Weekly journal-miner., 1915-07-28
POOR MAN HAS THE BEST Of
 ARGUMENT
IN BETTER PHYSICAL CON- OPTION THAN NOBLE MEN; QUESTIONS AN SEVERED BY DOCTOR.
(From Tuesdays Daily) (By Chas. G. Percival. M. D.

.
 advice.)
 The poor man is always in better physical condition than the noble man. Crookshank, in a recent article in the British Journal of Diseases of Children, lays stress on what he calls biological value of food. He says: The wife of a cOttagcr is better fed biologically on whole meal bread, even though black; on fresh milk, even if skinned; on homemade cheese, even though sour, and on oatmeal even if savoured with salt only, than is her town dwelling sister on frozen mutton, timed tomatoes, condensed milk and packet tea"
 When the body is in good condition keep it in good condition by denying the appetite what has once injured the body. One can do much for himself by eating the right thing and not too much of 1t, and by leaving alone the wrong thing and all of it. He can do more than doctors can do for him when he is fiat on his back in bed.
 Now that the summer is here eat vegetables. Let the garden be your medicine chest. Call in Dr. Garden and let him look to your own slight ailments. If you are wakeful eat let tuce. For affections of the skin and yellow skin eat onions. Onions are also good for colds, coughs, and scroll ula. For torpid liver eat freely of asparagus. If the bowels are dis eased try blackberries. If nervous and irritable eat plenty of celery. For constipation eat fruits, ripe and heal thy fruits. Fresh fruits are good. *
 Questions Answered.
 A. B. asks: What IS this Russian oil treatment for indigestion and con stipation? What kind of oil is Rus sian oil?"
 Answer: Russian oil is a refined parafin oil imported from the Russian oil fields. The American paraffin oil can be used. Parafin oil has recently gained great popularity in the treat ment of constipation and has largely replaced castor oil, which has been used somewhat indiscriminately for several centuries. In certain dyspep- tic disorders, it is found that small doses of these oils act benefcially, and about equally we'll In cases of malnutrition with chronic diarrhea small doses are often effective, also in bilious attacks" and hives or eczema accompanied by dyspeptic symptoms. In such cases, the lack of taste ot parafin oil gives it an advantage over castor oil although in other respects. it is no better. Many think that para fin oil may be used generally as a substitute for castor oil in cases where the other is known to be eff cacious. and that the use of castor oil is absolute Such is not the case, however. Parafin oil is an excellent remedy for certain forms of chronic constipation, and to correct this dis order may be taken repeatedly for a long period accompanied by internal bathing. Castor oil on the other hand, is not a suitable remedy for chronic constipation Its principal use is for removing irritant material from the bowel, particularly in the beginning of acute infammatory con ditions. It is also useful in relieving the bowels when overloaded tempo rarily. It should not be given in lax ative doses, frequently repeated, as parafin oil is used.
 D. J. NJ. writes: (Which is the most nutritious, coffee, tea or chocolate?
 Answer: Chocolate though the least popular, is the most nutritious while the others are merely stimuli ants. Coffee has been the favorite beverage with soldiers for more than a century, because it lesscns the strain Of fatigue by stimulating the nervous system. Tea has almost precisely the same effect, and for the same reason because it contains caffeine. Choco- late came into its own in the present war and has taken its place at the head of the list as an emergency ra- ton, capable of supplying vital en- ergy to the system instead of mere nerve stimulation. It contains stim- ulant. but does not tend to produce sleeplessness as does caffeine. ChOco- late contains a high percentage Of the two substances necessary to life (starches and fats) in a most con densed and palatable form. Also about per cent proteins, which is the third element necessary to per feet nutrition. It is therefore almost a complete, as well as well balanced ration; and, since the soldiers choco- late is now made with a correct amount of protein incorporated in 1t, this ration represents an ideal food in condensed form. A man can live for a long period and keep in perfect health, by subsisting on this lem ergency chocolate' alone. Moreover, he can carry several days supply in his pockets. Tea. coffee, and choco- late were all introduced at about the same time and there has been much speculation as to why chocolate Is the least popular, although the most worthy of these three substances. The fact is that tea and coffee con tain the stronger stimulant Strong stimulants always make rapid head way in civilized countries. All three should be regarded as drugs. Good and useful drugs, but drugs. Of the three chocolate is the most valuable. Tea and coffee to those who do not use them habituallv are valuable as vital stimulants in times of need.