Offering the best to visitors, showing a polite regard to every wish expressed, and giving precedence to them, in all matters of comfort and convenience, can be easily combined with the easy freedom which makes the stranger feel as if at home; and this is the perfection of hospitable entertainment.
CHAPTER XXXI.
LAWS OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
It is hoped a day will come when these laws of God will be put on tablets in school-rooms and houses, as are the ten commandments in our churches, and that all children will be trained fully to understand them, and then to commit them to memory.
Laws of Health for the Bones.
Exercise daily in pure air, because it nourishes and gives strength to the bones. Do not habitually keep the spine out of its natural position, either when sleeping or sitting, because deformity and disease are thus induced. Never compress the chest or ribs, because it diminishes chest breathing, and thus lessens the needful amount of nourishing oxygen; and for the same reason, support all clothing from the shoulders, because any pressure on the hips and abdomen lessens abdominal breathing.
Never wear high heels, because it tends to produce internal displacement, to distort the foot, the spine, and the ankles, causes corns and bunions, and makes a graceful walk impossible. An unfailing cure for corns and bunions is once a week to soak the foot half an hour in four quarts of quite warm water, in which is dissolved a bit of soda the size of a large walnut. Three or four times will relieve and probably cure.
Laws of Health for the Muscles.
Supply pure blood and healthful food, because these are indispensable to their health and strength. Exercise all the muscles, so as to secure the healthful development of all, and avoid weakening them by excessive exercise. Change inactive habits not suddenly, but by a gradual increase of exercise. When too weak to exercise, employ an operator to increase the flow of blood to the muscles by pressure and rubbing. Never compress any of the muscles by tight clothing, because it diminishes the flow of blood and thus of nutriment. As pure air and light cause increase of strength, let all exercise be by daylight. Avoid increase of exercise when the air is impure, as it usually is in night-gatherings.
Laws of Health for the Lungs.