PROLONGING YOUTH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 359, 21 October 1932, Page 2

PROLONGING YOUTH

Frederick Stubhs, F.R.G.S.)

A POSSIBILITY SELF DISCIPLINE AND PROPER DIET WILL HELP FITNESS AND HAPPINESS

(By

I have before ihe the adverttement of a hook on How to Live 100 Years. But many of us don't want to livq 100 years. I certainly do not. I have seen mere than one friend on the verge of the century and the experience has not been encouraging. It appears to me that there is not much advantage in prolonging life unless health and strength, the use of our faculties, the ability to use and enjoy life; in a word, a matter of arithmetic. It is in its most important features a condition, involving health, the ability to use powers freely — to work, to enjoy etc. When these_ have passed away man's youth has passed; he is physiologieally old, with old man's infirmities and limitations. Few readers will have much difficulty in recalling examples of what I mean — examples of men who perhaps still comparatively young in years, have lost the health and power and joy in life which are the perogatives of Youth. Regarding Youth, then, as not merely a matter of arithmetic but of Condition, the vitally important question arises. Can Youth he Prolonged? I am convinced it can,. There is no good reason why, with a normal constitution, Old Age should not be ' phsiologically and psychologically (and it is the latter that.is most important) deferred and youth prolonged. I have seen a tree, bent and broken and apparently deeayed, under new conditions put forth fresh branches and abundant fruit. And I have seen the same sort of thing happen with humankind; a worn and wearied man, with failing faculties; digestion, . sleep, nerves, working powers, all weakening; a holiday, a voyage, some sensible medical advice faithfully followed — the man has renewed his youth; the healthfulness, activity, courage, joy of life, have returned; the teeth have improved, the gums become healthier, the eyes brighter and stronger, even the hair has regained something of its natural colour. Not a few examples of | this have been given in Biographies, and there has been a still larger number of men who have managed to preserve the essential conditions of youth to a great age. One has only to call to mind the names of the men most distinguished in their professions to realise this — great writers such as Carlyle, Tennyson, Browning, ! W ashington-Irving, Yictor Hugo Tolstio; philosophers and scientists i such as Kent, Humboldt, Laplace, Vollaire, Wallace, Herbert Spencer who all exhibited physical and intel- ' lectual vigour long after they had reached the allotted span of life. Examples From History Sop.hocles wrote his masterpiece ' at 80 ;Michael Angelo and Titian both : continued to paint at 90; and Watts at 87; Goethe at 70 was a younger 1 man than many at 50; Tennyson ■ wroto his exquisite "Crossing the Bar" at 83; Lord Bryce published 1 his book on Democracy at 83; Wes- ; ley was still preaching at 88 Leo ' XIII launched his famous Encyclical ' when 90; Frederic Harrison said that he never felt as physically and mentally active as at 77. One also calls to mind powerf ul Statesmen such as Palmerston (Premier at 81), Russel, Disreali, Gladstone, Salisbury Crispi, Clemenceau (who took the helm and guided the Ship of State to Victory at 76), Sir Henry Parlces and a host of others. Lord Balfour played highclass Tennis in his 70th decade; Lord Roberts was according to the Calen- . der an old man when he successfully , cleaned up the S. African mess for j us; Von Moltke was still vigorous at j 90. Foch the Generalissimo of the ] Great War, was an old man; Hinden- j berg, the strong ruler of Germany j is 86. But there is no nehd to give ] further instances; the reader will readily do this for himself and such c cases, so numerous and striking, i prove my contention that Youth can P be prolonged. But in what way? \ Rational Economy

I know of only one way — Rational Economy in the use of our Functions and Powers. I am convinced there — is not other way. Medieval Alchemists dreamt an Elixer of Life; scientists like Demange, Weismann, Metehnikoff, put forth conjectures. It is said that there are in India men who perform the miracle of rejuvenation, but during my travels in that country I never came across one. In recent times one has listened to lectures on Glarids and Serums, but I am convinced there is only one rational and reliable way in which Youth can be prolonged. We must conserve our powers; renew and preserve our energies. To use an illustration I have used before, and I can think of none better, the human constitution is like a cistern which at first is full, and at the top more water is continually running in. But at the bottom there is another tap from which water is continually running out, and unfortunately running out. faster than it runs in; in some cases only a little faster; in other cases much faster. So long as life continues you can never turn the lower tap off. But r you can do much to check and regulate its flow, and also much towards keeping the upper tap full on, and : it is in the intelligent application of the fact illustrated above that the prolongation of youth, and even of | life, depends. The output of physical t health and energy must not exceed • the income. The Old Greeks had a [ maxim, "Meeden Aggan" (expressed J in English) , "No thing in Excess" and i I know of none better. It may wisely 1 be applied to the whole of life, and in regard to the preservation of ! youth, means that we exercise a wise control in regard to our. appetites and passions; functions and aqtivities; food, sleep, work, play, anxieties,

ambitions, must aU be controlled bj knowledge and intelligence. Firm Control. v I think that-if I were giving adyice to one who wished to prolong the com ditions of Youth, I should lay emphasis on the firms control of all appetites and passions, ittcluding those of sex, of the .table, of anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, etc. The food taken should cofrespond to the work to be done ; should be eaten sparingly, under cheerful conditions, and be thoroughly masticated. Cheerful company and. conversation aid both apr petite and digestion. The habit of deep breathing should be formed and should always be through the nostrils. Rest and Recreatlon. The amount of sleep reqlilred diff ers constitutions. It sounds -strange, but some people sleep (as they also work) more- quickly than others, but few do well with less than seven hoUrs. But too much is almost as bad as not enough. And don't neglect the excretory organs, If the fires of life are to burn brightly the ashes must be cleared out. Keep clean in your thoughts as well as your skin. When ^ you take a holiday, give the faculties of the body a holiday too, don't overwork them. I believe in certain hours being given to play, and the play should really be play, and not hard mental exercise as it is in certain games, especially where making or losing money is involved. When you play, cast- off dull care, laugh and be merry; don't be serious and anxious. If you are a good worker you will have had enough anxiety during the hours of work. It may sound like a counsel of perfection, but don?t worry. "I feel, I •grieve, but by the grace of God I fret at nothing," said that wonderful old worker, John Wesley, and another grand old man, Edison, expressed the opinion that far more were laid up by over-worry than by overwork. Do your best and leave the rest. Everyone knows the influence of pleasant news, pleasant thoughts, pleasant company. Cultivate these and avoid the contrary. What preys upon the mind injures the body. That you may not worry, live within your means; avoid debt; limit your social and other ambitions. There is nothing in this world worth worrying about. We are only passers through. Ailments Can Be Avoided. There are few ailments that may be avoided. Gout and Rheumatism, Colds, etc., may be avoided by keeping out of draughts, wearing suitable elothes, changing wet clothes;. Varicose veins, by avoiding tight garters; Baldness, by avoiding hard, tight, hats (women don't go bald) ; Indigest- , ion and allied ailments such as gas- : tritis/bladder and kidney complaints, : by attention to diet, exercise, etc. The bodily sufferings. • of mankind might easily be eut down by the ap- j plication of intelligence and self- j control. • | Not by living hap-hazard, without . fchought, without care (no sort of business would flourish under such con- ; ditions) but by applying intelligence ( and self-eontrol to the Art of Living, ; fchinking about it but not worrying i about it. I am confident that Youth I might be prolonged and life made ; more enjoyable and useful. And with that assurance, born of much study and experienee, I commend these , 2ommonplace thoughts to the readers i af the "Morning Post." |