Physiology, animal and mental : applied to the preservation and restoration of health of body, and power of mind / by O.S. Fowler.

  • Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire), 1809-1887.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physiology, animal and mental : applied to the preservation and restoration of health of body, and power of mind / by O.S. Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    SECTION HI. HEALTH : ITS VALUE, FEASIBILITY, AND DUTY. The poor man's riches, the rich man's blessing. 20. HEALTH DEFINED. It consists in the vigorous and normal or natural action of all our organs and powers; while disease consists in their disorder, and death in their suspension. Life also consists in the same action, and both health and life are proportionate to its amount. Hence, by improving the former Ave enhance the latter; but in proportion as we enfeeble or disease these functions, do we thereby diminish life and all its pleasures. Viewed in any and every aspect, health is life, and life is health. The 21. VALUE OF HEALTH Therefore exceeds that of anything else; because it im parts the greatest attainable zest and relish to life and al; its blessings. Nor can we even enjoy life, except by its instrumentality, and in proportion to its vigor. Without it, what can we do, or become, or enjoy ? Other things being equal, our capabilities for accomplishing and enjoying are proportionate to its vigor, and become enfeebled as it declines. Neither all the attainable wealth, nor honors, nor blessings of life can render us happy any farther than we have health to enjoy them, and their value diminishes in proportion as health declines. When disease has destroyed appetite, the most delicious food and fruits only nauseate; yet how much a keen appetite, consequent on excellent health, relishes them 1 Well might the glutted epicure offer the beggar-boy a guinea for his morning's appetite. The rich invalid is poor, because he cannot enjoy his possessions; yet the healthy are therefore rich, because their fund of life and capabilities of being happy, are great. Those who have always enjoyed health, little realize its uses or value. As we measure time by its loss, so