The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-06 00:00:00

THE DANGERS OP BLIITINGISM.

Dr. E. smith, assistant physician to the Hos-
pital for Consumption and Disease of the Chest at Bromp-
ton, has just published the inaugural address which, as pre-
sident, be delivered before the Physiological Sob-Section of
the British Association at Bath. The following is the pas-
sage in which he refers to " &alleges& :"—" A considers-
tMei of the dietary of the general community must have
regard to two classes at least, viz., the well-fed middle and
higher classes, and moderately fed or ill-fed labouring
classes ; but time will not allow me to refer te the former
further than to offer a few observations on ' Beatingism,'
whilst I shall describe the latter is some detaiL The at-
tention which has recently been called to &atingle= has, I
think, been advantageous to the community, by showing
the effects which Bow from a regulation of dietary, and by
gaining she oonfidence of the public in ►he science of the
question. The names of ►he components of food are sow
far more widely known than before, and we may almost
assume that all persons know the difference between car-
boo and nitrogen in the;r ultimate use in the animal
system. lam not bare conotward with the medical ques-
tion, as to whether it is desirable to reduce the bulk of •
given individual—a circumstance which must always be left
to the judgment of the medical man in charge of the case ;
but I feel compelled to state, that it would be an evil to
this nation, both physically aid mentally, if the system of
rednetioo were to become at all general ; and that, on the
contrary, regarding the whole population, we Deed to add to,
rather than take from, the weight of the body. I would
also add my experience as a physician, that even in the well-
fed classes I bare seen very serious diminution of both bodily
and mental vigour follow the working out of the plan. Omit-
tiog, therefore, any reference to the question of health, and
considering the subject scientifically, we must admit that in
• fall-fed and fat man the fat and fluids of the body may
he lessened, and the whole bulk and weight proportionally
reduced by this system, and that upon principles which
have long been well established. The whole plan is to
reduce the carbon or fat-forming elements in the
food to • point much b=low the daily wants of the sys-
tem, so that • portion of the fat already in the body may
be consumed daily, whilst at the same time the nitrogenous
elements are supplied with at least their usual abundance.
This is effected by withholding separated fate, as butter
and the fat of meat, and by very greatly restricting the
analogous food, starch, which enters largely into the com-
position of flour and all armies. The supposed oeoeseity
for giving • very large supply of meat is based upon incor-
rect realm:deg, and in reality ie owing to the fact that the
emboli which is found associated with the nitrogen in lean
flesh is required from the too great reduction which hes
been made in sugar, fat, and starch in other food. For the
purpose in hand it is more consistent with sense and science
to allow the usual variety of food, but to limit the total
daily amount of it, so that the quantity of carbon shall be
in defect of the daily wants, and the quantity of
nitrogen remain as before. There is no necessity for
the absolute excision of fat and sugar, and the extreme
reduction in the quantity of bread any more than for the
great increase in the quantity of meat, The bulk of the
body may be reduced simply by lessening the amount of
t►e kinds of food usually taken ; and as the reduction is
more slowly effected, it is • process attended by lees danger
to the health. It may sot he doubted that in proportion as
the system is extensively adopted, and in • given case is'
worked out rapidly, so will be the prevalence of heart-
diseases, derangement of digestion, and gout, Seeds are
Dow sown which will yield a plentiful harvest to medical
man."

COLLISION OFF THE CORNISH COAST. —Tbescbooner
Mary Sanders, of Fowey, and the echomier Mary Ellen. of
Abstrystwith, mine in collision off the Lend's End on Nas-
daq morning, whiles heavy gale 11111 blowing. Both creed
were much dammed, and were supposed to be in • Makin
condition when the mews deserted there. The captains,
however. remained on board. No tiding were received of
them op to Tuesday, and it is feared they have sunk with
the vessels._

FATAiEXPLOSION AT A LIMIT= MATCH MANN-
YACTORT.—Yeaterday monies et 8 o'clock the life of
James Morris, foresail to Messrs. Latchford, march
macufactorena in Three COULD*, Bethsagrees, was lost
by ae raplorioa. Is appears that the desaased Ins elapsed
is mizies iogredisera for the clippies of matches, sad it is
'apposed that the (rioting conssiosed by the process gave
rise to the admit, This chemise!' soddisely exploded
with a loud noise. which caused the warkpeople to rim to
the spot. Tbey found the deceased fearfully injured about
the teas, sod he died soca afterwards.