The Cook County herald., 1901-06-22
HEALTH IN OLD AGE.

infancy and old age are frequently
referred to as analogous states. In
point Of fact they are much more
Searly opposites. Infancy Is the ex-
spanding, pa rapidly developing period,
while VIII e. old age is. a time when the tis-
sues shrink, as it were, to accommo-
date the lessening vital forces. It
\ cannot be said that all persons reach
Old Old age at seventy, although by that
time the majority of people find it
necessary to curtail their activities.
The signals which indicate a need
for Tightening the load upon the vital
7 forces as old age comes on are usually
4unmistakable. There is q decreased
capacity for work. The heart-beats
are weaker, the muscles and joints less
flexible. Acute diseases are more to
pc feared. It is not uncommon for
the aged to recover from serious in
@Jur1es and from severe attacks of ill
ness; but such recoveries are not the
rule. .s:,&- ~5.1 ..GE Hs!. r!
One of the important questions con
nected with the hygiene of old age
relates to the degree to which one
should modify ones previous habits of
l1fe.5 1t may be said positively that all
sudden or directly reversionary
changes are to be Stunned. For ex-
ample, one who has always walked as
daily habit would be unwise to give
up the custom completely because Of
having passed a certain birthday. In
the same way, it is seldom advisable
to abandon even the cares Of business
entirely, lest the seeking for some
thing else with which to fill the gap
thus created should be unsuccessful.
] Extremes Of all sorts are so many
dangers to be avoided. A certain
elasticity of muscle. bone and blood
vessel is lacking, and as result the
system is untitled for sudden strain.
A strenuous life can no longer be pur-
sued with safety. Severe trials can no
longer be pursued with safety. Severe
trials Of muscular and mental energy,
even severe trials Of temper, are out
Of place.
Natures suggestions in regard to
food must be needed. A simple, easily
dlgested diet should be the rule. TO
say that the aged require less food
than at former periods would be un-
necessary, only that a diminished ap-
petite in old persons is sometimes re-
garded by them as a serious symptom,
and one to be struggled against.
Not infrequently it is found advan-
tageous in later life to take food in
small amounts and at short intervals
1t will be observed, also, that low
cred vitality calls for more sleep as
a means of preserving the brighter
qualities Of the mind. aa
While heavy cares are properly
shifted from the shoulders Of the aged,
1T must be remembered that interest
in life is largely maintained by virtue
OF helpful attitude toward others.
and that to insist that the aged mem
Der of the household shall do nothing
is mistaken kindness.
While the amount Of work which
may be done is curtailed by advanced
age, instances are not lacking to show
that the quality of mental labor per-
formed is not necessarily lowered.
. PUTS CARS BACK ON THE TRACK.
. AggraVating delays and the block
ing of many street cars are liable to
occur from the accidental shifting of
the wheels from the track upon coming
in contact with a small obstruction or
from other causes. When no means of
replacing the car is at hand it is neces-
sary to await the arrival of a renair