Reforms and the Courage to Lead Them
By J. H. Ginley
REFORMS of all kind are attended with care and perplexity. But few have the courage to bear up under the opposing influences incident to such undertakings. Popularity and the speech of people deter many noble minds from yielding to the convictions of their better judgment, and standing for the right. Hence, the few have to lead out in all these revolutions, and perhaps for years toil on alone, and may be left with little accomplished; but from these small beginnings some new ideas may be dropped, as seeds, to germinate in other fertile minds, and these seeds sown by the former investigators are grappled by the second, to be brought to a higher degree of perfection, and placed upon a firmer basis. Reform presupposes the existence of errors which make such reform necessary. Thus in the great Reformation in the days of Luther, the prevailing system of Christianity became so corrupt that that holy man saw the need of a complete change and a higher standard of morality. To accomplish this, he devoted the energies of his whole mind and strength; and Christianity to-day is enjoying the comforts secured by that man of God. Refined civilization has introduced many ideas which cause a wide departure from the plain, natural habits of life. The introduction of these has brought about changes which are very detrimental to health, and have become a prominent cause of much of the mortality of the human race. Thousands die, who ought to, and might, be alive to-day had these causes been corrected. Sickness among families, in neighborhoods, &c., may always be traced to a cause which, if sought out and corrected, soon puts an end to physical disturbances. This cause may exist in ill-ventilated houses, improper food, insufficient clothing, foul emanations from piggeries, and in a large majority of cases it arises from out-houses in the form of sulphureted hydrogen, one of the most deadly gases. These houses should have careful attention, or should give place to the more modern invention, called earth closets. How many there are who have sore eyes, sore throats, &c., because they occupy close bedrooms whose only window is frequently darkened by green window curtains, upon which may be seen streaks as from water running over their surfaces. The carbon exhaled during the night causes the arsenic of the green to decompose, hence the streaks. This being re-inhaled, headaches, nose-bleed, diseases of the eyes, throat, &c., are the sure results. The light and air being excluded, a fungus growth of mold, and other parasites, conspire to make it one of the most unhealthy places about the premises. Then, again, the alvine discharges left in open vessels emit deadly odors which no constitution can long withstand. In these small sleeping apartments may be frequently found in addition to the parents, from one to six children. The poisoned air thus breathed over and over, causes epidemics which carry off these children one after another, until all are either dead or made invalids for life. Water which has stood for some time in the house should not be used for drink or culinary purposes, as it is one of the greatest agents to absorb impurities of the house and atmosphere. Add to these causes, late suppers, pastries, candies, heated rooms, and little exercise, and death has but little else to do than to use the weapons thus readily furnished him in almost every household. Fashion in dress, fashion in eating and drinking, both in season and out of season, with evil habits of every kind, have all told wonderfully upon the human race. Through these influences, disease and premature decay and decrepitude are seen everywhere. Cripples may be counted by millions, of every form and grade, many of whom have been so from birth, because of the errors of their parents, while others were made so by using drugs of various kinds. At this time there is surely need of reform in these matters, and here steps forward another grand movement designed to benefit the human family at large. This movement is known to the public under the title of health reform. This reform proposes to reach the people where they are. It appeals at once to their reason, to their candor and sound judgment. It neither abuses any, nor deprives them of their rights or privileges, but instead, seeks to elevate them, and to unloose the shackles of habits by which popular society has enslaved them. Health reform with its benign influence is presented to the people as a protection against the physical errors of fashionable life. It takes by the hand many who have admired the goddess of fashion and bowed at her shrine all their lives, and leads them to respect the laws which nature’s God has established for their well-being. Health and vigor then begin to chase away the gloom; and sunshine, animation, and life, soon take their places. J. H. GINLEY, M. D. Health Institute, Battle Creek.