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Untitled Article
them we may examine them separately ; and , as first in order , we will begin with knowledge or the teaching function , since we must know what ought to be courted and what ought to be shunned before we can , v ith any comfort , engage in the consideration of the habits and disposition to be formed , and of the methods of training necessary to accomplish the purpose aimed at . . " W \ at , then , is it desirable that all human beings should know , in order to be able each to perform his share of the work required for the general well-being ? May we not safely say that everybody ought to have
a general acquaintance with the qualities and uses of the objects that inevitably must , or probably will , be brought within the cognizance of the senses—with what the several elementary bodies , separately , and in different forms of combination , may be made the causes of—with the arts and industrial operations by which this knowledge is , and may be applied , in order to produce well-being—with the structure and functions of our own organization , considered both in its parts and in its integrity ? It need not be attempted or pretended to impart the whole of this knowledge in all its ramifications . Much of it must be reserved for
special study and application by particular professions and trades . But a general apprehension of the structure of the universe , and of man in his relation to it , with a minute and accurate knowledge , and a practised and ready skill in the application of indispensable portions ought to be as much a pro vision ^ made to await every human being , whose coming is expected , as the necessary food , clothing , and shelter . " The kind of instruction which the young are best fitted to receive in the first place , is that which is obtainable through the judicious and pleasurable exercise of their senses . This requires no painful restraint upon the restless activity of childhood , and no call
upon attention beyond their limited power of endurance . The food which they eat , the air which they breathe , the clothes which they wear , the furniture that surrounds them , the houses they live in , the inmates that associate with them , the strangers that visit , and then , the world without , according to the glimpses they catch of it—what an inexhaustible stock of exercises for the sight , the touch , the hearing , the smell , and the taste ; in the shape , colour , texture , weight , dimensions , motions , distance , odour , and taste of all these objects , and in their numbers and proportions , and the contrivances for measuring and noting them !
" Preliminary teaching , such as the teaching thus briefly indicated , will noi merely prepare , it will excite the desire to acquire the arts of reading and writing . The narratives of some things that are not within their own experience , will awaken a curiosity to learn more , and to possess the kc 3 ' of the books in which the means of gratification are locked up . The pleasure of being able to record what they have learned , and to communciate to those out of the reach of hearing , and the exquisite enjoyment connected with the power of sketching and delineating forms will speedily
overcome all disinclination so to apply , as to acquire facility , both in writing and drawing . Reading and writing , language spoken and written , oceup )' , in this method of dealing with them , tlie important position to which they are entitled among the means for obtaining knowledge , and will not be mistaken for the knowledge itself . A snd bereavement would it be felt were we deprived of our power of naming and describing things , and of communicating our feelings in regard to them ; and a sad perversion were we to mistake a familiarity with the names of things for familiarity with things and their qualities and uses .
*• From the more elementary stage , the continued investigation of the order of the universe as a whole and its parts , whether narrated by travellers , observed by themselves , or recorded from times past , will lead on to higher branches of science and more complex intellectual operations . Geography , mensuration , astronomy , and mechanics and chemistry , and their applications , will appear with all those charms in which their beauties and uses invest them to eyes and understandings not vitiated by long dwelling upon unmeaning and purposeless forms , instead of realities full of vitality and purpose .
" That portion of knowledge which is to be obtained by examining tho structure and functions of the human body separately and in connection with the external world—how the surrounding temperature , moisture , and air , act upon them—how we ought to deal with such materials us olfer themselves to us for food , clothing , fuel , and shelter , in order to developo our strength , sustain our health , and infuse vigour and energy into us , will readily be admitted into every course of instruction which is intended to comprise whatever is at the same time communicable and indispensable for our well-lieing .
I here is another portion of knowledge that must not be omitted . It can roadily be bIiowu that every man of us all greatly depends for his own wellbeing or happiness upon the conduct of his fellowmen , ns they do , in their turn , upon his . Tho investi gation of the consequences of this undcmublo and important fact , leads to tho discrimination between what conduct is good and what Imd lcuds to a thorough appreciation of what nru called the social dutiee . If , for example , it be
seen that men are dependent for their well-being upon an abundant supply of food , clothing , shelter , and fuel , and that these can only be obtained by a general prevalence of industry , skill , knowledge , and economy , and that those who are deficient in these qualities must suffer from want , or procure relief from others who are preeminently gifted with these qualities , does it not follow that to work , to apply , to learn , and to save , are social duties ? And if it be seen that division of labour , interchange , partnerships , buying
and selling , and credit and confidence materially assist man in making his labour productive , does it not follow that honesty , fidelity , punctuality , and order , are social duties ? It need scarcely be mentioned , that , as drunkenness is sure to incapacitate for the proper performance of these duties , so its opposite , sobriety , must be classed among social duties , lhat a population knowing these duties and performing them will surely be in possession of abundant supplies of the necessaries and comforts of life , seems to be one of those truths so obvious that to enunciate it
is enough . In tfoose agreeable memoirs written by Huet , the Bishop of Avranches , seldom read because written in Latin , there is a biographical confirmation of what in the extract just quoted is said respecting the awakened curiosity . Before he knew his ABC , he anticipated from hearing his father read out of a book , the pleasure he himself should receive when he also could read ; and , having learned to read , the sight of another with a letter in his hand inspired him with the desire of being able to commit his thoughts to paper . Yet upon this obvious principle how little of ordinary teaching rests ! Instead of awakening curiosity and feeding that , the teacher sets before his pupil a task .
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PHILOSOPHY OP THE WATER CUBE . The Philosophy of the Water Cure ; a Development of the True Principles of Health and Longevity . By John Balbirnie , M . D . Simpkin and Marshall . ( Second Notice . ') Havin-g in the former article pointed out one radical error in the Philosophy of the Water Cure , viz ., the belief in a vis medicatrix natures , we will now , before endeavouring to point out the advantages of the system , suggest where the theory remains hazy and incomplete in respect of stimulants . be no
A ir ^ m need physiologist to be aware of the important part played by stimulants in the animal economy ; but great confusion exists even in the minds oF scientific men on this subject , as may be seen when they arc . found lauding and abusing in the same breath the use of stimulants . Whatever accelerates the vital processes is a stimulus . A mutton chop is a stimulus , so is a glass of wine ; a breaths of air is a stimulus , so is a dash of cold water . The question of use is a question of degree . A drunkard is no demonstration of the essentially
bad qualities of wino and spirits , and can only be made so by a logic which would condemn mutton chops , because a man had killed himself by eating too much mutton . It is perfectly true that alcohol can be detected in the brains of habitual drunkards , but what is the condition of the habitual glutton ' s brain ? Dr . Balbirnie is very emphatic in his condemnation of spirits , but he recommends tea for its exhilarating effect upon the body and mind ; in what then , except in the degree , does the stimulus often differ from the stimulus of wine ?
But our purpose is not to speak against Teetotalism—a very salutary and very important movement , though like most reformations , exaggerated in its statements— we are dealing here with Hydropathy , and criticizing its scientific pretensions ; and for this purpose , we call attention to the confusion it implies respecting the function of stimulants . Dr . Balbirnie says : — " Alcoholic drinks , fermented liquors , as well as medicinal stimulants of all kinds , should only be had recourse to on extremely rare occasions , and under circumst ances of great exhaustion , when life appears sinking . They can never be token with impunity in a Btato of health . The nutritious ingredients in any , of even the beat , of the liquors in question , are almost
im mhmU'HBimul element compared with the noxious principle they contain . The , temporary stimulus , of organic activity , and the transient exhilaration of animal feeling that / produce , is mistaken for the acquisition of strength and nourishment . This fallacy has propagated a master-evil over many climes , and throughout many generations—entailing tho ruin of countless myriads of the best and brightest , as well n » the worst and dullest of tho human Hpecies . We charitably hope , that tho times of this ignorance God winked at / ] Jut in these . days to counsel alcoholic Kliiniiliiiits to feeble suckling mothers , and d yspeptic invalids , ib inexcusable . They may , indeed , temporarily counteract exhaustion , rouse torpid nervous energy , and flog up languid vascular action—producing
a glow in the stomach , or a draught in the bosom ; but they will fail to impart available nourishment . This factitious strength is soon succeeded by increased weakness , and a more imperious demand for a repetition of the stimulant . The mischief does not rest here . For the ordinary dose failing to produce its wonted effect , a deeper and a deeper draught becomes necessary , and at last merges into a habitoften an incontrollable passion . In other cases , where the administration of wine or spirits is commonly supposed to be justifiable—in persons exhausted by inordinate fatigue , it is better to allow the system to wait and want , till an interval of repose gives time for the stomach to resume its activity—to utter the voice , and to take upon itself the supply , of the organic demands . "
We beg the reader to give this passage especial attention ; and having done so , we ask him what we are to say to a Theory which claims for Water energetic power of stimulating and accelerating the vital functions—of exalting vitality , and by so doing conquering disease ? It is as a stimulus that Water produces its greatest effects . Wherein , therefore , does the stimulus of Water differ from other stimuli ? It has no nutritive powers to give it that preference ; what is its influence on the organic tissues over and above its stimulus , which should make us welcome it as a Benefactor , while we condemn Spirits and Drugs as Poisons ? There
is obviously a weakness in the Theory here ; a whole series of investigations which Hydropathy must make , before it can be entitled to claim for Water this healthful stimulus as contradistinguished from all other stimuli . Nor should it be forgotten that the human frame gets hardened to the stimulus of water quite as much as to the stimulus of wine ; and the " three-bottle" man mayfind his companion in the " Dozen-douche " man I The danger of Hydropathy , in making men " live too fast , " has been felt by many : and we believe even Dr . Wilson is thoroughly alive to it , and warns his patients against incautious indulgence in the stimulus .
Such are our main objections to the Theory of Hydropathy ; of the Practice we know little , and on that little dare not pronounce judgment . Comparing it with Allopathy , however , we may express our belief that for the great majority of ills civilized flesh is heir to , it has decidedly the advantage both theoretical and practical . Jones is " out of order " as they say ; his mucoua membranes are relaxed ; his vital functions are feeble ; the whole " tone of his system" is low .
He visits Dr . Sarsaparilla , who , after a detailed examination of his symptoms , prescribes a tonic ( bark for instance ) , fresh air , and begs him to look after his diet . Jones pays the fee ; takes the tonic ; cannot get fresh air ; will not be scrupulous as to diet . If the relaxation of his membranes be not considerable or of long duration , he recovers his appetite and tone and thinks Dr . . Sarsaparilla " a very clever fellow . " If not , perhaps lie lingers on in an oscillating condition till a serious illness
supervenes . Smith " out of order" hears of Hydropathy . He packs up a portmanteau and sets out for Dr . Wilson . There , amidst the lovely Malvem IIills he is subjected to a rigorous regimen—wholesome food , exercise , fresh air , and the tonic of cold water—all under the watchful eye of his Vhysici ni —( whereas Jones never sees Sarsaparilla from the moment of handing his fee , and is , consequently , left to hia own imbecile guidance ) . Add to these the enormous moral effects of an entire removal from
business cares or professional anxieties—the gentle exhilaration of pleasant company—tho abruptness of the change in diet and regimen , and you will see at once that if Smith be curable , he must be cured , lint you will not see in his cure so triumphant a proof of the superiority of Hydropathy in a purely Hcientilic view . Ilring Hydropathy to the saimv ^ tests as Allopathy—let cold water have to light the , battle here in this terrible metropolis amidst the bad atmosphere , the wearing anxieties , the excessive expenditure of nervous energy , the irregular exercise , tho late honrw , the composite cookery— -and if it prove victorious .
then Allopathy may retire from the thhl . We do not say that Hydropathy is unable t <> « tail ( l tlu ! SO [< : ? ' * ' we only say that at Malvern and th « other estaMiHliinentn the " circumambient nircu w » Uinct ^ are ho enormously in its favour that uo f «" ' comparison can be made . , ¦ ., Having briefly « et forth our views on Hydropathy as a scientific Theory , we . n . iHt et Dr . HaHnrmc bo heard in eloquent e . vpoH . t . on . 11 . « excellent composition of his work renders it not dinicult lor uh to convey by extracts an adequate conception of las leading position * •'
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Oct . 11 , 1851 . ] « P $ * *****« . 971
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 11, 1851, page 971, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1904/page/15/
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