Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1875 — Intemperance in Eating. [ARTICLE]

Intemperance in Eating.

“I shall eat what my appetite craves.” So said a lady with whom I was speaking on the subject of the preservation of health by the use] of healthful food She may think that she is a real temperance reformer; but if she will eat unwholesome food, regardless of consequences, because her appetite craves it, how can she consistently object to one who says he will drink w’hat his appetite craves, let the consequences be what they may? The logic is the same in both cases; yet the latter might be thought a most unreasonable declaration, while the first is not out of the way. But eating improper food cuts short human life, as well as drinking poisons. The one may do it sooner than the other; but either is sure to bring the result. Is it not the moral duty, then, of every person to select the most healthful diet ? Besides this, it is a fact that the use of stimulating, highly-seasoned food creates an appetite for stimulants, and thus naturally leads to the use of stimulating drinks. But few seem to know that the way to drunkenness and death begins at the table. Yet this is undoubtedly the case. Let the table be spread with the most wholesome food, cooked in the simplest manner, and eaten without condiments; let such be the diet of the young, and no laws will be needed for the suppression of drunkenness. They will have no desire for stimulants till it has been created by their use. But if parents bring up their children on tea and coffee, spices and other condiments, and flesh meats and what are called rich gravies, they need not wonder if appetites shall crave something more stimulating, even the inebriating cup. We form our own appetites. The appetite craves such- foods and drinks as we are in the habit of using. Un perverted appetite will be satisfied with the plainest food and water to drink. Those who have perverted their appetites have cravings for that which is an injury to them. Should such appetites be indulged and life be cut short as the consequence ? If so, then let the drunkard drink on and find in haste an untimely grave. But rather let the appetite be educated to relish that which is the most healthful. And when a natural appetite has been attained we may eat and drink just such things as our appetite craves; for it will be satisfied with the plainest and most wholesome food. I speak from experience when I say that I know this to be the case. I have no craving for stimulating drinks or condiments of any kind $ but am perfectly satisfied with the plainest and the best. So I may truly say: “I shall eat what my appetite craves.” — R. D. Cottrell, in Health Reforms.

1 Commodore Shufeldt has ordered the proper authorities of the Boston navyyard to make several seven-inch steel-wire hawsers. These will probably be the largest wire ropes ever made. The Navy Department has use for immense hawsers to tow monitors and vessels in distress. They are put on board the men-of-war for use when required. The usual appliance is a twelve-inch hemp rope, but it swells when wet and gets very heavy by absorption of water. The steel-wire hawsers will be seven inches less in diameter, much lighter, non-absorbent, more pliable and durable, and in every respect better. This is a curious, and, in fact, wonderful, advance in the application of steel and irtm to commercial uses. A hemp hawser twelve inches thick 4 is -a wonderful thing in itself, but a steel-wire hawser seven inches in thickness, better the same purpose, is somethi|ng fruitful of thotight to the student of shipbuilding and rigging.— N. F. Bulletin.