The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-07 00:00:00

The Dangers of Bantingism.

r E, Smith, assistant physician to the Hospital for Con-
sumption and Dieease of the Chest at Brompton, has just
published the inaugural address which, as president, he
delivered before the Physiological Sub-Section of the
British Association at Bath. The following is the pas-
sage in which he refers to " Bantingism A considera-
tion 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 to the former
further than to offer a few observations on Bautingism,'
which I shall describe the latter in some detail. The at-
tention which has recently been called to Bantingism has, I
think, been advantageous to the community, by showing
the effects which flow from a regulation of dietary, and by
gaining the confidence of the public in the science of the
question. The names of the components of food are now far
more widely known than before, and we may almost assume
that all persons know the difference between carbon and
nitrogen in their ultimate use in the animal system. lam
not here concerned with the medical question, as to whether
it is desirable to reduce the bulk of a given individual—a
circumstance which must always be left to the judgment of
the medical man in charge of the case; but I feel com-
pelled to state, that it would be an evil to this nation,
both physically and mentally, if the system of reduction
were to become at all general ; and that, on the con-
trary, regarding the whole population, we need 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 have seen very serious diminution of both
bodily and mental vigour follow out the working of the
plan. Omitting, therefore, any reference to the question of
health. and considering the subject scientifically, we must
admit that in a full led and fat man the fat and fluids of the
body may be lessened, and the whole bulk and weight pro-
portionately reduced by this system, and that upon prin-
ciples which have long been well established. The whole
plan is to reduce tho carbon or fat-forming elements in the
food to a point much below the daily wants of the system,
so that a 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 fats, as butter
and the fat of meat, and by very greatly restricting the
analogous food, starch, which enters largely into the com-
position of flout and all grains. The supposed necessity
for giving a very large supply of meat is based upon
incorrect reasoning, and in reality is owing the fact that
the carbon which is found associated with the nitrogen in
lean flesh is required from the too great reduction which
has 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 emount 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 r o necessity for
the absolute excision of fat and sugar, and the extreme re-
duction 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
the kinds of food usually taken; and as the reduction is
more slowly effected, it is a process attended by less danger
to the health. It may not be doubted that in proportion as
the system is evensively adopted, and in a given case is
worked out rapidly, so will be the prevalence of heart
diseases, derangement of digestion, and gout. Seeds are
now sown which will yield a plentiful harvest to medica
men"

THE EXPLOSION AT ERITH.—FUNERAL OF THE
VlCTlMS.—Yesterday afternoon the remains of
George Rayner, Thomas Hubbard, and John Yorke, who
were killed by the frightful explosion at Erith on Saturday
last, wore removed from the Belvedere Tavern, and interred
at the parish churchyard, Erith. The funeral procession
was attended by several mounted police constables and a
considerable number of persons, and the arrangements were
carried out by Mr Mason, of Plumstead, It has been Bug..
gested to commence a subscription to raise a fund for the
purpose of affording some remuneration to the soldiers at
Woolwich, through whose exertions an inundation of the
river was prevented, and many of whom have their clothing
almost entirely destroyed and rendered useless.
PRIZE FIGHT FRUSTRATED.—For some time past
it has been known to the sporting fraternity that
there would be a fight for £lo66aside between M`Nulty of
Birmingham and Haley of Leeds. The fight was to have
taken place on Tuesday morning in the neighbourhood of
Harrogate. Inspector Howard, of Harrogate, who had
been on the alert, got the "office" late on Monday night,
and very early on Tuesday morning his men were posted
at various stations on the North-Eastern line. The first
train from Leeds on Tuesday morning contained ample
proof that the inspector's information was accurate, as it
contained a very heavy load of those queer " physogs" which
are ever to be found at these brutal exhibitions; whilst in
the luggage van was stored the ropes, stakes, &c., of the
"ring." At Pannal the train was stopped, and the
" fancy " commenced rushing out, intending the fight to
come off there, but they were confronted by the police, and
retreated to the tram, into which the inspector and a num-
ber cf his officers also entered. Station after station was
pa'sed until Tepcliffir was reached, and there another
attempt was made to escape from the train; and the police
were told that they could not now interfere, as they were
in another riding. The inspector said, however,.he would
take the responsibility, and no fight should took place there
or anywhere else. The fellows resumed their seats in the
train, and went forward to Thirsk, the police still sticking
to the train. "All out," was the cry at Thirsk, and every
wrailable vehicle was put in requisit,on to convey the com-
batants -ad their partisans to the top of Hambleton
But the inspector at once obtained the assistance of Inspec-
tor Smith, of the North Riding Pollee, and a chase was
commenced, in which Capt. Hill, the chief constable, joined,
and the prize fighters were "run to ground" at the top of
the hill before the ring could be formed. The " fancy"
who had roundly blackgu rded the officers from their first
appearance, now became utterly hopeless of shaking them
off, and consented to relinquish the fight. The police
escorted the pugilists ',back to Thirsk, nor left them till
they were on their return to Leeds.—Leeds lirercury.
A Madrid journal says that the Emperor Napo-
leon has prtsented a gold medal to the eminent Spanish
printer, M. Rivadenegra, on account of the edition of " Dun
Quixote," printed by hiar at Arrarnatilla, of which he sent
a copy to the late exhibition at Bayonne.

mere! order, signed by Col. Gloucester Gambier, C.B
D-puty A djt -Gen., Royal Artillery, has been promulgated
from the Horse Guards by command of the Field Marshal
Commanding-in-Chief, in, which it is announced that he,
with the concurrence of the Secretary of State for War, has
awarded silver medals, together with gratuities for long
service and exemplary conduct, to the undermentioned non-
commissioned officers and men of the Royal Artillery for
the year 1864-5 :- —Gratuities of £l5 each, together with
silver medals, have been awarded to Master Gunners Wm.
Coleman, George Main, Emmanuel Massey, and G: Parkin
—Serg.-Iviejors Samuel Furlong, John Williams, Walter
Suden arid James Inglis—Quartermaster-Sergi.
William
Graham and Samuel M'Cartney—Battery Sergs-Major Job
Robins, John Brown, Charles Jones, James Cooper and Jn.
Campbell—Battery Quartermaster-Serga. R. Lethbridge,
Charles Mapp, John Quaid, and Jas. Suttie--Sergs. Edwin
Bonner, Alexander Luke, Henry Breathwaite, Alexander
Forbes, George Gould, Robert Andrew, 'William Brownlee,
Thomas Crey, 'William Fowler, Robert Horspool, Walter
Perryman, and William H. Robinson, Gratuities of £lO
each have been awarded to the following non-commis-
sioned officers : —Maater Gunner George Grimes—Battery
Sergts.-Major John Peoley, James Fairwealher, and Geo.
Kirkham—Battery Quartermaster-Sergts. William Bailey,
Francis Burdett, and Frederick Willmer—Farrier-Sergt.
William Lodge —Quartermastet-Sergt. Thomas Nurse--
Sergts. Thomas Dannon, Thomas Scott, Jahn Hindle,
John Hart, John Twiggs, John Chapenden, William Cross,
Anthony M'Guinness, Henry M'Allister, George Spiller,
David Gordon, Joseph Halford, William Barrel!, John
Thomson, 'William Grace, George Jackson, George H. Par-
fitt, 'William Henry Simpson, Samuel Thomson, Robert
Beattie, Richard Doborn, William John Leathern, George
Paul, William G. Priddie, and William Smither— Corporals
Robert Thomson and Samuel Stripling-. Gratuities of £5
each to Sergeants John Fergusson, Joseph Slater, and
Charles Crouch—Corporals 'William Cherry, William Gil-
berthorpe, Thomas Warnes, Thomas Ackland, John Brodie,
William Robertson, and John Leach—Bombardiers Edward
Cockland and Andrew Just ; Farrier James Congair. The
orders also announce that silver medals and gratuities ct £5
each have been awarded to 102 gunners and four trumpeters
of the Royal Artillery.
Yesterday afternoon the troops at Chatham garrison were
sesembled on Chatham lines, where they were put through
an extended course of movements incidental to a field-day
r..in a grand scale.

Naval and Military Intelligence

A ge:

_____ ._

The Cadmus, 21, 400 horse-power, is ordered to leave
Chatham this merning, and drop down the harbour to Folly
Point, where she will be stationed to await subsequent
ordeas from the Admiralty.
The iron screw steam-floating factory Casseur, which
has been attached to the iron frigate Achilles for several
months past, was yesterday placed in No. 4 dock, at Chat-
ham to have several defects made good, and her bottom
cleaned and examined.

The Royal Sovereign buret ship, Capt. Sherard Osborn,
will be put out of active commission at Portsmouth on
Friday, the 14th inst., and afterwards attached to the
Excellent gunnery ship for experimental purposes. The
order for placing the Royal Sovereign in the Steam Reserve
at Portsmouth was received at that yard on Sunday last.
The order for attaching her to the Excehent for experi-
mental purposes was received ort Wednesday last.
The Royal Alfred. converted frigate, to be iron-cased,
under No. 5 building shed of Portsmouth yard, has been
gives an external coating of black paint, and the erection
of staring under her bows and other necessary preparations
are being, hurried forward for the ceremony of launching
her on the 15th inst.

The Malacca, screw corvette, arrived at Portsmouth yes
terday, in tow of two Government steamtugs, from Mr
White's Medina dock and building yard at West Cowes,
wh►re her hull has undergone a thorough repair.
The following appointments wero made yesterday at the
Admiralty :—Lieut. E. G. Maddock, to the Formidable;
Lieut. Francis R. Bromilow. to the Achilles ; C. St. L.
Langford, F. H. Hemory, C. J, St. J, Hough, and Thos.
B• Gough, midshipman, to the Achilles; George Drury,
nominated to a naval cadetship ; Arthur J. Ireland, assist,
surg., to the Duke of Wellington ; Frederick Piercy, assist
surg., to the Portsmouth division of Royal Mar'nes; John
T. B. Torrance. assist.•surg., to the Victory; and J. Baillie,
of the Magicienne, promoted to be first class assist,_engineer•