erence to all these bodily functions must be strictly
observed, for it is only under such conditions that life and health
can be maintained at their best.

The body may be regarded as a machine. Why not make it a strong machine,
and as perfect as possible? Its efficiency means everything. If you had
an engine, a motorcycle, a sewing machine or a printing press that was a
very poor machine, you would like to exchange it for a better one,
would you not? You would even spend large sums of money to secure a
better machine to take the place of the poor one. But if your body
is imperfect, inefficient, weak, rusty and clogged up with grit, dirt
and all the waste products due to the "wear" in the bodily structures,
you seem nevertheless entirely satisfied. You go on from day to day and
from year to year without thinking of the possibility of getting a
better physical equipment. But why not consider the body in the same
light as any other machine that is of value to you. Your body is the
thing that keeps you alive. If it is a poor instrument, then it is more
important that you should get a better one than that you should buy a
new engine or new printing-press or new sewing-machine. The only
difference is, that it is within your power to get a better body machine
by building up the one that you have. You can repair it, you can add
to its vitality, you can strengthen the functional system, you can make
it more perfect and efficient. You can make it a high-power machine
that will be of real value in any undertaking that you may wish to carry
out. You can make it strong instead of weak, and you can thus enjoy
that superabundant vitality without which life is hardly worth the
living.

CHAPTER III: The Proper Bodily Posture

The very great value of maintaining the body in a proper position cannot
be too strongly emphasized. Man is the only animal that walks erect. He
is the only animal in whom old age brings a forward bending of the
spine. The hanging head, which is the attitude of hopelessness, and
which is caused to a very large extent by the mental attitude that goes
with approaching old age, no doubt does a great deal to quicken physical
decline.

Therefore it would be wise to remember the very grave importance of a
straight, erect spine. Each day of your life should be to a certain
extent a fight for the best that there is in life and a struggle to hold
the spine as nearly erect as possible. If you