The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-04

usulng; ne likes better the pratfle of chill !
gone past into their receptive and uncrit-
zeal ears. Those processes of mind which
were developed by training and education
oenind little save the impressions and ex-~
periences Of childhood.
have said that we should learn TO detect
the first manifestations of decay. and. by
Judfcious use of the means at our command,
postpone its advances; this means the man
agement and treatment of functional disor-
ders ere they develop into organic changes.
1t is not necessarytto diiate upon this. for
the remedies do not differ from those in
common use. When the positive signs of
decay have manifested themselves, then we
have TO deal with conditions other than
these must be met by a changed habit.
hygiene. diet and general treatment. The
Individual in whom they have appeared. II
MS condition in life will permit. should
abandon all active pursuits, save just
enough to keep the mind at ease and the
body suitably exercised He should with
draw himself from all those contests which
are prompted by ambition and a desire for
gain. which tax the brain and drive away
however imperfect, is done, and henceforth
De content to sit a mere spectator, who
looks down with curbed emotions upon the
game OF life. think it one of the most
sorrowful spectacles of everyday life TO see
one bent with age and hoary OF hair con-
tending with bodily infrmties and the bur-
den of toll for daily bread. Why do we yet
neap hOnOrS, emoluments and pensions
upon those who have upheld the Nations
10 reward him who has battled forty years
to make the state great and prosperous,
never receiving 1.-THE of that due him. and
with the almshouse his only resting place
when the end comes2 Should not forty
years of honest, valiant toll be recognized
by the state, and should there not be pen
sions for the soldier Of peace as we'll as the
soldier of war?
With change of habit there should go a
The old live in summer, but merely exist
IN winter This saying is true one. The
young. In cool weather their apartments
should be heated to a degree that is COM
Portable, there should be good ventilation
but no draughts. The clothing should be
garments of such texture will prevent the
too rapid radiation Of heat-a fine soft wool
twice in the week because the eXcretionS
and exhalations are more ladened. No pro-
longed baths should be taken, but in their
stead a short bath. of a few minutes dura-
ton. then g brisk rubbing with plenty of
friction. In cool weather the sheets should
be warmed, after having been thoroughly
aired during the day. A thorough ironing
with hot smoothing iron cannot be i'm
proved upon. Owing to the slowness with
times chilled before getting into bed; then
nothing Is so good as what old-time people
called a ,'nightcap'-a hot whisky or brandy
toddy. 1t produces warmth quickly and
can be easily commanded. Alcohol is as
seryieeable to the aged as it is damaging
this head says: "Alcohol furnishes a readily
available food, and is an easily oxidized
carbo hydrate. 1t gives FLIP TO the diges-
tive organs, and by increasing the vascu
larity, of the stomach aids in its solvent
and digestive action. 1t prevents spasm, or
collie. TO which elderly people are very liable.
il feeds the starving brain, and once more
gives it sensations Of well being, and en-
ables ii TO work pleasantly" There need be
no fear that to the aged it will become a
tyrant. Its stimulating effect is not nearly
so apparent in the aged as in the young
with these It acts more as food. An
ancient Rhineland proverb says that Wine
is the milk of the aged" and there seems
to be much truth in the statement.
SUBSTITUTE FOR ALCOHOL
Now. am well aware that an increasing
number of writers on medical topics are
condemning. under all circumstances. the
use of alcohol as therapeutic agent Med
icine, like society, has its fashions, and,
finding great danger In the use of this old
and oft-proven agent seems to be a pre-
vailing one just now. Like the fashions of
society, however. this one may be safely
left for the next season and the same az
thorities to change. / am also aware that
that which calls itself the high moral sem
timent" of the country is now arraying it
self for a new war to humiliation against
this agent of much evil, as well as good, to
the children of Adam. For true and dis
corning religious sentiment / nave the pro-
foundest reverence, but find myself but lit
tie inclined TO abdcate my own convictions
for those of a. class who find warrant in
termination, and who seem 10 look with
equal favor upon Bibles and gunpowder. Ii
there are conscientious scruples which for
bid the use of alcohol, hot milk with vichy
may be substituted. Either of these, with
warm covering, will often restore warmth
TO the body and procure a good nights rest,
Will serve an agreeable stimulant and
food during the day, but the former is more
potent than the latter in the qualities of
quickness and posltiveness.
AS to diet, if may be said, upon the ap-
pearance or the positive signs of decay,
that the more highly nitrogenous-such as
beef. pork, veal, oysters, and the like
should largely give place to fruits, succu-
lent vegetables. Game, fish and fowl may
be eaten in small quantities. may also
the heavier meats; but in the main the
diet should be as above. The drink may be
a small cup of good coffee or tea at break
fast, little Rhine wine claret at noon,
and vichy and milk at supper. In extreme
old age the diet becomes more like that of
infancy. and should, like that OF infancy, oe
taken often and but little at time.
Relative to drink, there is one which /
particularly wish to present to your con-
sideration. In their efforts TO procure pure
water many persons have resorted TO dis
titled water. a halt has recently been called
by German authority, who points out the
fact that this dissolves the earthly salts con-
tanned in the various tissues, and thus is
likely TO do great damage. / have long
been persuaded OF the fact that water con-
tanning excess of earthly salts Is wholly
lnsuited 10 the condition of age. and that
ell-fltefed rain water Is far preferable.
Since calcareous matter is so largely in ex-
stitute a true pathological condition. and
since, according TO the above authority, dis
titled water possesses such decided solvent
properties over such matter. Ii must be
that while it is inimical to the young and
developing organism, IL is highly @alutdry
10 the aged one Suitable stills which pro-
vide for aeration, and have a capacity OF
five or six gallons per day, are easily found
in the market, so that distilled water may
be easily procured.
As to the therapeutics of old age, not
much need be said Keep the bowels regu-
lar the kidneys sufficiently active and no
more. Upon the latter point will say that
often the center which controls the bladder
Is irritated and action is too frequent.
When this is so, nothing acts so we'll as
belladonna, which is particularly service
able to age The skin should be kept as
soft and pliable as may. and for this pur-
pose a warm sponge. with little aqua am
monia or spirit followed with little vase
line are excellent. All mucous irritations
should be promptly relieved, and. in fact. all
the ailments which affict old age should be
met promptly. which more so than Is re-
uuired in any period save infancy. and thus
prevent changes in tissue, which falling ma
ture cannot repair.
I'D to Date.
Lord Scroggins he rose from his balmy sleep,
And he saddled his horse Of steel
He unuttered a CT import deep.
r~hn