While proper nourishment is the first essential to health and longevity, many associate influences, if ignored and unregulated, may counteract the desired results of the most perfect system of diet. Among the important aids nature demands for the complete digestion and assimilation of food, may be mentioned - water, air, sunshine, exercise, and wholesome thoughts.

Water forms 60 per cent, of the human body, hence it should be pure as possible and freely used.

The ultimate source of fresh water is rain. After reaching the earth it remains in the form of surface water, as found in common wells, deep water from the artesian strata, cistern water, river and spring water. Rain water, falling through an atmosphere free from smoke and dust, is the purest water known, unless it is distilled.

It is generally supposed that if water "teems with life" and is rich in saline salts and mineral substances, it is more healthful, but this is an error. Minerals in water are in an inorganic state, hence are quite different from the same minerals that are found in the juice of a peach. Water cannot organize them as can the peach, therefore the human cells cannot use them. They remain in solution in the blood as poison, until they can be eliminated.

If health improves under the use of mineral water, it is not due to the minerals but to the change - the hopeful attitude of the mind - and the washing of the internal and external body, as the water is freely used.

As to the life in water, Dr. Hassalls says:

"All living matter contained in water used for drink, since it is in no way necessary to it, and is not present in the purest of waters, is to be regarded as so much contamination and impurity - is therefore more or less injurious, and is consequently to be avoided. There is yet another view to be taken of the presence of these creatures in water, viz.: that where not injurious themselves, they are yet to be regarded as tests of the impurity of the water in which they are found".

As the conditions for the development of vegetation and animalcules are air, light, stillness and matter for food, it is clear that the more impure the water, the more living creatures it will develop and the aim should be to avoid as many as possible by seeking water as pure as can be found.

Hard water is heavy with saline salts and lime gathered from the earth in some sections, and is less desirable than soft water. The constant use of hard water, or any kind having a great amount of minerals hastens "old age diseases," as the elements that are not eliminated settle around the joints, producing stiffness.

When water is not in a fit condition to use it should be distilled in the home, but if deep well water, nearly pure spring water or good cistern water or artesian water can be obtained, it is more convenient for general service. When less meat and stimulants are used, and the vitality of the cells is dominant, as in youth, the amount of mineral substance and bacteria in average natural water, will do no harm; however, it is well to have an idea before the mind, as to what pure water really is, because, people in general, will pay a high price for water that is of no value to them.

Pure water is the same in all places. The analysis being the analysis of foreign bodies held in suspension in the water. Water should be cool and fresh, but not extremely iced. Much kidney trouble results from excessive use of ice water.

The daily use of water in bathing is too well known to need discussion. From one to three pints of poisonous substances are exuded each day from the pores of the skin. It saturates the clothing, and adheres to the skin, hence if left long much of it is reabsorbed by the system, making additional work for the internal organs.

If one can enjoy a cold morning bath it is invigorating, but it is not a necessity. A tepid bath upon retiring, keeps the pores open and leaves a feeling of freshness and growth upon the mind, being a good impression for the cells during sleep.

The skin should be exercised and cultivated against sensitiveness to cold, as it keeps the circulation in better poise, and is a great protection against sudden changes. Clothing should be light, porous and clean, yet sufficient in quantity for protection, according to the degree of cold.

It is a common belief that exposure and extremes, as well as loss of sleep, and the indulgence in various dissipations, "toughen" children. That they must keep in the habit of doing abnormal things in order to be able to stand them. For instance, little tots are allowed to play all day with cold hands and feet, just so they do not cry with cold. Others are left sleeping with heads toward the fire. Many children are kept awake, late at night, to prevent them being sleepy, if to be taken to a party. Plenty of pepper is put into the soup to keep the stomach used to it. This is a mistaken and confused idea, that can be eradicated only from the standpoint of the normal life.

In all right channels there is a way to cultivate strength and power of endurance, through cell increase in brain and body, while in abnormal things the deadening influence that destroys cells, and sears the consciousness of suffering from wrong habits, is not a gain, in any way, but always a direct loss, as the original harmony of the system is soon lost and destroyed.

Oxygen enters so largely into the composition of the body, that many regard air as food; however, it is more like water, being an essential agent in the use of food. Air must be pure in quality and sufficient in quantity. Small lung capacity and bad habits of breathing, render perfect digestion and oxidization of food for energy impossible, thus the latent force of the body cells is constantly demanded, cultivating consumptive tendencies until the dread disease is fully developed. The general lack of cell building food fosters weakness also. ,In order to counteract the increase of the "great while plague" the lungs of school children should be tested each term by a spirometer which records thte exact breathing capacity. When it is found to be below normal, special training should be given in deep breathing until the desired capacity is acquired, tests being taken each month. The necessity of vital food free from stimulants should be impressed upon the minds of the parents, and less mental work should be assigned weakly pupils until full strength is gained. With these precautions a greater amount of vitality from the subjective side of life should be commanded, holding the system positive to the encroachment of disease. In this way a full life may be enjoyed, while with the early habit of weakness neglected, it is only a matter of time when all ambition must be laid aside and the preparation for life work is useless.