Health, or, How to Live

PURE AIR

THROW open the window, and fasten it there,
Fling the curtain aside, and the blind,
And give a free ent’rance to heaven’s pure air,
‘Tis the life and the health of mankind. HHTL 336.6

Are you fond of coughs, colds, dyspepsia and rheums,
Of headaches, and fevers, and chills;
Of bitters, hot-drops, and medicine fumes,
And bleeding, and blisters, and pills? HHTL 336.7

Then be sure when you sleep that all air is shut out;
Place, too, a warm brick at your feet;
Put a bandage of flannel your neck quite about,
And cover your head with a sheet. HHTL 336.8

But would you avoid all forms of disease?
Then haste to the fresh open air,
Where your cheek may kindly be fanned by the breeze,
‘Twill make you well, happy, and fair. HHTL 336.9

Then open the window, and fasten it there,
Fling the curtain aside, and the blind,
And give free admission to heaven’s pure air,
‘Tis life, light, and joy to mankind. HHTL 336.10