Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-11-06
The Aged.

| It is very difficult for us to appreciat.
the fact that the rapid fight of ''Fathel
| Time" is constantly robbing lis of oul
| physical powers, after we have passee
| the prime of life. We are unwilling tt
admit - naturally - that the vivacity
the elasticity and the physical vigor Of
youth have measureably passed away,
even when we have reached threescore
years. This is true, however, while il
is utterly impossible to escape grow.
ing DID," prematurely, save by needing
the warnings given us by natural
disinclination to exercise with our usual
activity and vivacity- As we advance
in life, there is an increasing love oil
home, of rest and quiet, our movements
being correspondingly measured and
moderate.
just to the extent, therefore, that we
attempt, from habit or false ideas, to
continue our early customs, laborine
and walking at the former speed, we
shall do so at a disadvantage, unnec-
essarily exhausting our vital forces
con stantly on the wane. If the young
choose to outstrip us in any respect, it
is wise to allow them the liberty, fol-
loving our natural inclinations. which
are safe guides, as {. general principle.
The human body-like machinery run
at a dangerous rate of speed is rapid
ly destroyed, soon getting beyond re-
pairs! In youth there is recuperative
power which will iustify-for time, at
least-far more undue effort than can
be safely tolerated in advanced life.
This fact is well illustrated by the many
deaths of the aged, particularly durin g
the very hot Or the very cold weather;
these extremes proving too much for
the reduced forces of the infirm.
The abuse of the digestive organs is
prominent among the active causes of
disease among the aged, some times
called NERVOUS prostration.' Far too
many wholly retire from business years
before it is iudicious to Go SO, provided
one will labor according to the then
existing strength, passing an indolent
life, save in the matter of eating, con-
tinuing to take the same food, in kind
and quantity, that seemed necessary
when an active lie sharpened the APP
petite. During the growth of the
body, particularly when there is an un-
usual activity, the appetite will be cor
respondingly active. attended by a SIM
liar digestive power. But, in after life,
when the powers are moderate in their
activity, with far less demand for nu-
trition-save to sustain the heat of the
body-the natural appetite is far less
urgent in its demands, true to the me-
cess ty of the case aside from morbid
desires. based on habits. About one
hall, therefore, of the food actually
needed by the young man, active and
vigorous, while rapidly growing. will
suffice for the aged, of the same size,
while doing but little labor, or none re-
quiring exertion. If, however, those a
little past the prime of life leave an ac-
tive business, leading one of compare
tive Incidence. without a corresponding
change in diet, reading political papers.
eating, drinking, smoking, etc., occu-
plying most OF their time, digestive de-
liver difficulties. bowel
and sudden death will be
the legitimate results. While it is un-
wise to relinquish business and labor,
wholly, long before one is absolutely
unable to labor, it is safe. imperative,
/. the health is regarded. to be mode
rate in all our movements, our eating,
our artificial habits and particularly in
what should be regarded as our indul-
Golden Rule.