GROW OLD ALONG WITH ME - A LOOK AT THE NEW FACE OF AGING

In 1930, Maurice Ernest, researcher and medical historian, set out to find the secret to longevity.(5) He reviewed the biographies and medic al records for a large number of the ''oldest of the old,'' dating bac k several hundred years, and came up with his own prescription for a l ong life: Eat frugally. Exercise and get plenty of fresh air. Choose a congenial occupation. Develop a placid or easygoing personality. Main tain a high level of personal hygiene. Drink wholesome liquids. Abstai n from stimulants and sedatives. Get plenty of rest. Have a waste evac uation once a day. Live in a temperate climate. Enjoy a reasonable sex life. Get prompt medical attention in case of illness. Naive as it so unds, that proscription still seems to hold true today. Of course we n eed to add a few items, such as don't smoke, always wear seat belts, b uy the safest cars, and fly the safest airlines. But even as the art a nd science of medicine move steadily toward solving more of the myster ies of aging, this prescription makes sense for many people. Woody All en once again plays to our fantasies when he proclaims in the movie Sl eeper, ''We will find that the true keys to health and longevity are h ot fudge sundaes and smoking cigars.'' Sadly, we know these will never be the keys, but we might figure out how to bypass some aging mechani sms so we can indulge once in a while. After all, what's life without at least a little risk?