The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-09-07
OBESITY.
A Chapter for Fat People.

numerous, its dangers to both health
and life not few. One of the very
least of the former is the difficulty fat
person has in getting about, and in TAX
ing that amount of exercise without
which the body cannot long be main
tanned in the only state which can with
propriety be called condition. Exer-
ciss alone will not reduce a mans
weight, though people usually believe
so, but exercise will retard the accumu-
lation of fat
Adipose tissue is, to those inclined to
corpulency, usually deposited not only
under the skin-it would be well, in
deed, if this were all-but in the spaces
between the various muscles of the
limbs, all around the heart and the
kidneys, and in many other vital posi-
lions that need not be named. The ac-
emulation of fat on and around the
muscles naturally prevents activity of
motion; but it does more and worse, for
1T throws q serious obstacle in the way
of those muscles receiving a due
amount of nutrition; they are therefore
weakened and rendered flabby. And
here let me point out fact to those of
my readers who may mediate treating
themselves for the reduction of obesity.
You may sometimes hear an express
sion like the following from stout
man in the prime life:
IF could get rid of some twenty or
twenty-five pounds of flesh "-such
people will persist in calling it flesh
what would l do" "Yes, my friend"
1 should reply, "and pray what could
you do? For if you were to get rid of
nearly all the fat that is on you to-mor-
row or the day after, you would not be
able to walk twice the length of your
own garden for cold and fatigue. Your
muscles are attenuated and fiabby, and
if deprived suddenly of their cushions
of fat they would be of very little use
indeed. That really is the truth,
whether you like it or not"
The deposition of fat around the kid
neys or on the heart comes in time to
interfere very seriously with the func-
tions of those organs, and to engender
diseases which ultimately lead to dropsy
of fatal character III the heart is
prevented from acting as it ought to,
the health cannot be long maintained.
If it be flabby heart the blood will be
impoverished, the person will have q
sallow look, and be more or less boat
ed in appearance. If the heart is en-
larged or hypertrophied, we may ex-
| pect much difficulty in breathing, espe-
cially if the patient attempts quick
walking or hurried climbing OF stairs,
and perhaps frequent attacks of palpi-
tation, with now and then swimming in
the head, and sensation of falling,
even in dreams at night.
The fat is sometimes not merely de-
posted on the heart, but among it's
muscles, causing degeneration of the
walls of that organ, rendering the suf-
ferer quite unfit for any of the more
active duties of life. The respiration
of fat people is very much interfered
with; indeed, one might say it is seldom
or never carried on with complete
| feeling of comfort. Nor, on the other
hand, is the digestion strong, nor the
appetite either, unless excited by hot
sauces or vinous stimulants.
If we glance for moment or two ut
| the most common causes of corpulency
we shall, l think, get hints as to the
most rational plan of treatment.
Corpulency is often constitutional
but, even if it be, that is no reason, re-
member, that it should not be kept
within due bonds. A too easy mind
and sanguine manner of looking at
! the everyday personal occurrences of
| life, is q cause over which one has little,
| if any control. Success in life is
wished for devoutly by all, but it often
has the effect of rendering people who
are constitutionally inclined to be so,
very corpulent. Well, people cannot
be expected to manufacture small wor-
ries for themselves in order to keep
within due bounds eorporeally, but
they can avoid the pleasures of the
table, however well off in the world
they may be. Indulgence in beer,
tendency to Increase the amount of fat
so has the use of sugar, which expert
ments seem to prove is often turned
into fat in the system, and even drinking
too much water. Age has something
to do with the Scumulation of fat, men
generally giving evidence Of this con-
dition of body between 30 and 40, and
women between 40 and 80 if not
! before.
If we consider obesity disease
and if it be not actually so, it is at least
very distressing state of body-then
we ought to be able to find out some
scheme for its general treatment. And
here the question naturally arises, is il
safe for stout person to use means tc
reduce bis system? As rule it is,
provided no extra harsh measures are
adopted for that purpose. The danger
in diminishing the quantity of fat il
and on the body is trihing if it be grad
ually accomplished. The person about
10 undergo the process of reductions
should be carefully weighed every week
and the weight noted, being particular
to wear exactly the same amount Of
clothes each time. Some of the bitter
tonics may he Mt the same time used
with advantage so long as they do MOI
constipate, because, while reducing fat
our object IL to brace and tone muscle
and nerve. Plenty of exercise should
at the same time he taken in the oper
air, but this should not be carried tc
the verge of fatigue. Over-indulgenct
in bed should be avoided, and the use
of the tepid or cold sea-salt hath will