armth, and also by relieving the tendency of the skin
to become dry and cracked. Poor circulation at night may cause cramps in
the muscles of the legs; the cramps can usually be relieved by warmth
and gentle rubbing.

Old people frequently wish their rooms to be very hot, both by day and
by night, even as hot as 80 deg. or 85 deg., but if it is possible to
keep them warm in any other way the temperature of the room should be
kept at 70 deg. Well ventilated rooms are highly important for old
people as for all others of low resistance, and it is entirely possible
for their rooms to be warm and yet well ventilated. Aged persons should
be carefully guarded from chill, exposure, crowds, and infected persons.
Like little children they are peculiarly susceptible to the respiratory
diseases, which cause many of the deaths commonly attributed to old age.

Digestion usually becomes weaker than in earlier years, and less food is
needed. It should be simple, hot, and divided into four or five meals
rather than three. Old people often wake at an early hour, and hot
nourishment will prevent them from growing weak and faint while waiting
for the family breakfast. Both constipation and looseness of the bowels
are common ailments in old age. So far as possible the bowels should be
regulated by means of diet; but muscular weakness resulting in inability
to control the bowels should not be mistaken for and treated as
diarrhoea.

It is unwise for old people to undertake unaccustomed or sudden muscular
exertion, since the muscular system including the heart muscle grows
weak and is generally unable to endure great strain. The bones,
moreover, grow brittle and heal with difficulty if broken, so that
persons of advanced years no matter how active should avoid walking on
icy pavements, climbing on chairs to reach high shelves, and placing
themselves in other insecure positions. Assistance must be tactfully
given, however, as active old people are inclined to resent it. On the
other hand, old people should be encouraged to continue moderate and
safe activities, and to take regular exercises suited to their strength.
Although increasing muscular weakness tends to make most old people
indolent, it is far better for them both in mind and in body to remain
as active as they can without danger of too great fatigue. At all
events, they should be prevented if possible from becoming bedridden.

Since in old age sight, hearing, and other special sens