THE MODERN SUN CULT ' 



By J. W. Stubmeb 

 Dean of Science, Philadelpfiia College of Pharmacy and Science 



SUN ENERGY 



In the spriiifrtinie all vegetation awakens to renewed life. This 

 transformation would be most astonishing if its annual recurrence 

 had not taught us to accept it as a matter of course. The advent of 

 the growing season which comes with unfailing regularity, is the 

 result of more sun energy', that is, more light, and with it, more heat 

 rays which we can feel yet can not see, and more, also, of that mys- 

 terious radiation which we can neither feel nor see, but which we 

 now know to be a potent agency affecting ail living creatures, namely 

 the ultra-violet rays. 



Our house plants have the habit of growing toward the sun, and 

 we ourselves intuitively seek its light and warming rays. No physi- 

 cian need order us to do it; it is simply natural that we crave sun- 

 shine. Under its influence we are alert, active, optimistic, cheerful. 

 When great lowering clouds hide the sun from us, we are apathetic, 

 lethargic, and gloomy. "Diogenes," asked Alexander the Great, 

 "what can I do for you?" "AMiat boon would you beg of the all- 

 powerful conqueror of nations?" "Step aside, Alexander," answered 

 the old philosopher, who was not noted for tact or courtesy. "Step 

 aside, and do not shut out my sunlight." 



WINDOWS OF GLASS AFFECTING HEALTH 



Primitive man was at one time a cave dweller. His house was 

 dark. There were no windows. But the chances are that he was at 

 home but little, that he lived largely in the open, and that only when 

 the weather was extremely inclement did he take refuge in the dark 

 hole in the rock which he called home. It is highly probable also 

 that when the season permitted it, his apparel was not more extensive 

 than a modern sun suit. We may be sure that he got his ultra-violet 

 pretty generously, as did also his spouse and children. Unquestion- 

 ably man is an out-of-door creature intended to live in the sunlight. 



* One of a aeries of popular Pclonce lectures given at tbe Philadelphia ColleKe of Phar- 

 macy and Science, 1929 season. Keprlntcd by perniiaslon from the American Journal of 

 Pharmacy, vol. 102, No. 2, February, 1«30. 



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