1884.] HEALTH OF THE FARMER AND HIS FAMILY. 145 



all its unpleasant effects, not only on the subjects, but on their 

 associates as well. 



We see but little of intemperance on the farm — not nearly as 

 much as in former years; hence the farmer does not in his illness 

 have to contend against its baneful influences, and from wounds 

 and surgical operations he promptly recovers. Cider- drinking, 

 which many do not class with intemperance, has been an unmiti- 

 gated nuisance and a curse to the whole of New England; but now 

 that apples are considered to be worth, at the lowest estimate, 

 twenty cents a bushel to feed to stock, the temptation to make the 

 surplus fruit into cider is much less. The excuse for making it 

 for vinegar no longer exists, 'for a blear-eyed, suspicious-looking 

 individual, having a little manufactory in a side-street in the city, 

 will make more so-called pure cider vinegar in one night than a 

 large farm can produce in a year, and can sell at double the profit. 

 Therefore we think that dollars and cents will help to solve the 

 temperance question as much as the reformer. '• Whisky vinegar " 

 has certainly been the means of improving healthfulness on our 

 farms, if it has taken away a source of revenue. 



In a careful survey we find that the farmer and his family are 

 afflicted only with ills common to all humanity, and not special to 

 the calling. As it is at present even, the farm is the most health- 

 ful place for living, but not nearly as much so as it can and should 

 be made. Did you expect to hear from me complicated formulas 

 and remedies for these diseases ? I know of but four, simple, 

 efficacious, and within the reach of all, and, moreover, specifics for 

 most complaints. They are as stated at the commencement of 

 this paper: pure air, proper food, suitable exercise, and rest. 

 Should you need to go beyond them for aid, do not try to be your 

 own physician, and dose yourself with unknown nostrums, and 

 remedies advertised to cure all diseases. Neither accept in that 

 capacity your neighbor across the road, or the woman whose only 

 recommendation is her industry in gathering stores of roots and 

 herbs during the summer, and now seeks a use for them. Go to 

 one who is qualified by nature, education, and experience; if he is 

 a skillful physician he will guide you to health again with but 

 little medicine, but with much of that which is harder for many 

 to take, good advice. He will tell you of nature's laws, and show 

 you wherein you have violated them; go back to them, and follow 



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