286 NEGLECT OF ORGANIC LAWS 



still far from being in harmony with the laws of the 

 human constitution, and that much good may be 

 done by diffusing among the reflecting portion of 

 mankind more accurate notions of the structure and 

 uses of the various bodily organs, and of the con- 

 ditions required for their healthy action. Illustra- 

 tions in proof of this position, drawn from individ- 

 ual cases, may be cavilled at as incomplete, or re- 

 garded as accidental coincidences ; but when the 

 principle is exhibited in active operation on a large 

 scale, minor qualifications fall into the shade, and 

 leave the evidence absolutely unassailable. On this 

 account I prefer selecting an example from the rec- 

 ords of the army, both as being striking in its fea- 

 tures, and as being one in which the public interest 

 is deeply involved. 



A few years ago, young growing lads were uni- 

 formly selected for the army in preference to men 

 of a mature age, on the supposition that', because 

 their habits were not formed, they could be more 

 easily converted into good soldiers than if taken a 

 few years later. Many officers still entertain and 

 act on this opinion, and the period at which, by law, 

 liability to military service commences in this coun- 

 try, remains fixed at eighteen years of age, although 

 it has been raised to twenty by most of the conti- 

 nental governments. 



Examined physiologically, the practice of enlist- 

 ing juvenile recruits seems peculiarly irrational. 

 During growth, the conditions required for the 

 healthy development of the body are, moderate and 

 regular exercise, plenty of nourishing food, abun- 

 dance of sleep, and a cheerful state of mind. In 

 making the transition from boyhood to maturity, the 

 equilibrium of action between the different parts of 

 the system is so much disturbed, that, even under 

 the most favourable circumstances, an unusual sus- 

 ceptibility of disease prevails, which renders that 

 period of life particularly dangerous. By consult- 



