The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-23
tude and to restore the muscles to their
original elastic condition.

tude and to restore the muscles TO he-r
original elastic condition
Starch forms a considerable portion OF
our diet in one form or announcer, ana an
starch has to be converted into sugar by
the saliva and intestinal juices peiore IL
can be assmilated. The action or tnese
farnents breaks 1t up into simpler cneInl-
cal compounds, so that it finally reaches
the blood and muscles as deXtrose, FORM
of sugar which can be burned TO yield neat
and muscular energy. The change re-
uured in sugar for its assimilation IS very
slight compared with that required Tor ihe
digestion OF starch. It will thus De seen
that the process Of manufacturing sugar
from its vegetable containers results In
product that for digestive purposes IS com
parable to partially digested starch, SO
that it is evident the substitution or sugar
for starch is Of advantage to the digestive
system, since it does not burden the dSes-
tive tract and less force IS required dof us
digestion and assimilation. Unfortunately
however, nature will not tolerate mans at
tamnt to present concentrated chemically
separated pure foods all ready for assi!nl-
lation, except in limited amounts, and this
is true of sugar, as of peptones. partially
dgested meats and similar foods.
Sugar now forms part OF the rations OF
the soldiers OF all the principal nations,
the makeup of which. as is we'll KNOWN
is scientifically proportional to SUI ply the
necessary amount OF muscular energy,
heat and vitality of the soldier. Prof.
Mosso, an Italian investigate tor, as carry
as 1893 called attention to the influence
of cane sugar in lessenng fatigue. Last
wear the Prussian government took up
the question and made thorough and COM
plete experiments with the ergograph, an
instrument which measured the amount
of work done by the persons under test
The subject OF each experiment was en-
tirely ignorant of its nature, and the m
strument which registered the amount Oh
work performed was hidden from view, SO
that ina gination could not affect the re-
suits In addition to MS ordinary diet ne
was given about six ounces OF sweet
fluid On certain days this was solution
of sugar, and on other days was only
water sweetened with dulcin, sweet
tasting chemical having no food value
When only ordinary muscular work was
performed the effect of the sugar IN the
diet was not very marked, but "hen eN-
naustins work was required OF the SUP
iect of the experiment the difference IN
the effect Of dulcin and sugar became very
apparent. the latter restoring to some
extent the efficiency of the tired muscles,
while dulchin did not This is believed
to be due to the fact that with ordinary
exertion little more or less sugar IN
the blood does not make any special d!f-
ference. but when the muscles are heavily
drawn upon the rapid assimilation OF this
sugar proves of great advantage.
Continuing these successful experiments
tho German army officials put them to
practical test during their late manoeuvres,
the observati tons extending over thirty
eisht DAYS A number of men were given
ten Jumps about one-siXth OF a pound, OF
sugar daily, and were compared in various
WAYS with the men performing the same
amount of work in marching ana drlliins:
but whose food contained little or no sugar.
The sugar was relshed during the Whole
time. and proved of decided advantage TO
the men using it. On long marches 1t ap-
peased hunger and mitigated thirst; feel
ing of refreshment followed, which helped
the tired man on his way, and none OF
the soldiers allowed sugar were at any
time overcome by exhaustion. Both helr
pulse rate and breathing was less affected
by exertion than was the case with men
having no sugar.
The Swiss guides, it is asserted, fully APP
preciate the value Of sugar as a stirnu-
liant and always carry 1t in their kits,
preferripe lump sugar or highly sweetened
chocolate The muscular lumbermen OF
Canada consume an extraordinarily large
amount OF sugar during the season IN ttle
woods, taking it in the form OF H3olasSes-
They. sweeten their milkiess tea with 1t,
make cakes with it. and even add 1t to their
fried salt pork, WHICH IS the only meat
thew GET during the time they are in the
woods cutting lumber, and this is practt-.
ra}lv half the year In the 'black belt of
Alabama the staple articles of diet are also
molasses, salt pork and cornmeaL These
simple articles form the diet day In and
day out year about, and yet the negroes
appear to thrive on them. But it is on the
sugar-cane plantations, perhaps, where the.
snnsrent 4 pamphlet entitled .ssugsr as
Food, recsae!y issued by this Department
~ Agriculture, referring to this fact, says:
"For months the chief food Of the negro
1ah orers on the plantations is said to be
sugar cane. and they are seen to grow
strong and fat as the season advances
-. = = ,,oI, and come out in fine con.