, 1884-06-19

IL therefore follows that, rs time goes on
old age) fbrinous and gelatinous dispositions
become noticeable. Consequently, as hbrine
is an oxide Of albumen, so also is g~elatine an
oxide of hbrine, due to the action of oxygen
on the ibrIne deposited by the blood. A
further effect of oxidation causes part of
these substances to be decomposed, and sub
sequently eliminated through the kidneys as
compounds Of ammonia and urea. There is
always a continual struggle progressing in
our systems between accumulation and elm
nation. Thus it Is that the ibrinous AMI
gelatinous accumulations of old age are
chiefly trnceable to the chemical action of
atmospheric oxygen.
The calcareous deposits next claim our at
t%ention, being proved by anatomical investi-
CATION TO be peculiarly characteristic OF old
age.
In the human body water forms 20 per
cent. Of its aggregate weight; in fact there is
not a single tissue which does not contain
water as a necessary ingredient. Now water
holds certain salts in solution, which become
more or less deposited, Notwithstanding the
large proportion eliminated through the score
tons. Nevertheless, it is only a matter of
time before these minute particles deposited
by the blood have n marked effect in causing
the stiffness and aridity of advancing life.
The reason why in early life the deposit of
earthly salts is 30 ininitesimal is simply be-
cause they have not had time to accumulate.
1t Is the old kitchen boiler which Is found
full Of incrustations, not the new one, timo
not having been sufficient for their deposit.
NJ. lie Canu proved by analysis that human
blood contains compounds OF lime, magnesin
and iron, averaging 81 in every 1000 parts.
This clearly demonstrates that in the blood
itself are contained the earth salts, which
gradually become deposited in the system.
II FOR L AGE.
Blood being made from the assimilation OF
food, 1t is therefore TO food itself we must
primarily look for the origin of these earthly
deposits, Besides providing the requisite ele.
msnts of nutrition, food contains calcareous
salts, which, upon being deposited in the
arteries, veins, and capillaries, become the
proKimate cause of ossification and old age.
Having now traced the primary existence
Of calcareous matter to food itself, it is con-
sequently a subject of no small moment to
ascertain those varieties OF dietetic articles
containing these salts. As a matter OF fact,
everything we eat does contain them to a
greater or less degree. The cereals hive becn
found most rich in earth salts; SO bread itself,
the so-called staff OF life, except in great
moderation, nssuredly favoIs the deposition
of these salts in the system. The more uitrog.
enous cur food, the greater its percentage in
calcareous matter; THUG a diet composed
principally Of fruit, from It's lack of nitrogen,
Is best adapted for s~uspending ossific deposits.
Modeia ion in eating must ever be of great
value rs an agent for retarding the nd-
vent Of senility. Large caters more rapidly
bring about these ossific deposits, owing to
having taken more food into the stomach
than 1t is able to utilize or excrete, the result
being naturally a more rapid ~blockage. Ac.
cordlng to the researches of Mr.. de Lacy
Evans 1t would appear that the following