HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 58

HEALTH COLUMN.

Hygiene.

When the people whom we are accustomed to call " uncivilised " eat too much, and suffer from pains and nightmares in consequence, they believe their internals to be possessed by an evil spirit. Fever, disease, and death are also the work of evil spirits, and it follows that their medicineman is a magician who unites a very -until I knowledge ot healing herbs with a very extensive knowledge of the ways of these "unfriendly spirits. This way of regarding disease is by no means uncommon among the uneducated in our own country, r.'ot m long ago I was seriously recommend ad by a farmer's wife to wear a " charm " for yn obstinate physical weakness, many ins!.aa'3es of its efficacy, even in cases of heart disease, having come under her notice.

What were the causes of disease and whao conditions promote health seem to have been little better understood for many centuries in our European civilisation, to judge by ihe " letting of blood " ond the fantastic and nauseous draught;, administered by doctors, and prayer offered up by the church for the " staying of the plague." It was not until this century it was clearly understood that the plague, will not yield to prayer, but to cleanliness, and so with all other infectious diseases. One of the most astonishing features in the ancient Jewish nation is that they understood the most important laws of health, particularly sanitation and personal cleanliness, as anyone may learn who reads Leviticus.

For many hundreds of years our wisest " leeches " really succeeded in making people believe that they could drive out disease by means of drugs. Most of them work or that principle yet, and are sure to prescribe a " bottle " if you con&ult them Being curious to know if they really be--Keyed in their stuff, I asked a medical man if his drugs really did any good, and why they always prescribe something of that sort. " Because people expect it, and many arc disappointed if they don't get it. ' Can't you give me something to do me good?' they generally ask." Eo added that he kept a large bottle of a harmless,- coloured mixture at hand: In mild cases of disorder or debility it pleased the patient, and did no harm. Of course, he admitted that no drug ever cures. Many, acting through the digestion, have an alterative effect upon the secretions, and so may assist the body to throw off some of its poisons.

All medical men now admit to themselves and occasionally to an intelligent patient that they cannot cure disease or prevent it. They study the body and the laws of health, and can tell you — if they would — • how best to keep well ; and, if you are ill, Low to avoid becoming worse, and how to give nature a fair chance .to heal you. In shojt, the first and last duty of a. doctor is to teach others the laws of health. These are included in what is called " hygiene." And if it were possible for every individual ir the world to observe these laws all the days of his life, there would be little, if any, disease 01 weakness, and we should all die of old age.

The laws of health are as simple as dipping in Jordan seven times. 'Good food, cleanliness of house and person, fresh air, sufficient exerci&e and rest are all that is necessary for perfect health in ordinary circumstances. It is easier in the country than in town, for there pure air is available all day long, and we are not in danger from our neighbour's uncleanness. An agricultural labourer will have lifelong health, without ever giving a thought to hygienic conditions, because the necessities of his work provide these.

There are many things hurtful to health that are outside all ordinary hygienic laws — such aa accidents, inherited weakness of constitution, anxiety, Avorry, over-pressure, mental strain of any kind. The most healthful, physical conditions help one to bear up longer, but they do not altogether protect against such influences. When harm has done, j:)liysic can do nc good. R-eniove the cause if posbible, cultivate healthy habits, and Nature will do the rest.

Open Air Treatment for Consumption. — There have been some remarkable effects of the open-air treatment upon patients at the North London Hospital for Consumption at Hampstead. In course of a chat the other day the. medical officer stated that in all cases where the disease was caught in its early stages, absolute cure seemed possible within three months. During the first six months of 1899 some 183 patients were subjected to th experiment, including all kinds of cases, men, ■women, and children, from those in an early stage to others in an advanced stage. The result showed that 75 per cent, of the total cases were practically cured.. The difference between the old and the new, method, as described by the doctor, is that the former is known as the systematic and. the other as hygienic treatment. Formerly, if a patient had a cough or a fever, or particular pains, the chief aim was to bring relief to the affected -parts. Now. the main thing considered is to get up a patient's strength by fresh air, good feeding, and regular exercise. By doing this