HEALTH COLUMN. A SIMPLE HELP TO HEALTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 35

HEALTH COLUMN. A SIMPLE HELP TO HEALTH.

Dr Q. Monod, one of ' the most distinguished and successful medical men of recent times in Paris, has lately published a useful paper on the best means of preserving ! health. One of the chief methods recommended by him is sure to command wide attention at once from the simplicity of the advice and the eminence of the adviser. Dr Monod has for some time retired from practice, having made more than a competency from his profession, and is now .devoting his time to philanthropic and religious objects. It was he who built and presented to the Paris Missionary Society the new hall and offices where its important business is transacted. In the operations of that society, which has done so much for Africa, from Basutoland to the Zambesi, he takes lively interest. The doctor is now 85 years of age, but, as he himself tells us, he is " hale and well, without any marked infirmity, in spite of the many risks and trials to health in the life of a medical practitioner." He attributes this preservation of health to a careful observance of all hygienic rules which he could attend to, and especially to the simple pro- : cess which he now recommends from his own life-long experience. He publishes his advice not in a scientific or Society journal, but in the popular and widely-circulated [ Almanach dcs bons Oonseils, where it will be seen by all classes of readers, even in the humblest walks of life. . We have heard much lately about massage, and medical rubbing of various kinds by skilled or pretentious operators. Dr Monod's plan is also on. the principle of friction or rubbing, but the sole requisites for his process are a pair of hair gloves and a rough towel, with a few minutes of hard and regular exertion every morning. To many Englishmen there will be nothing new in his prescription. But before describing the process, he presents a few general remarks on health, which are wertby of attention. jLeaying out of view the many cases of

accidents/and ofrseriousjconstitutional maladies requiring, the care of the surgeon ox the physician, Dr Monod reminds that by far the largest number of diseases and disorders are such as are brought on by neglecting the, ordinary laws of health, and the prevention or cure of which are within oar own power. . . « I think it is needless," he says, "to j enumerate among the.rauses of this neglect the evils produced directly by intemperance, I debauchery, excessive smoking, and other i abuses to which unrestrained appetites prompt men. It seems to me that the fools who give themselves up to these excesses are trying to solve this problem, I How can we best and mosfc Quickly destroy that health which Gtod has bestowed upon us ? ' Ido not address myself to those who are, alas! incorrigible and imperviotls to reason, I address myself to persons of good cense.and right feeling who have the desire to know, what is best, and the will to follow it, in regard to their health ; and to them I offer adrife about a method very simple and easy to carry out, but far too much neglected." In order that all the organs of the body — brain, heart, lungs, stomach, and the restshould perform their functions properly, it is essential that the skin should perform its part aright. If the functions of the skin were entirely suspended, as by encasing it in some impermeable substanoe, life could not long be sustained. If, on the contrary, the skin performs its functions perfectly, all the other organs benefit by the good health of the skin, and are thereby disposed to work well. The general condition of health may be said to depend very much on that of the skin; the important functions performed by which it is not necessary to enlarge upon. To keep the skin in proper condition several means are used '. 1. Tepid bathing, ",and well soaping the body. This is good, as far as it can be done, but working people and the poor cannot always afford the time and money for frequent warm or tepid baths, nor are they suited to all constitutions. 2. Gold baths, douches, and other appliances. These also. are useful for general health, but not in all cases ; and the} are, besides, insufficient to remove from the skin the layer of injurious matter which the skin is perpetually secreting or withdrawing from the body— that which fouls the linen or flannel in contact with it. 3. Dry rubbing or friction by some substance more or less rough is by far the simplest and most efficacious method of cleansing the skin from this foul investiture, and keeping it in health-working condition. This method of treating the skin has been used and recommended by physicians from the remotest antiquity, but its value has been muoh lost sight of in modern times, and it is necessary to invite greater attention to it. Dr Monod's own experience we, have already referred to, and he attributes to the custom of this dry rubbing his whole body eveTj morning, more than to any other hygienic care, the healtbfenjoyed by him in his old age. He is not singular in this strong recommendation of rubbing or shampooing, although little is said .in professed medical treatises about an operation so simple, and not demanding medical attendance. Sir John Sinclair, in his "Code of Health and Longevity," a book once widely known and valued, has a section on Friction. He says t II The ancients placed a high value upon it, whereas the moderns pay little attention to this useful practice." He quotes Dr Cadogan, who in his treatise on gout refers to the shampooing in the East, where " rich Asiatics employ people to rub, chafe, and pat them all over without any labour or exertion of their own powers. This daily practice in hot countries is not only conducive to health, but a great luxury." Sir John Sinclair then gives his v own recommendation of the practice in a variety of circumstances, both for children and adults. Thus, in regard to indigestion or dyspepsia, he says: " Friotion, with flannel or with a flesh-brush, applied ,for half an hour every morning, will strengthen the stomach and organs connected therewith, more than moderate exercise for a whole day." And, again : " There is no practice so likely to be useful for those who are apt to catch cold, or who are troubled with headache. ... It promotes circulation and perspiration, opens the pores, forces the fine vessels, strains and purifies the blood, and this without the assistance of any internal stimulus. It is this that keeps horses in health with very little exercise." So much from Sir John Sinclair's Code of Health. Now let us return to Dr Monod, whose own words we again quote : " During more than 50 years of my medical practice I have witnessed very many good and sometimes wonderful effects of these frictions among those of my clients who have had the firmness of mind necessary for persevering in this habit. If time 'and strength allow, I hope to give a detailed account of the results. Hitherto I have only called public attention to the matter in a little treatise, published in 1882 (Fischbacher, 33 Rue de Seine), entitled' " Nos Enfants," and in that work I chiefly referred to the hygienic management of children, but I am glad of the opportunity of addressing myself through a pdpular almanac to all reasonable people. And I hope that many will listen to the advice of an aged friend, speaking to them, as it were, almost from beyond the tomb." The Bubstance most suitable for the friction is horsehair, but for women and children goatskin is sufficiently rough . The whole apparatus consists of a pair gloves such as are now sold under the name of loofahs— the loofah being the skeleton of an Egyptian cucumber. One glove is not enough, it takes doable the time, and does the work less I effectually. With both hands gloved, the j lower limbs and portions of the body are first thoroughly rubbed, and afterwards the arms and chest,, and the head last. Many persons, from habit, will prefer cold sponging or bathing before the rubbing, but it is the robbing that is the essential process. Dr Monod says that his custom all his life has been to begin the rubbing the moment he gets out of bed, the washing being after instead of before. Ooldsponging increases the efficacy of the friction, the effect of which is soon apparent in the freer circulation of the blnod and play of the lungs, in the invigorated tone of the whole frame, improvement of.

appetite, and increased vigour both of body and, mind, $ot the 1 least important of the incidental benefits, for those especially whose work or duty requires them to be early out of doors» is the power of better resisting the cold. Catarrh or' cough rarely troubles those who hate thus fortified themselves by securing healthy action of the Bkin.

Active Sbrvicb candc* "w-»r out th» teeth that .ire brushed daily with BowiaMDS' ODOMTO. All dentists allow that neither waehei cr-uastes^ tire a» efficacious for polishing the teeth and 'keeping thea sound and wjiite as a pure 'and n^t^ritty; tooth powder ; such as ROWLANDS' Ooonxo hai» alwajt proved itself- It whltem the teeth, prevents and arrests decay, strengthen! the gums, and gives a pleasing fragrance to the breath. BOWLASDS Esskncb op QJi'liß is a harmless preparation for dyeiDg the bair a permanent brown or black. Ask chemists and storekeepers for Bowlahiw* articles, ol 20 Hattoft Garden, London,- and avoid •purious imitation*. ' ' : * / : " ■ n _ , ' - '"■"■ '"'