Simplicity of health

Front matter

EXEMPLIFIED

By H ORTA TOR

Price Four Shi// mgs, in hoard.

Index

THE FIGURES REFER TO THE SECTIONS.

A.

Abernethy, Mr., his character of the work, see Notice after Title.

Air (Night) see Open Windows

Angling 41

Apothecaries 158

Author’s Introductory Explanations 1 to 6

B.

Bathing 160

Beds and Bedding 58, 59, 64, 65

Bleeding 173

Blisters on the feet 30

Bonaparte and Lord Byron 175

Boots and Shoes 29

C.

Cleanliness 1 2

Coffee, see Tea

Colds and Coughs 1 7, 160

Corns 27

Costiveness 78 to 88

VIII

INDEX.

D.

Determination of Blood, see Head

Drunkenness, [see Sobriety] danger to females 154

Early rising 9j 45 to 48, 69

Cars 21

Eccentricity 172

Exercise 1 1, 35 to 44

F.

Fasting 108 to 1 10

Feet, treatment of the, 2<i to 28, 66

Fire 157

G.

Gravel 1 19 to 1S2

H.

Head 89 to 95

Headache 93

Health, the four great sources of, q lo 13

Hot food 170, 173

Hydrophobia 29, 53

I. Indigestion, see Bile

Insanity 175

Intoxication, see Sobriety

Kidneys, see. Gravel

L.

Linen, observations on the changes of,..,,.,,,., 05

INDEX.

IX

Marriage Milk ....

Music ..

Mustard

M.

95, 173 .... 164

.... 169

N.

Nature, errors in following her dictates, and advice on the subject 7j 8

Nose (red) 161

O.

Open windows — Night air

P.

Physicians

Piles

Pius '..

Ill to 1 IS

1*9

R.

Religion

Rheumatism ...

Rich and Poor s.

Salts and salt

Sharing, directions concerning

Sleep

Sleeping

Smoking

SnulF

Soap

Sobriety

Spitting

Standing

Sugar

X

INDEX

T.

Temperance ... 10, 49 to 55

Toasted cheese \7<

V.

Ventilators 156

W.

Walking 35 to 38

Washing with cold water, proper mode of, 16

, advantages of, 17

■ , proof of its benefit, even in advanced

Wind instruments 164

Y.

Young roeu, their folly when valetudinarians 3, *

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SIMPLICITY OF HEALTH.

CHAPTER (.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS — GENERAL VIEW AND DE- SIGN OF THE WORK — FOLLY OF THE YOUNG VALE- TUDINARIAN EXPOSED.

1. The subject that I have undertaken requires no explanation as far as its importance is concerned. In vain do we attempt to undervalue long life. Even the young and thoughtless, who scoff at, and despise, gray hairs, and who act as if they were never to beeome old, are seriously alarmed at any illness that threatens to eject them from this world — to insure a longer term, they would gladly exchange their youth for hoary decrepitude. Whatever ostentatious contempt, or philosophical indifference, that may be exhibited, every one is interested in the prolongation of life.

But it may be necessary to offer a passing remark ns to those who should write on the, subject. It is natural enoagh for people to look to the medical profession. 1 cannot, however, admit that it should have herein any exclusive privilege. I respect the faculty, and I hope that I justly appreciate their important labours. In the preservation of health, private individuals have often furnished very useful assistance — they have contributed information of the most valuable character, solely derived

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Jrom unstudied experience. Indeed, if no one presume., beyond the line of his calling, improvement would languish most miserably. Tradespeople and journeymen have a great dislike to any extraneous interference in their business, and they laugh at such observations as are not couched in their regular technical language and terms. Hut we well know that the most important improvements., in artificer's and handicraft woik, have been made by the peer and the gentleman. By their studies and their intellectual toils, the arts and machinery are centuries in advance. And it is upon these considerations, and believing the liberal profession of physic to be above any petty jealousy, that I, who have no connexion with me dical science, take leave to offer suggestions for attaining, or opening the way to, health and longevity.

3. And, although I may venture to say that some valuable directions will be found in this little work, yet, as I shall offer nothing but what must appear too simple to involve any hazard, 1 think it is now unnecessary to announce the name of the author— too humble in the • of society, it could add no weight to the undertaking.

1 i i vc the vanity, however, to think that this treatise win not be confined to a single edition, and that its merit ■viii be proved by experience. But, not having the sane ti >:> of a great name, iis progress will probably be slow Of if;; ultimate success 1 cannot reasonably entertain doubt, because l have recommended nothing but what ) either proved myself by the test of fair trial, or received from unquestionable authority. From my childhood l have been extremely curious concerning everything con uecied with the preservation of health by simple means. Alv. -ys averse to medicines, my attention has ever been lire i red towards rendering myself independent of them,

. ml 1 have most triumphantly succeeded. From hooks I have: derived but little assistance, having never met any that were not, whatever the titles might indicate, •re devoted lo cure than to general prevention, except '■ ornaro's, and that is only the sermon of an old man in praise of abstemiousness. 1 have, therefore, always set

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a much higher value on facts coming directly within iny own observation.

Having avowed that I am unconnected with the study of physic, whilst l take care not to offend the profession by any affectation of medical language, I must, at the same time, observe, that I could easily introduce words and phrases sufficient to make me pass, with the nonmedical world, for a doctor of some learning. But that would be contemptible and, in the end, unprofitable policy. My aim has been to avoid, as much as possible, any expressions but those that are familiar to every one. And where I know that my descriptions, and rny application of certain words, may be liable to professional censure, I rather choose to endure that, than to run the risk of not being perfectly clear and intelligible to ordinary capacities.

3. Although I would not discourage the man of forty from hoping to retrieve a neglected constitution, yet it is more particularly to the young that rny book will be an important acquisition. Youth is the time to adopt proper rules, and to lay a durable foundation for health. Amongst young men, however, the most careful are seldom better off than the careless. This arises from their extreme, their ridiculous, positiveness. It is difficult to persuade them that any plan they adopt can be wrong, as long as no ill effects result — they will not believe that the strength of a youthful constitutiun can bear much injudicious treatment for a considerable time. Whatever appears to succeed is, with them, the best. Hence, I have seldom known any who were, as they thought, very careful of their health, able to boast of a vigourous ■onstitution afterwards. Their great objects were, to have their linen scrupulously dry ; to have their clothes well suited to every occasion ; to avoid getting wet; to guard against the night air by additional scarfs or handkerchiefs round the neck ; to take their great coats off on coining into a room and put, them on when going out ; to have thin boots or shoes for summer and thick for winter;

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not to have too much of their hair cut off at once ; have their bedchambers and sheels well aired ; to take a warm drink, and bathe the feet on the slightest appearance of a cold ; not to go into the' cold bath without due preparation by physic or otherwise ; never to go near a fire, if they had the misfortune to sustain a shower, but to take their clothes off with all convenient speed ; never to sit on a line with an open door or window ; to wear a flannel vest in winter, and steal it off cunningly, by piecemeal, in summer — not to mention their numerous remedies and infallible specifics for coughs, sorelhroats, headaches, heartburns, sick stomachs, and every kind of obstruction . their regular periodical purges, taken by rule, whether necessary or not; and their sapience, in the healthful or unwholesome qualities of the various kinds of meat, and food of every kind. They have as many nostrums and receipts as an old woman ; and, sometimes, depending upon the efficacy of these unerring restoratives, though they do not plunge into the dissipation of other young men, they will indulge a little occasionally.

4. Thus they go on until they pass thirty, when they begin to be -a little alarmed. They then find out that all their regularity and caution has weakened, not strengthened them. Then they discover that, their prudence has only made them tender instead of hardy ; that they catch cold upon the slightest occasion ; that they have coughs, affections of the chest, warnings of rheumatic pains, indigestion, and other unpleasant indications ; and, to crown their mortification, they find that their favourite medicines, in which they placed such confidence hitherto, will not now produce the customary etfects. Sometimes, dis tiacted, puzzled, and vexed at their ill-success, they resolutely go into an opposite extreme, take great exercise in all weathers, indulge freely in the pleasures of the table, throw off their great coats and warm waistcoats, and abandon their pharmacopoeia. But they soon perceive that they are not able to hear such a transition, and they are compelled to return to their regulations under

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some new modifications. Forty overtakes them with a constitution completely undermined — and here we shall leave them.

>f>. I have said that young men, such as have been just described, are so positive as to be almost proof against salutary advice. But their case is far from being hopeless. Though they reject oral counsel, they have a considerable respect for books, and I flatter myself that mine would make some impression upon them ; and that, whilst it exhibited the folly and the danger of their selfsufficiency, it would induce them to pursue a more rational and consistent course. To the more volatile and inconsiderate, 1 cannot doubt that it would, in numerous instances, serve as a friendly and persuasive monitor, by showing them, from candid and fair reasoning, the absurdity of dissipation and immorality ; the deplorable consequences of taking cheap medical advice; the value of health in advanced life, and, finally, the necessity of laying in a due provision of it, and also of learning and useful information, for that state. For these reasons, the parent will find it his advantage to put this book into the hands of his young family, and to recommend it for their perusal. Nor need he exclude it from the female branches ; because, though it is impossible, in such a treatise, to prevent the introduction of some words that cannot be spoken before ladies, it contains nothing indelicate. On that point I have been so assiduously careful, that t only fear I may not, on some occasions, be sufficiently explicit.

The cases that I have introduced may lose something of their weight, on account of the names of the subjects not being mentioned. But they are all so simple that there can be no danger in putting them to the proof. 1 have before stated my reasons for concealing myself, and were I to give the names of those persons, that object would be defeated, and without anv advantage to the public.

In works upon health, it is generally expected to find a list of diseases and their proper treatment, and the food -and drink that may be reputed most wholesome, and

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what sorts should be avoided to prevent or correct the different complaints. People wish to be independent of the doctor, by being put in possession of the secrets of physic. But it is curious enough, that whilst they are always ready to join in the vulgar clamour against the faculty, for making a mystery of what ought to be very plain, they seem quite indifferent to simplicity in the art of preserving health ! A book that gives a pompous catalogue of maladies and symptoms, followed by recipes and scientific prescriptions for each, will have peculiar charms, and it will sell well, until another, with entirely new dileetions, forces it out of the market; but one that, like mine, only lays down plain and artless rules for the preservation of general health, must wait until time establishes its merit. However, I think that my plan will eventually prove to be the most profitable for myself. I know that to keep the body free from pain is the universal wish, and if I do not pretend to insure this by medicine, permitting a gratification of indolence or sensuality, what 1 require are hardly privations. There are numerous disorders that I have not even once mentioned, because my object is more to prevent than to cure. I have endeavoured to bring the constitution to such a state of soundness and vigour, as may secure it, in a great measure, from the ordinary maladies that afflict humanity. No array is made of those receipts that are looked to with such anxiety, although I could furnish many that would be found of some utility. I am satisfied to leave that to others whose views are different from mine. Thus,

I have shown how that tormenting pain the toothache may be prevented, and if my mode be considered too troublesome for the indolent, let them, when afflicted, apply to their receipts or to the dentist..

When 1 determined to give the result of my observations and experience to the public, I soon saw the difficulty of any regular progressive arrangement of the subjects, and l adopted the plan of numbering bv sections. This presented the double advantage of convenient refer- **nc it all times, and the casual introduction of anything

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additional that should occur, relating to such matters us might appear to have been already fully disposed of under the respective heads.

6. I offer this hook to the public, not in the expectation of profiting much by the first edition. As its utility becomes known, by the impartial judgment of experience, it will force its way into estimation, and I anticipate such a demand as will amply remunerate me for my pains. However simple my precepts, l have the confidence to think that, as my desires are moderate, the work will yet procure for me what 1 should consider a step to independence. With such an important object in view, the public have the best security — that it is my own interest not to admit anything which I did not, from actual proof, know to be correct, or which, from something better than mere report, I did not believe to be useful.

Chapter II. Precautions In Following “ Nature’s Dictates”

7. Having passed the threshold of my subject, I shall remark that, however partial I may be to simplicity of treatment, I am decidedly opposed to the common notion of following nature as a general rule. Many persons, seriously determined to preserve their health at any sacrifice of enjoyment, have failed in their efforts by ill-judged attempts in that way. “ Nature is the best guide.” — “Follow Nature, and you cannot err.” — “Nature always directs the best.” — These are the leading maxims, but when pursued too far, without discrimination, they are extremely fallacious and injudicious. We should recollect that a civilised and a savage state are materially different; and that, what will answer in one may not in another. Successive generations, in improved society, alter, not only our constitutions, but our very features and persons. By carrying this crude notion of natural living too far, we find ourselves involved in the most ludicrous absurdities. Some have attempted not to eat or drink any thing that required cooking or preparation ; others have rejected washing, and would let their beards grow, if it could be done without being ridiculous ; they have reduced their clothing as much as possible, and almost discarded their hats. An instance, to prove the folly of such notions in their extreme, I can state from my own knowledge. One of those worshippers of Nature much regretted his having learned to read and write, and, to show his sincerity in this respect, he actually reared his children without any education, from a conviction of its being unnatural ! But indeed it would be only a waste of time to go into a detail of such aberrations, as

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it could form nothing but a history of eccentricities. There are some deviations, however, that appear rational enough, but these cannot be generally followed either with propriety or safety. One of the best and most sensible, perhaps, is a vegetable diet, or rather an abstinence from flesh meat, yet there are many who would sink under it. A friend of mine is one of those — having tried it once, for a fortnight, and he fully satisfied himself that he could not sustain such a course many days longer. Towards the conclusion of the trial he lost his appetite, and began to loathe food. He was in a very exhausted state. His lungs sunk flat ; he breathed and spoke with difficulty, and, though he had the inclination, he was unable to cough. That danger was approaching could not be doubted. A beefsteak and a pint of good port brought him about; and he was convinced, by this as well as other circumstances, that flesh meat is indispensably necessary for his constitution. He was induced to make the experiment from hearing of tiie successful practice of Sir Richard Phillips, and others, pupils of Hr. Lamb. The Irish peasants, who live entirely on potatoes, are, we must admit, stout and healthy ; but they and their parents have been reared upon them from infancy. And, as it is certain that such unsubstantial food would not suit every one, great caution is necessary when persevering in a diet, if it seem to he opposed to the constitution.

8. This zealous desire to follow Nature can never he pursued with consistency, in as much as we do not know what a state of Nature is. Man has seldom, if ever, been found in what we might call a truly primitive state He cannot live alone, like the lion or tiger. Being, I may say, constitutionally gregarious, this produces communication of thought which inevitably leads to some notion of government, though that should only consist in showing respect to one deemed wiser than the rest. Some notion of art, however humble, necessarily follows. He paints his body, fashions a piece of hard wood into a spear or hatchet, makes a hook lo catch fish, and forms

SIMPLICITY OF HEALTH.

some kind of hut for rest or shelter. In short he begins lo have ideas of comfort, such as they are; and this leads to some change, or to some selection and preparation ot food. The indigenous productions of his country, however, generally regulate or point out his diet. Thus, i li mate makes a great difference in the important article of food, and the customs of each savage nation differ materially one from another. Where then are those favourite rules of Nature to he found P Are we to eat human flesh, to go naked, tattoo our faces, sleep in caverns ? Do we wish to become savages in disposition P — there is surely nothing inviting. They are generally insatiably revengeful, prone to thieving, and delighted with any opportunity to get beastly drunk.

In short an attempt to shape our living to that which is designated a natural state, is equally absurd as not to eat any thing requiring chewing, in order to save the teeth. But, perhaps, the best argument of all is, that notwithstanding our numerous temptations to injure the health, and the many maladies we have created, unknown to savage nations, the duration of life seems pretty nearly balanced in one state and the other — indeed f t' ink we have generally the advantage in point of longevity.

I have given this preparatory explanation, lest my views should be in any way misconstrued, and because, in the course of this work, I shall have occasion myself to recommend an adherence to nature’s dictates. But this is very different from the notions on that head that }. have endeavoured to expose.

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Chapter III. The Four Great Sources Of Health

9. The preservation of health mainly depends on early rising, temperance in eating and drinking, exercise, and cleanliness.

These important advantages are distributed between the rich and the poor in a tolerably fair proportion, which accounts for the apparent equability in the length of life between one and the other. The poor have early rising, which is of the very first consequence, and of which 1 shall speak hereafter more fully. From this the rich are almost excluded, because they have no obligation to compel them, and because they go to bed too late.

10. The humble and often scanty diet of the poor, which they so much deplore, is yet of advantage to their health. True it is that, as they work hard, they could bear more substantial diet than they can generally procure. But luxurious living is very prejudicial ; it vitiates the blood and humours, and lays the foundation of numerous complaints. From not being able to afford suppers, the poor enjoy sound rest, the want of which is so much complained of by the rich. But the poor injure themselves materially by intoxication, and that with drink of an inferior and hurtful quality. It. is certain that every fit of drunkenness has its share in the shortening of life; for, however we may find men to whom it appears to do no injury, nothing is more reasonable than to conclude, that they would live longer by avoiding inebriation. Amongst the better classes, this vice has happily, for many years past, been gradually declining; and it is now a great reproach to gentlemen to be seen drunk. But they use rich wines, liqueurs, and spirits, of which, at their numerous meals, without getting tips} or drunk, they take too much altogether. They likewise eat much more than is necessary or proper, and that generally of things so artificially prepared, that the simple qualities are lost, and may almost be considered as a medicine instead of natural food.

11. Of exercise, which is allowed by all as indispensable fin the preservation of health, the poor have generally enough, but frequently too much; whilst, on the contrary, the rich, who, from their sumptuous living, really require more, can scarcely be said to take any. This is aheavy draught on the resources of longevity. Tin subject is of great importance, and will in the course of the work be treated with particular attention.

13. But it is in cleanliness that the rich have indeed inappreciable advantages over the poor. The word has too extensive a meaning to be considered, under all its bearings, in this concise sketch. It will suffice here t<, say, that it must be taken in something more than its usual signification, personal cleanliness. In the present view, it embraces numerous comforts, domestic and personal, and many valuable conveniences, presenting important securities against injury to the health. That personal cleanliness, a thing nearly quite disregarded or unpractised by the poor, is of the greatest utility, will be hereafter fully shown ; hut there are other serious disadvantages to which their poverty or want of means subject them. Clothes soaked with rain, and then sitting by a fire, and being obliged, from want of changes, to wear the same damp the next day — had shoes — humid apartments from bad roofs, washing of clothes, and other causes — foul air, from many persons crowded into a single room. Such are a few of the consequences <>t the privations of the poor as to cleanliness and comforts, from which resultjconstantjcoughs and colds, with asthma, rheumatism, and other complaints, which would preclude them from old age, were it not for their early rising, simple diet, and exercise.

13. This brief sketch of the state of the rich and poor.

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as regarding their health, being only merely a general comparative view, 1 cannot be expected to enter into an examination ofall the various particulars and distinctions. With 1 his, my reader can, ifhe please, easily supply himself. Thus, there is much difference between the labourer in the country and the working classes in large towns. If the former has to endure wet and hardships out of doors, he is accustomed to it from his infancy, and is descended from a hardy race ; his iiovel or hut, be it ever so miserable, or so crowded, lias the advantage of a much purer air than the roomkeeper’s garret in town ; he has fewer opportunities of dissipation ; his food, though poor, is wholesome; his hours of meal-time are more regular, and his work is more uniformly healthful. The country gentleman too has advantages over his equai in town. His exercise is of a rougher and more decided cast ; his food is more plain, because the confectioner, the pastrycook and the foreign fruiterer are not always convenient; balls, parties and theatres do not offer every evening, and ifhe drink more after dinner, he can hear it belter, because his food is more substantial and simple. The balance indeed seems to be in favour of the country; and accordingly it is there that we mostly find instances of uncommonly extended life.

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Chapter IV. V Ashing With Cold Water In The Morning

14. Having disposed of these general observations, which will be, occasionally, more fully elucidated, 1 shall now enter particularly on my immediate object. And first, I lay it down as a safe position, that every ailment, however tiifling, even a toothache, or a corn on the toe, contributes its share in abridging life, as repeated blows of a small hammer will, eventually, shake a strong wall. If the toothache alone could be prevented, there is no one afflicted with that complaint, who would not gladly pay more than the price of this book to be completely relieved from it. But this and other trifling complaints, becaust they do not prove fatal, are never supposed to affect Ion gevity. All pains, however, whether bodily or mental, militate against a protracted age; and accordingly, in examining the records of very advanced life, we And the subjects have generally been free from trifling as well as from the more serious maladies. And if I should onlypoint out the means of preventing a few-, or of stopping

he progress of some, by simple and safe directions, 1 shall have reason to be proud of my humble labours.

15. One of the first to which I recommend the most strict attention, is washing in cold water. Yet it is but too much neglected, or done in such a manner as to effect nothing for the health. It is of much more consequent than is generally supposed, and as I can speak with particular confidence as to its important results, 1 shall In more minute in detailing the process than it might seem to require.

No one should rise immediately on awaking. Unless well accustomed to it, (for custom -will do much in

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all cases,) one feels a temporary stupor, which is often succeeded by a slight headache. On awaking, if one be determined or obliged then to get up, he should remain two or three minutes until he be perfectly collected. He should next throw off’ the quilt, or some of the outside covering, so that he may cool gradually, and remain a few minutes longer ; and this is the more necessary, if he awake in a heat. He should then proceed to wash himself, dressed only to the waist, it being impossible to do it otherwise effectively.

16. Dip the face two or three times in a bason of cold water. The eyes may be either open on immersion, or, as it tnay be easier on beginning, while under the water. After this, water should be squirted briskly into the eyes by a syringe. On the first trials the eyes may be closed, and opened immediately after the dash, but they will soon be able to bear the shock when open. You must then, with the hands, and using soap, wash well the armpits, the breast and loins, the back of the neck, behind the ears, and the arms up to the top of the shoulders. After having dried well with a very coarse cloth, you may finish with a fine towel, and then rub with a hard fleshbrush over the body, wherever you can conveniently reach, particularly the chest, arms, abdomen, and small of the back. This will, altogether, occupy, even when well accustomed to it, about ten minutes, but it will be time well bestowed.

17. The advantages arising from this are considerable. I say with confidence that it is, when assisted by cleaning the teeth, a certain preventive of that galling pain the toothache, and also a cure for those afflicted with it. It will also prevent rheumatism in the limbs and rheumatic affections. It so fortifies and strengthens the system, that those who are long in the practice are riot nearly so apt to take cold as others, nor are they so liable to coughs. It clears and improves the sight, and contributes much to its duration. And any benefits, whether real or imaginary, that may be derived from an air-

a f h, are here attained.

18. But nothing is done unless combined with tnuleviating regularity. People are, on those occasions, generally very determined in fine weather, but when winter comes, their courage and perseverance slacken.