THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY. 541 



THE CONSEEVATION OF ENERGY IN THOSE OF 

 ADVANCING YEAES. III. 



By J. MADISON TAYLOR, A.M., M.D., 



PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



How to Postpone the Degenerative Effects of Old Age. 

 A EEVIEW of the foregoing phenomena of advancing years points 

 -*--^ clearly to the line upon which these may be in part controlled or 

 delayed. It is not to be expected that we can secure the cooperation 

 of most, or indeed many, people in pursuing preventive measures. If 

 that were possible, and when it is possible, great things could be accom- 

 plished. However, certain principles obtain here which should be out- 

 lined so that whosoever may see fit to do so can follow these sug- 

 gestions to their advantage. It will be found that the evidence of 

 those who have studied this subject most carefully shows that normal 

 bodily exercises are not to be forbidden, but rather encouraged. Per 

 contra, if bodily activities are not pursued there must inevitably follow 

 much more rapid retrograde changes in all the tissues. In respect to 

 the diet it is universally admitted that after middle life the amount 

 of food taken should be less than before that time and the changes in 

 diet should be rather to use less of the structure-forming materials, 

 though not always to exclude them. Again there should be used 

 relatively little, indeed as little as possible, of stimulating articles of 

 food, which make more for acceptability than necessity. In short, the 

 simple rule should be observed of eating no more than, a perfectly 

 normal appetite craves, and as little as possible of those things taken 

 because they are agreeable. As the period of old age is reached, by 

 which is meant about seventy years, the regimen should be markedly 

 simplified and always taken with the greatest deliberation. A general 

 rule is recognized to obtain in most cases, that the more nearly the diet 

 is reduced to bread and milk and fruits the longer will the person live 

 and enjoy good health. It must be borne in mind, however, that 

 exceptions will occur, and where the strength is being rapidly lost from 

 any cause it is wise to increase the variety and encourage food taking 

 until the strength is restored to the normal for the age reached. The 

 digestive processes, as well as all the processes, are slower in advancing 

 years. 



Some persons can get along best with long intervals between feed- 

 ing; others, the majority, do better by taking small amounts of food 

 at short intervals. The evacuations appear lacking in activity and 

 must be encouraged by rational measures, but not forced by purgative 

 or strongly diuretic drugs. This is best met by suitable articles of 



