Progress and Achievements of the Colored People: Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success
John Stuart Mill · en
With these facts clearly recognized as they are, it is not strange that
intelligent men and women more and more give their attention to the
welfare of their bodies. In the most highly civilized countries the
advance of scientific surgery and discoveries in medicine are hailed
with the greatest applause. In such countries the subjects of sanitation
and hygiene are given the closest attention, not only by students and
scientists, but by every thoughtful individual. It is being recognized
that there is no great and impressive mystery about our physical natures
by virtue of which we escape responsibility for guarding our own health
in every reasonable way. The thing to do is to keep well if we possibly
can, and when we fail, give the best attention possible to repairing the
damage.
The one who should neglect the well-known principles of hygiene, because
of faith that a good doctor could cure any resulting sickness, would be
no less than a fool. The one who gets wet on a stormy day, fails to
change his clothes, neglects the cold which follows, contracts pneumonia
and dies, is not “removed by an all-wise Providence,” as so many
resolutions of sympathy declare, but by his own folly. It is unjust to
blame a wise and beneficent Power for such results. The household that
suffers from typhoid, when drinking well-water drained from its own
cesspool, needs sympathy, indeed, not only for the sickness but for the
stupidity that placed the well and the infection side by side.
Thus it is that, in arranging the order of subjects in this book of
practical information for everyone, it was readily decided to discuss
this subject with considerable detail. Household recipes and suggestions
appeal specially to women; stock, farm and orchard come within the
province of men; but health, hygiene and the kindred subjects command
attention with equal force, from man and woman and child.
Anyone who adopts the policy of “getting all the money he can, and
keeping all he can get,” is certain to make himself obnoxious to all
about him, and in the end to become very miserable as an embittered,
soured and friendless man, a failure in life, however wealthy he may
become. But the one who chooses the policy of getting all the health he
can and keeping all he gets, will have a very different tale to tell.
Regular habits, careful living, sunny disposition, a clear head, a
bright eye, a sound mind and a sound body give one a cheerful outlook on
the world, enable one to use all his energies to the best advantage,
guarantee that he will have real friends, assure happiness, and make of
one a genuine success in life, whether with or without the prosperity
that is very likely to accompany such qualities.
And what does it involve, this intelligent effort to acquire and retain
good health in these bodies of ours?