FOOD: WHAT TO WEATLAND HOW TO EAT IT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6670, 4 October 1883, Page 2

FOOD : WHAT TO WEATLAND HOW TO EAT IT.

' Dr Anna Potts continued her series of medical lectures at the Theatre Royal yesterday by delivering a discourse to ladies in the afternoon, which was listened to by a small but highly appreciative audience ; and by addressing another small gathering of ladies and gentlemen in the evening on the very important subject of " Food." The lecture naturally commenced with a description of the organs necessary to alimentation and digestion. The mouth, the esophagus, the duodenum, the stomach, and the small and large intestines were described ; the functions of each being explained, and the predisposing causes to disease being pointed out. With regard to those important aids to digestion — the teeth — it was recommended that decayed or hollow teeth should, if possible, be stopped with some durable material, gold preferably ; and that, if necessary, a faulty tooth should bo replaced by an artificial substitute. In this connection the lecturer said she was pleased to observe that one of her own sex was practising as a dentist in Napier. After describing the connecting organs, tlie stomach was treated upon, and the outward muscular and the inward mucous membranes were explained most lucidly. The stomach of a drunkard was exhibited on a chart, by which it appeared that the action of alcohol was to inflame the inner coating of the stomach and intestines until it became a mass of corruption, the irritation of which was only to be allayed by renewed stimulation with alcohol. The action of the stomach, as observed by Dr Beaumont in the case of a patient who had suffered a wound that laid that organ open so that it could not be closed for a long period, was humorously described, while it conreyed information of moment to everyone. The action of the stomach, as different descriptions of food entered it was noted, and she mentioned that the results had | been utilised to regulate diet both in health and disease. In treating of food, boih in its consumption and preparation, the lecturer was most explicit. The too 1 frequent habit of hurried mastication, the practice of eating while heated, or while in an angry mood, were reprobated, indigestion being pointed to as the certain concomitant. In making bread, the whole meal flour should be used, the rejection of the bran resulting in the loss of the phosphates, which are the boneproducing and strengthening elements. Tho treatment of infants by ignorant mothers was quaintly ridiculed. When tho infant cried it must be hungry, therefore it was fed ; it cried again, and again it was fed * and the process was repeated and repeated. But whep it was discovered that uneasiness still existed, tho child was vigorously dandled, or was laid on its \ stomach while its back was thumped. And then when its little stomach refused to retain its undue load under such adverse circumstances, the mother exclaimed, with gratification, that "the child must be well or it would not bo sick." Of meats, none were recommended, the lecturer being of opinion that in the future the perfect man would be a strict Yegetariau j but pw&, and tbe flesh of all

animals tho food of which was unclean, were condemned in unmeasured terms. The — great prevalence of scrofula was, in Dr Potts' opinion, directly traceable to the consumption of pork as food. The fatted pig came in for especial blame, as he was killed jusfc before he would have died. The food recommended was baked and boiled potatoes, fruifc, bread made of whole meal flour and properly prepared and baked, and meat, if tender and properly fed, might be partaken of with advantage. On the subject of tobacco smoking, chewing, and snuffing the lecturer was most emphatic. The tobacco plant had, she said, the useful purpose of gathering to itself from the air certain noxious poisons, and the only thing in nature that thrived on it was a special description of worm. The effect on the human consumer of the plant was deleterious in tte extreme, loss of memory and of appetite, and a general weakening of the most delicate senses resulting from continued indulgence iv the habits of smoking, chewing, or snuffing. The lecture was listened to with interest throughout, and hearty bursts of applause followed upon the oft-recurring noble sentiments, and of laughter afc the quaint yet forcible similes and anecdotes. A lecture to ladies will be delivered this afternoon ; and the subject of this evening's lecture to ladies and gentlemen was announced as " General Diseases," in which category lung disease, rheumatism, aud many other common complaints will be spoken of.