PREFACE. 



THIS work, it is believed, stands in no need of any elaborate prefa- 

 tory introduction, nor is it sought to bespeak for it from its 

 readers any more favorable consideration than its merits entitle it to 

 demand. It is confidently placed in the hands of an intelligent and 

 discriminating public, in full assurance that it will prove an instrument 

 of constant usefulness and a possession of inestimable and never-failing 

 value. 



It will be found to contain extensive and useful information of 

 unusual practical value, on subjects that are of vital and paramount 

 importance to every individual, including the physical well-being, com- 

 fort and happiness of man from infancy to age. 



In this age of education and progress, the Science of Health is no 

 longer the exclusive possession of a profession, but is made an open 

 book for those who have the wisdom to learn that which more nearly 

 than anything else concerns their lease of life, the extent to which it is 

 to run, and their capacity for its best enjoyment. 



These pages embody the wisdom and experience, and best results 

 of years of practical observation, of prominent and enlightened phy- 

 sicians, upon the simplest and most effectual methods of promoting 

 health, overcoming disease, and prolonging life. 



The knowledge here imparted, and explicit and effectual instruc- 

 tions given for its application to the preservation and restoration of 

 health, in all stages and conditions of life, are worth more to a family 

 or individual than all the strong drugs in existence, leaving out of con- 

 sideration the fact that it will enable its readers to dispense in a great 

 measure with the costly services and the nauseous drugs of the apothe 

 cary. 



Particular attention is directed to the " Food and Home Reme- 

 dies," in the departments on diseases, which have of late years been so 

 extensively employed in Europe and Japan, and which have 



