Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 27.djvu/409

Rh suddenly we learn that death has taken place. Overfeeding is a frequent cause of these senile diarrhœas. The pressure of undigested food in the intestinal canal is followed by a sudden purging, without pain, hut exceedingly rebellious and difficult to conquer. Before treating of the methods of cure for dyspepsia and its accompaniments, such as loss of appetite, difficulty in swallowing, flatuenceflatulence [sic], constipation, etc., there remains to be studied the food suitable for old people, the quantity to be eaten, and the time for eating.

It would be useless to present a dietary list to which one should be strictly confined. A long life of indulgence in eating and drinking, as well as diversity of taste, would preclude any attempt at regulating the diet of healthy elderly people. To those who have arrived at an advanced age without any form of indigestion, I would suggest a cup of coffee and a slice of dry toast before rising in the morning. The reason why this should be served while one is yet in bed is, that very old people, even when perfectly well, are often subject to a slight faintness and nervous tremor before rising, and the exertion necessary to dress often leaves them too faint to eat. It takes but a few moments to prepare it, and, as old people like to rise early, it is usually an hour or two before the family are prepared for the morning meal.

A light luncheon at noon, and dinner not later than five or six o'clock. If the dinner is taken at noon, and supper at six o'clock, it will be found to suit the habits of the aged better in one way, as old people love to retire early. In most countries, among civilized nations, the practice of crowding three meals into the twelve hours or more of daylight has grown to be such a habit that it seems a heresy to suggest eating when hungry, day or night; nevertheless, I would suggest to the healthy and not too aged person to forget the "bugbear" of "not eating before retiring," which compels many a person—otherwise disposed to pass ten or twelve hours with the stomach in a collapsed condition, while during the other twelve it is constantly distended with food. I would say to the aged, eat sparingly and eat frequently. Let your food be light, and easily digestible, but eat when hungry, whether it be twelve o'clock at noon or twelve o'clock at night. Aged people are light sleepers, and often wake up during the night with an intense craving for food, and a good plan is to have a cup of bouillon and a cracker on a stand near the bed. The broth can be readily heated by an alcohol lamp in five minutes. This simple habit will often procure hours of uninterrupted slumber, which would otherwise be passed in restless longing for daylight and breakfast.

I have said, eat sparingly and frequently; eat sparingly, because the digestive action is not so strong as in earlier life, nor is the demand for large quantities of food so urgent. Eat frequently, for several reasons. The digestive organs are not then burdened with large quantities of food, and dispose of it with greater ease. A moderate amount of food in the stomach gives a feeling of comfort and quiet to a person