The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-10-17
CARE OF TIE AGED.
How to Preserve the Failing Forces OF
tho Body.


When man or a woman passes seven.
Jy years of age great care should be
given to the condition surrounding him
or her for the prolonging of life. The
vital forces are greatly enfeebled at
that period of life, and the powers OF
resistance, in consequence of age, are
the weakest. A man of three score
years and ten, and over, is like an old
machine that, by proper care given to
its condition, has been kept running
for many years, and is still able to do
work, but its wheels and aXles and
pinions are much worn, and are rick
ETY., and if it should be pushed, even
to small extent, in excess of its di-
minished powers, it breaks down and
cannot be repaired, for every part of it
is shattered. But if it should be
worked carefully and intelligently by
d person who understands its condition
and knows its capabilities, it can be
kept in action a much longer time than
would be possible if a careless engineer
controlled it. In these fast times,
however, it is generally not profitable
to husband the resources of an old ma
chine But this is not true as regards
our old men and women. 1t isdesira BILE
to hold on to them as long as possible,
and If we can succeed in prolonging.
their lives five or ten years, or more, it
will greatly enhance our happiness.
We have seen it stated that human
age is not to be counted by years, for
that in some constitutions the general
tissues are older at fifty than they are
in others at one hundred. And this.
too, it is said, not because the general
tissues have been overworked and
thus become enfeebled, but because
they were originally endowed with a
shorter longevity. This may be true
in part. But we can accept it to the
extent only that some persons, by the
overwork, the vices or errors of some
nature of their ancestors, have had
entailed upon them, through no fault
of their own, a brief period of life to
live. A large number of the human
family die sooner than they otherwise
would on account of some local weak
ness. The large majority die early in
consequence of faults of their own in
living. With some overwork, either
mental or physical, has destroyed
them; with others, constant anxiety
and trouble, brought about by disap-
pointments and misfortunes; with 9TH
ers, their vices; with others, again,
ignorance of the common laws of
health, or, where that does not exist,
an inability to change their mode of
life and live under more favora BILE cir
cumstances.
Old people should have moderate ex-
ercise. Walking short distances every
day is advisable, if the weather per-
mits and they are not ailing. To eat
heartily and take no exercise is apt to
superinduce congestion of some organ.
Excessive eating should be avoided
under all circumstances.
We always make it point, in the
case of old people, to advise to use
great care in avoiding cold. The aged
are carried off more frequently by
contxacting cold than any other cause.
They should always remain indoors
when the weather is damp or at all in
clement. If circumstances force them
out, the greatest care should be exer-
cised as to their dress. The clothing
should be made of wooden goods as far
as possible 1t is warmer in winter, il
properly made, and cooler in summer,
In summer a thin wooden undershirt
should be worn, and in winter, thick
one. The blood with them is thin and
is deficient in the Matchmaking ele-
ments. An old person will sometimes
complain of being cold sitting in a
room in summer time.-N. Y. Ledger.
IlSEn MIKE MILL