Part 21 (1/2)

318. In some instances of good health, the infringement of this organic law may seem to pa.s.s with impunity, but Nature, though lenient, sooner or later a.s.serts her claims. The practice of the Spaniard may be improved by indulging, for an hour before resuming toil, in moderate exercise of the muscular system, conjoined with agreeable conversation and a hearty laugh, as this facilitates digestion, and tends to ”shake the cobwebs from the brain.”

_Observation._ No judicious teamster drives his animals as soon as they have swallowed their food, but gives them a period for repose, so that their food may be digested, and their systems invigorated. In this way, he secures the greatest amount of labor from his team.

319. _The mind exerts an influence upon the digestive process._ This is clearly exhibited, when an individual receives intelligence of the loss of a friend or of property. He may at the time be sitting before a plentiful board, with a keen appet.i.te; but the unexpected news destroys it, because the excited brain withholds its stimulus. This shows the propriety of avoiding absorbing topics of thought at meals, as labored discussions and matters of business; but subst.i.tute cheerful and light conversation, enlivening wit, humor, the social intercourse of family and friends; these keep the brain in action, but not in toil. Under such circ.u.mstances, the blood and nervous fluid flow freely, the work of digestion is readily commenced, and easily carried on.

320. _Indigestion arising from a prostration of the nervous system, should be treated with great care._ The food should be simple, nutritious, moderate in quant.i.ty, and taken at regular periods. Large quant.i.ties of stimulating food, frequently taken, serve to increase the nervous prostration. Those afflicted should exercise in the open air, and engage in social conversation, that the brain may be excited to a natural or healthy action, in order that it may impart to the digestive organs the necessary stimulation.

Of the Anglo-Saxon race? 318. How can the Spanish custom be improved?

319. How is the influence of the mind on the digestive process exhibited? What does it show the necessity of avoiding? 320. How should indigestion arising from nervous prostration be treated?

321. _Persons should abstain from eating, at least three hours before retiring for sleep._ It is no unusual occurrence, for those persons who have eaten heartily immediately before retiring to sleep, to have unpleasant dreams, or to be aroused from their unquiet slumber by colic pains. In such instances, the brain becomes partially dormant, and does not impart to the digestive organs the requisite amount of nervous influence. The nervous stimulus being deficient, the unchanged food remains in the stomach, causing irritation of this organ.

_Ill.u.s.tration._ A healthy farmer, who was in the habit of eating one fourth of a mince pie immediately before going to bed, became annoyed with unpleasant dreams, and, among the varied images of his fancy, he saw that of his deceased father. Becoming alarmed, he consulted a physician, who, after a patient hearing of the case, gravely advised him to eat _half_ of a mince pie, a.s.suring him that he would then see his grandfather.

322. _When the general system and digestive organs are enfeebled, mild, unstimulating food, in small quant.i.ties, should be given._ In the instance of a s.h.i.+pwrecked and famished mariner, or a patient recovering from disease, but a small quant.i.ty of nourishment should be given at a time. The reason for this, is, that when the stomach is weakened from want of nourishment, it is as unfitted for a long period of action in digesting food, as the muscles are, under like circ.u.mstances, for walking. Consequently, knowledge and prudence should direct the administration of food under these circ.u.mstances.

The popular adage, that ”food never does harm when there is a desire for it,” is untrue, and, if practically adopted, may be injurious and destructive to life.

321. What is the effect of eating immediately before retiring for sleep? How is this ill.u.s.trated in the case of a healthy farmer? 322.

How should the food be given when both the digestive organs and general system are debilitated? Give the reason.

_Observation._ Liquids are rapidly removed from the stomach by absorption. Hence, in cases of great prostration, when it is desirable to introduce nutriment into the system, without delay, the animal and vegetable broths are a desirable and convenient form of supplying aliment.

323. _The condition of the skin exercises an important influence on the digestive apparatus._ Let free perspiration be checked, either from uncleanliness or from chills, and it will diminish the functional action of the stomach and its a.s.sociated organs. This is one of the fruitful causes of the ”liver and stomach complaints” among the half-clothed and filthy population of the crowded cities and villages of our country. Attention to clothing and bathing would likewise prevent many of the diseases of the alimentary ca.n.a.l, called ”season complaints,” particularly among children.

324. _Restricting the movements of the ribs and diaphragm impairs digestion._ At each full inspiration, the ribs are elevated, and the central portion of the diaphragm is depressed, from one to two inches.

This depression is accompanied by a relaxation of the anterior abdominal walls. At each act of expiration, the relaxed abdominal muscles contract, the ribs are depressed, the diaphragm relaxes, and its central parts ascend. These movements of the midriff cause the elevation and depression of the stomach, liver, and other abdominal organs, which is a natural stimulus of these parts.

In cases of great prostration, what is recommended? 323. How is the influence that the skin exercises on the digestive organs ill.u.s.trated?

324. What effect on the digestive process has the restriction of the ribs and diaphragm?

325. It is noted of individuals who restrain the free movements of the abdominal muscles by tight dresses, that the tone and vigor of the digestive organs are diminished. The restricted waist will not admit of a full and deep inspiration and so essential is this to health, that abuse in this respect soon enfeebles and destroys the functions of the system.

326. _Pure air is necessary to give a keen appet.i.te and vigorous digestion._ The digestive organs not only need the stimulus of blood, but they absolutely need the influence of pure blood, which cannot exist in the system, except when we breathe a pure air. From this we learn why those persons who sleep in small, ill ventilated rooms, have little or no appet.i.te in the morning, and why the mouth and throat are so dry and disagreeable. The effect of impure blood, in diminis.h.i.+ng the desire for food, and enfeebling the digestive organs, is well ill.u.s.trated by the following incidents.