The laws of health

One of the first duties we owe to ourselves is to keep our bodies in perfect health. If our body suffers from any disorder, our mind suffers with it, and we are unable to make progress in knowledge, and we are unfit to perform those duties which are required of us in social life.

There are certain laws of health which deserve particular attention, and they are so simple that even a child can learn them. A constant supply of pure fresh air is indispensible to good health.

To secure this, nothing impure should remain either within or near our houses, and every room in the house, especially the bedrooms, should be properly ventilated every day.

Perfect cleanliness is also essential. The whole body should be washed as often as possible. The skin is full of minute pores, cells, blood vessels and nerves. It “breathes” the way the lungs do. Therefore it should always be clean.

A certain amount of exercise is necessary to keep the body in perfect condition. All the powers (mental and bodily) we possess are strengthened by use and weakened by disuse. Therefore labour and study should succeed each other.

Remember that exercises warm and purify the body. Rest is also necessary to the health of body and mind. The best time for sleep is during the darkness and stillness of the night.

Most essential to our body is food. Be moderate in eating. If you eat slowly, you will not overeat. Never swallow your food wholesale and you will never complain of indigestion.

Thus we must remember that moderation in eating and drinking, reasonable hours of labour and study, recreation and rest, cleanliness and many other essentials lay the foundations for good health and long life.

Questions

1. Where do you usually get treatment when you fall ill and what kind of treatment do you get there?

2. Have you ever been taken to hospital? If so, tell us how long you stayed there and what you were treated for?

3. How were you treated for flu when you were last ill?

4. What are the symptoms of flu?

5. What do you usually do to get well as soon as possible?

6. What is necessary to do to prevent serious deceases?

7. Why is it necessary to go to a dentist regularly for an examination of your teeth?

8. Are regular medical check-ups necessary? Why?

9. What do you know about the health system in our country (Great Britain, USA, etc.)?

Unit 8. Seasons words and expressions

Indian summer frost first frosts hoar frost mud mist fog

smog thunderstorm shower drizzling rain frosty day weather forecast

It’s snowing.

It’s thawing.

It’s slippery.

The wind is from the north.

It’s windy today.

What is the weather like today?

The winter has set in.

What nasty weather we are having.

25 degrees below (above) zero.

We had ten degrees of frost last night.

It's raining cats and dogs.

It seems to be clouding over.

How long do you think this cold spell will last?

There’s really no telling.

It’s wonderful weather we're having.