The code of health and longevity, or a general view of the rules and principles calculated for the preservation of health, and the attainment of long life / by Sir John Sinclair.

  • Sinclair, John, Sir, 1754-1835.
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The code of health and longevity, or a general view of the rules and principles calculated for the preservation of health, and the attainment of long life / by Sir John Sinclair. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    however, from the careful inspection of several registers* that more regard ought to be had to the surface, and the subsoil, than to its subterraneous contents. A soil gravelly, chalky, or sandy, has but little perspira- tion, and imbibes the moisture that falls upon it. It is, therefore, free from noxious exhalations. From a rich, fat, and marshy soil, a great quantity and variety of vapours are raised, by the action of the sun, and the heat which it communicates to the surface of the earth. These vapours, consisting of water, oils, salts, and several other ingredients, must variously affect the inhabitants by their contents, more especially at certain times and periods of the year. This accounts for a common observation, that rich soils, on the banks of slow-running rivers, in hot coun- tries, are extremely unwholesome. Mere watery exhalations are not so unwholesome, if they come from soils such as clay, which retain water, provided it does not stagnate and become corrupt. Hence the mois- ture from peat-mosses, more especially on the sides of hills, is not pernicious to health; because the superfluous waters run down to the streamlets, or lower grounds. Nor would the exhalations from ditches be injurious, if they were carefully cleaned of weeds and other noxious matters. Here it may be proper to advert to an old method of im- proving health, that of inhaling the vapour of fresh turned up earth, which has in it something strengthening and re- freshing, even in small quantities; and, consequently, it must have a great influence on a larger scale. Lord Bacon was acquainted with a very old man, who, every morning, as soon as he awoke, caused a piece of earth to b^ held be- fore his nose, that he might inhale the vapour. He recom- mends, therefore, the smell of fresh earth, which may be obtained by following the plough, or digging up the earth, particularly in the spring. Hufeland* has lately recom- mended these means to consumptive persons, who may thus inhale the vapour, either in the open air, or in an apart- ment. The sensation produced by it, is like that felt on inhaling vital air, and is refreshing in a considerable degree. 2. Rules connected with the Climate and Season. It is contended by some authors, that an uniformity of climate is desirable, as being favourable to health and long lifef. But Hippocrates affirms, that such uniformity is not i • See his Journal, vol.i. p. 386. f Hufeland, vol.i. p. 268, 269. D 2