Fruit and pastry should be taken sparingly; and as a diluent of animal food, rice should be taken instead of potatoes. Green vegetables, either cooked or raw, as they are eaten in salads, must be selected in accordance with other considerations. They supply potash, sulphur, and iron compounds when duly digested.

Fluids should be taken sparingly (see Water). Cold bathing should be abandoned, and hot water with friction, by means of soap and flannel, substituted.

Gentle exercise in warm weather is advisable; but cold air, especially when damp or at night, carefully avoided.

In the condition described, when loss of flesh is noticed, the susceptibility of the system to injury from cold is greatly increased.

A considerable proportion of the day should be devoted to entire repose.

Of change of climate I have already spoken. If these, or similar means produce a favourable change and flesh begins to increase, there will be no need of drugs.

In some cases, some of the preparations of iron

are very beneficial. It must be remembered that iron is as truly an aliment as albumen.

Cod-liver oil is fashionable for all cases of leanness; but its use by aged persons, whose means allow of a free choice of aliments, is unnecessary and hazardous.

A weak infusion of orange-peel, chamomile, calumba, or other light bitter, with a slight acidity imparted by dilute sulphuric acid, is good and grateful. Sage, balm, or wormwood tea have been in repute. But a judiciously selected diet, with the other items of regimen described above, are usually efficient.

LOCAL FAILURE OF NUTRITION.

Physicians have always sought for guidance in the treatment of disease in the living by the changes to be seen after death. The disorganizations thus discovered are the results of disorders when they have done their worst. There can be no doubt that there is a disordered condition prior to, and the cause of, such morbid changes.

It is to the very first and initiatory symptoms, our attention must be directed if we would save life; and these must be correctly interpreted.

With respect to the point before us, I am certain that fatal disease of the kidneys (degeneracy, as it is termed Bright's disease),—disease of the brain, -softening, for instance, and lesions in the structure of other organs,—are the results of a failure in the nutrition of such parts. They do not get, or they fail to appropriate the materials from the blood essential to their integrity and health. They shrink, shrivel, and lose their power of action. The root of their troubles is in the processes of assimilation. Hence the necessity of very close and minute observation, to detect the very first indications of disorder in aged persons.

OBESITY.

The counterpart of the condition described in the foregoing section is a tendency, after middle age, to become too fat.

The popular expression applied to persons of a rounded form, moderate embonpoint, clear skin,

and a ruddy colour,-that they condition," accords with science.

are "in good

This condition

is most commonly accompanied by healthy internal organs—a very desirable and hopeful state.

When fat is increased beyond a certain limit, it may be regarded as disease; yet until it becomes burdensome, it is generally disregarded. When it accumulates locally about or within vital organs, the heart, liver, etc., it shortens life. In elderly people, fat often accumulates in the mesentery (this is the organ known in animals as the flare), producing the prominent or pendulous abdomen.

It is a strange thing, although often observed, that the public will receive from writers, avowedly entirely ignorant of medicine, suggestions respecting treatment with more favour than from the scientific Physician. Hence the great popularity of a pamphlet and plan of Mr. Banting for the relief of obesity. It was, in fact, only his Physician's advice related and expanded.

A proper regulation of the diet and exercise will generally remove undue obesity. All fatty matters, sugar, and starches, should be avoided.

Pastry, puddings, rice, and farinas, strictly forbidden. Lean meats, green vegetables, whole meal bread, salads, a free use of vinegar, soda or potass water as the only beverage, except tea, and this without milk and sugar,-these should form the diet. Spirits, beer, potatoes, butter, must all be abandoned. Vapour baths and occasional enemas of soap and water aid in the reduction of fat.

Of course the Physician can aid these domestic measures by medicines; and it may be safely affirmed that no one need suffer long from the troubles incident to obesity, if he, or she will take the necessary precautions and means of relief.

PAIN.

THE USE AND MISUSE OF NARCOTICS.

The nerves, the seat of pain, pervade in the form of fine fibrils every part and every organ of the body; proceeding from the brain and spinal chord, as thin chords, they pass to and spread through the various tissues and even the bones.