espect to a man's diet
in other words, I would say in axiomatic form that as a man feeds at
or about middle age, so will he be for the rest of his life.

J. STENSON HOOKER, M.D.

V

As a very interested reader of this discussion I should be very glad
to know exactly what "M.D." means by _each pound_ of _bone_ and
_muscle_ in the body weight? What proportion (approximately) is it to
total body weight? I have been trying to keep up to Dr Haig's 9 grains
per lb. of "body weight" and find that it is too much for my digestive
powers, which are very weak owing to chronic nervous dyspepsia. If I
take 15 per cent. or 20 per cent. _less_ proteid my troubles are so
greatly lessened that I feel that to continue to take the lower amount
would mean perpetual relief. But there have been so many warnings,
including M.D.'s, of the dangers of under-nutrition, that I am in a
quandary; and others of your readers too.

If M.D. means grains per lb. of _something less_ than total body
weight, a lesser amount of proteid than I try to take may have his
sanction, and be safe for me.

JNO. A. COOKSON.

* * * * *

There appears to be a sincere attempt in "M.D.'s" article to prove
that a physiologist is the best guide in diet. But, as one can get the
degree of M.D. without any scientific knowledge of dietetics, the
inference that one would be likely to make from such an alarming
article is erroneous. I say "alarming" because vague statements are
made as to patients who were rescued just in time to be stimulated by
over-feeding into a semblance of health, and we are treated to a list
of very alarming symptoms in the last paragraph on p. 443.

"M.D." says, "Suppose that the animal fed for years on unnatural food
has become so pathological that it can no longer take or digest its
natural food." How grateful to M.D. for this statement will be those
who long for an excuse to cling to the spoiled, boiled and unnatural
dishes of which the popular diet mainly consists! And how they will
continue to overeat themselves, content to avoid the truth regarding
food quantities.

Living on a right and natural diet, a man or woman will correct the
effects of wrong living. This will bring crises, and unless they know
that this is Nature's attempt to rid the body of unwanted and effete
matter they may be duped into returning to their high feeding, either
by those whom "M.D." calls diet quacks or by qualified quacks.

I