The aristocracy of health : a study of physical culture, our favorite poisons, and a national and international league for the advancement of physical culture

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Preface

IT is delightful to catch a new view of the world as discovered by the physical culturist who has brought his health up to a certain standard. This is quite another world when seen through lenses which are not blurred nor improperly adjusted; when the fine machinery of the living organism no longer struggles either in self-defence or for repairs, but works easily and smoothly ; when blood-corpuscles are no longer disintegrated, spiculated, and pale, but round, red, and rich laden ; when membranes are no longer benumbed and inactive, as a result of irritating influences, but alert and absorbent, facilitating quick and easy building of tissues, and quick and easy elimination of natural waste products ; when the body engine is no longer compressed by tight clothing, but is full in capacity; when the sensitized, photographic plates of the brain are no longer inert, but quick to receive and reflect correct, sharp, and lasting impressions ; when the body-machine is no longer oppressed with the clinkers of surplus material ; when reserve forces are no longer wasted or dissipated by avoidable devitalizing expenditures, but are rich in store.

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Thus equipped with a living instrument in tune, the physical culturist finds the harmonies and symphonies of human existence infinite in kind and number. Problems not only of happiness, but of human nature generally, unfold their mysteries to him. He comes to believe that the world at large does not sufficiently appreciate how sound health, as gained and maintained by scientific living, promotes not only physical strength but moral strength, and that physical health scorning disease and mental health scorning sin, are mutually dependent.

Our health aristocrat who is strong, self-reliant, successful, influential, long-lived, and happy, finds that the continuance of youth depends largely on self ; that old age is what we make it ; that normal health is the richest prize of existence, and that this world is made for health and happiness.

My study of physical culture began with the problem of tobacco, the so-called solace of mankind ; and this led to a study of alcohol, opium, tea, coffee, and our favorite poisons generally. I was anxious to know how they differ in upsetting physiological law and order. The study of tliese agents for artificial happiness led, to a realizing sense of their connection with the almost universal lack of sound health and happiness on the part of mankind. A comparison of human degeneracy in various countries along with

Preface

Vll causes became also topics of absorbing interest. Problems of diet and other questions connected with physical culture naturally followed, as well as the means of relief from what is chiefly instrumental in robbing mankind of its birthright — health, happiness, and success in life.

In the hope that this book might make the life of some one — any one — broader, fuller, and happier, the time of earnest, hard work in its preparation has been delightfully spent.

Mary Foote Henderson.

Washington, D. C., 1904.

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