St. Tammany Farmer

The Principle and Practice of Health

By EDWARD B. WARMAN
(Author "Scientific Physical Training." Former Editor Health Department Ladies' Home Journal.)

(Copyright, 1905, by J.B. Bowles.)

Introductory Article of a Health Series by a Famous Expert—"Health Is Your Birthright" Drugs Never Cure, But Will Tide Over Emergencies—Health Essentials—The Seven Indications of Health—"No Hard and Fast Rules" Subjects to Be Considered

When an author writes a book, he writes a preface; the preface is a key that in a measure reveals the contents of the book. If the reader interested, he proceeds; if not, he seldom goes beyond the mere introduction. If, instead of a book, it is a series of articles the same rule holds good. If the writer is a specialist, the reader wishes to know at the outset—first, is he a mere theorist or does he practice what he preaches? Second what are the results of his observation and experience? Third are his teachings such that one can practically apply them and receive the desired benefits?

In answer to the first. I quote from the Chicago Daily Tribune as far back as 1888: Mr. Warman is not merely a theorist. but practices what he preaches, and is in consequence one of the healthiest and most vigorous of men."

Second, my observation and experience have been such as to warrant the assertion that health is your birthright. If you have not come in possession of it or. having possessed it have since lost it, you may still have it. "If thou wilt thou canst be made whole." but you must exercise the will.

Third. laying hold of the principles that I shall endeavor to inculcate you will surely reap your reward, and that reward is health.

Fundamental Principles.

Health! What is it? Health is wholeness. It therefore stands to reason that there can be no modification or qualification of that term, no such thing as good health, poor health, ill health; but simply and gloriously health, every letter of which is a capital. Besides, health is just as contagious as disease. I hope that every reader of these articles will come so closely in touch with the writer as to feel the effects of that contagion and go forth assured that he has a new lease on life.

But can I get health without drugs?

You can never get it with drugs. Drugs never cured anybody. Every reliable physician will tell you that. Nature cures. If drugs would cure the acute cases, there would be no chronic ones.

The doctors. God bless them--the good ones. the noble self-sacrificing guys. There are very few of them that would give you drugs if you would take advice instead, but you do not feel that you get your money's worth unless you carry away a prescription or a bottle. But there are doctors and doctors. Some of them represent patience on a monument; some of them put their patients under a monument.

Still I believe in the physician -the good one. Sometimes a man's life is saved by the absence instead of the presence of the physician. A friend of mine in Washington, D. C., told me of a physician neither noted nor skillful that saved his life after the most noted physicians had given him up.

When I asked him to explain this apparent Inconsistency, he facetiously remarked: As a last resort we sent for him but he didn't come.

Truly, many a man's life has been saved by the physician not getting there, but I am also frank to admit that the timely arrival of a physician has saved many a life.

I verily believe that the late Sir Morrell McKenzie, M. D.. was right when he declared "If there were no doctors nor drugs in the world, the rate of mortality would be less."

Why Because of the indiscriminate use of drugs and that nature would have better chance to. right the wrong It should be remembered that Dr McKenzie died of a disease of which he was a specialist of International reputation. It had become chronic. No drug could cure him.

As teacher of physical education and hygiene; having lectured and taught in every state and territory and many of the provinces of Canada, and that experience extending over a period of 37 years, I have come to the position where I can view all remedial agencies without prejudice; hence am not a physical training crank. I will put my decision in a few brief sentences thus:

(1) While drugs do not cure, they will sometimes tide over a case of .emergency -not by aiding nature, but by opposing and arousing to greater action as in the case of a torpid liver. Tis true, the system may be somewhat weakened by getting rid of the disease, plus the drug

(2) So great is the power of suggestion (unexpressed) in the giving and taking of medicine that no one can say just how much is due to the suggestion, how little to the drug. -

(3) The drug habit will continue until the people shall have been educated to the fact that all of the health essentials are found in fresh air, wholesome food, pure water and exercise

(4) The efficiency of the drug is coupled with right thinking. more potent in its effect upon the body through the agency of the mind.

(5) Imagination may cause a disease but the disease thus caused is not an allopathic mental treatment on a Imaginary In this case I would apply homeopathic principle similia simili-

(6) My conclusion is that drugs may be used effectively. but the cure is not due to the effectiveness of the What Are the Indications of Health,

there are seven, Not merely one. but all of these-are In evidence where Health abounds. Health is synonymous

of ease and harmony: .lack of health. disease "and inharmony,-ixii.:

(1) Correct position of the body when sitting or Standing.

(2) Correct carriage of, the body when walking.

(3) Diaphragmatic breathing.

(4) A clear complexion.

(5) A bright eye.

(6) A sweet breath.

(7) An odorless body.

To acquire all of these is the great desideratum and, as a word of encouragement. I assure you that I can and will vouchsafe HEALTH to all who conform to the general teachings as outlined in this series of articles. Bear in mind there will be nothing dogmatic. no hard and fast rules, but a setting forth of certain well-defined, thoroughly-tested principles from which every one may choose intelligently and thereby be a law unto himself-after having become familiar with the law.

The following subjects will be duly and carefully considered, viz.:

Correct position and how to obtain it.

My three pet exercises for health.

Eating for health.

Drinking for health.

Bathing for health.

Breathing for health.

Bicycling for health.

Color of clothing as affecting health.

Underwear (silk, wool, cotton, linen) as affecting health.

Insulation as affecting health

Stair-climbing as a health exercise.

How to avoid catching cold.

How to woo and win sleep in two minutes.

Only three exercises? Yes. Those three, without apparatus, will add years to your life and life to your years. I give greater prominence, as will be seen, to the subject of hygiene than to physical training. Why? Because the average person gets more or less physical exercise (the majority less); also for the very good reason that physical training, of itself, does not insure health. (Many athletes die ere middle life and few athletes or teachers of physical training are WELL t. e., have health).

It took me 20 years out of my 37, as a teacher of physical education, to learn this lesson-this lesson that I purpose teaching you. Since learning it-the value of right living I have not been ill or tired (in the 17 years) yet am never idle except when asleep -from six to eight hours.

I merely mention this little matter for the sake of encouragement to those who desire health, strength and longevity.

(Prof. Warman's next article will deal with correct position and how to attain it.)