> Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, BY ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Southern District of New York. "HERALD OF PROGRESS" PRINT, 274 Canal St., New York. PREFATORY QUESTIONINGS. THE author would confer a few moments with every one who proposes to take refuge in this Harbinger of Health The present work is, perhaps, a vestibule to some new temple of life, health, and happiness. It is, however, deemed judicious to ask and answer a few practical questions in the presence of the reader, so that the aims and objects of this volume may be fully understood: QUESTION. What is the chief end of the earthly life of man?" ANSWER. To individualize his spirit, and prepare it for the Summer Land. Q. What is the first condition of such individualization and preparation? Q. In what does physical health consist? A. In symmetry of development, energy of Will, harmony of function, and bodily purity. Q. How can these results be obtained? A. First, by inheriting a sound constitution; second, by obeying the law of temperance in regard to foods and drinks; third, by giving free play and equal exercise to the muscular system; fourth, by exerting the Will-power to keep the passions in subjection; fifth and lastly, by sleeping and working and living in accordance with the requirements of Nature's Laws. the entire entiere the second resuit may be btained by fasting for several days. That is the immediate cause of Disease? A. Ezhanation of the vital forces i. e, the spiritual dynam ics of the soul, also excessive impurity, in some particular organ or fuid Q. What are the most prominent canses of such exhaustion and impurity? A The canses in this country are, first, badly prepared food and rapid eating; second, deficient or excessive exercise; third, uncleanness of the skin'; lastly, unhealthy respiration. by What is the immediate cause of impurity? A The retention of inappropriate matter in the system. A Boonus of the ignorance or negligence of man. the proper channels for the expulsion of foul matter? wala nes nie The skin, the nerves, the lungs, Trays, and the bowels. Q. What is the process of expelling the impure matter which produces Disease? A. The process is called excretory, because the blood sends off its feverish exhalations, in the form of perspiration, through the skin; the mind sends off its surplus magnetism and electricity, in the form of activity, through the nerves; the blood. making organism sends off its poisonous smoke, in the form of carbonic acid, through the lungs; the fluids of the entire body discharge their most acrid portion, in the form of urine, through the kidneys; the entire organ-building mechanism expels its broken-down material, its cinders and ashes, in the form of bile, from the liver; and lastly, the inappropriate and refuse matter of the whole body is thrown off through the intestines. It therefore follows that, if any one of these excretory processes be neglected, or obstructed in any degree, the consequences are physical derangements and some form of acute Disease. Q. What is an acute Disease? A. It is a sudden and violent effort of Nature to expel impurities from the system. Q. What is a chronic Disease? A. It is a less violent and more tedious effort to restore the conditions of health. Q. What are the sources of nervous power and energy? A. Healthy diet, pure air, ample exercise, and a good digestion. Q. What conditions are necessary to a good digestion ? A. Simple food, well masticated; a clean skin, and contentment of mind. Q. What is simple food? A. An admixture of healthy substances, not to exceed three solid articles, for one meal; and a very temperate use of butter, salt, vinegar, sugar, pepper, tea, and coffee. |