Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience any of the effects from these causes which often prove fatal.

1738. Especially Among the Sick.

In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what effect that is likely to have upon the diseased.

1739. Bad Chance.

A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness is neglected.

1740. Animal Example.

The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean. A horse that is kept thoroughly clean will thrive better on a smaller quant.i.ty of food, than with a greater where cleanliness is neglected.

1741. Our Feelings.

Even our own feelings are a sufficient proof of the necessity of cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel on being washed and dressed; especially when these have been long neglected.

[EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE IS A PAGE IN YOUR HISTORY.]

1742. Gains Esteem.

Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.

1743. Notification of Infectious Diseases.

By a recent enactment (52 and 53 Vic. c. 72) it is made compulsory that notice of infectious disease shall in all cases be given to the local authority. By section 3 this duty is imposed on the head of the family, or, failing him, the nearest relative of the patient. The notice must be in writing or print, in an approved form, and must be sent to the medical officer of health of the district. In addition to this, the medical man attending the patient must send a certificate, with all particulars, to the same official. Omitting to send either the notice or the certificate, renders the legally responsible person liable to a fine not exceeding 2. Each local authority must publish a list of the diseases to which the Act applies in its district.

1744. Exercise.

Exercise in the open air is of the first importance to the human frame, yet how many are in a manner deprived of it by their own want of management of their time! Females with slender means are for the most part destined to indoor occupations, and have but little time allotted them for taking the air, and that little time is generally sadly encroached upon by the ceremony of dressing to go out. It may appear a simple suggestion, but experience only will show how much time might be redeemed by habits of regularity: such as putting the shawls, cloaks, gloves, shoes, clogs, &c., &c., or whatever is intended to be worn, in readiness, instead of having to search one drawer, then another, for possibly a glove or collar--wait for shoes being cleaned, &c.--and this when (probably) the outgoing persons have to return to their employment at a given time. Whereas, if all were in readiness, the preparations might be accomplished in a few minutes, the walk not being curtailed by unnecessary delays.

1745. Three Princ.i.p.al Points.

Three princ.i.p.al points in the manner of taking exercise should be attended to:

i. The kind of exercise.

ii. The proper time for exercise,

iii. The duration of it.

With respect to the kinds of exercise, the various species of it may be divided into active and pa.s.sive. Among the first, which admit of being considerably diversified, may be enumerated walking, running, leaping, swimming, riding, fencing, different sorts of athletic games, &c. Among the latter, or pa.s.sive kinds of exercise may be comprised riding in a carriage, sailing, friction, swinging &c.

1746. Active Exercises.

Active exercises are more beneficial to youth, to the middle-aged, to the robust in general, and particularly to the corpulent and the plethoric.

1747. Pa.s.sive Exercises.

Pa.s.sive kinds of exercise, on the contrary, are better calculated for children; old, thin, and emaciated persons of a delicate and debilitated const.i.tution; and particularly for the asthmatic and consumptive.

1748. Time.

The time at which exercise is most proper depends on such a variety of concurrent circ.u.mstances, that it does not admit of being regulated by any general rules, and must therefore be collected from the observations made on the effects of air, food, drink, &c.

1749. Duration.

With respect to the duration of exercise, there are other particulars, relative to a greater or less degree of fatigue attending the different species, and utility of it in certain states of the mind and body, which must determine this consideration as well as the preceding.

1750. Accustomed Exercise.

That exercise is to be preferred which, with a view to brace and strengthen the body, we are most accustomed to. Any unusual one may be attended with a contrary effect.

1751. Gradual Beginning and End.

Exercise should be begun and finished gradually, never abruptly.

1752. Open Air Preferable.

Exercise in the open air has many advantages over that used within doors.

1753. Over-Indulgence.

To continue exercise until a profuse perspiration or a great degree of weariness takes place, is far from being wholesome.

1754. Early Exercise.

In the forenoon, when the stomach is not too much distended, muscular motion is both agreeable and healthful; it strengthens digestion, and heats the body less than with a full stomach; and a good appet.i.te after it is a proof that it has not been carried to excess.