, 1884-06-19
HOW TO LIVE LONG.
The Suspension of Old Ago Is Within
the Limits of Possibility.
Tho Real Changes Which Produce
Old Aze---Dist for old People
Tho Virtues OF Dis
titled Water.
wv. o. Dawson in Knowledgs.l

" ~ We 81 AAc ARNhNl
Imprimis-old age is Of two varieties-pre-
mature, and that caused by the lapse oftime.
Premature age, as engendered by various
mental and physical e1cesses, comes not
within our present notice. The principal
characteristics of old age, as demonstrated
by anatomical research, are a deposition OF
hbrinous, gelatinous, and earthly deposits in
the system. Every organ in the body during
old age is especially prone to those ossillc
dispositions These earthly deposits have
been found to consist principally Of phos-
phate and carbonate Of lime, combined with
other calcareous salts, according to the re-
searches of DIR. C.. 7. B. Williams, FRS.
NThat man begins in a gelatinous and ter
inmates in an osseous Tor bonyl condition"
has been truly observed by a French physi-
clan. From the cradle TO the grave a gradual
process of ossiication is undoubtedly present;
but after passing middle life, the ossifc
tendency becomes moro markedly developed,
until it finally ushers in senile decreptitude.
These earthly deposits in the various organs
during old age materially interfere with the
due performance Of their respective func-
lions.
Hence we find imperfect circulation in the
aged, owing To the heart becoming partially
ossified, and the arteries blocked with calcare-
Gus matter interfering with that free passage
Of blood upon which nutrition depends, so tho
repair of the body naturally becomes inn
paired thereby.
SENILE DECAY
Both Bichat and Baillie considered that
the great number Of persons over 60 suffer
more or less from arterial ossiication. Wher
tue hearts valves become caTtilaginous, they
consequently fail to propel the blood to its
destinations, this fluid being further OBJ
structed by the ossitied and contracted condi-
ton of the arteries themselves
In youth, ON the other hand, nutrition Is
perfectly carried out, there being no block
ages to impede the circulating system upon
the due performance Of which physicalrepar-
alton depends.
Bearing the above facts in mind, we plainly
perceive that the real change which produces
old age is, in truth, nothing more or less than
a slow but steady accumulation Of calcareous
matter throughout the system. >
Having arrived at the predisposing causes
OF senile decay, it yet remains for us togo
still further and seek out their origin. The
two principal sources OF age are 1brinous
and gelatinous substances; secondly, cal
careous deposition. According TO the recent
researches OF Mr.. de Lacy Evans, the origin
OF the former may undoubtedly be traced to
the destructive action Of atmosphere oxygen.
Pfbrine has been said to contain
L5 per cent. more oxygen than albumen.
Now, oxidation converts albumen into
fibrine, fbrine itself being but an oxide of
albumen.
Although unquestionably fbrine nourishes
the organs of our bodies by repairing their
waste, yet a great deal OF this substance nc
-cumulates in course OF time, lessening the
caliber Of the blood vessels and thereby
causing their induration.