The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-24
WAR DIET CUTS
DOWN FAT MEN
Adipose Partisan Becomes More Nor
NAL AS Result of Ra-
tioning.
BY MILTON V. SNYDER.

By MlbION v. On n DGh.
Paris, Feb. at took war and
restriction In the consumption of
food to demonstrate that Paris was
too fat and ate too much. That for
merly 1t pampered fits stomach to
such an extent that its health was
affected and its death rate swollen is
shown by the figures published in the
Weekly Bulletin of Municipal Sta
tistics. Undoubtedly the same condl-
lions apply to all France, to a lesser
degree, however, as the provinces
have not been as greatly affected by
restrictions on meat and flour, being
nearer the sources OF production. But
the health of the capital has distinct
~ improved under the war regulations
affecting diet and habits of life.
The figures of the Bulletin are Of
ficial and show that for the month OF
June the dec his in Paris mbered
sos, compared with an average of s03:
for July, 562. compared with s15; for
August, 5s5, compared with 70s for
September. sS7. compared with 6ss
In the winter the number Of deaths
Will more nanrly approach the aver
age. owing to winter rpaIadies which
Population Not Decorated.
The question will be raised imme-
dlately. Does not this decrease in the
total number of deaths simply mean
that Paris now has fewer people? ?"
The municipal statistical service, al
though an exact census OF the actual
population of Paris. fixed and float
ing. is impossible. says no. for the fol-
lowing reasons: First. in the 1--WE pre-
ceGtng years from which the aver
E GO figures were computed there were
two and a half years of war; second.
IN place OF the men gone to the front.
Paris now has thousands Of refugees,
foreigne fs and workmen from the pro-
vtrces. Besides, the men sent to the
front represent the healthiest portion
or the population. while the proper
ttcn of those least able to resist dis
ease, children asd old PERSONS, TO say
ncthing-of refugees. Often much weak
e led, has been increased.
There are also certain restrictions
net of an aQmentaxy nature that must
be considered in accounting for the
hetterment Of the general health. The
decrease In means of locomotives.
ornibuses and street cars has made
people walk n@e. The reduction in
street lighting and the closing of the
restaurants and cafes at $40 have
hten responsible for more home life,
which means that much less time
spent IN cafes. theaters and less go
ing oA - night, consequently other
pIaces which with some persons leans
10 alcoholic excuses and for others
oHers numerous chances of SSntract-
ing contagious diseases such an grin
and pneumonia.
More Daylight 9 BENEFIT.
Finally the putting back Of the
CLOCK one hour during more than half
OF the year has had the most bench
clai eHects. People have stayed long
er out IN the sunlight--the great puri-
her or the air OF cities and the de-
stroyer OK noxious germs, which work
oest In shadow and darkness
The direct results of the food re-
strietions, which have affected nearly
every one, were due to the following
causes: The rise In the price of comes
tibles, the decrease in the consunp-
ton OF bread. principally because the
nrse war bread was unpalatabie, and
the Fationing OF sugar meat and fsh.
curious effect visible to every one.
was that many people grew thinner.
Outside Of the general decrease In the
usual amount OF food because OF In.
creased cost this loss OF fat can be
logically attributed to the lessened
consumption of the foodstuffs which
are the principal factors in putting on
fst--oread and sugar and pastry. which
last unites the combined effects OF
sugar and -four. This loss OF fat will
henefit the health of a city, as those
thus affected compose that part of the
population which each year furnishes
the greatest percentage OF deaths at
triouted TO diabetes, arterio scierosis
heart and kidney troubles.
Plenty of Food for All.
At the same time there is plenty of
food for all, the only hardships i'm
posed by the restrictions being felt
BY persons In delicate health, who are
deprived OF delicacies. Persons with
normal appetities are not affect%i by
the restrictions. The general result
has been an improvement in the gem
eral health.
As 10 the victim OF disease in
which loss OF weight is serious and a
generous diet necessary. for example,
tuberculosis, they too seem to have
benefited by the restrictions This
may be only apparent and due to the
fact that invaIids of this class are
largel in hospitals where they lack
for nothing or may have left Paris
for the country where life In easier.
But statistics. which do not lie, show
that the number OF deaths from tu-
herculosis has been much less than
the number in preceding years.
IT is many years since so few con-
sumptfves died in Paris as this year.
There are months, rs In August, for
example. where. as against the usual
average OF 1853 the week. deaths have