Time Not Toxic

Here is something which should be added to our treasure – house of maxims and framed and hung in every home. Like most maxims and adages it is probably not completely correct. But it is good enough for me, because I have tried it and found it true.

Do try it yourself and it may do you a world of good. Have your husband try it when he starts complaining. Have your wife try it — you know when. Never mind the children, they don’t need it yet. This is it: “TIME IS NOT TOXIC.”

I didn’t originate it. I don’t know who did. But it was the main topic of a recent conference of physicians and surgeons in Cincinnati.

According to those doctors, one of the principal complaints of their patients is: “Doctor, I am getting old.” Then they blame almost everything that happens to them on approaching old age. They think there is nothing they can do about it. They think arthritis, heart trouble, cancer, in fact, almost everything is due to time. Nonsense, say the doctors. Time has nothing to do with it. Let me quote from one of the addresses made at the conference by a prominent specialist:

“Every human tissue is endowed by potential immortality when adequately provided with food factors, oxygen and suitable warmth, and when removal of wastes is carefully effected. Time has no effect on human tissues maintained under such conditions, or indeed, on human tissues under any conditions.

“Vigor does not necessarily vary inversely with the age of the adult. It varies directly with the factors of heredity, healthful living, mental condition, and medical and surgical treatment.”

The doctors agreed that belief in the effects of time tends to reduce ambition; therefore, expectations and endeavors are curtailed. “ All those who develop a time neurosis subscribed to the prevalent superstition that time is in some way a poison exerting a mysterious, cumulative action.”

The report goes on to say that where there is such a time neurosis, confidence, and hope are diminished, continual worry decreases efficiency, and increases nervousness and irritability. “ Imaginary symptoms are noted with increasing frequency. The mind or the heart seems to be failing. Morbid attention is given to every little symptom”.

And, by golly, those doctors are right. I just had an awful pain in my neck. A sharp pain. Rheumatism? Neuritis? Old age? I investigated. Do you know what it was? A pin the laundry had stuck in.

I hope you will benefit from this column. But just one bit of parting advice. Don’t go gallivanting around now that the doctors say old age is imaginary. And don’t make a hog of yourself. Hogs don’t live long.