Edward Sylvester Ellis

“ Taking your position in water, no higher than your breast nor shallower than your waist, you lie very gently on your back, with your chest elevated, your hands on your stomach and your feet extended in a straight line, close to the surface. If you wish to swim on your back, you have only to draw up your legs and strike out as when swimming in the natural position. ”

“ SMOKING CREATES A MORBID THIRST. The first step is cigarette smoking. It will give you catarrh, weaken the lungs, cause heart disease, destroy the health, and create a morbid thirst which will lead you to the second step,—the drinking of cider, beer, and malt liquors. Soon you will crave stronger fluids, and will swallow gin, wine, brandy, whiskey, rum, and all sorts of seductive drinks made from alcohol. ”

“ Nothing need be said concerning the importance of the study of good health. The first lesson that a child should learn is the law of his being. Hitherto the aim has been mainly to train the mind regardless of the requirements of the body. ”

“ After one's school-days are over and a young man takes up some sedentary occupation, he should manage to gain exercise every day.
The gymnasiums afford the best forms of exercise, but boys and girls can walk, run, and use some of the simpler forms of gymnastics at their homes. They should make sure they breathe pure air, that they do not form bad habits, and are regular in everything daily required of them. ”

“ THE NERVES, BRAIN, SPINAL CORD, ETC. The muscles which move the bones are themselves moved by the nerves. The nerves are soft and pulpy in youth, but harden as you advance in years. They are composed of a gray substance, called the nerve-cell, and a white substance, known as the nerve-fibre. ”

“ If one could select a fine, healthy boy of from twelve to fifteen years of age, well known for his fine physique, even 106disposition, and great strength, and start him in his career as a cigarette smoker under the observant eye of the public, what results might not accrue from such example as the panorama was unfolded to them? ”

“ A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION. Every boy and girl should cultivate a cheerful disposition. You will have grief and trouble, and must shed many a tear; but cheerfulness does more than anything else to lighten the burdens of life. ”

“ Your heart beats without any will of your own, and is therefore, controlled by involuntary muscles.
STRENGTH OF MUSCLES. A well-developed man can drag a little less than his own weight over a level surface, while a draught-horse can draw only two-thirds. The horse, therefore, is relatively weaker than man. There are some insects, however, which are able to move nearly fifty times their own weight.
From what you have learned about the 68importance of exercise, you will understand how necessary it is that every muscle should be trained. In no other way can you preserve sound, rugged health. ”

“ HYGIENE OF THE MUSCLES. When the muscles are properly used, they become large, firm, and dark red in color. Such use of them causes the skin to act freely, while the brain is made vigorous and the digestion improved. It is the best medicine in the world. You must be careful not to strain or overwork your muscles, as it is very hurtful. Your strength must be built up by moderate, careful, and regular exercise.
The muscles need not only exercise to make them strong, but a constant supply 69of good, pure blood. You must eat wholesome food, in proper quantities, at regular intervals. ”

“ The odor will be pleasant and the hair will not ruin articles and clothing with which it comes in contact. Now and then it is well to clean the hair with Castile soap, warm water and a strong brush. Shampooing is excellent.
Hair is a non-conductor of heat,—that is, very little heat or cold can be made to pass through it. It serves as a protection to the brain. While a great many men are baldheaded, you very rarely see a woman thus afflicted. This is because they do not wear air-tight coverings for their heads, but the scalp is kept cool and healthy. ”

“ When a boy has been playing too violently, or when he neglects play, when he is careless as to his clothing or shows evidence of falling into any bad habit, a kind but pointed warning will accomplish more than weeks of study. ”

“ When heated from exercise, boys love to throw aside their outer clothing, so as to “cool off.” This is dangerous; better to feel uncomfortable for a little while until your body resumes its natural temperature.
COLD OR DRAFT. Never sit in a cold room or a draft. It is sure to injure you and may cause death. If you feel chilly, warm yourself by vigorous exercise.
Always obey the promptings of nature. Failure to do so poisons the blood, causes serious disease, and frequently destroys life itself. ”

“ The vices of cigarette smoking, of tobacco chewing, of beer and alcoholic drinking, threaten the very existence of the rising generation. You cannot be too earnest and persistent in impressing this truth upon the boys who look up to you for counsel.
You need not be reminded that the most powerful teacher is your own example. Boys respect and admire manly 10vigor. You ought to be able to outrun, outjump, outthrow, outswim, outwrestle, outspar, and outplay, at all points, the largest and most active boy in school. ”

“ They often refuse to yield, when the bone to which they are fastened is broken. If a ligament is strained or hurt, a “sprain” is caused, which may be as bad as a broken bone.
Boys and girls are apt to form bad habits by which some of the bones become misshapen. You should hold your head erect, but not thrust forward; keep the chest expanded and the shoulders well back. You will find, after awhile, that this healthful posture is the most pleasant you can take, and it will give you the form which nature intends all of us to have. ”

“ One of the first things that boys and girls should study is how to keep the health which their kind Creator has given them. Such knowledge will save them days and nights of suffering and perhaps bring them many years of enjoyment. ”

“ Now tell me precisely what to do from the moment a drowned person is taken out of the water until he is resuscitated or it is proven he is beyond help. (The teacher must insist on an answer, correct in every particular, for it is evident that unless he knows every step, the pupil's knowledge is useless.) ”

“ EFFECT UPON THE MIND AND SOUL. Poisonous as is alcohol to the body, it is more fatal to the mind and heart. It clouds the brain, dwarfs and blots out 114the good impulses, and increases the power of the passions and the baser side of our nature. ”

“ From the spinal cord thirty-one pairs of nerves pass to the various parts and organs of the body.
There could be no motion or feeling without the nerves, although they are not the true centres of either. If you obey the rules of health, as already laid down, you will be in the happy condition of those of whom it is said they do not feel that they have any nerves at all.
What move the muscles? How are the nerves in early youth? ”

“ If any one can be spared to go for the doctor, let him run with all speed. The instant the body is brought to land, turn it upon the face, with a hard roll of clothing under the pit of the stomach. This roll can be readily made from your own clothing or that of others if present. 57Put one wrist of the patient under his forehead so as to keep his mouth off the ground.
Then, with your hands well spread upon the patient's back, above the roll of clothing, press down with the whole weight of your body, pushing forward at the same time. ”

“ The outer is continually wearing out and falls from the body in fine scales. The skin is pierced by thousands 19upon thousands of pores, or tiny openings, through which a large part of the waste of the body passes. If these pores are allowed to become clogged by want of cleanliness, the waste matter enters the blood and may cause disease and death.
The way to keep the pores open is by bathing or cleanliness. When the weather is cold, you should bathe at least once a week at home. ”

“ What are your own views on the vice of cigarette smoking? Are you weak-minded enough to be persuaded ever to place a vile cigarette between your lips?
108 CHAPTER XVIII.
ALCOHOL. Alcohol does not exist in nature. It is a fluid made by fermentation, or the rotting of vegetables and their juices. Beer, cider, and wine are produced by the decay of a sweet liquid taken from grain or fruits. Alcohol is that element in malt and spirituous liquors which produces intoxication.
ITS DANGER. Alcohol is indigestible and lessens the muscular power. ”

“ LEMONADE, ROOT BEER, SODA WATER, ETC. Pure soda water, lemonade, root beer and similar drinks are not hurtful, but the sugar they contain increases our thirst and leads us to drink more than is good for us. Water is the provision of nature, and though it has no color, taste or smell, nothing in the world is so delicious and refreshing. ”

“ There are persons whose coming is like so much beautiful sunshine; there are others who are cross and disagreeable and whom no one likes. Strive, every day, to make some one happy, and live by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do to you.” ”

“ Children, like some grown persons, are apt to eat more food than is good for them. You have heard people say that you ought to leave the table while still hungry, but if that is true, there can be no need of sitting down to eat. The true course is to cease eating, while you still have a relish for food. ”

“ INJURIES TO THE TEETH. Very hot or cold food, or water, sweetmeats and acids injure the teeth. Children sometimes like to show the strength of their teeth by cracking hickory-nuts and other hard substances. This should never be done, as the nuts and substances may prove stronger than the teeth. The 42teeth are made of a soft kind of bone, covered with enamel. The bone part of the teeth soon decays if the enamel is broken. ”

“ EATING. Always eat slowly and do not swallow your food until it is chewed to a pulp. The glands inside the mouth give out enough saliva to moisten the food and fit it for digestion in the stomach. Children love to soak their bread in coffee, or to sip the coffee while eating. By doing so they stop the flow of saliva and weaken a fluid which digests the food in the stomach. ”

“ A friend may hold up your chin, or a light float may be fastened behind your shoulders. The body of a person is very little heavier than water, and a slight exertion, rightly directed, will keep it afloat for hours.
FLOATING. The most important step, after learning to swim, is to learn how to float. 52A skillful swimmer may find himself overtaken by cramp while in deep water. He can turn upon his back and float until he recovers or help reaches him. In case of shipwreck, or where a person is forced to stay a long time in water, he can rest by floating. ”

“ The boys, perhaps, will find a large dent or wrinkle in their clothing in front at the pit of the stomach. This shows that their posture is wrong.
WHERE TO BEND THE BODY. If you wish to bend forward, the pivot is at the hips; the spine should not be bent at all. When a child is reminded that his posture is wrong, he is apt to straighten up with a jerk, throw his shoulders far back and thrust his chest 74forward like a pouter pigeon. ”

“ EFFECT UPON THE ORGANS OF THE BODY. Alcohol destroys the nerves, ruins the stomach, weakens the muscles, affects the heart, bloats the body, kills the liver, causes insanity, and makes men descend lower than the beast of the field. It turns wise men into fools ”

“ How can the hair be made glossy? How is that superior to pomatum? How should the head be cleaned?
Of what use is the hair? Why are so many men baldheaded? Why is it rare that we meet a baldheaded woman? ”

“ Cleanliness, clothing, food, and all the subjects treated of in the following pages, should be supplemented by the practical illustrations which the girls themselves continually present. No observant teacher can have failed to become acquainted with the rudimentary laws of her being, and 14to none is given so golden an opportunity to make that knowledge a living truth as to her whose calling it is to instruct the future mothers of our country. ”

“ How are loose teeth generally pulled? Have you ever known of a boy or girl pulling his or her own teeth? What must you watch for and do? Is there any need of such care?
What is said of some children? When should you go to the dentist?
45
MUSCLES.
47 CHAPTER VII.
EXERCISE. Boys and girls are not likely to believe they need any instruction as to exercise. They are so fond of play that all they ask is a chance and they will use it to the utmost.
That form of exercise is best which brings most muscles into action. It should not be too violent nor continued after one is tired. ”

“ Watch closely, and if you detect a natural gasp, do not interrupt it, but as the ribs sink, gently press them and deepen the gasp into a long breath. Continue to give this help, until the natural breathing is fully resumed, but do not cease your efforts for fully an hour or longer.
Avoid impatient vertical pushes; the force must be upward and inward. If a 61second person is present, he should pull the end of the tongue of the patient out of a corner of his mouth and hold it there, using his handkerchief or piece of cotton rag. This helps to give the air free passage to and from the lungs. ”

“ It keeps out dirt and insects and protects from injury the delicate organs of the true ear within. If the wax becomes too abundant or hard, it can be easily removed with the forefinger. If anything more is required, go to a doctor.
THE EYE. The eye is the most wonderful organ of the body, and with simple care can 36be preserved all through life. Boys and girls who have bright, strong eyes are apt to weaken them by carelessness in their use. ”

“ The ears need even less care than the hair, for that which is called by the name, is only the covering of the true ear. Every boy and girl will make sure that 35when the face and hands are washed, the neck and ears are not forgotten. ”