Evening star., 1934-08-05
In the World of Books
BY SARAH BOwERMAN

already been jeopardized. The Judge
Is lovely old man" Mary thinks
even In her worst moments, but IL is
suggested that his adverse decision
on that last day Is Influenced by q
painful boil and by the fact that he
had been Eliminating the night be-
fore on his own inability to obtain
divorce from the bridge gambling
wife who is running him financially
Mr.. Boom. John Adams solicitor
friend. sums up what Is probably Mr..
Herbert's own opinion when he COM
ments: The laws Of England are a
continual Joy" Several compliments
are paid in the course Of the story
to the greater reasonableness Of
American divorce laws. Such COM
mendation for what we are accus-
toned to hear called outrageously
lax comes infrequently from British
authors. The ending Of the whole
divorce affair for John Is banal and
we wonder that Mr.. Herbert, clever as
he is, could not have thought Of q
better one.
WHY DIE BEFORE YOUR TIME?
BY Henry Smith williams, M. d.
New York: Robert NJ. Mcbride
81 Co.
ON HIS 10th birthday DR.. Will
liamS pleasurably recalled that
when he was 2l a doctor had re-
vealed to him that he had a valvular
heart trouble, but had told him that
with great care he might live for Is,
possibly 20. years. Perhaps as a sep
tuagenary birthday celebration, he de-
cided to have another medical exami-
nation, and this time the doctor told
him that about the only thing he
needed to fear during the next 30
years was being struck by a railway
locomotive. In view of these two
prognoses, he feels that he need not
quail before the taunt, Physician,
heal thyself." and what he has done
for himself others may do for them
selves. The most important secret
he has to impart to those who wish
to retain or restore health, and to
live as long as they can, Is to eat
moderately, especially after the age
of IS. 1t makes no difference that
appetite continues unabated long
after that age. That the aging
organism should retain the food
appetite of youth is perhaps Ma
ture's way of providing for the re-
moval Of surplus population past ths
breeding age" but most Of the effort
Of civilized man are directed towarc
the conquest of Nature and few ar,
willing to bow Cor eat) themselves ou
of existence for the benefit Of the mex
generation. Perfectly good food eater
in excess viii almost inevitably brin,
upon John Doe" one of the degenera.
tive maladies. And If he also con.
sumes regularly even moderate
amount of alcohol. thinks DR. Williams
In spite of repeal legislation, he viii
dig his grave with his elbow as vel
| as with his teeth.
With full appreciation Of the tempta.
tons of the table and with whimsical
humor toward human weakness, DR.
Williams gives much specific advice tS
the man or woman who finds life
good enough to wish to prolong it
He asks: "a fat life or a long one?'
Protein seems to be the chief foot
sinner, the poisoner Of middle and ole
! age, hence low protein diet is ad.
visable. For a middle-aged person o.
average size, the amount of animal
protein needed in the daily ration may
be found in; () One quart of milk
and one egg; or (2) five ounces o.
lean meat; or (3) one glass of milk
one egg, and three ounces of meat;
or "a three ounces of meat, one egg
and one ounce of cheese" After Civ
ing a number Of rules Of food health
etiquette, which include moderate
helpings and no second helptags, al
ways leaving the table with some ap.
petite left. checking food intake By
the bath room scales. horizontal cuts
in food ration to remedy indisposi-
tions, occasional fastings, the value ol
a milk, green vegetable and fruit diet
when reduction in weight is needed
DR.. Williams concludes by the un-
dogmatic statement: Whether the
game is worth the candle is for you
to decide" For those who think it is
worth the candle, DR.. Williams book
will be helpful.