Health
statistics heap up the records of deaths due to heart disease, hardening
of the arteries, Bright's disease of the kidneys and apoplexy. It is not
a happy tale, but the truth is often tragic.

When a woman finds that her physical efficiency depends upon the
habitual use of cathartic drugs or laxative waters, she must regard the
knowledge with respect, she must give it serious consideration, and she
must adopt means to so change her method of living, that nature will be
given a chance to work in her interest--not against her. Better to find
out exactly where the trouble _is_ now, and go after it than to travel
too far along the wrong road. Many die from the "disease" of
procrastination.

OVEREATING.--Overeating may be included in this classification because
it so overworks the digestive apparatus that it is impossible for it
satisfactorily to complete its function. Any reader desirous of
understanding the full significance of overeating in this connection
should carefully read the article on this subject on pages 289 and 290.

There are, of course, a great many other causes for constipation but
these are the important ones. When we find the cause of any particular
case it will suggest the remedy and we must employ it faithfully if we
hope to effect a cure. If it is negligence, we must correct that fault
and compel our daily routine to accommodate itself to a regular
observance of this function. If it is lack of exercise, we must get more
exercise, or if it is lack of bulk in our food, we must change our
method of living and select with more care the foods we eat. If it is
lack of water, we can correct the constipation by adding the proper
amount of water at the proper time.

A patient who has been a victim of chronic constipation for some time
must live a life somewhat after the following general plan:

She should increase the vegetables, fruits, and fats in her diet and she
should drink enough water. It is a good plan to sip slowly one-half pint
of hot or cold water morning and evening. Daily exercise in the open air
is advisable; exercise of some kind, even if taken indoors, is
imperative. Walking, riding, bicycling, tennis, golf, swimming, are the
best forms of exercise for women. Indoor gymnastics can be made a
satisfactory substitute. After the exercise a hot shower bath and a cold
sponge bath or cold plunge or a swim should follow.

Women in very moderate circumstances may walk briskly a distance of
t