The Springfield herald., 1901-05-24
HEALTH IN OLD AGE.

Infancy and old age are frequently
referred to as analogous states In
point of fact they are much more
nearly opposites. Infancy. Is the ex-
papding. rapidly developing period.
while, old age is time when the It's
sues shrink. as 1t were. to accommo-
date the lesseping vital, forces. It
cannot be. said that, all persons reach
old age at seventy. although by. that,
time the majority of people find 1t
necessary to curtail their activities.
The signals which indicate a need
tor, tightening the load upon the vital
forces. as old age comes on are usually
unmistakable. There is decreased
capacity for work. The heart beats
are weaker, the muscles and joints less
flexible. Acute diseases are more to
be feared. 1t is not uncommon, for
the aged to recover from serious in
juries and from severe attacks of ILL
ness: but such recoveries are. not the
rule.
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
life. 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
a 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
digested diet should be the rule. TO
say that the aged require less food
than at former periods would be un-
necessary, only that diminished ap-
petite In old persons is sometimes re-
garded by them as a serious symptom.
and one to be struggled against.
Not infrequently 1t is found advan-
small amounts and at short intervals
1t will be observed, also. that a low
cred vitality calls for more sleep as
a means Of preserving the brighter
qualities of the mind.
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 a helpful attitude toward others,
and that to insist that the aged mem
ber of the household shall do nothing
is a 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 small obstruction or
from other causes. When no means OF
replacing the car is at hand 1t is neces-
sary to await the arrival Of repair
wagon and by this time the passengers
have nearly all decided to walk. Per-
haps, Ezra Showalter OF Ohio was
caught in such a predicament when he
thought of the car replacer here shown.
which has just been patented by him.
The main feature of the replacing de-
vice lies in the series of grooves rum
ming across the face OF the iron block.
The purpose of these grooves is to re-