The laws of life and health

Front matter

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BY

Preface

This book is written primarily for all who are interested in the preservation of health. It is as free from technical terms as is possible in discussing a scientific subject, and where such terms have been found necessary they have been carefully explained in the simplest language at my command.

At the beginning of most of the chapters the physiology of the parts involved has been described somewhat minutely. For this reason I hope that the volume may commend itself likewise to teachers of personal

hygiene and to the student of medicine whether in

practice or not. The subject of personal hygiene has not

yet been included in the medical curriculum, but the public is calling out for information which has been in many cases somewhat inadequately supplied by amateurs. I shall be well repaid for the labour involved in writing this book should my medical brethren consider that it enables them to give some authoritative reply to many of the questions propounded by their patients.

Eecently a large number of books of a similar

character has emanated from members of the medical profession, but I make no apology for adding to the list, as ignorance of the best means of caring for the body is still widespread. The precepts inculcated are in the main

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PREFACE the outcome of practical experience, although I have doubtless incorporated in the text many facts obtained in the course of my reading. The following among other books have been of much value to me in the preparation of this volume : — Landois and Stirling’s “ Physiology,” M'Kendrick’s “ Physiology ” ; “ Applied Physiology ”

(Hutchison); “The Body at Work” (Hill); “The Care of the Body” (Cavanagh); “Further Advances in Physiology ” (Leonard Hill) ; “ Drugs and the Drug Habit ” (Sainsbury) ; “Health and Common Sense” (Woods Hutchinson) ; “ Alcohol and the Human Body ” (Horsley and Sturge) ; “ Personal Hygiene ” (Pyle) ; “ Functional Nerve Diseases ” (Schofield) ; “ Ideal Health ” (“ M.D.”) ; “ A System of Physiologic Therapeutics ” (Cohen) ; “ A System of Practical Therapeutics ” (Hare) ; “ Minor Maladies ” (Williams) ; “ Essay on the Prolongation of Life” (Weber); “Influence of the Mind upon the Body ” (Tuke) ; “ Physiological Economy in Nutrition ” (Chittenden).

I am especially indebted to Professor Russel H. Chittenden for revising Chapter X., and to Dr. J. T. Case for revising Chapter I.

ALEXANDER BRYCE.

Moseley, Birmingham.

CHAPTER I. Food (General)

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The balance of the body — The alimentary principles — The digestive organs — The dissolution of the food — Efficient mastication —

The functions of the stomach, pancreas, and liver — Digestion in the small intestine — The world’s bill of fare — The vegetarian controversy — The needs of nutrition — The indispensable protein— A specimen diet — Caloric calculations — Practical Summary ........ 1

CHAPTER II. Food (Special)

Milk and its properties — Cream, butter, and cheese — Curdled milk and the lacto-bacilline treatment — The effects of eggs — The cooked forms of meat — The truth about beef tea — Vegetable virtues — White or brown bread — Roots and green foods — Fruits, nuts, and fungi — Excess of salt — The problem of purins — Cases for caution — Personal peculiarities — The programme of meals —

The no-breakfast plan — Everyday errors of diet — Undesirable mixtures — Breakfast — Dinner — Supper — Diet in dyspepsia and constipation — Practical Summary . . . .40

CHAPTER III. Drink

Liquid in the body — The needful allowance — Hot or cold water —

The action of the kidneys — Tea-drinking — A debatable habit —Coffee— The caffeine craving— Cocoa and other drinks— The use of intoxicants — Alcohol in health — The abstainer’s advantage—The alcoholic brain and will— Drink heredity— Tobacco- Practical Summary . . . . . .80

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CHAPTER IV. Work

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The unresting body — The secret of the cell — The physical engine — Varieties of fuel — The disposition of food — The needful combination— Sources of obesity — The cure of corpulence — The excessively thin — The essence of health — The gospel of work —

Age and inactivity — Practical Summary . . .Ill

CHAPTER V. Rest

The two nervous systems — The “Grey matter” of the brain — The seat of the emotions — What happens in sleep — The collapse of consciousness — First sleep the soundest — Theories of slumber —

The sleep required — Si eeping at will — The war with insomnia —

The ideal bedroom — Cures for sleeplessness — A sound plan — Subsidiary methods — Rest and fatigue — Fatigue an affair of the brain — The nervous temperament — The waste of energy — The features of neurasthenia — The formation of the eye — Errors of refraction — The Cure of eye-strain — The child at school — Troubles of the ear — The din of civilisation — “Noises in the head ” — Holidays — Practical Summary .... 136

CHAPTER VI. Air

The greatest physician — The breathing apparatus — “ Vital capacity” — Deep breathing — The chance for tubercle — Overdistension— A singer’s prescription — Air, before and after —

The “ Inner circle ” — The sovereign disinfectant — The atmosphere of cities — The aim of ventilation — Ways and means — “Night air” — Consumption and window space — Climate — Mountain and sea air — Devices for sleeping in the open air — Practical Summary . . . . . .184

CHAPTER VII. Exercise

A national policy — A sad survey — Recruiting revelations — The human machine — The uses of the skeleton — Our unemployed

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muscles — Work is not exercise — The needs of the muscular system — The muscles and the brain — Exercise and blood pressure— To fight deformity — Sins of the schoolroom — A missing link — The Ling system — Overdoing it — Errors of athleticism — Relaxation — Massage — Osteopathy, theory and practice — A percentage of truth — Tension exercises — Modes of recreation —

Plan for morning physical culture — Practical Summary . 214

CHAPTER VIII. Cleanliness

The ubiquitous enemy — The two skins — The work of the skin — Friction — The cold hath a blunder — The hot bath at night —

A useful compromise — The time for sea-bathing — The secret of a good complexion — Artificial aids — A few prescriptions — Blackheads and acne — Red noses — Blushing and its cure — The hair — The hands and nails — The feet — The formation of the teeth — The toothache bacillus — The use of the tooth-brush —

The functions of the nose — Handkerchief reform — The evils of mouth breathing — The eyes — The ears — Practical Summary . 269

CHAPTER IX. Protection

“ Warm-blooded ” and “ cold-blooded ” — A misnomer — The pump of the system — The function of clothes — The value of loose garments — The importance of wool — The fallacy of “hardening”— Infants and their clothing — Children and “growing pains ” — Women and the corset — The folly of men’s hats— The treatment of baldness — A source of neuralgia — The weakness of waistcoats — Shirts and collars — The indispensable overcoat —

To harden the feet — Boots and shoes — High heels and pointed toes — The cure of corns — Shoes better than boots — “ Catching cold ” — A consequence of smoking — Practical Summary . 311

CHAPTER X. Moderation

The centenarian’s secret — Reflex action — Habit and happiness

Tyrannous appetites — The self-reformer’s programme — Moderation in all things — A remarkable experiment — Professor Chittenden’s experimental ration— An overlooked point— Diet and exercise — Practical Summary .... 346

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