688 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



correct estimation of the practice of medicine, while 

 the masses remain unable to discriminate between the 

 imaginary and what is real in it, or between the artful 

 and unscrupulous pretender and the genuine medical 

 man. As long as there is a general and popular de- 

 mand for the different forms of quackery, there will 

 always be found an ample supply; and legislation, 

 though necessary and good as far as it goes, can never 

 entirely j^revent it. The early and continued educa- 

 tion of each individual on the subject is the only suc- 

 cessful remedy." 



THE HYGIENE OF OLD AGE 



At no period of life is a careful observance of the 

 laws of health of so imperious importance as in ad- 

 vanced age. The vital machinery is worn and weak- 

 ened, the vitality at a low ebb, and it is of paramount 

 importance that all unnecessary hindrances should be 

 removed, that every removable obstacle to the healthy 

 performance of the bodily functions should be taken 

 out of the way. Thousands of lives are annually sac- 

 rificed through the mistaken idea that hygienic rules 

 which are acknowledged to apply to young persons and 

 adults are not to be observed by those in advanced 

 age. For example, many popular writers maintain 

 that while the use of wine as a beverage by youth and 

 adults cannot be condemned too strongly, it is neces- 

 sary for the aged, as a means of stimulating the 

 declining forces. 



Another writer condemns bathing by the aged, 

 because, it is claimed, it uses up the animal heat. 



The error of the first theory is apparent when the 



