Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1885 — DRINKS FOR THE VOICE. [ARTICLE]

DRINKS FOR THE VOICE.

Aerated Water, Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, and Milk Discussed. Tea, coffee, and cocoa are three admissible drinks, bnt none in excess. For the voice cocoa is the most beneficial. It should never be made too strong, and those cocoas are the best that have been deprived of their oil. A cup of thin cocoa, just warm, is more to be Recommended between the exertions of singing “than any alcoholic beverage. Tea mnst not be taken too strong nor when it has drawn too long for tea then becomes acrid, and has a bad influence on the mucous membrane that lines the throat. There is always a dry sensation after having taken a cup of tea that has been allowed to draw too long. A vocalist had better do without sugar in tea and only take milk with .it, or, if an exhilarating drink is needed, mix some claret wine with the tea, putting in a slice of lemon and some'honey. j Coffee should never be taken too strong and not too often. Two cups a day is all that can be allowed; without sugar is best. Very strong coffee heats and makes the voice husky. In fact, no drink should be taken too hot or too strong; the voice wants an equitable, mild temperature, that will keep up constant moisture flexibility in the vocal organs. These are of all classes and are now universally taken, but I am sorry to say that the chemical ingredients of the sirups used with them are often very injurious to the voice. Sodawater is refreshing . when pure, but when mixed with all kinds of aromatic substances actually dries the throat instead of moistening it Ginger ale, cider, and such manufactured drinks are only serviceable to the vocalist when of the very best manufacture, otherwise they are heating and drying instead of cooling. So few fruit sirups are now made of fruit that it is difficult to know where to find them, and the artificial sirups are really dangerous to the voice. Water is to be recommended, when pure, but not too much ice-water. In any case, it must be filtered water, and never too cold. A spoonful of pure sirup or honey in a glass of cold water is better than aerated drinks. Water in excess is also injurious to the voice. Milk in excess is also injurious, while a glass of fresh milk in the morning is most helpful to the voice; it not only softens it, but nourishes and purges the blood. The final resume is, do without all alcoholic drinks, if possible; take only the best in great moderation; exclude beer if possible; rather moisten the throat with small quantities than drown it with larger; avoid too much strength, heat, or sugar in beverages like tea and coffee; also artificial sirups ; use water and milk reasonably, and never allow yourself to be very thirsty. —Music and Drama.