribution of Meals. reyes : ‘ F $2266 General Rules . : BSE its Fatt hs : ; a 167

Chapter V. Cleanliness And Clothing

I. Cleanliness . ; , ; d ; é « 169 Necessity of Body Cleanliness ‘ ; ‘ ‘ 170 Public Baths . 171 Hints with respect to the ies of tts suones Cold, ehawer!

Plunge, and Tepid Baths : $ ‘ : . 172 Swimming 174 Instructions of és Royal Eitnante Bouldty saith, renpeet to

Bathing . : - 1 PLD Turkish, Vapor, and he Hah ; - : .- 176 Hints on Cleaning the Teeth... ie Peau ag seh’

CONTENTS.

II. Clothing

Qualities of Different hertates of Clothing in eepott to Bodily Warmth . : : : Ste ee

Clothing Suitable for Warin Weather

Clothing Suitable for Cold Weather

Hints concerning Bed Clothes

Hints concerning Boots and Shoes .

Injurious Effects of Tight Lacing .

Necessity of fashioning Dress in conformity with the Nii Lines and Proportions of the Body .

Chapter VI. Exercise, Recreation, And Training

I. National Physique

Is the British Race deterioneine?.

Average Stature of Adult Englishmen .

Necessity of Recreation . é

Il. Physiological Details . ; :

Necessity of Muscular Activity or Exercise . :

Amount of Exercise required for the Maintenance of Health .

Necessity of Variety of Exercise and Recreation according to Individual Peculiarities or Avocations .

III. National Aspects of the Question

Reading Rooms, Public Parks, Museums, Sesion Paiknes etc.

Nayarit of ee a Woliaiees Cips

IV. Exercise during ec a

School Furniture :

School Drill

Play-grounds . ;

V. Exercise for Boys

Dangers to be guarded against

Suitable Kinds of Exercise

Gymnasium

VI. Exercise for Girls i

Evil Effects of Neglect of Suitable Recwais aiid Rinseaiten :

Kinds of Exercise recommended at School aee xii PAGE

179 180 181 181 182 183

195 196

VII. Exercise for Women &

Neglect of Bodily Exercise a Fruitful Bottnce of Dikende VII. Exercise for Men .

Timely Warnings. . ; F 4

IX. Exercise in Old Age . , :

X. Training ;

Physiological Detaila

General Hints on Training 5

Evil Effects of Over-Training aia, ee ‘

Athletic Contests . : 5 a .

Hints on Diet during ee

System of Training pursued at the English Universities

CHAPTER VII. Tur Homer AND ITs SURROUNDINGS

Historical Sketch of English Homes I. Site : ; 5

Sites to be erouled A : Hints with respect to Choice of Site or Dialling $ II. Structural Details

Foundations . i How to prevent Danone of Walls Bea (4 Arrangement of Rooms .

Structural Details with Respect to Ventilation asd Wasratig g

Situation and Construction of Closets

TL. Drainage .

Laying, anon ah Trapping of Eisuss eins Cesspools : ;

IV. Water Supply . :

Constant and Intermittent Systems in Tonais 4 Structural Details .

Dangers to be guarded saline

Water Supply in Country Districts

Hints with respect to Wells, ete. A : a A Sources of Supply . ‘ ae ; : ° .

Filters . ; : A : : : : 4 ‘

216 217 217

. 241

CONTENTS.

V. Ventilation, Warming and Lighting .

Amount of Fresh Air required : :

Amount of Cubic Space required .

Various Methods of Ventilation

Ventilation and Warming by Fireplaces

Ventilating Grates .

Hints with respect to Tivhiae

VI. Outside Premises. ” A é , - ?

Outside Closets

Keeping of Animals

VII. Hints about Choosing a ‘Hoisie!

VIII. Nuisances and Sanitary Defects vei iviible ae the Sanitary Acts . : ;

Nuisances removable by Houselisldeas 2

Defects removable by Owners .

Sanitary Authorities

CHAPTER VIII. InFectious DISEASES AND THEIR PREVENTION

Prevalence of Epidemics during Past Ages and Recent Times. : : :

Black Death . é 5

Sweating Sickness .

Scurvy :

Jail Fever . : : : : ; mea : Cholera . s ; : : : : : F I. Principal Tuinbie Dissanes ; Ba elie oe apie

Classification and Remarks thereon

Prevalence of the Dieses peta Past Cannes ; (: Introduction of Inoculation

Discovery of Vaccination . 4 ; 7 Statistics proving the Value of Meausiiat 2 A a “ Risks attending Vaccination . ; ‘ : A . : Mode of Propagation of Small-pox i “ 5 6 - xv

PAGE

265 266 267 267

Precautionary Measures . 5 ‘ 2. Measles :

3. Whooping-cough

4, Scarlatina or Scarlet Fever

5. Diphtheria

6. Fever .

(a) Typhus Fever .

(6) Relapsing Fever

(c) Typhoid or Enteric Fever

7. Diarrhea s

Channels of Infection

Il. Practical Disinfection : Ill. General Precautionary Measures Penalties

Concluding Romarlee

CHAPTER L INTRODUCTORY.

Many of my readers, I have no doubt, are well acquainted with Addison’s beautiful allegory, “The Vision of Mirza.” Looking eastward from the highest pinnacle of the rock on which his guide had placed him, Mirza beheld a huge valley, and a prodigious tide running through it. The valley, he was told, was “the vale of misery,” and the tide of water which “rose out of a thick mist at one end, and lost itself in a thick mist at the other,” was but part of the great tide of eternity called Time. Peering across this shoreless ocean, Mirza then discovered a bridge standing in the midst of it, but shrouded at either end by a dark cloud, and the bridge, he was told, was human life. Being asked to survey it more closely, he found that “it consisted of three-score and ten entire arches, with several broken arches, which, added to those which were entire, made up the number about an hundred.” And over the bridge he beheld multitudes passing, and several of the passengers dropping through into the great tide that flowed underneath, for “there were innumerable trap-doors which lay con-

2 17 cealed in the bridge, which the passengers no sooner trod upon but they fell through them into the tide, and immediately disappeared.” He noticed further that these hidden pitfalls were set very thickly at the entrance of the bridge, so that throngs fell through them as soon as they broke through the cloud. ‘They became fewer. towards the middle, but multiplied and lay closer together towards the end of the arches that were entire, while over the broken arches there were some persons, though very few indeed, that “continued a kind of hobbling march, but fell through one after the other, being quite tired and spent with so long a walk.”

Such was the opening vista in “The Vision of Mirza,” and weird and shadowy though its outlines be, it represents very vividly what has been called the march of a generation through life, and the casualties under which so many succumb even in the first few stages. It is true that the trap-doors or hidden pitfalls suggest a somewhat fatalistic view of the deadly “ills which flesh is heir to,” but in Addison’s days, and indeed until quite recently, disease was regarded as inevitable far more than avoidable—curable it might be in some instances, but rarely admitting of prevention or control. The very few who reached the broken arches were looked upon pretty much in the same light as soldiers who had luckily escaped the shot and shell of a thickly strewn battle-field. Now, however, we are beginning to realize that most of these pitfalls may be avoided, and the trap-doors made secure and passable, so that many, instead of the ever-lessening few, may travel on towards the broken arches.

But to leave metaphor aside, and come to the dry details of figures, let us glance briefly at the casualties which befall an English generation in the various stages of its march through life. These have been very carefully and fully worked out by Dr. Farr, in one of his

MARCH OF A GENERATION THROUGH LIFE. 19 recent masterly reports accompanying the Returns of the Registrar-General, and the sum and substance of them are as follows:—Out of every 1000 children -born, 149 succumb on the average before the first year of life is reached, and before the age of five years as many as 263. Many die from a diseased heritage, many from starvation and neglect, and many more from diseases, such as scarlet fever, measles, and whooping-cough, which we shall afterwards see are more or less preventable. But the number of victims varies largely in different localities. Thus, in the so-called healthy districts of the country, out of 1000 born, the number of children who die in the first five years of life is 175 instead of 263; while in Liverpool, which represents the most unfavorable sanitary conditions, the number is 460, or 285 in excess of the deaths in healthy districts. Such enormous waste of infant life may truly be called appalling. ; Returning now to the 737 survivors, who on the average reach the sixth year, we find that most of them have been attacked by one disease or another, and diseases of a kind which fortunately seldom recur in the same individual. So the total deaths in the following five years are comparatively few, and only amount to 35, about a fourth of which are due to scarlet fever, which still attacks some who had: previously escaped. From ten to fifteen years of age, the deaths are fewer than at any other period, and only number 18. But after the age of puberty has been passed, the mortality begins to increase, especially amongst women, and consumption claims a considerable share of the death-roll; indeed, between the ages of twenty and twenty-five, nearly one-half the number who die succumb to this fatal disorder, and fever is associated with it as the great preventable disease. Melancholy suicide begins to contribute its victims, the worries and anxieties of life induce fatal brain affections, deaths by accident among males become more numerous. insanity in both sexes looms on the horizon. and childbirth among women has its fatalities.

At twenty-five years of age, we find the number of travellers on life’s journey reduced from 1000 to 634, and 62 drop off before the age of thirty-five is reached. This stage embraces the prime of life, the period of manly vigor; yet consumption still proves the most fatal disease, _ and more so among women. Two-thirds of these are now married, and the deaths from childbirth exceed the deaths from accident among the men. Fever, though not so fatal as it was in the previous period, causes 4 out of the 62 deaths, while consumption claims 27. Other diseases of the lungs, and diseases of the heart and brain, increase in intensity.

And here, by way of contrast, let us glance at the fate of a generation exposed to unfavorable sanitary conditions, such, for instance, as prevail in large and crowded populations like Liverpool. There, out of the 1000 born, only 434, or less than one-half, reach the age of twenty-five, and only 360 are alive at thirty-five; whereas in healthier districts as many as 727 live to the age of twenty-five, and 667 survive ten years longer.

Between the ages of thirty-five and forty-five, the 572 survivors at the former age are reduced by 62; and now we come to the middle arch of life, when the ranks are thinned of one-half their number. A few months after the age of forty-five is reached the 1000 lives are reduced to 500, and when fifty-five is reached the numbers are still further reduced to 421. The passing generation has now produced the succeeding generation. Many of the structures begin rapidly to give way. Consumption still holds its fatal prominence, while lung diseases, heart diseases, brain diseases, and liver diseases are becoming more common and deadly. Fever continues to claim its

MARCH OF A GENERATION THROUGH LIFE. 21 victims, deaths by accident are not uncommon, suicide is slightly on the increase, and cancer (especially amongst women) begins to swell the death-roll.

From the age of fifty-five and onwards, the numbers thin with increasing rapidity. Out of the 421 who enter this stage of life, only 309 reach the age of sixty-five, and 161 the age of seventy-five. Diseases of the lungs destroy the largest number of lives. Many die from heart disease, brain disease, and diseases of the liver and bowels. Intemperance and disregard of the laws of health claim their later and larger harvest. Cancer becomes increasingly fatal amongst women, and not a few of both sexes die of no well-defined disease, their deaths being attributed to debility or old age. The few remaining pilgrims have at last reached the broken arches described in “The Vision of Mirza.” Only 38 out of the 1000 reach the age of eighty-five, and one by one they continue to drop through, “being quite tired and spent with so long a walk.” The wheels of life are run down, and the greater number sink to rest calmly and placidly “after the fashion. and semblance of a kindly and pleasant sleep.” At the age of ninety-five, but 2 survive out of the 1000, while only one out of every 4000 born aia the age of one hundred.

And what, it may-be asked, are the inferences to be drawn from these figures, and the various casualties which they represent? In the first place, it will have been noticed that the mortality at different ages is largely influenced by the sanitary surroundings and conditions of the people. In densely crowded towns, for example, the average duration of human life sinks to nearly half the standard of healthy districts; and this is the result of the enormously increased mortality among children under five years of age, and the excessive mortality in youth and manhood up to the'ultimate term of life, but few reaching and few surviving the “three-score years and ten.” It will be seen also that certain diseases prove very fatal in certain epochs, and that others, though common to different epochs, are far less destructive at some periods of life than.at subsequent periods. Thus, measles, whooping-cough, and scarlet fever are essentially fatal during childhood; while diseases of the lungs, though common to this period, become increasingly fatal as old age creeps on. But without proceeding further with this analysis, and leaving the facts and figures which have been given to tell their own tale, the question arises, what may reasonably be supposed to be the natural term of a man’s lifetime? Not a few of the alchemists of the Middle Ages, and some philosophers of more recent times, such as Descartes and Franklin, believed that human life could be prolonged indefinitely, and we read of men wasting their years and shortening their lives in trying. to discover an elixir vite, which would ensure immortality on earth, and a manhood of perpetual vigor and strength. But delusions like these have long since been dispelled by the plain teachings of science, and we now know that though life may be prolonged by careful regimen and obedience to the laws of health, a time comes in the history of every individual, however long-lived he may be, when vital energy becomes powerless to resist the stealthy progress of decay, and the body sinks at last into the cold bosom of mother Earth.

As regards the length of this period which intervenes between birth and natural death, statistics help us to make only an approximate estimate. Dr. Farr, who is perhaps better able than any other authority to give an

opinion on this point, has estimated the natural lifetime of man to be a hundred years; and certainly, when it is

VITAL STATISTICS. 23 remembered that some few well-authenticated instances are recorded in which the lifetime of a century has been exceeded, and many are known in which it has been approached, this estimate cannot be regarded as excessive. Be this as it may, old age may be said to commence at about sixty, with some a, little earlier, with others a little later, and even though there be a continued freedom from disease, the bodily powers gradually and imperceptibly begin to wane, the step becomes less elastic, the heart beats more slowly, the digestion becomes weaker, the breathing shallower, until at last, after a varying period, the natural life terminates in natural death. Frequently the intellectual faculties retain their vigor long after the bodily powers begin insensibly to decline, but by-and-by they too show signs of decay. Recent events are readily forgotten, and passing incidents are strangely linked with newly awakened memories of long ago. The inclination to sleep becomes stronger and stronger, and the periods of wakefulness shorter and shorter, until at length the sleeper has drifted painlessly and peacefully into the sleep that knows no awakening. This is the true Euthanasia —the natural death, which completes the cycle of natural life. ;

We now pass on to the consideration of some further statistical details which will be of service in enabling the reader to appreciate the value and significance of the stated returns of the Registrar-General which find a place in the leading daily journals, and of the reports of medical officers of health throughout the country which appear _ from time to time in local newspapers.

It will be inferred from the previdus remarks that very few die from old age; almost all, including even old people, succumb to some particular kind of disease. As we shall see subsequently, the disease may be inherited, or it may be self-inflicted by vicious habits or carelessness, or it may be produced by local causes, or it may be the © result of exposure to infection; but whatever the cause, the more closely the sequence of events is scrutinized, the clearer it becomes that a very large proportion of deaths is attributable to influences brought into operation by man himself, and therefore more or less under his control.