It is proved by many experiments that a full-grown person vitiates a hogshead of air every hour; therefore, so ventilate every room that each inmate shall have the needful pure air at this rate, especially by night. Take care so to dress, to sit, and to lie, that the lungs shall not be compressed, and thus be deprived of the needful nourishing oxygen.
Laws of Health for the Digestive Organs.
Supply every part of the body with its peculiar nutriment; nitrogen for muscle, phosphorus for brain and nerves, carbon for the lungs, and silica, iron, etc., for other parts. Let the proportions follow the example given in wheat, milk, and eggs, which have all the elements needed and in proper proportions. According to this rule, use unbolted flour rather than superfine. In selecting food, have reference to age, climate, and state of the health. Meals should be at least five hours apart, that the stomach may rest. Do not eat between meals, as it mixes partly digested food with the new supply, and impedes digestion. Do not eat too much, because it impedes digestion, and overtaxes, and thus weakens, the organs that must throw off the excess. Eat only to satisfy hunger, and not to qualify the palate after hunger is satisfied. Do not eat a great variety, because digestion is easier and more perfect with but few articles. Let there be a variety which is successive, and not at one meal.
Do not require children to eat what they do not love, because food which is relished is better digested and more healthful. If very thirsty, drink water abundantly before eating, but sparingly at meals—only one tumbler or cup. Very hot food or drink debilitates the nerves of the teeth and stomach. Very cold water, or ice, after a full meal, interferes with digestion.
Avoid stimulating drinks, or use them very weak. A gradual diminution of strength will modify the taste, so that a weak dilution will be relished as much, or more, than a strong. Drink only pure water; filter impure water through sand and powdered charcoal. Free drinking of pure cold water between meals tends to purify the blood and strengthen the nervous system.
All the yeast-powders for raising bread are not so healthful as hop-yeast; and those recommended by Liebig & Hosford do not restore several important elements lost by bolting.
Laws of Health for the Skin.
Wash the whole body either morning or night; because its capillaries contain more blood and nerve matter than all the rest of the body; because air and light cleanse and nourish them; and because when in full health the skin throws off more than half the refuse of the body, which, if not thus expelled, goes to the lungs, or bowels, or kidneys to be expelled, often causing disease. Bath-rooms are a luxury; but a wet towel, and a screen for privacy, are equally useful. Chilling the skin closes its pores, causing colds, diarrhœa, or catarrh. Immediate and free perspiration is the safest remedy. Rely on bathing, exercise, pure air, and proper food, rather than on warm clothing and warm rooms. But persons weakened by age or nervous debility must wear more clothing than others, and bathe in a warm room, or, better, by an open fire. Any diminution of clothing should be made in the morning, when the body is most vigorous. As the body radiates its heat to adjacent cold walls, be careful to avoid sitting near them, except when well protected. Many take colds or rheumatism by sitting near church or other cold walls. Taking air and sun baths tend to strengthen the nerves, and thus the whole body. Avoid a continuous current of air on any part of the body, as the withdrawal of heat causes disease in the part thus chilled.
Expose bed-clothing and garments worn next the skin to fresh air, which removes the exhalations of the skin that otherwise would be re-absorbed. Straw and hair mattresses, and cotton comforters, should also be aired occasionally. The white dust thrown out by beating them is the scales and other refuse matter from the skin.
In epidemics, nourishing food and cleansing the skin lessens danger.