The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-11-25
PEOPLE WHO EAT CLAY.
PEcULIARlrIEs OF THE SANDHlLL-
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 "Sandhilers," who are
veritable clay eaters. This morning, in com
pany with 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 into 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 sternly
rebuldng the old man, when something pc
culiarly touching in the applicants look ar
rested that uncharitable purpose and i'm
PEELED him to heed the whisperings of his
nobler nature and to relieve the distress of
the poor wretch. 1, too, could not restrain
a Christian impulse, and bestowing what
aims could afford l 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 that the bearer, who Is both worthy and
needy, is over one hundred years old. Assist him,
all who can.
/ handed the .centenarian his document
and he shambled Off, chuckling over his good
fortune and jingling the coins in his bony
hand. Here, then, was n genuine centena-
rian, and we did not begrudge what we had
given him.
AN UNEARTHLY vIsAGE
But what n strange looking being he wasl
How unearthly his visage, how yellow his
complexion, how shrunken his cheeks, what
pleading yet lusterless eyes, and, withal, what
a miserably emaciated and drawn-up bodyi
Such type of a man is not to be met with
every day. had, 1t is true, encountered in
the streets Of Columbia men and women not
unlike him, but never before had gazed
upon his identical counterpart
"Do you know that he is real clay -eaterl"
asked my companion.
"a whatr exclaimed l.
"Why, a man that lives on clay-one whose
principal diet is 'kaolin,' or n sort of smooth,
critics., moist, white clay which abounds
hereabouts"
"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 clayp
at is strange, but nevertheless true. have
made long study of the subject, and have
ascertained some curious facts concerning the
clay eating habit Now, to begin with, l
have seen the 'sandhilleTs' of North and
South Carolina, some of them not ten miles
from Columbia, while taking their meals
and lave observed them consume considera-
BILE quantities of clay such as described. In
deed, have myself partaken of their frugal
repast."
"Well, what does it taste like and how docs
it affect one" queried.
at is almost tasteless, 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. In fact, it is
nothing more nor less than the 'kaolin of |
which plates, cups and saucers are made
There is nothing disagreeabla about it, and it
may be with impunity taken into the stom-
ach. As an aliment it is not hurtful. 1t is
commended that it is productive of longevity,
and that it wards Off several diseases. There
are well authenticated instances of surprising
longevity among clay eaters, and it is well
understood by such of the faculty as have
studied the subject that they are exempt from
dyspepsia, never suffer with indigestion, and
one has never been known to die of consump-
ton or to be troubled with lung complaints.
ALLAys HUNGER's PANGs
"Of course, there is nothing succulent or
nutritious in clay, but it allays the pangs of
hunger This it does by distending the walls
OF the stomach 1t is not to be supposed that
clay can take the place Of bread and meat as
an article of food, but it does in measure
supply their place"
Tho doctor fnattca1 tyhiln I axprocea1 octn,,
ishment at what he told me. Continuing, he
said:
an my country practice, which OCCASION
ally carries me out into the sand hills (occa-
sionally, say, for although the 'Sandhill-
ers' are the sickliest looking, most cadaverous
and woebegone beings in the world, they are
the healthiest) have good opportunity to
study their peculiar life and habits. They
can subsist on the most limited quantities of
animal food; in fact, they get very little
meat-a poor quality of bacon about twice q
week, They are lazy and thriftless They
are not happy. Discomfort is their normal
state of feeling. But they are troubled with
very few wants, and these are supplied
easily"
ado they eat only the white clayYn inter
rupted.
"As general thing" was the answer, "but
sometimes they vary their menu and garnish
their board by the addition of yellowish
sort of mari, which is said to be scarce, and
which, it is claimed, possesses sweet taste
This serves them as a dessert They, how
ever, draw the line at red clay. This not
even their iron-clad stomachs could digest.
! asked a gawky old 'Sandhiller if he ever
ate the red clay, and this was his response;
NO, surree. i hev occasionally he'd brick
in my hat, but I'll be blamed if banker
after turning my bowels into brickyard'"
During our jaunt we met several "Sand-
hillers" who verified much Of what the
young physician had said on the subject of
clay eating. Chicago Herald.
The Reporter as an Interviewer.
A reporter, in the course of his diurnal and
nocturnal perambulations, runs up against a
vast deal Of human natrra NJ ono eo,.t aud