194 



GENERAL SCIENCE 



MEN UNDER AVERAGE WEIGHT 



Experience of 43 American Companies 

 Duration of Experience, 1885-1908 

 Number of Policyholders, 530,108 



The most favorable mortality (19 per cent below the average) is found among 

 those aged 57 to 62 who are extremely light in weight as compared with the 

 average weight for those ages. The next lowest mortality in any other age 

 group (15 per cent below the average) is among those aged 40 to 44 who are 

 5 to 10 pounds under the average weight. 



Perfect Food. A perfect food does not exist. A perfect food for a 

 stout or sedentary person would not be a perfect food for an emaciated 

 or active person. A person doing active work out of doors requires 

 different food from that required by one who spends most of his time 

 in the house. 



A perfect food should 



(1) be obtained at a reasonable price;, 



(2) be readily absorbed or digested without imposing undue strain 

 upon the digestive system; 



(3) have no waste; 



(4) contain the necessary amount of cellulose to be porous and 

 prevent unnecessary packing in the stomach and intestines. 



(5) contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamines and water 

 in the exact proportions which the body requires. 



