HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 62

HEALTH COLUMN.

Di taking 1 in Hot Weather.

By "drinking" in hot weather Aye do nofc mean the taking of beer, Avine, or stronger liquors, for there is nothing to discuss in. &uoh a question. Thero is no one competent to speak on this subject, even though he moy indulge moderately himself, who> does not admit that the human system is^ bstter without alcoholic drinks in hot' weather. But "intemperance" does nofc

consist alone in indulgence in intoxicating beverages; many a man has died of ''intemperance in eating and drinking who never allowed so much as a glass of cider uo pass his lips.

The most dangerous of all drinks in hot weather is ice-Avater. Like many otherthings, ice-water is in itself a blessing, and only as an abused gift becomes a 'curse. When. one is overheated, ice-Avater taken sipAvise is refreshing and cooling, but when SAvalloAved in great draughts it is a deadly; thing. Every summer Aye read in the papers of men dying suddenly from this very cause— and then forget the warning as soon as we are hot and thirsty.

If the temptation to take a "long drink"* cannot be resisted, the -water must not> be cold ; even cool spring -water is dangerous so indulged in. The proper way; is to rinse the mouth and gargle the throat first with, cold Avoter, then tnke a couple of &Avfi"l]oAVK — not gulpjs — nnd .so on, alternately gargling and drinking.

The frnsfc time this plan is tried, one will be astonished to find lioav little cold water? is needed to quench thirst and refresh the heated body. One glassful used in this way Avill do more good than three or foiu* taken like a horse. It must not be understood, hoAvever, from, anything said above, that the drinking of ■water in hot weather is injurious. On the contrary, large quantities should be taken, tAvo quarts or more a day, but it should ba taken a little at a time, and not too cold. The body is constantly throwing off water in the form of perspiration, and water miwG be supplied to replace the loss.

\7e have spoken only of water, because this is the basis of all cooling drinks, and because we cannot drink quarts of lemonade or any other sweetened and flavoured beverage without causing the stomach to rebel, but when taken in moderation, soda-wat-er, ginger ale, and the like are harmlets.

Consumption — Its "Open-air"' Treatment. — The results of this new method of treatment of a disease which has for ages pasfr been regarded as incurable are very interesting, and, certainly, most encouraging. Sime time ago we took occasion to refer to the opening of the Belle Vue Sanatorium at fclhofcley Bridge, Durham County. Through, the courtesy of the resident physician, who is also the proprietor, arid has taken up this work with enthusiasm, Are are now enabled to give a few facts in regard to lcsults of treatment during the past six: months. In eight cases out of eleven improvement showed itself during the first week under treatment. Patients are carefully weighed every week, and in one case a. gain of 154:1b was recorded after eight weeks* treatment ; in another 11-^lb after seven weeks; in a third 251b after three weeks! Two cases have been sent home cured. Two of the patients still under treatment will shortly, it is expected, be pronounced cured; and though four months ago these two were imable to walk more than a few yards without fatigue and shortness o* breath, they are iioav able to take a sixmile walk (three miles being up a steep hill)', and return feeling, to use their own expression, "fit to do it again." Even in some advanced cases a prolonged course of treatment by the open-air method may bring about ultimate cure. Sufferers are, however, advised to consult their family medical- attendant immediately there is any suspicion of the development' of chest trouble, associated with cough and progressive weakness. The patient can then be placed at onco under the conditions most suitable for his case. It can, of course, be readily understood that the earlier stages of the disease are the most easily cured. The method adopted at Belle Vue is based upon that which! has been found to be productive of such, exr cellent results at Nordraeh, in the BlacK Forest. Shotley Bridge itself is a ch.arnw v ing spot, while the locality is one of the healthiest in the country. — Leeds Mercury*

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