Another question occurs in relation to habits, which we are told form character, as character forms destiny. Thus, a regular habit of doing the right forms a righteous character, and the character makes the man. The character of a righteous man ensures peace, contentment, satisfaction, happiness; and these attributes assist in maintaining health and long life. There are many beautiful characters in the world who ignore habit in deference to their unselfish desires. It is a deliberate act of wrong-doing to play with one's health for any object whatever. Life is given us for a purpose, and that purpose is best served by preserving it as carefully as we can, but without ever making health a fad. The longer a man or a woman lives in a condition of fitness, the longer and better the service which they can render to others.

There is a system of maltreatment by stuffing with food which is adopted with the object of restoring health to those suffering from nervous and other complaints of which the public should beware. It was remarked by Dr. Keith, in his Plea for a Simple Life, that among the cases of maltreatment with which he was acquainted a patient suffering from enlargement of the stomach was provided with a daily ration consisting of 1 1/2 lb. of pounded beef, 1 lb. of fish, two large meals of revalenta, one of Benger's food made with meat stock, 6 to 8 glasses of milk, a portion of which was given with the revalenta, with coffee and biscuits during the night. The stomach of the patient was daily washed out with a stomach pump. This authority, in discussing this question, suggested that medical men should point out to patients the principles upon which they are treated. If this plan were adopted educated men would hesitate before permitting themselves to be treated by the drastic method of stuffing.

Those forms of disease for the cure of which patients are required to eat abnormally large quantities of food are frequently caused by the consumption of wrong food. Thus it happens that fuel is added to the fire - the objectionable food being eaten in still larger quantities, while the organs of digestion are simultaneously taxed beyond their powers of endurance. In similar cases the abolition of flesh foods in favour of small quantities of fruit, vegetables, cereals, butter and milk, has cleared the ground and restored the patient to health. In cases of digestive trouble, abstinence in the absence of appetite until the desire for eating returns gives nature her chance. There is less waste of food in the process of nutrition when the body is unfit, from a small ration, than when it is large. Persons in bad health, however, are induced to eat abundantly to please their doctors and their friends, although they are averse to the practice and have no desire for food.

Some persons maintain excellent health by abstaining from food at the first meal of the day, content only with a cup of coffee, while others take only a coffee and roll. Dr. Rendall, the well-known English physician at Mentone, once pointed out the same fact to the writer, remarking that he was able to see all his patients before lunch on this small quantity of food, while English patients eating abnormally large breakfasts came to him for advice. The practice of "over-eating conduces to chill or deposit in some overworked organ," and possible permanent trouble, while flesh-eating is impossible for the nervous, the gouty, or those with rheumatic tendency. The consumption of large quantities of food, too, induces the blood to flow to the organs of digestion, which become enlarged, with the result that the appetite is not satisfied until they have been supplied with more than they need.

Referring to this point, Dr. Keith remarks that under such conditions alcohol, meat, tea, with other unsuitable foods being freely supplied, a crisis arrives, which the healthiest cannot prevent. If, however, nature is permitted to assert herself by abstinence from food, instead of being prevented by the use of aperients, she will punish her broken laws by the cessation of the desire for food and promote the work of restoration. If this is accomplished there should be no repetition of the practice of over-eating. Most of us receive warnings with regard to our health, which we ignore until serious trouble arises. The strong man succumbs to a practice which a weak man dare not attempt to pursue. If, however, he followed the weak man's example he would live longer and happier, and transmit to the next generation that strength and endurance which the race needs; and so by the adoption of that course of procedure which man follows with his horses and cattle, each generation would grow stronger and stronger until the average life of our people might be raised to fourscore years, and that of the strongest of all to a hundred.

Among the most important and valuable practices which, in common with much older people, we have found most useful in preserving health are -

1. A good smart walk before breakfast.

2. Meals at regular hours.

3. The thorough mastication of food: never eating too much.

4. The avoidance of fish, flesh, or fowl, or their very occasional use.

5. The consumption of fruit at all meals.

6. Early rising and early to bed.

7. Windows always open in the bedroom.

8. Avoidance of rich sauces, condiments and patent foods which require no chewing.

9. Abstinence from alcohol, tea and coffee.

10. Walking at least six miles a day at a good pace.

11. A hobby - if it is work so much the better.

12. No constructive brain work after the last meal, which should never be later than 7.30 if sleep is required.

13. At least six hours' sleep for the adult.