DIET AND STRENGTH.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 20, Issue 67, 24 August 1909, Page 2

DIET AND STRENGTH.

HOW TO KEEP WELL'. By An Expert. Our share of vitality comes, primarily, from our ancestors. Nevertheless, it can be systematically developed and strengthened when weak, and maintained, in full force, where originally strong. An intelligent plan must be adopted. The master words are moderation and simplicity. During the past decade many theories have been advanced and discussed dealing with the problem of increasing human longevity. Dr. MetchnikofTs panacea, sour milk, has not made much headway in public favour, and the many “serums, ’ pills and other nostrums for restoring loss of vitality are doubtless of greater value to their respective proprietors than to those who are so foolish or unwary as to be decoyed into trying them. At the same time it is not to be understood that to put into practice the principles that scientific research has brought to light is not recommended. On the contrary. But the habit of weakly persons of flying from one quack remedy to another, and thereby dosing themselves into imbecility ; of taking long, walks at unearthly hours or in unsuitable weather ; of performing violent exercises that might frighten even an athlete,; and altogether of making themselves as miserable and uncomfortable as they can ; not to speak of becoming intolerable nuisances to their neighbours—such antics as these cannot be too strongly condemned. There are to-day several admirable systems of graduated physical exercise which follow the lines of simplicity and moderation previously referred to. The young and middle-aged of both sexes cannot but be benefitted by following the instructions given in any of the best known systems. Bicycling, tennis, cricket, hockey, and the like are all conducive to strengthening vitality if—and this is import antindulged in in moderation. What is •moderate and what is not must be largely left to the individual. But a safe rule is “to take things easy"' in' exercise as in other things. Avoid drugs, a ml do not overload the stomach with rich foods that have no nutritive value. You cannot go wrong by eating too little ; you can neutralise any benefits you gain from exercise by eating too much. For those up in years where the vitality naturally begins to fail simple diet and moderate exercise are imperative.

Dr. Fenger, a German physician of repute, mentions a case of a man who, at sixty-one years of age. after a long period of ill-hcaßh. brought himself quickly into aAstate of good health by a daily diet of extreme simplicity with an exceedingly low fuel value. For fifteen years he partook of no meat whatever, a ml diet was wholly in fluid form, consisting of oatmeal soup. eggs, milk, and the like. During the last four years of this period a. typical day’s menu consisted of three eggs, one pin! of barley soup, throe pints of skimmed milk, one pint of buttermilk, and one and a-half ounces of red wine, quarter ounce of sugar, two ounce of raspberry puree. During the fifteen years he. lost no weight and maintained excellent health. Tibs goes far to demonstrate the tact that the simple life is the best.— “You and I.”