HEALTH NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 7, 15 July 1942, Page 8

HEALTH NOTES

WATER •*-4 '■•!*»*» By H. K. & D. W. Adamson, (Osteopaths;. As a general rule it takes a good deal to convince the average pei'son of necessity of drinking anywhere near the same quantity of water (.01 liquid) in winter as does in summer. This is mainly due to the uict that the demand for liquid Lso largely influenced by the amount of moisture that escapes from the body by way of perspiration. Consequently tiie demand for liquid refreshment of various sorts is ver> much keener in summer than iL winter. We certainly perspire lesi frequently in winter than we do in summer, nevertheless, that does not alter the fact that we still requirt considerable amounts of water dail> at this period of the year. Watei | is both a solvent and a cleanser and most people will use it to some considerable extent to ensure cleanliness of the external parts of flu body, for appearance sake, perhaps,, more than for hygienic reasons. It: use infernally is far more important than, externally, because interna cleanliness is such a big factor ii> j maintaining not only external sparkle and appearance, but real health and functional vigour as well. It may be interesting to note that slightly more than two thirds: of the entire weight of the average human being is composed of water. It not only forms a-very considerable portion of the tissues of tin body, but it also provides the bash for the means of transportation o nutrients to the tissues, as well a: a means of disposal of all tissm sewage. Not all of this water is supplied by the liquid we consume. S.jme o. it is formed in the body itself fron. the hydrogen and oxygen element contained in most of the foods wt eat. Some is taken in as a constit uent of the food itself as in fruit and vegetables, but the amount sc taken is usually far from adequate for our normal needs. Consequently, liquid in some shape or form n just as important a part of our nutrition as eating itself. Just how much water is required j daily by any one person, depends [ very much upon ■ his functional ac tivity, his occupation and living lut its. There is 110 hard and fast ruit that can be applied to all, but one can be guided by the circumstances surrounding each individual case. For instance, if you are taking lest than four pints of liquid daily, you can take it for granted that you are taking too little. Consideration, however, must be given to th( amount of fruit and vegetables one consumes, because it is obvious tha the consumer of such water laden foods requires less water by way of drinks than his neighbour who endeavours to maintain some degree of health upon a "dry"' diet con sisting mainly of breadstuffs, meat* and the' like. In the former case, four pints 01 water TTnily may be more than ample. I but for the latter person, especia l} should he fall into the confmon practice of including a daily ration of bacon or other heavily salted foods, four pints of liquid dailj would be totally inadequate. Other factors which must be takei into consideration in determining the amount of water to be taken daily, are the kidneys, the bowe, and the skin. If the urine is h'ghlj coloured and scanty or if the bowel are in the slightest .degree co live then it can be reasonably a°surci that the quantity o.' water Le'n. consumed is insufficient. A dry a:u lustreless skin is another factor t he regarded with suspicion. JNow, although there is a lessenee desire to drink as uiuch liquid a. one would in the warmer veatne. it j.s worth noting that, from a pare ly functional or health sianupo,n; the need lor liquid may even- Li greater than in summer. This >. because ci liic tendency i<) eo.< .a.. ill.lOU-. ~j Ui cv/.n. 1 » , v. n u • heating foods: i:i the cojU v.-. ther. More fats and n. puddings, boiled and s,earned p..d dings, hot roasts and other una s This tendency, coupled v.Mli U.-s;

muscular activity, much K'ls su., I shine and more .ndojr life in gcneiJai, slows down and e*ogs the var oas functions as evide.-ced by til. i:ir greater incidence of colils and ;lu, ami other aouie iti]incuts The drinking of quantities of water w'li jortainiy not compensate for ilu; ahience of fcumnier sa.ads and other amenities of the warmer wea,her, mt it will at least promote a greater activity of the kidney and bowe! functions and this is of no mean value in the maintenance of better health. Now, as mentioned ::i a recent article, the best lime to take liquid is between meals. And remeiubei by liquid we don't mean tea or coffee. Neither of these universally used beverages add one iota to the healthy functioning of a single human tissue. On the contrary, the drugs they contain, including tann'c and oxalic acid, hinder in every way possible, the smooth and frictionless functioning of the nervous system, the alimentary or digestive functions, s"?retion and excretion. Water! is the best drink and everyone should formulate the habit of taking one pint of water every morning as soon as he arises from bed. j At least another pint should be