Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-03-06
CARE OF AGED PERSONS.
HOW TO LIFT THEM OVER LIES
ROUGH PLACES.

The First Physical Changes Noticeable as
the Years Glide Swiftly by--A Physi-
clans Ideas Concerning Diet and Medi-
cine--Sleep-Temperat
There appears good reason for considering
old age second childhood The develop
ment seen in childhood during the first five
years is reversed, though more gradually in
those who live to be over 80 years old.
Among the most noticeable changes is vast
ing, first, of the least essential part of the
body-fat. As that disappears a shriveled
appearance Of the aged subject is the result
the face becomes deeply wrinkled, the hands
bony and the limbs shrunken. 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-
casionally we note in very aged people
that the powers Of the mental faculties are
retained in a wonderful degree, but in the
majority Of cases they are more or less i'm
paired, and the subjects become capricious,
exacting, 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 rcmembrances of early days,
and those Of middle life, come up almost as
freshly as 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
dizziness OF hearing which are among the
usual, but not universal infirmties of age
In all these particulars there is a 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 or DIGESTION.
The care of the aged il a subject which
must concern all, although to some of ia the
time when we shall need the application Of
correct management may seem afar off n
is easy. to reason out the most imperative
needs. We know that the powers Of dioes.
ton 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 in amount at each feeding.
After a person has reached the age inst
stated, he should take food four times a day
until he is 80 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 30 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
auid extracts Of beef properly prepared are
Of great assistance in feeding the aged.
After three score years and ten have beep
,nta
will be well to commence the use of stimu.
lants 1t cannot be denied that by the iudi-
cious administration of alcohol to the aged
better health and longer life are promoted.
OF course, it must be wisely given. or. instead
If benefit, it will prove an injury. The
question naturally arises what quantity NAV
be safely allowed and only good follow its
user NO rule applicable alike in all cases
can DC given; each case must be studied, and
the estimate made on individual needs. In a
general way IL may be said that when de-
cline IN the vital powers, in consequence of
oid age Is reached, be it at the age of Is, 20,
or later, use OF stimulants may properly com
mence. II the subject has been habituated
TO the use OF alcoholic drinks, then the
quantity allowed him may be greater
out II he has lived temperate life, a
teaspoonful OF whisky or brandy, or a
uessertspooniul OF the stronger wines,
sherry, etc., may be properly given before
us meals Alcohol will improve his appe-
Ute, stimulate digestion and quicken circula-
ton AS he declines in life, and his strength
laiis' 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 teaspoonful OF
more II needed, OF whisky, or some stimu-
liant equally as strong, or the equivalent in
wines, and he or she will be better for it,
ana, we doubt not, Will live to greater age,
MORE HOURS OF SLEEP.
The younger a child the more bours of
sleep it needs In decEnmg life the number
of hours in 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 twentv-fmr
should be passed in bed by every one who
has reached his Goth wear After m nins
hours should be passed in the same way
after so, ten; and as 90 approaches at least
half of the time should be spent in bed or re-
cllning on couch.
The next measure of treatment which ws
shall recommend for tho ocrad viii aa,,t.,.,e
be as STRONGLY antagoniged as tha s.;1,,".9,
treatment elreadv adyocotad H. 's ''i,
saw II is Inv M meons oriSir,, ,sitS W, n w.,
has lone nee, recoc,;yad a,,5 -; us, J ''
able uhvsicians n % that ~ IT., ~
dnring daclining iiss This g.. oit""
used 10 nromots sle.n and a.. -. ~