chiefly uncooked, some bread and only occasionally, when a guest at the houses of others, taking the ordinary mixed diet, but no meats or alcohol.

Similar results can be obtained by a less rigorous diet, but it is questionable whether so complete a regeneration is possible, such tremendous power and absolute freedom from all bodily discomforts attainable on a too liberal, over-varied diet. Among the curious and gratifying effects were complete freedom from all soreness and stiffness in the tissues and an extraordinary insensibility to cold. Now he wears only figments of underclothes. His winter climate is a rigorous one-Eastern Maine-yet only when in a conveyance does he wear an overcoat and then needs little more than another would on a cool summer's day.

In many ways he has tested his strength and endurance, which are phenomenal. The one most prized result is the power to accomplish results in his business, by reason of the full renewal of organic capacity. In his tastes, enjoyments of sense-organs, and freedom from fatiguability, there is formed an appanage which none could fail to covet. One often hears the sneering remark that to sacrifice so much of time, effort and sensual joys is beyond reason. Many declare they would prefer to live while they live and leave the future to take care of itself.

Each one to his taste. Meanwhile, let us briefly enumerate (1) the amount of sacrifice demanded, (2) the advantages to be gained; comparing these to those which would follow an ordinary life of virtuous inactivities and conventionalities, and (3) the principles which should guide one in the quest.

(1) It is true that the customs of society are ordered on liberal lines; that by common consent, when the means of gratifications are once secured, it is proper to utilize them to the limit. What that limit shall be would bear discussion. It is a matter of common knowledge that the most wealthy are, as individuals, only rarely reckless in the abuse of food, alcohol, etc. They are found especially those who have enjoyed great wealth for

generations, to be far more economical in many particulars than those of only moderate means. They are more interested in following well ordered lives, in employing financial power to provide them with opportunities to live actively in the open air, to obtain rational amusements; all which conduces to health and longevity. Those who give rein to appetites, become reckless of personal consequences, are oftener those who make money readily-"easy come, easy go"-who are less able to exercise restraint because unaccustomed to plenty.

(2) Now as to the degree and kinds of personal sacrifice required to enable one to get into condition; they can be rapidly outlined. It is one of the purposes of this article to show how little of time and effort is required. Ordinarily there is no occasion to demand disarrangement of the routine procedures of life, of whatsoever occupations one may follow. The whole question is one of sincerity of desire, of wholesomeness of purpose.

As illustration I may be permitted to cite from my own professional experience. Instances can be adduced from the whole gamut of human activities, from youth to extreme old age, from captains and privates of industry to humblest householders, professional men and women of largest responsibilities to "retired gentlemen" or gentlewomen who were perishing of rest or obesity or dry-rot. Vital processes are stimulated by any form of mental or physical activity. activity. It is chiefly important to insist upon such hygienic measures, such educative exercises, as shall establish a due proportion between food intake and outgo of waste products, and between inherent powers of motion and such use of active parts as shall maintain mobility, elasticity, hence competency not only for direct use but as supplementing the oxidation processes. This can be done, and will be done, by holding in mind certain plain rules. (which should be instinctive) of posture, completeness of movements commonly made, as shall prevent the almost inevitable loss of mobility through disuse. It is true

that many forms of occupation (naturally ordinary everyday or household work) afford ample opportunities, provided they are performed with the thoroughness to be described later.

All that the adviser may demand above this is a few moments daily of fundamental movements in normal directions to make sure that the body performs, if not daily, then twice or thrice a week, the major normal movements.

(3) What advantages can be claimed to accrue from all this attention? No matter how comfortable one may feel, how peacefully the organic actions move in their appointed daily course, as youth is past there begins a steady slowing down of the vital streams, a clogging of the sewers; degenerative changes occurring in highly differentiated structures responsibly concerned in sustaining the divine flame brightly to that time when as is ordained it shall flicker and go out. It is true in the case of a very few fortunate ones that the tides of life ebb and flow serenely till the natural distant end. The vast majority, however, need to use intelligent effort to keep the lamp brightly burning, as is true of an engine or a delicate and complicated machine. Suffice it to say that in the experience of physicians instances are incessantly met of grave disabilities due almost solely to disobedience to natural laws, some small but others so large as to be never wholly remediable. All these could have been prevented by conscious or instinctive obedience to nature's laws.

A large proportion of disabilities, often of diseased states, can be remedied satisfactorily by following well chosen, rational or wisely directed hygienic procedures. It is often possible not only to reacquire good health, but also to go much further and develop unsuspected latent powers till the result is an astonishing betterment or rejuvenation.

(4) The essential principles by which physical reintegration or resuscitation can be achieved may be only lightly touched upon in this essay. We will merely emphaWe will merely emphasize certain points of which few realize the

importance.

Every thoughtful person is well aware of the fundamental items of personal hygiene. Even here there is much confusion and some unfortunate disagreements as to important details or principles. It must be admitted that the divergencies of view are often based less on truth than on circumstances which are despotic. Among these circumstances are climate, racial peculiarities or long established habits, tastes and accustoming.

Diet is the subject of another essay. In brief, the question of suitable diet hangs more on (1) how one eats, (2) how much, rather than (3) what one shall take. Underfeeding in certain states is a peril; in a much larger group overfeeding is a direct, perhaps the sole cause for organic derangement and sometimes degeneration. It is pretty well established that an excess of proteid food results in a large group of hurtful effects. The whole range of articles suitable for the diet of an individual must be judged in the light of so many factors that it is the prerogative of the directing physician.

How to eat has been taught so graphically and elaborately by Horace Fletcher that it is well to recommend his books to those who wish to be well informed. Briefly they may be stated as follows:

Take a mouthful of food and chew it till it is swallowed unconsciously. Take no more food in the mouth till the first is disposed of. Use no fluid to wash down the half masticated food.

Much is to be said in favor of a diet of nuts, fruits, cereals, with or without milk and eggs. Safe rules for anyone, unless a physician shall be consulted, are to be careful how to eat and to avoid much meat and excess of sugars; take bread only one day old (except corn meal breads) and select from an ordinary table what experience. shall teach is suitable. Alcohol as a beverage is wholly objectionable.

Few factors in personal hygiene are more important than the care of the skin, or contribute more to reform health. Friction of the skin is so valuable that it is safe to assert

that the faithful use of a flesh-brush is superior to a bath. Bathing is a delightful luxury and most useful as a remedial measure, but cleanliness can be equally well secured by thorough skin-friction. To avoid the evil effects of chill, catarrhal states and to keep the kidneys in good order few measures are superior to salt friction baths. As a routine procedure let me recommend the following: On rising throw off the clothing and rub the entire body for at least five minutes, then resume a covering, e.g., a wrapper, and proceed with the toilet; or better, at once take a sponge-bath, using a wash-rag dipped in cool water on which is placed a small handful of salt. Rub this thoroughly all over the surface beginning with the feet, then upward and rinse off with cold water and rub dry. Or one may use soap to arm-pits, buttocks and feet. but only rarely all over. Afterward rub ia some oil especially in cold weather, two or three times a week. Finally, the subject of achieving full tissue elasticity. This warrants a separate paper.

1504 Pine St.

THE CONSUMPTIVE AND TRAVEL.

BY THEODORE C. MERRILL, M.D.

Colorado, Texas.

"THE physicians of America are hereby given notice that the State of Texas no longer welcomes the expectorating consumptive. Change of climate is not essential, and all authorities agree that indiscriminate travel on the part of the consumptive should be discouraged. A majority of our hotels and boarding-houses refuse to lodge them. Please do not send your consumtives to Texas unless they are in the incipient stage and you have arranged beforehand for accommodations. Otherwise they may be denied lodgment."

The foregoing quotation is an expression original with Dr. W. M. Brumby, State Health Officer of Texas, and addressed to medical and public health authorities in

other states. It will speak with more or less force also to every thinking physician who reads it. Its language is clear, simple and pointed, and while it needs no interpretation or apology, its appearance is so timely and so much in accord with the views of many observers in Texas and other states to which consumptives flock in numbers, that it may well serve as a text to be elaborated and enlarged upon.

It is well at the outset to emphasize the point that the address is largely a statement of actually existing facts, well known to all physicians who live at resorts for the tuberculous. It is an epitome of existing conditions. It is not subject to criticism or emasculation. Enlargement upon it cannot be attempted in any spirit other than that of cordial agreement and sympathy with the views it expresses. Any remarks upon it made by those familiar with the facts of its subject-matter must tend to emphasize it.

As regards the facts involved, these are patent to all. Writers from New Mexico have been clear and thorough in their explanations in medical and lay press for more than a year and a half. The various expressions may well be said to be aimed. chiefly at the welfare of the consumptive himself. He must have food, opportunity for proper rest, and a chance to get the benefit of the fresh air for which he journeys. His condition to begin with should be sufficiently good as not to involve risk of permanent impairment, not to speak of collapse and death, from the inconveniences and fatigue of travel. A place of refuge should be assured for him. Many consumptives are able to relate painful accounts of rejection from hotels and other places-not alone in Texas. The owners of such lodging-places are not entirely to be criticized. They have seen their buildings made unpleasant, their rooms offensive, their meals unbearable, because of the habits of their careless and ignorant consumptive guests. They have many times given food and lodging at a loss, as just indicated, and without even the ordinary recompense

of usual payment, to consumptives so poor as to constitute themselves burdens upon charity. They have been neglected by desirable people on account of contamination and incapacity due to their consent to harbor the undesirable. They have suffered financially from the ban of ignorance and superstition placed by a large number of good people upon places of entertainment open to those who spread tubercular infection.

Bearing these well-understood and commonly-accepted facts in mind, one readily perceives that the closing sentences of the address cannot justly be construed to convey any threat sotto voce. No threat is involved. The remarks are essentially kindly. Physicians who fail to understand them as such, fail to grasp the situation or fail to do their duty; working in either case hardship and distress upon patients thoughtlessly advised, without qualification or preparation, to "go West-go to Arizona-go to New Mexico-go to Texasgo to Colorado-go to California-go to Switzerland-go to Egypt-go away."

Summed up in the brief remark as to incipient cases is a whole situation. The State of Texas would not exclude an incipient case provided suitable arrangements be made. This is a matter of simple forethought. Why travel to a distant region with no care for nourishment and shelter after arrival? Why send a sick man away with no definite provision as to a roof and. food? Why leave a person, weakened and incapacitated, to the mercy of undirected circumstance? These suggestions fairly probe the matter of the incipiently tuberculous, and lead by irresistible logic to the disadvantages thrust upon the advanced invalid by the frequent, and which should be criminally, careless, advice to travel.

Dr. Brumby's address contains no work of the evils loaded on a community by a large influx of indigent consumptives. It does not go into the details of added heavy expense, infection and general unpleasantness, enlarged upon so clearly and emphat

ically by physicians of other States (New Mexico, Arizona). It cannot be considered a complaint. It is a local expression caused by a general difficulty, and striking beneficially the evil at the evil's source.

Every consumptive should know of the principles involved in the care of himself. Sentences like the preceding are now aphorisms not to say platitudes. Societies spread description, individuals labor to disseminate information. Many tubercular invalids have learned more than certain physicians who have lived unseeing in the light persistently shed and shed again by some of the best minds in medicine-and without.

Platitudes to begin with, platitudes most fittingly close. Physician with an invalid, sick of tuberculosis, under your care.

Do not send anywhere unless there is provision for bodily needs at the destination.

Do not permit advanced cases to travel

at all.

Do not send away the indigent. Do not send away the uninstructed. Do not neglect matter of diet, rest and sputum disposal.

Do not leave the matter of exercise unqualified.

Do not implant delusive hopes in the patient.

Do not imagine a distant atmosphere can compensate for food, rest and shelter. Do not forget that the sum-total of evils incident to remaining at home may be far less in an incipient case than the sum-total of evils consequent upon recourse to a distant resort, and that travel to a well-established tubercular invalid is practically always ill-advised and contra-indicated.

"THE lawyer is judged by the virtue of his pleading, and not by the issue of the cause. The master of the ship is judged by the directing his course aright, and not by the fortune of the voyage. But the physician, and perhaps the politician, hath no particular acts demonstrative of his ability, but is judged most by the events."-BACON.

THE SCIENCE OF EATING.

PART I.

BY WILLIAM S. SADLER, M.D.,

Chicago, Ill.

Author of "The Science of Living, or the Art of Keeping Well."

It is literally true that we are made from what we eat. The indifference of the American people to the science and art of eating is truly amazing. For purely commercial reasons, some have given earnest study to scientific cattle-feeding, but there are very few people in this country who are acquainted with the principles of scientific self-feeding. Thousands of dollars are spent by the government to promote the health of hogs and advance the science of cattle-feeding, but not a cent to preserve the lives and promote the science of baby-feeding.

The Balanced Ration. Good digestion and sound health demand that our daily ration should be fairly well balanced. That is, our meals should not consist altogether of starchy foods or sugar. Neither should they be composed exclusively of proteinsnitrogenous foods. There should be a balancing of the bill of fare, so that the various food elements which are required to nourish the body and to furnish the heat and energy, may be proportionately present in the food eaten.

To illustrate, one would not want to make a meal of meat, potatoes, bread and butter, with beans and cheese added. This would afford too much protein. Neither should a meal consist entirely of fruit and vegetables. There would be then a deficiency both of protein and fat. Rice, fruit and nuts would produce a pretty well balanced bill of fare for a single meal. There is great danger of eating too many nuts at a time, as they are highly concentrated. They are used in the place of legumes, meat and eggs. There is great danger of eating too great a quantity. This is also true of the dried beans and peas.

Thorough Mastication. Proper chewing is the great secret of good digestion. Many persons in robust health are able to bolt

their food regularly for years without discerning symptoms of dyspepsia, but all the while indigestion and dyspepsia in some form await them, as it were, diguised around the corner, and sooner or later they will recognize the painful protest of the long abused stomach.

Of the many fads and fancies of the present generation regarding diet there is one that probably has come to stay, and that is the recent agitation looking toward a more thorough mastication of the food, commonly called "Fletcherizing," in honor of that extraordinary layman, Mr. Horace Fletcher, who, by his unaided efforts and his phenomenal personal experience, succeeded in directing the attention of the scientific and medical world to his remarkable claims of increased health and nutrition and the cure of his chronic dyspepsia, as a result of thorough mastication.

We are aware that physicians have arisen to condemn the practice of prolonged mastication as injurious to the health, productive of constipation, and various other diseases of digestion and nutrition. The author is free to admit that he does not believe in mastication as a "fetish," as a "cure-all," or as the sum and substances of the hygiene of digestion. He recognizes "Fletcherism" as one of the great factors in the cure of dyspepsia, and recognizes its great advantages in the treatment of stomach disorders. At the same time, we recognize the disadvantage of immoderately dwelling upon mastication as a table topic, and otherwise keeping the mind concentrated upon any phases of the process of digestion.

There can be no doubt that mastication can be overdone; that too little food can be eaten. The teaching that all food which cannot be completely liquefied in the mouth should be rejected, and that only purely liquid portions should be swallowed, is certainly extreme and irrational. The author believes in rational, thorough, simple mastication, but not in any such extreme teachings as would lead to the rejection of every bit of fruit, vegetable, or cereal pulp that cannot be completely liquefied. We