Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-19


cooling OF the surface which has neces.
Stated an increased supply of nutri.
ment, at the same time, by quickening
the circulation and by sending the
blood from the skin to the internal
organs, facilitate its digestion and abb
sorptiOn, These conditions prevail in
this locality for a large part of the
year, and the habits then formed as
to the quantity and character of food
are likely to persist even when the ex-
ternal circumstances have changed as
much as they do between December
and July.
1t should be remembered that in
midsummer less activity is displayed.
less work Is performed, less exertion
is made BY The vast majority of per-
sons. The bodily heat suffers little
diminution By radiation into the sur.
rounding atmosphere. There is
markedly less demand for food of any
kind. There is an increased quantity
of blood in the skin, the action Of
which is excessive, and there is cor
respondingly smaller amount in the
internal organs, the activity of which
IL thus diminished. As movements
are slow, and exercise is reduced
to the lowest possible degree, the
respiration and circulation are
also slowed, and all the vital
processes are decreased in vigor.
The three hearty meals day, often
with meat at each meal, which we're
wholesome or even necessary during
the winter months now become abso-
lutely injurious. The stomach whose
secretion is small and whose move.
ments are inactive, becomes distended
with indigested, or even with ferment.
ing or decomposiDg materials. The
liver, predisposed in hot weather to
congestive condition, is irritated by the
passage through its vessels of the pro.
ducts of imperfect digestion. The
bowels either remain torpid, lacking
the stimulus of the natural secretions
or are excited to irregular and undue
action by the presence of PARTICLES or
masses Of food in various stages Of
decay, which call forth an effort on
the part of nature to eject them,
We thus have produced the dyspep-
STA and fstulenoe, the bilious attacks,
the constipation or the eolics and d.
arrheas, which, as has been said, are
so common during this season. II
persons would make an ATTEMPT 60
adapt their food, both in quantity and
quality, to their actual requirements
and not an imaginary standard; if thew
would give the preference to zine
fruits In its selection and vegetables,
which are new both Cheap and wholss
somei it they would learn to regard
the symptoms we have mentioned as
probably due only secondarily to the
temperature, but chiefly to their own
lndiscretion in diet, they would add te
their comfort and greatly reduce the
labors OF the physician.
1t is not NECESSARY that they should
become rigid vegetarians, but they
might with great advantage select The
lighter kinds Of meat, gettipg aside
particularly pork, bacon, ham and
veal, and substituting small amounts
OF lamb, rare beef or chicken. All
very highly seasoned articles should
be especially avoided, as by stimulat-
lDg the palate they tend to cause ex
cess IN eating. For the same reason,
and for others that need not be ex.
plalped sS this time, the pernicious
habit OF taking an appetizer" shortly
before meal time, in the shape Of
some alcoholic drink or soma form
OF "bltters," which slMest inyaria.
bly, contains alcohol, should be
strongly discouraged. Ordinarily
~ a person not ailing, not suffering
from some organic disease, the normal
appetite is safe guide to the amount
OF food required. Its moderate dimin.
ution at this time Of FEAR indicates a
lessened de@aad for food in aoooFds
anca With the above principles, and
should, within reasonable limits, and
over not too extended periods. be
accepted as q standard Of the indiyids
ual requirement.
If an arbitrary rule is asked for. it
may be stated approximately, that a
halt pound Of meat, a pound or a
pound and . half Of bread. and a
quantity Of fresh fruits and vegetables
sufficient to appease the appetite, will
maintain a healthy adult for twenty>
four hours under circumstances of
ordinary activity.