Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-29
DANGER IN ICE.
What to Drink in Hot Weather and
What Not to Drink.

From the London Chronicle.
Owing to the greatly increased activity
OF the skin in hot weather and the resulting
excessive perspiration the system is
stantly being deprived OF its due need OF
water. with the natural result that a con-
dillon OF thirst is generally produced II
is by the constant evaporation of fluid from
the skin surface that the hcat-regulating
mechanism of the body is enabled to keep
the human temperature at the normal $50
degrees when the thermometer registers an
atmosphere of 30 degrees in the shade. Per
sons who perspre copiously suffer mora
from thirst and the general discomforts o.
sIbtropical temperatures than those whose
skins are not stimulated into over-activity
by the heat
Granted, then. that people must, and do,
drink more freely in hot weather than In
cold. the question is What is the best bev-
erage with which to quench thirst in such
circumstances? This question Is one by no
means so easy to answer a. might appear
at first sight. When one is thirsty and hot
something cooling is desired, and by fad
lacious process OF reasoning one judges that
a cold drink must be the one thing neediul.
Iced drinks therefore in great demand,
but the tendency of these is. If anything,
to increase thirst. while they fail to exert
any cooling effect on the body generally.
The most effectual remedy for heat and
thirst in hot weather, and one Of which the
effect is lasting. is n cup OF hot tea OF cof-
fee. hot drink of this nature produces
an increased elimination of fluid through
the skin, the rapid evaporation OF which
soon produces an agreeably cooling effect.
So long however, human beings are
governed by their desires rather than by
their reason they will plump for long
drinks. iced If possible. These long drinks
would be much more wholesome without
the ice, and the best of them is undoubtedly
a homemade lemonade. without that excess
of sugar which is always so instrumental
in aggravating ones thirst Next to lem
onade as a grateful and comforting drink
in the dog days one may place the old-fash-
Toned ginger beer in stone bottles. The
sickly. syrupy connections, with strange
new names and OF uncertain composition
had better be avoided by the prudent.
Good sound cider is an excellent summer
drink, and 1t is surprising that facilities for
obtaining Ii anywhere and everywhere are
not afforded by all enterprising caterers.
1t is certainly more wholesome for the ma
jority OF persons than even the lightest OF
light beers, which appear to be so popular
at present.
Ordinary beers wines and spirits are most
unsatisfactory as hot weather beverages.
If anything, they rather augment thirst
this being one OF the characteristic proper.
ties of alcohol Therefore the more alcohol
a beverage cOntains the unsuitable is
IL as a summer drink Besides the combi-
acting on the nervous system Is most in
furious and may be even dangerous.
Among alcoholic beverages stout and port
should be especially avoided, as distinctly
heating and thirst-provoking
1t should be particularly noted that young
children, like young plants require a con-
siderable supply of water in the hot months
Of the year. Children suffer even more
from the effects Of great heat than do
adults. Many parents have n curious OBJ
lection, even where the water supply IS
good, to allowing their children as much
water to drink as they require. II is, Of
course only right 10 prevent an overhead
ed child from swallowing a large quantity
OF cold water at gulp since that may pro.
uuce a fatal shock to the system; but Il
child should be allowed TO sip as much
water at a reasonable temperature as he
requires. In no case should milk be given
as substitute To a thirsty child. Mix
will not qnench thirst any more than
cheese, and besides. the tissues demand
water and will not be put off with anything
else.