It is safe to say that more proprietary medicines of a laxative character are sold in this country than in any other. The vogue of chewing gum is also particularly an American institution. It is not surprising therefore that a manufacturer has begun the sale and distribution of chewing gum into which is incorporated a quantity of a well known laxative drug. _Caution in Usage._--While chewing gums thus medicated may be safe as laxatives, there are excellent reasons why this drug should not be sold indiscriminately. Samples were distributed in the streets of some cities, until boards of health prevented such distribution because the samples fell into the hands of children and there were serious results. Besides, some persons are especially sensitive, and react with severe inflammation of the skin when they take even a small dose of this remedy. The second use to which chewing gum has been put has been to incorporate drugs alleged to have special properties for reducing obesity. _Thyroid Extract._--Anti-fat chewing gums contain thyroid extract, which is dangerous; drugs that irritate the stomach and disturb the appetite, which are also dangerous, and drugs which have no power whatever, which is foolish. The United States government has recently issued fraud orders against several chewing gums of this character. The person who uses the gum is told that in addition to taking the remedy she should walk five miles a day, go through certain exercises, and cut down the diet. These practices will bring about a reduction in weight just as well without chewing the gum. OVEREATING HARMFUL AFTER MIDDLE LIFE Most of the illnesses that afflict the man beyond middle age are due to the fact that he does not realize his intestinal limitations. The most pernicious misdemeanor after middle life is overeating. The person who works out-of-doors is, of course, able to dispose of more and heavier food than does the brain-worker. The brain-worker who tries to eat meat three times a day will find himself, in most instances, in better condition if he eats meat only once each day, but in this condition quantity of food is more important than its nature. _Cooked Foods._--The human being gradually has been adapting himself to more and more refined and thoroughly cooked foods. Nevertheless, it is not desirable for him suddenly to change to foods that are coarse and indigestible. These perhaps will aid elimination, but at the same time they will irritate the delicate lining of the intestines and permit the more easy entrance of bacteria into the body. Too much starch, protein or fat is harmful because it will not be digested fully and will encourage the growth of bacteria in the intestines. As one becomes older his tolerance for sugars becomes less, and if he eats too much sweet or starchy foods, he is likely to develop disorders of sugar elimination.