The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-10-22
"Slow Up"

read health article not long ago
that appealed strongly to my common
sense. The subject was diet in relation
to age. 1t urged that as the vital force
grows less the diet should be regulated
to suit the new conditions. Food more
simple, more nutritious in proportion to
quantity, should be taken. This seems
self-evident,-bu is, l venture to say
very seldom considered. On the con-
trary rs the man grows old, and has
comforts seem to him of more import
ance than ever. He eats, and eats
again because he has nothing else to do.
He gives the enfecblcd machinery too
much work; and when he is attacked by
sickness, the vital forces having used
themselves up trying to help the man
out with his appetite, have small power
to fight.
In the healthy individual nature
usually indicates how much food is ne
cessary. The little child will cat
enough, and push back his plate, say
ing 'I's frou," unless there is some fav-
oritc dainty TO tempt him. Persons in
grief do not usually wish to eat; they
have not the power to digest and they
turn from ordinary food. The old would
also be guided in this respect, had not
habit become to them a second nature.
But as the quantity is decreased the
quality must be the more carefully at
tended to. In respect to delicacy of the
digestive organs the old man or woman
is again child. And as the change
from virility to delicacy takes place
gradually, SO we should. be careful to
graduate our diet to our years, that the
system may not be overwhelmed; that
health may be preserved, the eye kept
clean, the brain active, the temper
serene.
We have all seen old men among the
lower classes, so called, whose lives
have been spent in the open air; whose
table poverty has presided over, much
to their advantage. We have admired
the cheek like winter apple,-the
twinkling eye; the sound good sense,
sign of brain fed by untaintcd blood.
have been witness of complete
overthrow of health, and temporary OF
reason, by overeating, when the system
enfeebled by grief was not able to dis
pose of the food imposed upon it. The
special sorrow had been eased, but the
physical power had not come back. The
individual was not hungry, but ate as
matter, of course, till alimentivcncss
was excited by some dainty dish, then
kept on eating to please the appetite.
This persona brain worker, would
have preserved her health and saved
many years lost in invalidism, if instead
of sitting down to seven o'clock dinners
she had supped in her own room on dry
bread and apples. She reached the
right path after long and agonizing
dctour. She is now past middle age,
and has learned to respect the organs
that have such fearful power-of de-
light if we'll used, of torture if abused. |
Cake and pickles, pork, pastry and
desserts when the stomach is already |
full, and the dinner is really "frou,"
she gives wide berth; approaching |
them gingerly, and with much awe, on |
occasion. mindful of the evil days. Let |
the elderly" man and woman, the |
men and women of weak digestion, and |
impaired power, from whatever cause
play that they are poor. Let simplicity |
rule the table; if the table is too tempt
ing let part of the meals be eaten in
quiet. 1t is delightful way to take
your toast, baked apple; and bit of boil-
ed AUTHORIZATIONS with Il book, OF
which you read one sentence ut u time.
And if there is some little child to keep
you company, and take bits from your
fork between cherry lips, so much the
better.
The woman who learns good house.
keeping should take into consideration
the needs of those who have borne the
l.. Il - Al -. IL. 4
SO minister to their physical needs that
the evening may be long and beautiful.
M f. Butts. IN Good Housekeeping.