THIS LA latter two are

SKILLE CH But, of what

Lowever schstructed, the clothing

of the aged should be ample, complete, and easy, covering all parts of the body, yet not compressing any; and having especial regard to the extremities, as in them the circulation must be presumed to be languid; great care should be taken in passing from a heated to a cooler atmosphere, to defend the body from the effects of the change by temporary1 addi

I say "temporary," for it is most common to observe that persons will carefully wrap themselves up, so as to be well defended against cold previously to going out, yet if their avocations require that they should call at several places, and pass for a time into a warmer atmosphere, and then again into a colder one, they make no alteration in, or change of dress; but carry all the defences against the colder atmosphere into and out of the warmer one, thus rendering them after a time nugatory, or worse than nugatory, as becoming in the warmer places burthensome, and, perhaps, exciting perspiration, which a return into colder air will assuredly check. This conduct is about as reasonable as would be that of an individual, who should carry out with him an umbrella, as a defence in case of rain, but in place of using it only when required should keep it at all times expanded above his head. "Tout homme qui a vécu conçoit de lors l'importance du précepte de faciliter et de maintenir la transpiration, et d'empecher le refroidissement qui a lieu consécutivement après une sueur plus ou moins abondante. Ce dernier point est tellement essentiel qu'on trouve des viellards qui, par une sorte d'exception ou par une constitution speciale suent tres facilement; mais s'ils n'y apportent beaucoup des percautions, ils n'en sont pas moins sujets à de fréquentes affections catarrhales: c'etait là ce qui étonnait un viellard qui me consultait. 'Je transpire facilement, abondamment, me disait-il, et neanmoins je m'enrhume souvent.' Mais je l'avertis que l'espece de prérogative dont il jouissait etait à peu pres nul à cause du refroidissement consécutif à la peau, qu'il ne surviellait pas assez; il en comprit l'importance, et depuis il fut rarement atteint des maladies dont il se plaignait." (Revielle Pariset, p. 401.)

lar. We moderns, who boast our superior civilization, might take some very important sanatory lessons on this subject from the ancients. The elaborate and luxurious bathing establishments of the Romans, were resorted to for health as well as for pleasure, and were agreeable sources of both; but, little and imperfectly as we follow their example in regard to immersion in water, we wholly neglect an adjunct to the bath, which with them was universal, I mean friction. It would be well if we went back in this matter, in a great measure, to the practices of antiquity. Nothing can serve better to preserve the healthful condition of the skin, the freedom of its circulation, and the due performance of its functions, than frequent ablution and friction.

Dr. Day recommends, "that the surface of the body be rubbed by an attendant until a thorough glow is established. In cases where the debility is too great to admit of a regular bath, as, for instance, when reaction cannot be easily produced, friction must be had recourse to. I regard it as a most important auxiliary to medical treatment, and it is strange that when its therapeutic value is so clearly demonstrated in the writings of the ancient physicians, and is daily exemplified in the sleek skins of our horses, we should have allowed so valuable a practice to fall into almost

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DECLINE OF LIFE IN DISEASE.

atter desuetude. Friction may be practised either with the naked hand, with a piece of flannel, or with the desh brush. To be of real service, the process should be continued for at least half an hour every morning and evening, should be extended not only to the limbs but to the trunk, and especially to the region of the spine, and should be performed by a person properly instructed. In rubbing the abdomen the curve of the hand should accord with the direction of the large intestine; by this simple means we can frequently prevent constipation, and relieve the flatulence that is often so distressing in (Treatise on the Diseases of Advanced

old age.
Life,' p. 38.)

As the substances used may be various, friction may be made an admirable means either of generally stimulating the whole surface of the body, or particular parts only; or (if the great absorbent powers of the skin were properly regarded,) it might be made a ready and powerful means of conveying nutritious or medicinal matters into the system, to a much greater extent than has ever been attempted. This is a large and almost uncultivated field of inquiry, which would well reward the philosophical labourer, for much, very much I believe, may be learned by well-conducted experiments and judicious observation on the value and