An introduction to the watercure Author:Thomas Low Nichols Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: that ho gratify tlw instinct ot'cleanliness, and so keep his skjn in proper condition; sixth, that his muscular powers huve due and pleasant exercise ; seventh, ... more »that his intellectual faculties ami social affections are developed in harmony with the ends of his existence. The conditions of health are few and simple. They are in accordance with our own unperverted instincts, and may be learned of our near relations, the beasts of the field and the birds of tho air. The life of a bird or beast, in its natural state, is one of simple conformity to nature, and health and fullness of Jays are the consequences. Let man be as true to his nature ns are the unperverted beings around him, aud he would be as healthy and proportionally as long-lived. What! would you have us live in a state of nature ? Assuredly. Would you violate nature ? God made us as He made nil nature, and His works should be in harmony. But, by a state of nature, I do not mean a savage or barbarous state. There are other vices than those of civilization, and other perversions of nature than its so-called refinements. What man really wants, for health, may be comprised in a few words. A good constitution, simple food, cleanliness, a pure air, proper shelter aud clothing, exercise, freedom from care, refining pursuits and recreations, and happy domestic relations. Health, being the result of the regular performance of all the functions of life, any variation from such regularity is disease. Health gives full and beautiful development; the want of such development is a symptom of disease or disordered function. Health is characterized by vigor; weakness and indolence are the effects of disease. In health we have " strength of body, serenity of mind, and a keen enjoyment of all the blessings of life." la disease we h...« less