HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 48

HEALTH COLUMN.

On Eating and Drinking. Mr Thomas Walker, writing on thia aubjeot in the Woman's Signal, mentions two instances of the effect of want of mastication. In horses, when any derangement in the teeth prevents them from chewing their £003, the hide beoomes hard and dry, more like the covering of a hair trnnk than of a living being. The other imtanoe is of a young lady who wa« aabjeot to dreadful fits, for \rhloh no remedy oonld be diioorered till a phyßioian found oat that her teeth were in such a state as effeotnally to prevent mastioatlon. He adopted the strong measure of earning all her teeth to be drawn and a fresn set put in, from whioh time she completely recovered. A akilfnl dentist oho« told me that there were -people so ignorant, especially ladies, aa to avoid mastication' in order to save their teeth, wheraas the very aofc is benefloUl to them, bat still more the effeot npon the digestion, upon whioh the ' soundness of the teeth depends. Instead, then, of swallowing the food whole and drowning it in liquid, which many think harmless, provided it is not strong, the proper oouree is to masticate thoroughly, in a cheerful, composed humour, and to drink in rips, rather than in large draughts, so as to reduce what is taken into the stomaoh into a pulpy state, I easily and speedily aoted npon by the' gastric juioo. If more liquid is required it is better to take it in moderation an hour or so after eating, when it facilitates instead of impeding digestion, and by this oouree exercise, at least of a gentle kind, is allowable, almost without restriction as to time, after neals. A good preventive Against a habit ottaking large draughts is to nee small cups and glaasea till a contrary, habit is formed ; and, in general, I flad.awine glass a very good regulator in drinking, and that it makes a smaller quantity snffioe witbont the danger of forgetting the rule. With moderation in liquids, It in much more easy to measure the appetite, and there is very little danger of taking too mnoh solid food. When the appetite is weak it is difficult to know where is the proper limit in supplying it, as there is no marked sensation. When it is vigorous we eat heartily fro a certain point, and then feel distinctly satisfied witbont any oppression. This is a sort of first appetite, and the moment it is satisfied we ought to lvave off. If wo go on the stomaoh seems to suffer extension, whioh enables us to eat without inconvenience at the time a great deal more than tbe body Requires. Sometimesthe extension is long delayed, and only produced by the action of quantity, or some stimulant ; and accordingly we see people refute to eat more in the first instance, and then go on with great willingness. But all this is pernicious, and produoes that superfluity in the system whioh creates a disposition to disease, and wbiob, when carried far, renders disease dangerous or fatal. How common it is to hear people remark that they have dined 'after the first di«b,/»nd then to see them go on for an hour, saorifloed to the absurdity of the repast 1 Presßiße to eat or drink, especially children, is a 'species of olvility more honourable in the bieaoh than in the, observance. Tbe appetite ought to be in such a state of vigour that, when satisfied, .the solid food seems immediately to identify itself with the system ; and we ought to feel tbe liquid wo take instantly, to use Falstaff's phrase, "course from tbe inwards to the parts extreme." Then we rise from meals refreshed, not eucnmbered. The difference between tbe pure state and that of irregular living is so great as to produce in many people an almost complete change of appearance in expression o£ countenance and personal attraction ; and attention to diet iB of tbe first consequence to those' who wish to improve or ' retain their looks, aB well as to enjoy the perfect poiieesion of their faculties.

— Lady Customer: "Are yon snre this is real Ceylon tea?" Well-informed Young Salesman 1 " Certainly, madam. Mr Ceylon's oama is on erery package. "