HEALTH HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 15

HEALTH HINTS.

WATER GOOD FOR THE NERVES. A .well-"known nerve specialist has said that "all neurasthenics (that ie, people with unhealthy nerves) have desiccated nerves and suffer from an ineufficiency of fluid in the tissues of the body." It is probable that we all, in more or lees degree, even when not conscious of any definite symptoms, are suffering in some part of our system from the lack of enough fluid, and especially of enough pure, cold water. We know that so nicely is the human body adjusted and adapted to its uses that one part cannot suffer without all suffering. If the nerves are desiccated or dried through lack of fluid, then it is certain that the wheels of the wonderful machinery are being clogged by reason of waste matter, which is not washed away.

We see by this that water does for us a threefold service. It feeds, it washes, and it carries away the cinders of the body furnace; and through the want of it we are exposed to many and great dangers. The tissues become too dry, the blood is thick and it flows sluggish, and the retained waste of the body sets up a condition which the doctors call "auto-intoxication," or self-poisoning.

This condition may give rise to almost any known symptoms, from a pimple to heart failure, and ds really responsible for most of the semi-invalids with whom the world is largely peopled.

To obtain the best results from waterdrinking certain rules should be observed. People do not all need the same amount, and it may take a little experimenting to find out just how much should be taken in individual cases. It has been stated by physicians that five or six pints should be taken during the twentyfour hours. Of this only a moderate quantity shocnld be taken with the meals. It is a mistake to take no water with a meal, but it is perhaps a greater mistake to wash food down with water, especially with ice-water.

The best time for water-drinking is at night and early in the morning. It is well to form the habit of slowly sipping, during the bath and while dressing, two or three glasses of cold—not ice-cold-water. Two or three more may be sipped at bedtime, and again two or three glasses an hour or two before luncheon and before dinner.

In a very short time the value of this habit will become apparent in the resultant general improvement in digestion, temper, and appearance.