How to Get Well.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 141, 13 February 1907, Page 10

How to Get Well.

A recent number of the English White Ribbon has a helpful article, in dialogue form, on the above subject.

One girl is lamenting her lack of health, and also her lack of money, which she supposes prevents her from adopting means of cure. Her girl friend takes her to see one Sybil Adams, who relates her own experience in the cpiest for health in the following words. “ Well. Miss Walters,” said Sybil, “ 1 don’t think there was a more miserable girl in London, so far as ill-health goes, than I was a year ago.’ “What doctor did you go to?” asked Amy. “ None at all. I had had enough of doctors and medicines as a small girl at home, and 1 was tired of both. I bad nothing radically wrong with me, but was bloodless and weak, and found life a burden. I happened to hear one day of some lectures on health and attended them. What I learned I put into practice, with the result that I have to-day splendid health —it is a pleasure to be alive! “ I don’t pretend to medical knowledge 4. What 1 learned was simply the common rules of health, which, 1 suppose, are so common that |x*ople pay no heed to them.” “ What medicine did you take, inquired Amy. “ None at all, replied Sybil. “ 1 used in days gone by t<* Ik* always dosing myself with medicines, as I have already told you ; now I go in for Nature’s cures, and 1 am well.” Her appearance certainly confirmed her words “But tell me, what did von do?” said Amy. “As regards my diet, I eat no meat, and since those terrible revelations regarding American tinned meats I ain not sorry I don’t ! My food is pure and therefore my blood is pure. Mine is such a simple, delicious diet —wheat, vegetables, fruit, dairy produce and water. What more does anyone want ? “ Do you drink tea or coffee ? “ Neither. I got a quarter of a pound of tea today, because you were both coming this evening, and would pro-

bably think me a stingy old maid or an escaped lunatic, if 1 offered you a glas> of water, but I never drink it myself! Why should 1, when 1 have such a delicious beverage as water? Listen to this,” and Sybil drew a slip of pajier from her pocket-book. “‘A French doctor, Dr. Donnadieu, Medical Major of the 4th Chasseurs, writes to a French magazine: There never was in the world since it came into existence and there never will be as long as it is in existence But One Single Hygienic Drink and that is pure water. All the progress of science, physical, chemical and biological, will never prevail to disprove this truth.’ There,” said Sybil as she replaced the cutting, “ 1 quite agree with Dr. Donnadieu ! If 1 feel very tired, I sip slowly a glass of hot milk, or hot water—they are both excellent restoratives. But I usually drink cold water, and plenty of it, five or six glasses a day, and chiefly between meals. The lecturer told us that three-fourths of our bodies consist of water, and that most people do not drink nearly enough water. Then there is no better cosmetic for the skin than rain water, so we need not envy the rich who pay half a guinea a bottle for their cosmetics; we can put out a pail when it rains and get the best skin lotion ‘ free, gratis and for nothing. Again, there is nothing better for the hair than cold water. Dip your fingers in cold water and rub it into the roots of the hair; you will find it a splendid tonic. Of course, there is the question of bathing daily. If you can’t stand a cold bath, take, at all events, a cold douche at the conclusion of vour warm hath; you will find it very bracing. Before I leave the subject of diet I might as well add that it is better to err on the side of under-eating rather than over-eating. It is a mistake toeat between meals; our digestion re (pi ires rest, and it is very important to eat slowly. These things may seem very trifling, but they make all The Ditterence between Health and 111-health, and that is no trifle! “ 1 learned to sleep with my window open all the year round—fresh air is s<> important. Then I go in for deepbreathing exercises, morning and evening, for ten minutes at a time; sn | I never catch cold, even in the worst weather. Of course, I shun those

abominations —tight corsets, high heels and trailing skirts. This bed-sitting room of mine is small, so, as you see, I have as little furniture in it as I can possibly do with. It is so much easier to keep clean and free from dust if it is not crowded with useless draperies and knick-knacks. It is wonderful how few things are really necessary, and how happy people can be whose wants are few.

“I am thankful to say that 1 learned at those lectures that health is not gained by indulging in champagne at 60s. per dozen bottles, and ‘crusted port, six years in bottle,’ but by using God s free gifts of fresh air, sunshine, water, and by living a simple, natural life. I would not change places with tin* rich, luxurious-living people for anything! ”