Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-27
What to Eat and Drink.


In complimentary communication
to the Kennebec Journal on How to
Keep Well" Chas. G. Percival. M. D.,
gives a chapter of horse sense advice
to the public, aimed particularly to the
aged.
Alcohol is taboed by some authOri-
ties while others claim that after so
the daily use of small amount Of at
cohol prevents oxidation Of the human
economy and is benefit rather than
an injury. This is not so for there
never was a time in the history Of the
world, but that alcohol was a detri-
ment and a hindance to perfect health
and longevity. There is no. legiti-
mate excuse for the use Of alcohol as
an article of diet and each and every
one of us would live longer. better and
healthier without it. It doesn't pro-
long life and it does oxidize and des-
troy the tissues. 1t has to be elIn'-
mated by the body and it poisons ans
burns every organ through which it IS
eliminated to say nothing OF its clog
ging the brains and nerves.
Smoke as little as you can if you are
a smoker. Reduce the smoking If you
have the habit and the rule would be-
smoke after meal than on an empty
stomach Smoking is injurious to the
heart action, the eye sight and stag
mates the nerves.
Exercise should not be neglected ana
is best taken in the open air properly
clothed and of all the exercises, walk
ing slowly and without over exertlon
is the best. Golf is the least strenu-
Gus OF all the sports and should be IN
dulged in if the person can afford 1t
and has the inclination. Elderly peo-
ple REQUIRE more sleep than others and
should have at least hours a day ana
a slight nap at noon time II II can %
obtained is recommended. Even II one
does not sleep, the lying down, keeping
the BODY horizontal thus resting the
body and giving the heart relief at
noon time is of great value.
Over exertion of any kind, and vlo-
lent exercise should be avoided. The
same applies to much excitement OF
anger. Keep the feet dry, the head
cool and the pores open" is an OLD
fashioned saying and applies to all,
winter and summer.
If the medical profession had been
honest enough to tell the truth about
alcohol, years ago, hte liquor interests
would not have been able to fix their
net of fountain of youth" tradition
upon the public. But DR.. Perciva.
goes farther in his advice to the elder
ly as follows:
Now that spring has arrived and sum.
mer is coming on, the question OF what
to Eat is very important one Per-
haps the most important thlng 10 'a ~, e
up next to the diet for the young IS the
diet for the elderly. Both need careful
attention. Elderly people are just as
careless in their ways as chlidren WIN
the added argument that they Know W. ~
ter. Good judgment on the part OF the
elderly in the selection Of proper dlet
accompanied by the right KIND OF clotn
ing, sleeping in well ventilated room
away from draughts. perfect elinina.io ~
internal bathing and the avoidance OF
those articles of food that are positively
dangerous ought to bring about a perfect
state of health and longevity. one can.
diet for the elderly as each person must
adapt the advice to her or his particular
case Many cannot digest or sasslmliate
foods that others can eat with perfect
one thing that seems to agree with the
elderly is buttermilk. 1t is nutritious,
digestible and without question promotes
the digestion Of other foods, and alds
longevity. AS cure buttermilk has not
all the numerous virtues ascribed to it by
many medical authorities. That 1T aids
digestion, tones up weak stomachs ana
cures many ills there is no doubt. Inc
80 1f thn
valuable, cleansing and purifying. me
juices act much better and do not disturb
the stomach as when the whole fruit IS
eaten. The fruits which seem particular
ly adapted to the elderly are pineapple,
orange and grape. Pineapple Juice IS
especially valuable in aiding digestion
and the juice is better adapted to the
elderly on account or the pup penn, nfrms
the teeth. Elderly people should eschew
fried and greasy foods, rich pastry ana
spicy viands and stick to young chicken
and rare, tender meats: soups are ho %
the boiled juices of the meat ana 1avor
uric acid disposition. Boiled fish, baked
fish, grilled bacon, rare roast beer ana
lamb and three minute eggs are recon-.
mended. If milk is assimilated and
digested 1t is valuable adjunct to tne
diet and is better appreciated If little
vichy is added to it. Egg and milk Is
good. To much attention cannot be paid
to the vegetable foods for they are nu..
tritious and invaluable on account OF
the fact they contain earthly phosphates.
OF these string beans. spinach: fresh
salads plentifully sprinkled with pure
olive oil and slight dash of good vine.
gar or lemon juice are the best. SteWed
onions and celery, carrots. and other
succulent vegetables when in season in
moderation are to be recommended.
Fresh bread should be avoided and whole
wheat and toasted bread is of the most
value. If the teeth are bad or inefficient
the food should be ground or chopped.
On account of the digestive organs in the
elderly being scarce of digestive fer
ments. food in the cereal line need more
heat in the cooking to make the starch
granules more susceptible to digestion
and for this reason many of the predi-
gested manufactured foods on the market
an acceptable addition to the diet like
prunes, apricots and peaches and in the
cooking a small piece of lemon should be
added to neutralize the sugar, or If an
acidity is present add as mall amount of
bicarhonite of soda-a quarter of tea
spoonful to the pound of fruit is the
proper measure. These measures obviate
gastric fermentation and acidity. DeS-
serts made of eggs and stale bread. in
dian meal. arrowroot, sage and ground
rice we'll baked are valuable articles of
diet as is macaroni cooked with milk
and baked with a slight quantity of mild
cheese is good. Don't neglect the daily
use Of some kind Of fresh vegetables SO
as to avoid scorbitus which is very prone
to take place in the elderly. Avoid too
much of fresh pork, smoked meats and
too young veal. Above all. don't forget