Connecticut western news., 1894-10-04
SECRET OF LONG LIFE
CAN A HEALTHY PERSON PRoLoNa
 HIS LIFE TO 200 YEARsf

HIS LIFE TO 200 YEARSf
 The Theory of .sRss.rdinx Vital Censump-
 tion--Frankila and the F1les-work ths
 Heart Does-Recent Experiment. la the
 Partial veret.rian system.
 Among the various fantastic theories for prolonging life one of tho most popu. lar at the end of tho eighteenth century was what was called "rctarding vital consumption. i" Maupertuis fancicd that a complete suspension of vital activity, a sort of Rip Van Wrinkle sleep, might be produced SO as to oheck self oonsump, tion. Bodies in this state could be laid away and then resuscitated after a lapse of two or three centuries Benjamin Franklin even, while living in France, seems to have had faith in this One day he received some bottles of wine from Virginia In one of them-only one-were few dead flies. which the great philosopher resolved to utilize in an experiment. The month was July, and these imported flies. which had been on a spree in Virginia had fallen into the native wine and had been in this state shipped to Franco whore they were exposed to the heat of the French sun. Three hours passed. and the winged Virginians oame to life after an appar~ ent death of many weekR At first a sort of convulsive movement seised them. They began then to use their legs, walked around awhile, and seem- ing to be aware that they wore in Franco immediately concluded to make their toilet by rubbing their eyes with their fore feet. using their hind legs to smooth out their wings They then flew away to associate with Paris flies Franklin wrote of the incident;
 "Since by such aoomplete suspension of all internal as well as external oon- sumption 1t is possible to produce a pause of life and at tho same time to preserve the vital principle. might not such process be employed in regard to manp can imagine no greater pleasure than to cause myself to be immersed. along with a few good friends in wine and to bo again called back Co life at the end of 50 or more years by tho genial solar rays of my native country, only
 
 state has made and what changes timo has brought with it"
 It was once thought that people died from lack of what physicians called 'the vital principle '" It is a phrase that has fine. vague, mysterious sound. but it really means little or nothing Or, in other words. 1t is now conceded that death comes from disintegration. worry gradual often, it is true, in all tho bod fly organs, brought about by the all inn portant blood being blocked up by ap- cretions which close tho channels load ing from the heart Most magnificent and most wonderful muscle as the human heart is it may get oloRRed in such way by the earthy salts in tho blood as Co be unable to perform its reg- ular functions. Then the life fluid can. not be kept in proper circulation. Al lowing 60 or 70 pulsations of the heart -the usual average--evcry minute. ono person has 100, 900 hcart boats in tho space of one day. This means. of course. that the heart and arteries aro contracted with such power as Co keep 60 or 60 pounds of blood in healthy movement Really it fs wonder that one does not wear out long before he usually does And 1t forces n now kind of admira- ton from the thinking man when he sees for the first timo n human being who has lasted 100 or ll5 years. and whose heart is still going on after all this enoromus expenditure of force The eyes, ears and stomach all have n rest. but the heart keeps on through waking hours as we'll as through sleep. Panses between the boats are all the vacation 1t gets, which seems to be really no rest at all When one docs not droam. even tho brain seems to sleep or at least it gives peace and quiet
 Much has been written and talked about vegetarianism in relation to health and it's effect on long life. It is not claimed. however. by it's strict advo- oates that apy of the great number of people who have lived Co bo 100 years and over were vegctarians In fact most of these oentonarians seem Co have lived just like common folk who die at 70 or 90. If they had only taken care of themselves and kept thoir blood in good condition. there is no telling but 800 years may have been scored as easily A 100. Natural advantages being SO great. as shown by what they did do. a vague sadness overoomes tho social philosopher when he thinks of what they might havo accomplished under more favorable con ditions for tho succcss of the experiment.
 As to the admitted advantages of n partial vegetarian system of living. M. Francisque sarccy. tho famous Frenoh critic. has been trying it and In com munication 10 one of the ParisiRn jour nals gives his experience Since April. 1898, he has touched no meat In Au- gust of tho same year ho reports that he is only "a moderate vegetarian is, he only eschews meat and admits eggs. cheese, butter, milk and fish to his regimen. Contrary to tho expectations of both himself and frieDds. hc finds that he is in much moro vigorous health and in better working condition under the Influence of his new menu than be- fore. At first he naturally felt hungry m hour or two aftor eating. but aftcr a fortnight the flesh craving passed away. and now he not only eats at the same hours as before. but consumes much lees food. The advantages of the system arc described by him as most remarkable His mind is clearer, and he feels more disposed for work He is no longor sleepy after meals. his hrain Is froshoF. his limbs moro elastic. and. more aston ishing still. he can stand more fatigue Formerly he felt the need of stimu- lants. and now he hRs done away with such things He does not smoke, and he fa afdaax.n,-{nn ts lf,,.k.t.h hfa gaeFssa supply. Altogether he is enthusiastio At first it is rather like self dcnial. but ono gets 10 like it in time. -Chicago Tribune.
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