The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-04-07
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j. 4,
t. PELLAGRA PREVENTION i
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A faulty or restricted diet at this
season OF the year is the chief fac
Tor in the production of pellagra
Measures to prevent the development
OF the disease should be instituted
during the early Spring months, ac-
cordlng to circular of information
ISSUED to-day by the United States
Public Health Service. While the
manifestations of pellagra are in most
casese not in evidence until June or
July, the condition invariably dates
from a faulty diet of early months.
Therefore, if due precautions are ex-
erclsed by individuals at the present
time the havoc wrought by this
scourge my be greatly lessened, if not
entirely eliminated.
The report further calls attention
to certain danger signals which should
be recognized by those who reside in
pallagrous districts or those who
have had previous attacks of the dis
ease. Among such warming symp-
toms are extreme nervousness or
change in the mental characteristics
of the individual. Weakness or de-
bility, a disinclination to undertake
the ordinary daily tasks, and unex-
plalned digestive symptoms may all
be premonitory signs. These symp-
toms do not, Of course, necessarily
mean the development of pellagra.
but taken in connection with the his
tory OF a one-sided, monotonous, diet,
thpN 1of.
the possibilities of it's onset.
The diet recommended by the health
service for the prevention of pellagra
will not produce results if followed
for week or ten days only, but if
continuously and consistently used,
under circumstances similar to it's ad-
ministration in the various institu-
tions where the experimental tests
have been performed, it will protect
the individual against the develop
ment of the disease. Necessarily,
rigid UNMARRIED diet is wholly undesi-
rable and the menu recommended is
only to indicate in a general way the
character of the food to be prescrib-
ed. Frequently the element of pow
erty, inaccessibility to market sup.
plies, or even personal idiosyncrasy,
may require some modification of the
diet table, so that strict adherence to
its components may not in all res
poets be practicable. The object Of
the diet as submitted is to minimize
the consumption of the carbohydrate
(starchy and sweet) foods and to in
crease the amount of fresh animal
protein and of fresh legumes (peas
and beans.)
The breakfast, for example, should
consist of oatmeal and cream, with
out sugar, with either ham or break.
fast bacon and two eggs. Not more
than two thin slices of whole wheat |
bread should be taken, preferably un-
toasted. Hot bread or biscuits are
A glass of fresh milk
is to accompany the breakfast and
either oranges or grapefruit may be
the initial course. The dinner should
consist of either pea or bean soup,
from dried peas or beans,
with a meat stock. The meat may
be beef, pork, ham, chicken, veal or
mutton, prepared in whatever manner
is the most appetizing, preference
being given to roasting or broiling
rather than frying. Hamburger
steak, meat hash, or fish may be sub
'tituted to afford variety. Care
should be exercised that the meats
IRE not overdone. Of vegetables,
IRISH potatoes, boiled in the packet
" baked, cabbage, turnip or mustard
green's, collards and lettuce, are to be
'ecommended For dessert, stewed,
resh or dried fruit will prove suffi-
lent. The dinner should be accompa-
ned by not more than two thin slices
# whole wheat bread and a glass Of
The supper should con-
list of pork and beans, or baked beans
seasoned, the usual amount
f bread and a glass of buttermilk
f preferred, eggs, scrambled or 9TH
rwise prepared, may be substituted
or the more substantial ingredient
f the meal.
A diet such as the above is not pro-
ibitive as to cost, at least to but few
f the residents of the country, af-
ords a sufficient number of heat
nits, if taken in reasonable quanti- |
Y, and will effectually prevent the
evelopment of a disease which alone ,
aused 5000 deaths in the United
tates during the past year. L