Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15
LONGEVITY AND ATTAINMENT.
Rules by Which Aged Persons May
Preserve Their Health.

From the New York Herald.
Long life has at all times been regarded
as one of the greatest blessings man can
possess So says Sir Lauder Brunton,
NJ D., D. &c., in introducing his address on
Longevity and Means of Attaining IT,
published in a recent issue Of the London
Lancet. And Sir Lander treats his sub
ject in "a very practical and com
risks which old people run into
external and internal. From the very ma
ture of things the aged are peculiarly sus-
cepitible to both influences in consequence
of their gradually decreasing vital resist
ance.
In regard to the influences from with
OUT septic infection holds leading place.
Aseptsc surgery has done much In directly
counteracting such influences in surgical
diseases and the advanced preventative
measures against microbic ailments In
general have made like gratifying score.
Despite antiseptics, however, erysipelas
is still a very common cause of death
among the aged, as are also bronchitis
and pneumonia. Both of thelatter all
ments, although usually ascribed to cold
alone, are in reality due to superadded
infective agents: The cold" Is simply
the lowering of vitality-already feeble at
best-and prepares the way for the wait
ing microbe.
be especially guarded against all low tenn
peratures and kept comfortably warm.
Another emphasized danger is that Of
Catching cold" from others. When
"cold goes through a house" it usually
ends with the death Of the grandparent.
Another point worthy of consideration
Is the effect Of dust In producing these
dreaded colds" Millions of pathogenic
germs are distributed by such means in
most subtle and curious ways: when I
used my consulting room as library"
says DR.. Brunton, Il found very frequent
ly that If had occasion to consult book
Frov Of fha fna Shalv 7 yUQS ant n
get cold in my head'-evidently from
the germ laden dust.
But more interesting part of the dis
cussion refers to the internal causes of
senility. Foremost among these is the
degeneration of the arteriai system,
whereby the arteries become thickened.
rigid and contracted as the result of re-
tanned toxins in the system.
Arterio-sclerosis and consequent high
blood presence explain apoplexy, con-
tracted kidney and enlargement of the
heart.
To restrain the process. hygiene, plain
living, proper food, sufficient rest and
sleep, and reasonable exercise come to our
aid.
The author maintains that old people
do not as rule chew their food thor
oughly and besides consume too much
meat. He alludes to certain facts which
make his criticisms very impressive. For
instance. food swallowed in bulk by the
aged Is a fruitful souce of cancer of the
stomach ION account of the irritation
which the bolus causes. while meat itself
produces toxin which directly induces
the hardening of old arteries. Hence
meat should be restricted within proper
limits and a farinaceous diet substituted.
1t is a pity that tobacco-the true solace
of the old man-should be forbidden. as
this also in it's own insidious way affects
the blood vessels injuriously.
OF prime Importance also is the ready
elimination of waste products in the sys-
tenn of regular Intestinal stimulation and
by abundance of drinking water to clear
the kidneys. Regular gymnastic respira-
tory movements should be made, thus
expanding lung space; at the same time
the different muscles of the back and
shoulders should be regularly exercised to
prevent rheumatic pains. and especially
the lumbago which is SO common in later
life.
The man Of threescore and ten must
realize that he must do everything mod
erately. His fires burn slowly, and he
needs but little fuel. II he is wise he
heeds the general admonition to take his
time on the down grade and use an extra
brace at the sleeper places. II he ap-
pears little fussy at times. never mind.
His life now depends solely on little duties
often painfully performed