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Humane Society.

519

"Obey God rather than man;" give up at once the extra gain which you cannot keep with a good conscience; and even should your master discard you altogether from his service, fear not, you have a Master in heaven:" be faithful to him, and he will surely provide for you and yours. "They that seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good."

I remain, Sir, very respectfully,

Your former Correspondent,

D. W.

Droitwich, Sept. 12, 1831.

HUMANE SOCIETY.

MR. EDITOR,

IN your last number (page 435) I read the account of a lady's successful exertions in the cause of humanity, and I can vouch for its being, in substance, true; as the lady is well known to me. There is, however, a remark which I should be glad to make, as it may stimulate other young people to exertion, and shew them that it is never too soon to employ themselves in what is good. The lady who saved the life of the child was, at the time, no more than sixteen years of age.

The water in which the child fell was a pond, not a river, as stated in your article; but this is not important.

I am, dear Sir, yours,

A CONSTANT READER.

The following directions for restoring breathing are taken from the card circulated (gratis) by the Humane Society :

Introduce the pipe of a pair of bellows (when you have no apparatus) into one nostril, the other nostril and the mouth being closed. Inflate the lungs till the

breast be a little raised; the breast must then be gently pressed, and the mouth and nostrils left free. This must be continued.

HYMN.

(FOR GRACE.)

BE with us, Lord, where'er we go;
Teach us what thou would'st have us do;
Suggest whate'er we think or say;
Direct us in the narrow way.

Prevent us, lest we harbour pride,
Lest we in our own strength confide;
Shew us our weakness, let us see
We have our power, our all, from thee.
Enrich us always with thy love,
Our kind protector ever prove;
Thy signet print upon our breast,
And let thy Spirit on us rest.
Assist and teach us how to pray;
Incline our nature to obey;

What thou abhorr'st, that may we flee,
And love alone what pleases thee.

O may we never do our will,
But thine, and only thine, fulfil;
Let all our lives, and all our ways,
Be spent, and ended, to thy praise.

(From the Bolton Hymn Book.)

Sent by M. J. D.

HINTS ON THE CHOLERA MORBUS.

THE following remarks are taken from an excellent little tract which has been sent to us, written by "Esther Copley, Author of Cottage Comforts," (Darton and Son.) We are sorry that we have not space for more.

Within the last few weeks and months we have heard much of the progress of this dreadful calamity. In

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former years we have heard or read of its ravages in India with little alarm-but it is now getting near to our own shores. Who can tell but the dreadful scourge may be permitted to devastate our highly favoured yet guilty land? Who can tell but it may break up our endeared connexions? Who can tell but it may summon our spirits to stand before God? Such feelings, of which at the present time most persons are, more or less, the subjects, furnish a proper occasion for offering a few hints to two distinct classes, not indeed of equal importance, yet neither of which should be overlooked or disregarded. The first are the suggestions of common prudence, the latter are the dictates of heavenly wisdom.

Hitherto, through the great mercy of God, we have been preserved in happy ignorance of the more aggravated forms of the disease alluded to; but we are not altogether strangers to diseases which partake, more or less, of its character; and from what little we know of these, we may glean a few hints of general precaution, even with reference to the more dreadful malady.

This class of diseases is most prevalent in the autumnal season; bearing this in mind will probably lead us to detect and guard against their immediate

causes.

1. We sometimes hear of sudden and violent seizures of cramp, which perhaps prove fatal, almost before medical help can be procured. This, on inquiry, may be traced to sudden transitions from heat to cold, by which the general circulation is suddenly impelled, or suddenly checked. This suggests the importance of caution and self-denial. When oppressed with heat, it might be very delightful to sit in a strong current of air, or to take a draught of cold water or cyder, but would be very, very dangerous.

2. Bilious cholera, or violently disordered bowels, generally attended with sickness, is very common at the autumnal season; and it may often be traced to imprudence in eating fruits and vegetables. Some

kinds are always more or less dangerous, as cucumbers, melons, plums, and nuts. All unripe fruits are at all times unwholesome; all acid or cold fruits or vegetables are improper, when the stomach is heated. To swallow the stones of cherries or damsons, which is thoughtlessly practised by many people, is highly injurious. Vegetables or fruit, if kept to be stale, are little better than poisonous *. Vegetables, not properly boiled, are bad. Such as have grown slowly in dry weather should be avoided :-and of the very best there is danger in taking too much.

3. If the disorder occasioned by improper food be not immediately and properly attended to, especially if the parties reside in a marshy, swampy country, it often proceeds to bilious fever; but as this originates in the same causes, it is only necessary to urge the importance of paying proper attention at the commencement of an attack of this kind, and so, if possible, preventing its rising to a serious height.

4. Typhus fever is also common and alarming, both on account of the individual first attacked, and the possibility of its spreading to others. It is worth while to notice, particularly, among what class of persons this disorder chiefly abounds.

1st. Those who live very poorly, without sufficient solid nourishing food, ESPECIALLY those who attempt to supply the want of solid food by drinking pernicious drams.

2d. Those who live in close confined situations, and who are filthy in their habits.

3d. Those who yield to depression of spirits, especially to dread of disease.

Perhaps even the poorest might do something to improve their own diet. It is to be feared that much misery arises from mismanagement. This is not said

* It is a common practice to make cucumbers, lettuce, and radishes appear fresh for sale, by keeping them in water; but this only renders them more unwholesome.

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without a knowledge of, or feeling for, the great straits and trials the poor have to endure, but with an affectionate wish to be instrumental in alleviating their sufferings. If they could but be persuaded that every penny spent at the dram shop, is spent on that which certainly injures their constitution, and lays it open to the attacks of disease! if that penny, little as it is, were habitually spent on solid wholesome food-good bread, meal, rice; or, if possible, meat-themselves and their families would be nourished and made fitter for labour, and fitter to resist the influence of infection.

[A poor man has told me that he could make a capital mess to feed all his family, with Scotch barley, or peas, or oatmeal, with vegetables and a little meat boiled in it, or a little salt bacon to give it a flavour, for less money than he can feed them on bread. ED.]

Then, as to the second of the causes mentionedclose crowded apartments. It is grievous that any should be compelled to reside so incommodiously; but it is worth while for such to consider, whether they make the best they might of their situation. Do they open their windows as much as possible? are they careful in keeping clean their houses, and persons, and clothing? and in removing, as far as possible, any thing that is filthy and offensive?

To guard against the third cause mentioned, depressing, gloomy presentiments, I can give no better advice than this-study to have a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards man; cultivate a spirit of contentment with your lot, and endeavour to have your trust and confidence firmly fixed on the wisdom. and goodness of God, in all his dispensations. If you have the delightful assurance that God is your friend, you need never fear any thing that may come to you from his hand; and you are quite sure that nothing can come without it. A few general cautions shall close this class of remarks.

1. If you would avoid infectious disease, avoid excess of every description. It has been strikingly observed by an eminent Indian physician," the first and certain

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