so-called enlightened days, when education is at the highest possible pressure. By systematic exercises I mean exercises both physical and mental, i.e., of the muscles and of the mind, more particularly the former, to which I am anxious to direct special attention. Of course I am fully conscious of the value of mental exercise, the suitable regulation of which in different individuals, and at different times, requires the most careful consideration and judgment. In the course of the following remarks I hope to be able to show what a powerful and beneficial influence judicious exercise of body and mind exerts upon the morals.

During the past few years Sanitary Science has been making giant strides, in some instances, however, on very doubtful and insecure foundations. There is, therefore, much yet that remains to be done in this direction. I presume that almost every one is convinced of the necessity, from a sanitary point of view, of a plentiful supply of fresh air and pure water, of wellregulated diet, and efficient clothing, of warmth and sunshine, and last, but by no means least, of a scrupulous attention to cleanliness in every detail of life. All these conditions, admirable

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and desirable as they are, may be present, and yet in some cases there is gradual failure of health. What is the cause? It is not improbable that sometimes injudicious, unsuitable, or insufficient exercise of body or mind is at the root of the evil. That this is frequently the case amongst the upper and middle classes in this country there can be no reasonable doubt. it is more likely to happen when there is distinct hereditary predisposition to some constitutional disease. At the present time, during the period of growth and development, the various avenues leading to the youthful brain are in many instances literally crammed to suffocation. The brain is expected to absorb the greatest possible amount of crude knowledge in the least possible time. Examiners now-a-days appear to require not only correct answers to questions (which is reasonable enough), but they must be given in a comparatively short space of time. The time allowed is too short, except for the few who are endowed with talents of a more than ordinary kind. Too much is attempted in one direction. The strain in one part of the nervous system is too great and long continued. There is not sufficient distribution of nerve force, hence a

liability to break down. And such a break down, more or less complete, is by no means uncommon, especially amongst girls, just as they are beginning to breathe the atmosphere and experience the responsibilities and trials of womanhood.

Such training, with an occasional accident of this description, must inevitably end in the physical and mental degeneration of the human species.

Wherefore, I think it may perchance contribute in some instances to improve the condition of the masses by directing special attention to such a common-place, although valuable, aid to the preservation of health as exercise. This has not as a rule been particularly noticed by our health officers. Their duties, as at present marked out for them, consist mainly in providing thoroughly efficient ventilation and drainage in and about our dwelling-houses, together with a plentiful supply of pure water; and in endeavouring to check the spread of serious epidemics of infectious fevers, by isolation and other auxiliary methods. All such work cannot be too highly appreciated, and the public owe an ever-increasing debt of gratitude to those members of the

medical profession who forced upon the Legislature of this country the appointment of health officers.

Much is due to these guardians of the public health, but there is still a wide and as yet imperfectly explored field before them.

"Sewer gas and germs seems to be the great war-cry of many of those whose province it is to grapple with disease and its various causes. This is all very well, and a well-balanced estimate of its power and significance is highly desirable. At the same time it will not tend to the diminution of disease or the promotion of science, if the specious hypotheses of enthusiasts are hastily accepted without corroboration by several independent observers. Disease germs and the theories connected therewith are as yetand I write this advisedly-as yet enveloped in an almost impenetrable haze of doubt and mystery. It must not be forgotten that there are other potent, unmistakable, and very common causes of disease besides germs and sewer gas. And although the germ theory of disease may eventually prove to be partially, if not wholly true, there is no question that its importance during the last year or two has been wofully exaggerated, and in many instances entirely mis

applied, notwithstanding the palpable and direct evidence of other causation to the unprejudiced observer. These germs taking a prominent, or rather a fashionable, position in the scientific world, have been erroneously recorded, and that too in an official manner, as the positive morbid agents on various occasions. The statements here made I am prepared to substantiate, if need be, in every particular, in such a manner as to leave no possible room for doubt even in the most sceptical mind. I can readily imagine some of my readers wondering whether my mode of life is in any way regulated by the ideas I have attempted to describe and explain in the following pages. To a certain extent I can affirm that it is, although I am afraid I must confess in a very incomplete and unsatisfactory manner. This does not, however, diminish the probability of such ideas being correct, or detract from their value when thoroughly carried out. Had I thought it necessary or advisable I could have illustrated many of my statements by relating some personal experiences.

Putting aside what is usually possible to ordinary mortals, it is highly probable that as a rule the general good health and prospects of