How to preserve health

Front matter

COLUMBIA LIBRARIES OFFSITE

HEALTH SCIENCES STANDARD

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Preface

The author of this work has labored with the object of giving to the pubhc an available handbook of hygiene and sick-room assistance, founded upon the most recent developments in medical knowledge. Through this medium it is designed to bring the reader into closer accord with the aims and methods of the physician.

To preserve health of body and integrity of mind both in the individual and in communities is an object worthy of the supreme endeavor of every human being, for upon these depends our own prosperity and that of our offspring. A task so important may be thought to represent the focus of our endeavor, about which all other effort radiates to a circumference of true happiness and prosperity.

He whose taste runs to quackery and old women's gossip will find little satisfaction in this book ; but he who is accessible to the voice of reason, to

science, and to a ripe experience, cannot fail of becoming an apostle to its teachings. In this belief the author is content to submit his production to the considerate interest of the public.

In conclusion, he would offer his sincere thanks to the authors whose papers, by permission, he occasionally quotes, and to their publishers, Messrs. ■William Wood in ITew York and Lea Brothers in Philadelphia.

TABI^E OF CONTENTS.

PAGE

iKTRomKrrioN 7

Part First — The Prevention of Disease 9 Food 12

Fatty and Albuminous Substances and the Carbo-Hydrates, 24 ; the Adulteration of Food, 37 ; Impediments to Nutrition, 41.

Hygienb of Different Organs 47

The Digestive Organs, 47 ; the Respiratory and Circulatory Organs, 53 ; the Skin — Dress, 62 ; Light, 73 ; the Nervous System, 77 ; the Eye, 83 ; the Ear, 87 ; the Nostrils, 88 ; the Taste, 89 ; the Voice, 90 ; the Muscles, 92 ; Variations in Individual Ability, 100.

Hygiene of Age and Occupation 103

Infancy, 103; Childhood, 115; School-children, 117; Youth, 121 ; Adult Life, 122 ; Old Age, 123 ; Health and Morals, 127 ; Marriage, 131 ; the Workshop, 133.

Hygiene of the Dwelling 138

Ventilation, 141 ; Sewerage and Drainage, 143 ; Disinfection, 150 ; Graveyards, 157; American and European Houses, 160 ; Climate, 164.

Part Second — ^The Care of the Sick 169 Nursing 170

Thb Family Physician « 184

PAGB

How TO Give Aid in Emergencies 187

Fainting and Trance, 188 ; Drowning, 192 ; Suffocation, 198 ; Sunstroke, 203; Hemorrhage, 210; Wounds, 213; Burns, 217; Poisoning, 221.

Contagious and Miasmatic Diseases 241

Intermittent and Malarial Fevers, 246 ; Typhoid Fever, 248 ; Yellow Fever, 25 1 .

Diseases of the Nervous System : 253

Hysteria, 253 ; Epilepsy and St. Vitus's Dance, 254 ; Insomnia, 256.

Diseases of Altered Nutrition 259

Anaemia 'and Chlorosis, 259 ; Dropsy, 260 ; Obesity, 261 ; Apoplexy, 264; Gout, 267; Rheumatism, 269 ; Tuberculosis, 271.

Diseases of the Respiratory Tract 272

Cough, 272; Pulmonery Consumption, 274; Croup and Diphtheria, 285 ; Asthma, 286 ; Hay Fever, 288.

Diseases of the Digestive Tract 290

Dyspepsia, 290 ; Seasickness, 297; Asiatic Cholera, 305 ; Dysentery, 308; Summer Complaint, 310; Constipation, 316; Hemorrhoids, 321.

Diseases of the Urinary Tract 324

Diseases of the Skin 326

Parasites , , 328

Motherhood. ..,».., 33Q

Introduction

As every man is in a measure the master of his own fate, he is also, to a great extent, the master of his health. Wisely and intelligently to make use of his liberty and individual rights, he must overcome many prejudices ; and this is equally the case in regard to his health. In order to understand what is really needful to a full enjoyment of health, and in order to understand the great importance of early medical assistance in cases of necessity, one must uproot various old prejudices and abandon bad habits.

The author of this little volume proposes to instruct his readers what to do that they may preserve and enjoy health and avoid sickness, in so far as human foresight can accomplish these ends. It is not intended, however, to advise them how to treat themselves in case of sickness, for the writer believes that, so soon as unmistakable signs of disease are perceived, a physician should be called.

The only exceptions are cases of emergency, especially where there is danger to life. These will be fully and extensively treated, and intelligent advice will be given. The author would think of advising even an educated layman to treat himself as little as he would of putting a loaded pistol into the hands of a child.

By carefully studying this book and by complying with the hygienic and dietetic rules herein laid down, the reader will be able to preserve his health and prolong his life. The author is very well aware of the fact that the rules of hygiene are insisted upon by every sensible physician; but he also knows very well how frequently they are disregarded and forgotten.

A good physician recognizes the value of intelligent obedience in his patients, and the exact fulfillment of his directions gives him satisfaction nearly equal to that which attends good pay for his services. It is accordingly the author's intention to impress upon the reader the necessity of living up to the wishes and advice of his physician,