FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108  
109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   >>  
e used, however, than seems judicious. Pernicious habits may be formed in this respect, which should be corrected, though we are aware some natures are more delicate and sensitive to cold than others. Many there are, who sleep with their heads covered; this is highly destructive to health, and cases of scrofula may be directly traced to this custom. The poisonous exhalations from the body, together with the constant exhaustion of the oxygen from breathing, renders this confined air foul to the last degree. "The custom of covering the faces of children with the bed-clothes," says the celebrated Florence Nightingale, "produces a large share of the cases of scrofula found among them." Invalids afflicted with catarrhal troubles should be careful to sleep upon their sides with their faces as much downward as possible, and dispense with all proppings, except a small thin pillow, the end of which will serve to give the right inclination to the face. The reasons for this, in these cases, are so obvious that there is no need of their statement here. The side is, for that matter, the best attitude for the sleeper in all cases, as also is a very slight elevation of the head, since the flow of the blood is less obstructed. The habit of throwing yourself down to rest during the day without extra covering, is a source of many colds. The invalids should remove their outer dress wholly and get into bed, and thus secure not only immunity from possible colds, but a better circulation of the blood than they can have if this is not done. Avoid the taking of colds in every way possible; and to do this, watchfulness and care is needed. Never sit in a draught in either private or public assemblies; no, not even if in church. There is no law of courtesy which requires any one to inflict suffering on themselves, or perhaps to endanger their lives, out of regard to numbskulled architects or incompetent "building committees." If a cold is taken give it prompt attention, and "scotch" it in the bud if possible. As to treatment, all are apt to have some favorite method. Pursue any rational course in which you have most faith, only so that you remain in your room, eat little or nothing, and keep the system unobstructed. Bathing should not be neglected, and cold water baths in summer are refreshing and should be frequently indulged; but in winter, temper the water so as not to shock the system. This jumping into ice-cold water may do for
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108  
109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   >>  



Top keywords:

custom

 

covering

 

scrofula

 
system
 

neglected

 

summer

 

taking

 
refreshing
 

private

 

unobstructed


public

 

draught

 
needed
 

Bathing

 

watchfulness

 
frequently
 

wholly

 

jumping

 

remove

 

source


invalids
 

circulation

 
indulged
 

winter

 

secure

 

temper

 

immunity

 

assemblies

 
attention
 

scotch


prompt
 

committees

 

treatment

 

rational

 
Pursue
 

remain

 

favorite

 

method

 
building
 

requires


inflict

 

courtesy

 

church

 

suffering

 
regard
 

numbskulled

 

architects

 

incompetent

 
endanger
 

attitude