Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-17

From the Wilmington {Del) News
A condensed review Of work on this topic, by
john Gardner, NJ. D., an eminent London
physician, whose specially Is diseases OF the
aged, accompanied by some common-sense
observations on the subject.
The medical profession, as a rule, are not in
clined to favor specialists specialties, but the
public hold different opinion. The propriety
OF such specialties scarcely admits Of a ques
ton, and special practitioners are more skillful
and experienced in their treatment than those
who spread their practice over the whole field
on meolclne. This applies as fOrcfbly to the
treatment OF diseases of elderly persons to
any other branch
Referring to the subject, DIR. Gardner says:
1T would be very happy for US had we mystic
elixir capable OF preserving life in spite of old
damages and injurious ha5its-but we have not.
liners, meIG y no snort and sharp process to stay the
"A healthy and vigorous state of every part
ana every organ is essential to the health and
wei-oeing OF the whole system. And age
ing. or what Is the same TO our means of obser-
Walton. begins sometimes locally and some
times over the SYSTEM generally, we first look
ior the local oegeneracy, and. finding none to
cail Tor special remedies. we address ourselves
To the entire system. We have many and
most valuable agents capable of invigOrating
and imparting tone to the whole And these,
Judiciously selected and combined, and admin
iStered with a fun knowledge and control over
the diet, regimen and habits of n patient, will
greatly aneilorate the effects If not retard the
advance OF ageing.'
lot OF all. With advancing years come in
creased infirmities they are by no means in
eVltabe. ana their presence is due to the failure
To Keep up TO their work the various organs of
the Dody. The study of the body by scientists
furnishes unquestiOnable evidence that the du-
ration OF human life may be prolonged to a
hundred years
1t Is an unquestionable fact that with each
century, and its corresponding growth in knowl-
edge, the average duration Of human life is in
crelsin@.
On the subject of stimulants, Dr. Gardner
says: THE advocates OF total abstinence sig
nalIy fail to produce evidence in support OF
their opinion that all stimuants are inimical
10 health and longevity. Science, common
sense Holy Scripture and all experience testify
TO The benefits to be derived
referring TO the diseases and sudden attacks
which the aged are liable to, ne adds: "a sud-
uen indigestion, SpasIhs, q chill caused by eX-
posture 10 wet or cold weather, temporary de-
preston of the vital forces justify the use of
spirits in proper quantity, and in such cases
they are Invaluable
In the use of spirits. the Doctor has found
as other doctors and inValids generally find, the
presence of an article harmful in its nature
Quoting his own words, he says: Elderly per-
hnd artinclal heat applied externally fails to
afford relief, may. with undoubted propriety
ana advantage, take whiskey and hot water on
;.oingto bed. Ii Il headache or foul tongue fol-
probably containing fnsil oil. A very slight
trace OF this noxious Ingredient in spirits WILL
in some constitutions. produce headache-as
accurate Il test Oh impurity as chemistry can
employ
The VI I'd whiskey is derived from a word
used IN ancient times, meaning ''the water OF
lie, and though not absolutely "the water of
life, 1t possesses, when pure and made from
malt. more iife-giving and beneficial properties
than any other Known article