542 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



diet, bulky and yet not calculated to produce fermentative changes. 

 Such qualities are found in fruits, nuts, cereal compounds and salads. 

 Probably the best drink is buttermilk, which seems to have a salutary 

 effect on the action of both the bowels and the kidneys. Next comes 

 koumyss or zoolak, upon which some elderly folk have been known to 

 subsist almost entirely for years. It is easily made at home and can 

 be thus supplied fresh and sound and is within the reach of all, poor 

 as well as rich. Of the cereals, Indian meal is in some respects the 

 best, in the form of either bread or porridge. Overmuch yeast bread 

 is objectionable, disturbing digestion and encouraging rigidities. The 

 question of the red meats must be studied with regard to the peculiar- 

 ities of the individual, but is needed very little, usually not at all. 

 Of fluids, these are best taken in abundance, but where the heart is 

 weak it is not wise to take them freely before exercise, as at this time 

 they throw a perilous strain on the cardiac structures. Medicated 

 waters are oftentimes useful, but the less inorganic drugs enter the 

 system the better. The habit of constantly using lithia salts, exerting 

 as they do a certain form of irritation, is to be condemned. If 

 arteriosclerosis is present the vaso-dilator drugs are useful, especially 

 in the forms of natural mineral waters ; aconite suits many better than 

 nitrites. 



The care of the skin is of paramount importance, and the first 

 desideratum is to employ systematic and thorough rubbing and brush- 

 ing of the surface from head to heel. The flesh brush or mitten 

 made of coarse toweling, used by the patient for half an hour at a 

 time night and morning, serves many admirable ends and is better than 

 too much bathing. A good plan is for the patient before rising to 

 employ this skin stimulus and mild exercise thoroughly while in the 

 recumbent position; if preferred and he is strong enough it is better 

 done while sitting. The skin of old age tends to become harsh, 

 rigid and dry, and after this effleurage it is well to rub into the body 

 a certain amount of some oil, and it will be found that the skin 

 wiU take up thus sometimes an enormous quantity. Olive oil or 

 cocoa butter is perhaps best, but preparations containing lanolin 

 are excellent, especially if it is desired to increase the weight and aid 

 accumulations of fat. Sometimes crude petroleum is found useful 

 where stimulation of the surface is required. If the skin be hypersen- 

 sitive, thought must be given and changes advised in these procedures 

 until the skin becomes inured to a suitable amount of mechanical 

 stimulus. Old people are sensitive to cold because their surface re- 

 sistance is lowered and their heat-producing powers are waning. The 

 tendency shown by many to stay indoors and keep themselves over- 

 protected and over-clothed is a grave error. This habit should be over- 

 come gradually but firmly, and the patient should be in the open air as 

 much as possible, the clothing used being sufficient, but never too much. 



