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Use of Remedies
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requires work that many are unwilling to perform. But none should
feel excused for ignorance or indifference on this subject. There are
many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check
disease. All should become intelligent in its use in simple home
treatments. Mothers, especially, should know how to care for their
families in both health and sickness.
Action is a law of our being. Every organ of the body has its
appointed work, upon the performance of which its development and
strength depend. The normal action of all the organs gives strength
and vigor, while the tendency of disuse is toward decay and death.
Bind up an arm, even for a few weeks, then free it from its bands,
and you will see that it is weaker than the one you have been using
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moderately during the same time. Inactivity produces the same
effect upon the whole muscular system.
Inactivity is a fruitful cause of disease. Exercise quickens and
equalizes the circulation of the blood, but in idleness the blood
does not circulate freely, and the changes in it, so necessary to life
and health, do not take place. The skin, too, becomes inactive.
Impurities are not expelled as they would be if the circulation had
been quickened by vigorous exercise, the skin kept in a healthy
condition, and the lungs fed with plenty of pure, fresh air. This state
of the system throws a double burden on the excretory organs, and
disease is the result.
Invalids should not be encourage in inactivity. When there has
been serious overtaxation in any direction, entire rest for a time will
sometimes ward off serious illness; but in the case of confirmed
invalids, it is seldom necessary to suspend all activity.
Those who have broken down from mental labor should have
rest from wearing thought; but they should not be led to believe that
it is dangerous to use their mental powers at all. Many are inclined
to regard their condition as worse than it really is. This state of mind
is unfavorable to recovery, and should not be encouraged.
Ministers, teachers, students, and other brain workers often suffer
from illness as the result of severe mental taxation, unrelieved by
physical exercise. What these persons need is a more active life.
Strictly temperate habits, combined with proper exercise, would
ensure both mental and physical vigor, and would give power of
endurance to all brain workers.