The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-12-05
Lincoln, Ala.

lions Of words have been spoken
against overindulgcncc, or any indul-
gcnce, indeed, in alcoholic beverages;
and whatever difference Of opinion
there may be as to the harmfulness
Of temperate use Of wine or beer,
there is none whatever as to the dam
gers of intcmpcrancc in that dircc-
tion. But how many persona ever
stop to think Of the fatal effects of in
temperance in eating.
Even insurance companies, which
would refuse to insure an habitual
drunkard, make no inquiries, as a
rule, concerning the applicants hab-
its about eating; yet as regards the
shortening Of life, many physiolo-
gists assert that overcating is more
destructive than overdrinking.
The organs Of the body are able to
assimilate only certain amount of
nutriment, which is proportioned to
q nicely to the daily loss Of substance
in the different tissues.
If more food is taken than can be
utilized, the liver and the kidneys
arc called upon to get rid of the ex.
ira amount. This they are perfectly
able to do once in a while, especially
in the young and Thanksgiving din
ner, and even Christmas dinner a
month later, eau be disposed Of with
ease if the organs are not habitually
overworked. But if they have to dis
pose of e Thanksgiving dinner and
two other heavy meals every day of
the year, they will rebel and finally
give up, exhausted, long before the
proper time.
No adult leading the average life
needs three full meals day; indeed,
three "solid' meals day are, it is
safe to say, absolutely hurtful to nine-
tenths of US.
1t is Of course impossible to lay
down any hard and fast rule, as to
the taking of food, which will apply
to everybody under all circumstances,
but it is pretty safe to advise almost
everybody to eat less.
The Roman Catholic church pre-
scribes certain rules as to fasting DUR
ing Lent, which all it's members are
commanded to observe. According to
these directions, only one full meal
can be eaten in the day-either at
noon or in the evening. In the morn
ing nothing is allowed but piece of
bread with coffee, tea or chocolate; for
dinner, there may be served full
meal; then for luncheon OF tea, what
is called collation." that is to say,
u light repast is permissible.
The hygenic excellence Of these
rules is beyond dispute, and the only
quarrel the physician has with them
is that they arc binding only upon
the members of that church, and
upon them for only six weeks out of
the fifty-two.
The desire to live long is almost
universal among mel Very few Of
us are satisfied with the three score
and ten years which the good b,oh
tell us is the limit of the years of
man, except when by reason of strength
..G LAY reach four score.
Those who have made study Of
the human physiognomy frequently
tells US how We may prolong life, and
there is wisdom in much that they
say.
DIR. +. X. Parsons is a philosopher
of longevity and his rules have
much to commend them.
DIR. Parsons is convinced that "most
men dig their graves with their teeth"
Overeating he considers one Of tho
most common aud most fatal habits
of the race. There is high scientific
authority for this theory.
LIZ Aoiti Cuc lOTculOSC surgeon ~
England, is:a strong advocate Of tenn
perance in drink, but he declares that
more persons hasten their death by
overeatipg than by overdrinking.
It is probable that nine persons out
Of ten eat more than is good for them.
and many Of the diseases which take
men off arc directly traceable to inor-
dinate indulgence in food. AT this
season of the year, especially, diet
should be well regulated. Very little
meat is an excellent rule in the sum-
mer. Those who make fruits, vege-
tables and eggs their main dependence
are wise. 1t has been found that
nearly all persons who attain extraor.
dinary old age are light eaters and
have been so most Of their lives.
Heavy eating is largely matter Of
habit, and its evil effects are being
more and more fully appreciated.
! There arc few persons whho DO nc. ca: