All fat-producing foods are struck out, sugar and all
starchy foods coming under this head, as well as all
puddings, pies, cakes, and sweets in general. Our boy,
after a short run, would breakfast on lean, under-done
beef or mutton, dry toast, or the crust of bread, and tea
without milk or sugar ; would dine on meat and a little
bread and claret, and sup on more meat and toast, with
cresses or some acid fruit, having rowed twice over the
course in the afternoon, steadily increasing the speed, and
following it by a bath and rub. At least nine hours sleep
must be had ; and with this diet, at the end of the train-
ing-time the muscles are hard and firm, the skin wonder-
fully pure and clear, and the capacity for long, stead}^
breathing under exertion, almost unlimited. No better
laws for the reduction of excessive fat can be laid down
for any one.
Under such a course, severe mental exertion is impos-
sible ; and the return to it requires to be gradual. But
light exercise with dumb-bells, &c., fresh air, walking,
and good food are the conditions of all sound mental
work, whether done by man or woman.
For the clerk or bookkeeper closely confined to desk or
counter, much the same regimen is needed, with brisk
exercise at the beginning and end of the day, — at least
always walking rather than riding to and from the oflftce
or store ; while in all the trades where hard labor is neces-
sar}^, heartier food must be the rule. And for all profes-
sions or trades, the summing-up is the same : suitable
food, fresh air, sunlight, and perfect cleanliness, — the
following of these laws insuring the perfect use of every
power to the very end.
As old age advances, the food-demand lessens naturally.
THE RELATIONS OF FOOD TO HEALTH. 89
Nourishing food is still necessary, but taken in much
smaller quantities and more often, in order that the
waning powers of the stomach may not be overtaxed.
Living on such principles, work can go on till the time
for work is over, and the long sleep comes as quietly as
to a tired child. Simple common-sense and self-control
will free one once for all from the fear, too often hanging
over middle life, of a paralytic and helpless invalidism,
or the long train of apoplectic symptoms often the portion
even of middle life.
I omit detail as to the character and effects of tea,
coffee, alcohol, &c., such details coming in the chapters
on the chemistry of food. ,
90 THE CHEMISTRY OF ANIMAL FOOD.
CHAPTER X.
THE CHEMISTRY OP ANIMAL POOD.
ANIMAL food has a wider range than is usually
included under that head. The vegetarian who
announces that no animal food is allowed upon his table
offers a meal in which one finds milk, eggs, butter, and
cheese, — all forms of animal food, and all strongly
nourishing. A genuine vegetarian, if consistent, would
be forced to reject all of these ; and it has already been
attempted in several large water-cures by enthusiasts who
have laid aside their common-sense, and resigned with it
some of the most essential forces for life and work.
Meat may often be entirely renounced, or eaten only at
rare intervals, with great advantage to health and work-
ing power, but the dietary for the varied nourishment
which seems demanded must include butter, cheese, eggs,
and milk.
Page 44
Presented as published in 1881. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
All fat-producing foods are struck out, sugar and all starchy foods coming under this head, as well as all puddings, pies, cakes, and sweets in general. Our boy, after a short run, would breakfast on lean, under-done beef or mutton, dry toast, or the crust of bread, and tea without milk or sugar ; would dine on meat and a little bread and claret, and sup on more meat and toast, with cresses or some acid fruit, having rowed twice over the course in the afternoon, steadily increasing the speed, and following it by a bath and rub. At least nine hours sleep must be had ; and with this diet, at the end of the training-time the muscles are hard and firm, the skin wonderfully pure and clear, and the capacity for long, stead}^ breathing under exertion, almost unlimited. No better laws for the reduction of excessive fat can be laid down for any one.
Under such a course, severe mental exertion is impossible ; and the return to it requires to be gradual. But light exercise with dumb-bells, &c., fresh air, walking, and good food are the conditions of all sound mental work, whether done by man or woman.
For the clerk or bookkeeper closely confined to desk or counter, much the same regimen is needed, with brisk exercise at the beginning and end of the day, — at least always walking rather than riding to and from the office or store ; while in all the trades where hard labor is necessar}^, heartier food must be the rule. And for all professions or trades, the summing-up is the same : suitable food, fresh air, sunlight, and perfect cleanliness, — the following of these laws insuring the perfect use of every power to the very end.
As old age advances, the food-demand lessens naturally.
Nourishing food is still necessary, but taken in much smaller quantities and more often, in order that the waning powers of the stomach may not be overtaxed. Living on such principles, work can go on till the time for work is over, and the long sleep comes as quietly as to a tired child. Simple common-sense and self-control will free one once for all from the fear, too often hanging over middle life, of a paralytic and helpless invalidism, or the long train of apoplectic symptoms often the portion even of middle life.
I omit detail as to the character and effects of tea, coffee, alcohol, &c., such details coming in the chapters on the chemistry of food. ,
CHAPTER X.
ANIMAL food has a wider range than is usually included under that head. The vegetarian who announces that no animal food is allowed upon his table offers a meal in which one finds milk, eggs, butter, and cheese, — all forms of animal food, and all strongly nourishing. A genuine vegetarian, if consistent, would be forced to reject all of these ; and it has already been attempted in several large water-cures by enthusiasts who have laid aside their common-sense, and resigned with it some of the most essential forces for life and work. Meat may often be entirely renounced, or eaten only at rare intervals, with great advantage to health and working power, but the dietary for the varied nourishment which seems demanded must include butter, cheese, eggs, and milk.