Part 4 (1/2)

”Don't allow your servants to put meat and vegetables in the same compartments of the refrigerator.

”Don't keep the parlor dark unless you value your carpet more than your and your children's health.

”Don't forget that moral defects are as often the cause as they are the effects of physical faults.

”Don't direct special mental or physical energies to more than eight hours' work in each day.

”Don't neglect to have your dentist examine your teeth at least every three months.

”Don't read, write, or do any delicate work unless receiving the light from the left side.

”Don't pamper the appet.i.te with such variety of food that may lead to excess.

”Don't read in street-cars or other jolting vehicles.

”Don't eat or drink hot and cold things immediately in succession.

”Don't pick the teeth with pins or any other hard substance.

”Don't sleep in a room provided with stationary washstands.

”Don't neglect any opportunity to insure a variety of food.”

There are many things we should _never_ do. Among them are:--

”Never go to bed with cold or damp feet.

”Never lean with the back upon anything that is cold.

”Never begin a journey until the breakfast has been eaten.

”Never take warm drinks and then immediately go out in the cold.

”Never ride in an open carriage or near the window of a car for a moment after exercise; it is dangerous to health or even life.

”Never omit regular bathing, for unless the skin is in regular condition the cold will close the pores and favor congestion or other diseases.

”Never stand still in cold weather, especially after having taken a slight degree of exercise.”

Perhaps among the following you may find succinctly stated what will be of eminent value:--

”Focus your brain as you would a burning-gla.s.s. b.u.t.ter enough for a slice won't do for a whole loaf.

”Keep empty-headed between times. Mental furniture should be very select. Useless lumber in the upper story is worse than a pocketful of oyster sh.e.l.ls. Leave your facts on your book shelves, where you can find them when wanted. A walking encyclopedia cannot work for want of room to turn round in his own head.

”Don't tax your memory. Make a memorandum, and put it in your pocket.

Every unnecessary thought is a waste of effective force.

”Don't believe that muscular exercise contracts head work. Brain and muscle are bung-hole and spigot of the same barrel. It is poor economy to keep both running.

”Pin your faith to the genius of hard work. It is the safest, most reliable, and most manageable sort of genius.