Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1893 — THE BODY AND ITS HEALTH. [ARTICLE]

THE BODY AND ITS HEALTH.

Eat Salt. —“Most people," a doctor is quoted as saying, “donot eat half enough salt. If salt he taken in moderate quantities regularly every day the general health of the user will be greatly improved. Nearly every time I take a glass of water I add to it a teaspoonful of common table salt. After being taken several times the taste will be found more agreeable than otherwise. All mineral waters should take salt added before being used, for scarcely any of the various kinds contain enough. Enthusiasts ou the salt diet 'laim that its free use prevents malarial troubles. Though Ido not claim quite as much for it as that, I think it is a very valuable article of consumption, and should be used more than it is.” Injurious to the Nerves of Smell. —Every one does not know that aromatio salts and very strong pungent odors are Injurious to the nerves of smell and often produoe serious, if not incurable, difficulties. It is well understood that certain scents start the action of the secretory glands of the nose and throat; and often the eyes fill up with tears. Frequent indulgence in the use of such perfumes will soon overtax the secretory organs and weaken them. Some days the person observes that the hearing is less acute than usual and the sense of smell seems defective. This is, of course, accredited to a cold or some similar cause, and but little is thought of it. After a time the entire head becomes affected, hearing and smell are almost, if not altogether, lacking and there are throat and lung complications which are likely to end in chronic, if not fatal, illness.

Indigestion.— lndigestion seems to be the great American disorder, says a medical writer. It is one that is especially augmented by recklessness, yet equally amenable to prudence. It ia a well-known fact that ih a proper diet is adhered to, and strictly persevered in, the most obstinate cases of indigestion will give place, without medicine, to sound and healthy conditions. But for those who will gratify the appetite and enjoy the good things of the table, regardless of consequences, the following notes may aid in temporarily relieving the suffering attendant upon such indulgences, all the remedies given being simple, harmless and efficient. A simple tonic that prepares and strengthens the stomach, somewhat, for its coming work and abuse, is a glass of cold water, taken upon rising, in the morning. One has no idea of the value of this pure remedy of nature’s own, until tried. Its effects are as noticeable as those of powerful drugs. Sensitive stomachs, very delicate constitutions, should begin with hot water, gradually lowering the temperature, till cold water is used. It is amazing how robust and able this will make one feel. The usual trouble is, it is tried a few morniugs, and then omitted and forgotten. To feel in good health and spirits is amDle compensation for the perseverance. This use of water is a tonic and preventive, but when food refuses to digest or the stomach is acid or “distressed,” a small piece of dry magnesia will relieve the trouble. Some take carbonate of soda, and even become addiotedto its use, as does the drunkard to his cup, but it is a most harmful habit, as the soda is quite too severe for the tender lining of the stomach. It unites with the acid of the indigested food, and really forms a soap that would extract the color from a delicate fabric, and hence unsafe and unfit for the hu-, man stomach. An excellent simple remedy for indigestion is the white of an egg, beaten to a stiff froth, and stirred into a wineglass of cold water. It should be taken after each meal. Tincture of nux vomica, from the druggist, is the extract of the root of the foreign deadly nightshade, a rank poison, ana akin to strychnine in its properties, yet when properly used, it is a wonderful stomach regulator. It is widely known and much used in medical practice. Two drops of the tincture added to a tumbler of cold water, and two teaspoonfuls of this taken several times a day, will usually set indigestion in order, if followed up. Another simple remedy that must be persevered'in to get its benefits.