Live without medicine

THE

PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH;

HEALTH WITHOUT MEDICINE:
A TREATISE
ON THE

LAWS OF THE HUMAN SYSTEM.

BY

L. B. COLES, M. D.
FELLOW OF THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY, AND MEMBER OF THE BOSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

SEVENTH EDITION,

BOSTON:

WILLIAM D. TICKNOR & COMPANY,
Corner of School and Washington Streets. M DCCC XLVIII

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year1848, by L. B. COLES, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Stereotyped by GEORGE A. CURTIS; NEW ENGLAND TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, BOSTON.

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PREFACE.
THIS work has been written during irregular and interrupted intervals, which have occurred amidst the pressure of other cares, and has passed through but one manuscript to the press; yet the ideas contained in it are the result of many years' experience, observation, and study; not particularly the study of books and others'theories, but the study of natural law, and the philosophy of facts. And although its leading motto is "Health without Medicine," yet it is not expected that no medicines are ever needed; it is sometimes necessary to take medicine to remove disease — assist nature to throw off her incumbrances, and restore herself to health and strength. Yet whoever will obey nature's laws, will, comparativelyspeaking, have health without the aid of medicine. Medicines should be used only as unavoidables; they should only be resorted to when the remedy may not be worse than the disease, as a choice between two evils, both of which should be avoided as far as possible. This manual is not intended particularly for the eye of the medical man, but for the mass of the people. And although the author may beconsidered ultra by some, on the subject of animal food, yet it is most, sincerely to be hoped that no one will allow himself to imbibe a prejudice against the rest of the work, because he cannot consent to this doctrine; for, let it be remembered, that it is said in the introduction of this topic, that no strenuousness is intended on the subject, but that it is better that every one judge candidly onthe matter for himself. While, therefore, the writer would urge — not for himself, but for the good of the community — with all earnestness and solicitude, a serious attention to, and regard for, his views and suggestions on every other topic contained in this work, yet, with all modesty, would he retire from any controversy with those who cannot relinquish the use of meat. He is content withstating what he believes to be the facts in the case, and would leave the decision of the matter entirely with those who may think or act differently.

CONTENTS.
DIGESTIVE ORGANS Mouth, Stomach, Liver, Bowels, DIGESTIVE PROCESS, Mastication, Chymifaction, Chyliraction, Evacuation, DIETETIC RULES, Time for Eating, Time for Digesting, Time for Exercise, Time for Labor, FOOD AND DRINKS, VegetableFood, Animal Food, Stimulating Drinks, Nourishing Drinks, PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS, To Parents and Guardians, To Literary Institutions, To Professional Men, To Laboring Men, GENERAL DIRECTIONS On Sleeping, On Bathing, On Amusements, On Indulgences, MENTAL AFFECTIONS Cheerfulness, Melancholy, Benevolence, Malevolence, OBLIGATION TO LAW Physical, Moral, Personal, Social, APPENDIX, CONCLUSION,RECOMMENDATIONS, Page. 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 18 18 20 26 31 34 34 39 47 55 58 53 65 71 75 78 78 80 85 86 88 88 90 91 92 93 93 94 96 97 101 117 119

INTRODUCTION.
THERE is scarcely any subject so universally neglected as a knowledge of the laws of health and life. We naturally love to be well, and dread to be sick; yet take little or no pains to economize our health or to ward off disease. We...