Some Effects of Vitamins B and C on Senile Patients

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Abstract
In a group of 58 senile hospital patients, 40 were treated with vit. B complex and vit. C, the former as a special dried yeast supplemented by thiamin, riboflavin and nicotinic acid, vit. C as ascorbic acid; 18 served as controls and were given dummy tablets. The following aspects were studied: excretion of vit. B1 in urine; mental condition; muscular ability (clinical observations, dyanometer and ergograph tests); blood pressure and pulse rate; skin and hair; digestive conditions (constipation, coated tongue, etc.); red blood cells and Hb. Treatment with the vit. produced improvements in muscular, cardiovascular and mental condition; constipation skin rashes and itching were relieved; no change was noted in the hair. Not all 40 responded favorably and the treatment did not affect rheumatism, deafness, dim vision, peripheral corneal degeneracy and red conjunctivae. While the inevitable progress of senility is not stopped the vits. appear to improve certain pathological conditions from which some old people suffer; elderly persons should have generous vit. supplements to their diets. 39 references.