A FASTER'S BILL OF FARE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 47, 19 November 1907, Page 3

A FASTER'S BILL OF FARE.

REPLY TO THE DOCTORS. The talkor referred to above was young and rather slim, but agile, and he possossed an active mind. The positions that ho and his fasting colleague hold in Wanganui Press circles prove their mental acumen. Nervous indigestion, for which the fast was undertaken, is a besetting ailment of pressmen and others who lead a strenuous life. Our friend W'.bsciuently sent the interviewer a letter, in ivhicii he wrote as follows: —

! Re fasting and the Auckland 1 Press, wire containing doctor's doubts and opinions that fastcrs must have taken some " fluid." That is just what is done, but the fluid is of the lion-nutritious variety, being confined to water, hct or cold (either "straight" or with a lemon squeoz'ed iiito it), soda water, and, in a very, few cases, an occasional clip of tea —the latter a sign of weakness duo to tho Old Adam. It'should be niado clear that fasting does not mean abstention both from food and 'drink, but only from the former. Of course, liquids like.milk and beef tea aro foods, and are barred. "Water is very valuable in allaying craving food, and hot, with a lemon squeeze, is stimulating and •refreshing. After a few 'days of this the alimentary and nervous sysjt.'ms get a good rest, cleansing, and benefit greatly. Of course, weight is lost, but if due care be taken in the choice of food after citing is resumed weight soon gets back to normal with good clean tissue. Somo people worry when fasting, and get into a blue funk lest they might collapse. They will do just as well to keep on their feed. All that 'is wanted is horse sense enough ,to know when they are beginning to feel 'exhaustion' as distinct from tho slight weakness which r.ome —but not all —feel. For the rest, there is a cuphoard in every house, and no famine in tho land. "Another instance I forgot to. toll you about was of a young lady acquaintance of my own who had a bad attack of 'nerves.' She fysteel for eight days, went about her daily business as usual, experienced no discomfort, and felt much better for it. " I thought you would probably be interested in this as tho Dominion has given the matter such wide publicity. Here it is so well known'that 'another fast' excites little remark. The instances I have given you are facts, woll attested, and some within the scope of my own personal knowledge. But it should be understood that fasting means abstention from food only, whether solid or fluid. Drink, so long as it is not a food, may bo taken, ,I.nd is beneficial, as it washes the system out. My own experience in mv short four-day fast, however,- was that thirA diminished in a wonderful degree. t "Should you feel interested in further developments I will be pleased to let you know anything I can on the matter."