The Washington herald., 1909-10-24

capacity and the ability TO breathe easily
under rapid and strenuous physical exer-
! ton. It is not a technical word. but it
plainly expresses what mean. There
fore 1 occasionally recommend putting on
the gloves
The President readily accepted the
| suggestion. 1t was understood that We
were not 20 lift each other IN the face.
and that when we started a blow It
| should be toward the chest. Nothing was
/ said, but I realized how an accidental
! black eve might look in the White House
/ I am slender and rather quick, I hope
on my feet. but when the President
/ caught me in a corner. / confess that he
! landed pretty heavily and often for
man OF his bulk.
! Ultimately, Mr.. Taft worked for an
/ hour and half every morning. lie
Ureathed as deeply as an athlete. and
rapidly improved his speed in wrestling
and boxing. At the end OF his exercises
/ he took a bath and had breakfast. Late
/ In the afternoon he usually went 10 the
| golf links, or else for a horseback ride
/ The tremendous strain to which the
President of the United States Is sub
/ jected practically necessitates such di-
versions"
What restrictions did you put on him
in the matter Of diet7'
Now. diet with me IS a vital matter" 9"
DR.. Barker replied. but I have no fads
to exploit or prejudices 10 be defended.
Each man and each woman is q separate
physical entity What is nourishing for
one person Is not recklessly to be recon-
mended for another person. Food that IS
harmful 10 you may be healthful to your
t In
stance. and plenty Of it, is good for
some and bad for others. Diet is a
problem that must be taken up with an
open mind. Nor do I draw a line rigid
ly against alcoholic beverages. but !
have learned that they are not bene-
fetal except In cases hardly ever TO be
met with. and only then IN small Quanti-
ties The President does not drink a
drop OF wine or any other kind Of liquor.
Eat Wrong Kind OF Food.
The ordinary man. Dr. Barker went
on 10 say. eats too much. 1 refer. OF
course. to persons engaged in sedentary
pursuits. Food taken above the actual
requirements Of ones work is an injury
to sound health. Undernutrition is equal
ly dangerous. The man and his task are
the elements to be considered. A farmer.
for example. can eat pie and dispose OF
IT, Yet pastry may 5e poison for the
man at a desk
Physical culture" DR.. Barker OBJ
served. us unlike ready-to-wear clothing
or shoes from a big factory. A coat Of
standard size viii fit the normal GUS
toner of ne average dealer. II Is the
same with collars and hats; practically
every No. hat will feel comfortable
on every No. head Neither medicine
nor physical culture IS governed by alb.
solute rules with respect TO the indI-
vidual No two stOmachs are exactly
alike
when discussing diet with the Presi-
dent / told him that a drastic limita-
! ton upon ones food. in quantity and
kind resulted in a chronic state Of weak
ness and a craving that was out OF Joint
with nature. Slow starvation means
irritahility and the DEVILS tattoo upon
the nerves I thought that Mr.. Taf'
ought TO approach ell matters OF bust
ness, great and small. in the kindlines,
and the cheer that have endeared him e
the American people. He should have
fire enough in the form OF food, I said
20 maintain the usual balance OF his
strength and temper. Tie President
agreed with me and accepted my bill OF
fare"
What was it?" I asked
NO Stnrchy or Sweet Food.
"A chop or a piece Of beefsteak, gluten
crackers, and a cup of coffee for break.
fast; only fruit for luncheon, and soup
meat green vegetables, and light des-