Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1889 — Untitled [ARTICLE]

Aa Authority Say* tho Old Nee4 XaM F«>o<l than lh« Tonng. An authority of no le c s wciirlit'tffanSfr Henry Thompson declares, in a recent " hand -book, that considerable more than half of the disease with h tin,liters life among the middle find upper classes of the population is due to avoidable errois in diet. And while he lei's us that with tew exceptions men and women are healthier and stronger in every way without alcoholic drinks than with them, he does not hesitate to declare, at the same time, that more mischief, in the form of active disease, impaired vigor, and Shortened life, arises from erroneous habits in eating than from the occasional use of alcohol drink, great as he knows the evil of it to be. Sir Henry does not think it a bad sign that the appetite should diminish as age increases; and he deprecates any attempts by stimulants or tonics or concentrated foods to “improve" the appetite in such cases. As we increase in age we put forth less energy and activity, and as a consequence we have le s power to eliminate excess of food. The scientific view of the case is simple enough to be popularly comprehended. The over-supply of nutrition must be thrown off or absorbed into the -system.—With 4ho young tiro surplus is got rid of by active work or exercise; but even in tender years it makes its presence felt in occasional sickness. From about middle life onward it is packed away in the form of fat; and it may make its presence known by interfering with the action of the liver, by rheumatic attacks and olscure and troublesome diseases. . , While condemning excess generally. Bit Henry Thompson holds with Comaro, that front middle lite onward persona who would have health and long.life go together must con form. Io nature and reduce the daily supply of food. When 70 is reached it is more than ever necessary, he tells us, that this should be done; and in the same way at 89, with less activity, there must be less support. If this course be followed a right good and happy au 1 even useful old age may be enjoyed, providing, of course, there is no inherited taint to be combated and accidents do not Come in the way.