The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-28
CARE OF AGED PERSONS.
HOW TO LIFT THEM OVeH l'fE'o
ROUGH PLACES.

,,,u,. ,1oas Concerning Diet and Aedt-
ine--sIecp--Temperatur
There appears good reason for considering
old ago second childhood The develop
mont scen in childhood during the iirst iive
voorz isrevcrsed, though more gradually I'D
,hoao ,ybo live 10 DO over 30 years Old.
Among the most noticeable changes Is vast
inc frst. of tho least essential part OF the
body-fat. As that disappears shriveled
eplcaranco o: tho aged subject IS thc result
the faco becomes deeply wrinkled, the hands
bony and the limbs shrunken. Then the mus
cnlor tissro is slowly absorbed, ana tine
prorcss is accompanied by loss Of strength,
which. however, is less noticeable by reason
of tho p-ovious reduction III weight DC
cssionallv we note in very aged people
that the Dowors Of tho mental faculties are
retained in q wonderful degree, but In the
majority Of cases they are more or less I'M
paired, and the subjects become caprlcious,
exacting, and, in fact childish. he ieepie
ness Of mental power is due to wasting OF the
brain As has leen said, the memory goes
FIRST, especially the recollection OF recent
events Far OIL remembrances OF early days,
and those Of middle life, come up almost as
freshly as ever: but what happened yester-
day. or even today, is easily forgotten. The
power to reason closely, or TO give attention
very long 70 ono subject, next gives way we
need not dwell OH the dimncss Of sight and
dizziness Of hearing which are among the
usual. but not universal infirmities OF age
IL all these particulars there is very great
variety in individuals Some Of those who
live the longest retain till the last more OF
their original mental capacity, with good
sight hearing and muscular strength, than
those whose life energy is exhausted not
much after the end Of four score years.
POWERS OF DIGEsTIOS.
Tho care of the aged is subject which
must concern all, although 10 some OF US the
time when we shall need the application OF
correct management may seem afar OFT IL
- easy 10 reason out the most imperative
needs We know that the powers Of diges-
ton must necessarily DO weaker at 10 than ia
early life. hence the Importance OF correct
dctetic regimen Food must be taken
oltener and less III amount at each feeding.
After q person has reached tho age just
stated. ho should take food four times day
until Le is 50 years Old, then, for the next
ten years that be lives, five meals each day
are none too many, aud his food should be
simple and easily digestod. There are very
few people near the age OF 10 who have
many sound teeth; therefore, during the
years which follow their loss unless false
can bo worn, their diet should be liquid, and
made up largely of milk. Beet tea, and
fluid extracts OF beef properly prepared, are
Of great assistance in feeding the aged.
a tt,-.. x-.,ta md Tor hg f..aY
reached earlier If it appears necessary, it
Will be well 70 commence the use Of stiInu
lants Il cannot be denied that 10y the judi
cious administration of alcohol to the aged
better health and longer life are promoted
OF course, II must be wisely given, or, instead
of a benefit il will prove au injury The
question naturally arises, what quantity may
be safely allowed and only good follow its
usol No rule applicable alike in all cases
can be given; each case must be studied, and
the estimate made on individual needs. In q
general way. it may be said that when do
cline in tho vital powers III consequence OF
old age, is reached be it at the age Of e5, 20,
OF later, use Of stimulants may properly com
rnence. II the subject has been habituated
to the use Of alcoholic drinks, then the
quantity allowed him may be greater
but if he has lived temperate life, II
teaspoonful Of whisky or brandy, OF ii
dessertspoonful Of tho stronger wines,
sherry, ETC. may be properly given before
IFS meals Alcohol will improve his appe-
tito, stimulate digestion and quicken circula-
ton. As be declines in life, and his strength
fails, the quantity will need to be increased
somewhat. The conservative reader will
kindly understand us, that we advise alcohol
IN old age as an accessory food. Not only
would we discourage its use for any other
purpose, unless il be medicinal, but we most
emphatically condemn it. Give the old man
or woman regular doses Of a teaspoonful or
more if needed, Of whisky, or some stimu-
liant equally IA strong, or the equivalent in
wines, and he or she will be better for it,
and, we doubt not, will live to greater age.
MORE HOURS OF SLEEP
The younger q child tho more hours OF
sleer IL needs In declining life the number
Of hours il bed must be progressively in
creased Old people, as rule, are more or
less wakeful; few among them sleep 50 many
hours continuously as those who are younger.
AT least eight hours of the twenty four
should DC passed in bed by every one who
has reached his Goth year. After 20, nine
hours should be passed in the same way
after so, ten and as 30 approaches at least
half Of the time should DO spent in bed or re-
Ginning on a couch.
The next measure Of treatment which We
shall recommend Tor the aged will doubtless
DO as strongly antagonized us the stimuiant
treatment already advocated Here we will
say il is by no means original with US, but
mas long been recognized aud advised by
able physicians Ii is that OF giving opium
during declining life. This agent may be
used 10 promote sleep, and under certain
conditions it can very properly be admins
tered occasionally during the daytime.
II the aged subject is wakeful and
sufficient sleep is denied him, then ten
or fifteen drops Of laudnum on retiring
will be found OF benefit in nearly all cases
and If its action is good, there can be no ex
cuse for Withholding it. Restlessness aud
mental irritabiIity, which tell sorely on the
aged, may demand, as stated, its use at other
times. IL should be remembered that opium
is not simply quieting, or what some call d
"benumbing agent" it is a stimulant, and
with nearly all very old people it acts we'll
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