HINTS FOR THIN WOMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5838, 3 April 1897, Page 3

HINTS FOR THIN WOMEN.

[By Medica.] (Tomani) It seems to me that Aye women are very seldom content Avith our physical condition: those of us avlio are fat Avish to be thin, and those of us who aro thin are dissatisfied because they are not a little more plump. It is unquestionably easier to regain lost flesh than to make flesh where it has never existed in a normal quantity. In many cases thinness is hereditary, but it may be due to various causes, the commonest being lack of nourishment, tho particular kind of food which the system needs being Avithheld. Therefore, in this case, as with obesity, it is to tho diet Aye must look chiefly to remedy this state of things. If you are very thin probably the nervous system is not properly nourished, and then neuralgia, anaemia, and indigestion are almost inevitable. To supply the bodily furnace with fuel take a fair amount of loan meat freshly cooked, and not in the form of " made dishes," which, as usually prepared, ■ are more or less wanting in the very properties you require. Plenty of fish and poultry, too, are advisable, with a moderate quantity of farinaceous food. With an increase of animal diet rather more exercise should be taken, but be careful not to over-do it, and so AA'aste your strength instead of storing it up. When you feel altogether more robust, then begin to gradually lessen a diet such as I have recommended, and increase the quantity of fat forming foods. It is of the utmost importance to do this by degrees. Food must be properly digested. The quantity of food taken must depend entirely upon tho amount Avhich can be easily digested, for if you are taking two quarts of milk a day and it does not assimilate, it is practically useless to you. Extract of malt taken after each meal will help in the assimilation of fatty foods. A tumblerful of Avarm milk with some extract of malt in it might be taken with advantage the first thing on waking, and if you breakfast early, take the same quantity of milk and malt about eleven o'clock. A nourishing diet should consist of thick soups, fish, a moderate amount of meat and game, poultry, eggs, vegetables of all kinds, farinaceous foods, and a liberal supply of fat in the form of milk, cream, butter, cheese, SAveet puddings, &c. Cocoa is a good substitute for tea. Coffee, if taken, should be strong and plentifully diluted Avith boiled milk, and barley-Avater and milk mixed in equal quantities Avill be found a nutritious and easily digested beverage. Avoid acid drinks, and vinegar in any form. Leanness .and irritability frequently go together. Those who have the misfortune to possess a nervous and irritable disposition, are veryfroquently scraggy inappearance,so if you wish to become plump and comely it is necessary, in addition to a suitable diet, to cultivato an even temper — a by no means easy task Avhen one is not blessed Avith such a thing ; but by strength of Avill and perseverance the habit of placidity can be formed and maintained. If you allow trifles to vex and Avorry you, so doing is calculated to interrupt and interfere Avith the process of digestion, and accordingly you Avill not obtain the full value of your food. AA'oid hurry and bustle, and tako life as easily as your circumstances will alloAV; rest once a day, preferably after luncheon, if only for three-quarters of an hour, and get as much sleep as is compatible Avith a healthy life. Warm underwear is most essential. To ascertain that satisfactory progress is being made you should be Aveighed before commencing the. fattening diet, and afterwards periodically — say about every three or four Aveeks.