THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE CYCLE 189 



holism and syphilis. He quoted with approval the 

 saying of one of the founders of modern physiology 

 (Pfliiger) : — " Avoid the things that are harmful and 

 be moderate in all things " — ^theoretically simple ad- 

 vice. Metchnikoff was an untiring advocate of butter- 

 milk and that sort of thing ; and that is well ; for the 

 character of our old age depends on the character of 

 our physiological bad debts. But Metchnikof!'s teach- 

 ing must be supplemented by more positive encourage- 

 ment of rejuvenescence. Better than buttermilk is a 

 cruse of the oil of joy. Preventive measures are very 

 desirable, but we need more positive rejuvenescence ; 

 we need more changes, new interests, fresh experi- 

 ences, some adventures, more beauty, more joy. Thus 

 we increase our chance of being young when we die. 



