The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-22
PEOPLE WHO EAT CLAY.

PEOPLE WHO EAT CLAY.
PEcUL LlARlTIEs OF THE SANDHILL-
ERs OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Kaolin as an Article Of Food, with
Yellow Mari for Dessert-A Diet
Which Prevents Dyspepsia and Lung
Troubles.
It Is not generally known, but is true, that
there exists not far from this city race OF
white PEOPLE called "Sandhillers," who are
veritable clay eaters. This morning, in COM
pany with a young physician of this city,
your correspondent was enjoying Jaunt into
pine groves which skirt the eastern confines
of Columbia, and we were proceeding toward
the sandhils when we were accosted by an
aged mendicant, who, thrusting an old
greasy piece of paper irto my unwilling
hand, exclaimed piteously: "For Gods sake,
read it, gentlemen" My friend, who was
prejudiced against beggars in general and
"Sandhilers" in particular, was for steinly
rebuking the old man, whsn something pc
culiarly touching in the applicants look ar-
rested that uncharitablo purpose and i'm
PEELED him to heed the whisperings of his
nobler nature and to relieve the distress Of
the pocr wretch. I, too, could not restrain
Christian impulse, and bcstowing what
aims I could afford glanced at the paper
which had been forced into my hand. This
was what it contained:
To ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This GER
titles TINT the bearer, who IS both worthy and
needy is over one hundred years old. Assist him,
oil who can
l handed the centcnarian his document
and he shambled off, chuckling over his good
fortune and jingling the coins in his bony
hand. Here, then, was a genuine centena-
rlan, and we did not begruage what we had
given him.
AN UNEARTHLY VISAGE.
But what a strange looking being he was!
How unearthly his visags, how yellow his
complexion, how shrunken his cheeks, what
pleading yet lusterless eyes, and, withal, what
miserably emaciated and drawn-up body!
Such type of man is not to be met with
every day. had, it Is true, encountered in
the streets of Columbia men and women not
unlike him, but never before had | gazed
upon bis identical counterpart
"Do you know that he is real clay-eater?"
asked my companion.
"a whatp exclaimed l.
"Why, man that lives on clay-one whose
principal diet is 'kaolin,' or sort OF smooth,
critics., moist, white clay which aEounds
hereahouts."
"But you don't think I'm so credulous as to
believe that this man, who is over 100 years
of age has achieved this remarkable longev-
ity by subsisting on tasteless clay"
at is strange, but nevertheless true. have
made long study of the subject and have
ascertiined some curious facts concerning tho
clay eating habit Now, to begin with, L
have seen the 'sandhillcrs' Of North and
South Carolina, some of them not ten miles
from Columbia, while taking their meals,
and have observed them consume considera-
bic quantities of clay such as described. III
deed, have myself partaken Of their frugal
repast"
"Wcll, what does it taste like, and how does
it affect one!" queried.
at is almost tastcleSs, but some Of the cpl
cures profess to enjoy it because of the deli
cate flavor it possesses. 1t is perfectly white
and wholly devoid Of grit. III fact, it Is
nothing more nor less than the 'kaolin Of
which plates, cups and saucers nre made.
There is nothing disagreeablc about it, and it
may be with impunity taken into the stom-
ach. AS all alinlent it is not hurtful. 1t is
contended that it is productive of longevity,
and that it wards of several diseases There
are well authenticated instances of surprising
longevity among clay eaters, and it is well
understood by such Of the faculty rs have
studied the subject that they are exempt from
dyspepsia, never suffer with indigestion. AMI
| one has never been known to die Of consump-
ton or to lie troubled with lung complaints.
ALLAYS HUSGER's PANGs.
"Of course, therc is nothing succulent or
nutritious il clay, but it allays the panss of
hunger. This it does by distending the walls
of the stomach. 1t is not to DO supposed that
clay can take the place Of bread and meat as
an article of food, but it does III u measure
supply their place"
Tho doctor paused while expressed aston
islment at what he told me. Continuing, hc
said:
"In my country practice, which occasion
| ally carries lie out into the sand hills Occa-
ottJ, III oiIhoV6oAi tiiS
ers' are the sickliest looking, most catiaverous
anu woebegone beings i'll the world, they are
the healthitst). have good opportunity TO
study saer peculiar life and habits. They
c;,n subsist OIL the most limited quantities Of
animal food Ill fact, they get very little
meat-a poor quality Of bacon about twice n
week. They arc lazy AMI thriftlrss. They
are not happy. Discomfort is their normal
state of feeling. But they arc troubled with
very few wants, and tlleso uro Supplied
easily"
"Do they eat only the white clay" inter
rupted.
"As general thing" was the answer, "but
sometimes they vary their menu and garnish
tbeir board by the addition of a yrllowish
sort of mari, which is said 70 be scarce, and
which, it is claimed, possesses sweet taste.
This serves them as Il dessert. They, how
ever, draw the line at red clay. This not
even their iron-clad stomachs could digest.
l asked gawky old 'sandhillcr' if lie ever
ate the red clay, ami this was his response:
No, surree. l hev occasionally he'd brick
in my hat, but I'll be blamed if ! banker
after turning my bowels into brickyar'l. +"
During our jaunt We met several Sand
hillers" who verified much of what the
young physician had soid OH tho subject VI
clay eating. Chicago Ecrald.
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