The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-05-04
CARE OF AGED PERSONS.
HOW TO LIFT THEM OVER LIFE'S
ROUGH PLACES.


the Years Glide Swiftly by-A Physi-
clans Ideas Concerning Diet and Medi-
acknowledgements
There appears good reason for considering
old age ''second childhood" The develop
ment seen in childhood during the first five
years is Ieversed, though more gradually in
those who live to be over so years old
Among the most noticeable changes is vast
ing, first, of the least essential part of the
body-fat AS that disappears a shriyeled
appearance of the aged subject is the result;
the face becomes deeply wrinkled, the hands
bony ard the limbs shrunFen. Then the mus
cular tissue is slowly absorbed, and the
process is accompanied by loss Of strength,
which, however, is less noticeable by reason
of the previous reduction in weight. Oc-
casiontlly note in very aged people
that the powers of the mental faculties
retained in a wonderful degree, but in the
majority of cases they are more or less inn
paired, and the subjects become capricious,
exactipg, and, in fact, childish. The feeble
ness of mental power is due to wasting of the
brain. AS has been said, the memory goes
first, especially the recollection of recent
events Far off remembrance of early days,
and those of middle life, come up almost as
freshly ever; but what happened yester-
day, or even to-day, is easily forgotten. The
power TO reason closely, or to give attention
very long to one subject, next gives way. We
need not dwell on the dimness of sight and
dullness of hearing which are among the
usual, but not universal nfirnities of age.
In all these particulars there is a very great
variety Ill individuals Some of those W.
live the longest retain till the last more Vi
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 DIGESTION.
The care of the aged is a subject which
must concern ALL although to some of us the
time when we shall need the application Of
correct management may seem afar off. It
Is easy to reason out the most imperative
needs. We know that the powers of Ciges-
lion must necessarily be weaker at 70 than in
early life; hence the Importance of a correct
dietetic regimen. Food must be taken
oftener and less i'll amount at each feeding
After a person has reached the age lust
stated, he should take food four times day
until he is so years old; then, for the next
ten years that he lives, five meals each day
are none too many, and his food should be
simple and easily digested. There are very
few people near the age of 80 who have
many sound teeth; therefore, during the
years which follow their loss unless false
can be worn, their diet should be liquid, and
made up largely of milk. Beef tea, and
fluid extracts of beef, properly prepared, are
Of great assistance in feeding the aged.
After three score years and ten have been
reached, earlier if it appears necessary, it
will be well to commence the use of stimu-
lants. 1t cannot be denied that by the judi
ciOus administration of alcohol to thu aged
better health and longer life are promoted
Of course, it must be wisely given, or, instead
II a benefit, it will prove an injury The
question naturally arises, what quantity may
be safely allowed and only good follow its
use? No rule applicable alike in all cases
can be given; each case must be studied and
the estimate made on individual needs In a
general way, it may be said that when de-
cline in the vital powers, in consequence of
old age, is reached, be it at the age of IS, 20,
Or later, use of stimulants may properly com
mence If 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, a
teaspoonful of whisky or brandy, or
1essertspoonful of the stronger wines,
sherry, etc, may be properly given before
his meals. Alcohol will improve his appe-
lite, stimulate digestion and quicken circula-
ton AS he 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 it be medicinal, but we most
emphatically condemn it. Give the old man
or woman regular doses of a teaspoonful 81
more if needed, of whisky, or some stimu-
liant equally as strong, or the equivalent in
Wines and he or she will be better for it,
and, we doubt not, will live to a greater age.
MORE HOURS OF SLEEP
sleep it needs. In declining life the number
of hours i'll bed must be progressively in
creased. Old people, as a rule are more or
less wakeful few among them sleep so many
hours continuously as those who are younger.
AT least eight hours of the twenty-four
should be passed in bed by every one who
has reached his Goth year. After TO- nine
hours should be passed in the same way;
after so, ten; and as 80 approaches at least
half of the time should be spent in bed or re-
Ginning on a couch.
The next measure of treatment which we
shall recommend for the aged will doubtless
be as strongly antagOnized as the stimulant
treatment already advocated. Here we will
say it is by no means original with us, but
has long been recognized and advised by
able physicians 1t is that of giving opium
during declining life. This agent may be
used to promote sleep, and under certain
conditions it can very properly be admins
tered occasionally during the daytime.
If the aged subject is wallefuI 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 and
mental irritability, which tell sorely on the
aged, may demand, as stated, its use at other
times. 1t should be remembered that opium
is not simply quieting, or what some call a
''benumbing agent" it is a stimulant. and
with nearly all very old people it acts well,
and seems to help Gift them over the rough
places" encountered in the way down the de
cline of life.
The natural temperature of the body is