In Due Season and for Strength
By Mary C. Reynolds
Eat in such a Way as to Maintain the Highest Bodily Efficiency By MARY C. REYNOLDS, A. B. “BLESSED art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Eccl. 10:17. The context of this scripture would imply that the true “noble” is one who is known by his self-control and temperance. The sum of such attributes makes him a king indeed, ruler of his habits, master of his appetites and passions, and monarch among men. Blessed indeed are those who look to such a one for leadership. WHEN TO EAT, AND WHEN NOT
“In due season.” This may be better understood in the light of the preceding verse, where a woe is pronounced upon that land whose princes “eat in the morning.” Evidently this refers not to the proper morning meal, but to those banquets and revelings which extend into the “small hours” of the morning, robbing the mind of its acuity, and blunting every higher sense. There are seasons when food is due. The wonderful mechanism provided in the human body for the preparation and assimilation of food and its transport to the tissues, demands that food be supplied at proper intervals, in reasonable quantity, and of such a nature as to meet the body needs. Under all ordinary circumstances, the “due season” is recognized to be at stated intervals, so distributed through the day that the digestive organs may have proper time for their work, and sufficient rest to maintain their tone. Food should not be taken when there is excessive weariness, thirst, anger, fright, or anxiety, or when one is overheated. Better by far a liberal draught of water and needed rest or required simple treatment. DRUNKENNESS THROUGH EATING
“For strength, and not for drunkenness.” Whatever more food is taken than is required for strength, is “drunkenness.” Is this too strong? Let us see. The body requires so much of the starches for energy, so much albumen, or protein, for repair, and a limited quantity of fat to give “padding” and provide heat. A small amount of the starches and sugars may be stored if more is taken than is required for energy at any given time. If an excess is constantly taken, it must be stored as fat, or in muscle and liver. Such an excess not only imposes a burden by its weight, but also crowds the internal organs, in many instances causing their degeneration. Thus their proper functions are hindered, and nature is embarrassed in her work. When an excess of fat is eaten, much more oxidation is required to dispose of it properly than is normal. The respiratory organs and the blood are taxed, and often it is simply transported to some already weakened organ, and stored in cells that should be active. Thus a “fatty degeneration” takes place. Of protein foods, required normally only for repair of tissue, the need is far less than is generally thought. The breaking down and rebuilding of such heavy material is a burdensome task, especially when the body is already supplied with enough of the starches and sugars for its needs. The work of eliminating this waste is thrown largely upon the kidneys. Accompanied by high seasonings and condiments, these products greatly irritate the delicate organs, and distressing diseases follow. So overburdened do the organs become that the wastes cannot be eliminated fast enough, and fermentation and decomposition ensue. The retained poisons induce a stupor of mind and body, which to-day we call auto-intoxication, and to which the ancient wise man applied the very appropriate term “drunkenness.” Many unsuitable dishes are served, which can give no possible strength. They only add burdens to the elimination organs, or, unable to be eliminated, remain to poison the body. Speaking of meat extracts, so often prescribed for convalescents, Dr. Butler, in his “Materia Medica,” says, “They are not foods in any sense.” The same author remarks further, “The excessive use of tea and coffee profoundly disturbs the digestive function, resulting in gastric catarrh, indigestion, constipation, and hemorrhoids.” Three cups of moderately strong tea or coffee contain the maximum dose of caffeine, a powerful drug which cannot with safety be used habitually. “The imprudent eater does not realize that he is disqualifying himself for giving wise counsel. . . . But this is so. He cannot discern spiritual things; and in council meetings, when he should say ‘Yea,’ he says ‘Nay.’” Strength requires far less and much plainer food than does a perverted appetite. To a “nation of kings” the Creator of the human temple earnestly speaks: “Eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.”