52 A HANDBOOK FOR SOUTHPORT. 



The smaller arteries are obliterated, and the heart undergoes 

 structural change ; functions are feebly performed, the chemical 

 condition of both solids and fluids becomes altered, the skin 

 grows dark and corrugated ; and, as the various signs of decay 

 increase, the tottering step, the bent form, and the palsied 

 movement, we perceive that the individual has entered upon 

 that period, when, in the sublime language of Scripture, " The 

 keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall 

 bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, 

 and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the 

 doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the 

 grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, 

 and all the daughters of music shall be brought low ; also when 

 they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in 

 the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grass- 

 hopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail ; because man 

 goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets : 

 or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, 

 or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken 

 at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it 

 was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." 



When and how this descent towards the tomb shall take 

 place, is in the hands of Him who measures out our days, and 

 appoints our outgoings and incomings. Human science is 

 impotent in presence of the general evidences of decay. But 

 where the stress of disease is so localised as to threaten 

 destruction before these marks of decay have become general, 

 she can sometimes relieve that stress ; she can suggest the 

 compensations required by altered circumstances ; she can 

 endeavour to remove the obstinacy which persists in retaining 



