Muscles and Meals.

Otago Witness, Issue 2728, 27 June 1906, Page 75

Muscles and Meals.

Whatever may bo the individual opinion concerning th© degeneration of modern humanity, there is no doubt that we are not equal in bodily strength to our ancestors o! three or four centuries ago. It is eonietiriies said -ky -peFSSJis- -blessing old suits of armour that it would be impossible for the men of the present day to wear them, and a further proof of our physical deterioration is to be found in the nature of the meals eaten in thoee days. On turning over the housekeeping records of th© Northumberlands at th© commencement of th© sixteenth century, we find a, statement of breakfast after thfi following style*. .

My lord and lacY had one loaf, two manchets (which were loaves made of fin© meal, whereas the first loaf was probably what we should call brown bread), a quart of wine, half a chine of mutton or a chine of beef boiled.

Even the children ate abundantly. Half a loaf, one manchet, two quarts of beer, and a chicken; that was for the two elder children. For the nursery there was a manchet, one quart of beer, and three boiled mutton bones, on ' which a fair quantity of meat had been left.

Tho gentlewomen attached; to the suite of my lady had two quarts of beer, three boiled mutton bones, or else a piece of boiled beef.

On what were termed fish days the fare was just as bountiful, but my lord and lady had a. quart of wine and a quart of beer to drink with the viands. This breakfast was taken at 7 o'clock, and "dinner" was served at 10.

Such faro denotes much greater physical strength than we possess. .Civilisation effects important changes in dietary; we have less outdoor work, and wo cannot digest the heaps of food which were disposed of by our forefathers.

Another consideration to be taken into account is tliat we have developed our brains; this has led to, a corresponding decrease in muscle.

One curious reflection arises as we think of the people of to-day. We- are taking to outdoor sports more now than we have done for many generations ; will this lead to an increase of our. appetites and a decrease in our brain power, or at least to a hindrance to its development? It depends entirely to what degree we allow ourselves to be carried away with the fascinations of outdoor sport. This i 6 tho day when brain is needed, w> perhaps the physical deterioration which is so deplored ie a sign of mental superiority. And that will help us along nowadays.