PERFECr HEALTH 133 



Our present standards are obviously purely economic, regard- 

 less of any not immediate future. But even the economist 

 may grant to the biologist that it would be well if this arrest 

 of growth, over-speciaHzation, decay of powers, and asymmetry, 

 should be postponed as long and mitigated as far as possible. 



There is a large grain of truth in Osier's theory; William 

 James tells us that old-fogeyism begins earlier than most of 

 us think, usually about twenty-five.* As a rule, the longer 

 the period of development, and the later the attainment of 

 maturity, the higher is the adult form. Precocity in develop- 

 ment is a dangerous symptom. The height of a man's at- 

 tainments depends largely upon how long he can continue to 

 grow. Hence the value of young men who persist in boyish 

 immaturity and seem unable to find themselves. They re- 

 mind us of the generalized form from which, rather than from 

 the specialized, the higher stage always springs- Specialized 

 forms are barren, and over-specialized are unhealthy and de- 

 cadent.^ This is the biological rule for species, and it seems 

 equally appHcable to individuals. The only powers on which 

 one can afford to specialize are the highest manifestations of 

 the spirit, and a proper healthy development of these ought to 

 imply the use of all the lower powers. 



There are always some very healthy young men who re- 

 fuse to allow their vocations to limit their sympathies and in- 

 terests and thus stop development. They maintain their 

 health and grow long after others have begun to deteriorate. 

 They Hve and flourish in enjoyment of more than youthful 

 vigor, of the endurance of maturity and the wisdom of old 

 age, until they are cut down untimely at four-score or later, 

 irrefutable arguments for immortality. They always retain 

 their youthful courage, enthusiasm and idealism. Experience 

 has made them wise, and they have attained a steady, in- 

 domitable, infectious hopefulness impossible to youth. They 

 are obstinate believers in the fine and good which they dis- 

 cover and call forth in men and in a goodly world. 



4 142. 32. 46. I. 133- 



5 142. 72. 



