J. F. Campbell Collection > Address to the middle classes upon the subject of gymnastic exercises

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obviated by the simplest precautions, precautions^
within the reach of every one possessing common
sense or resolution.
If we devoted only a tithe of the care to the pre-
servation of health, which we devote to its restora-
tion, we might almost bid defiance to any serious
disease. But ours is a foolish and mischievous po-
licy. We omit all consideration of preventives and
think only of remedies. It never occurs to us to
anticipate the approach of distempers, but supinely
awaiting their invasion, we begin to meditate their ex-
pulsion when they have effected their conquest. Then
begins a desperate struggle, which generally ends in
the triumph of the disease. The patient next becomes
a confirmed valetudinarian, and he, who sneered
at all precautions for the maintenance of health, is
now incessantly engrossed by abortive projects for
its recovery. Every nostrum is tried which officious
ignorance can suggest, or empirical impudence pro-
claim. He becomes the slave of every fancy, the
dupe of every quack. His health, or rather his
complaint, becomes his sole occupation, his absorb-
ing profession, or rather his tyrannous task-master,
who exacts the unceasing employment of every
moment, the unremitting devotion of every thought.
This is the simple biography of one-third of the
inhabitants of these islands.
But, perhaps, it may be said, " All is very well
as it is, and where is the necessity for change ?
Every large community, every densely thronged
city, must have its proportion of mortality and