Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-09-03
MISCELLA EOUS.
FROM the Journal of Health.
THE ONLY FITTING DRINK.

HE ONLY I'll llINN ONlNh.
Some we'll meaning people, ignorant
OF the animal economy, and ITS mode OF
nutrition and means ofreparation, may
suppose that water is not strong enough
for person with feeble digestion, or
for one who has been, exhausted by la
bour or disease. We would reply To
such, that digestion being vital pro-
cess, will only be retarded by an intro
duction into the stomach of vinous, or
distilled, or even ALT liquors; the ten
dency OF which is to cause lermenta-
ton Of the food, irregular movements
of the stomach. and the too speedy pas
.age.of its contents. Whatever addi-
ton is required to the a!imentary mass
after it has been subjected to masiica-
ton and swallowed, is OF pure tilid--
that is, of water. As regards the re-
novaiion of the system, after exhaust
ing sweats and the like discharges
nothing can be introduced with such
safety into the digestive canal, and tn
ken up with SO much avidlty by the
blood-vessels, as pure water. The
waste had been chiefly by the loss OF
watefy fluid, and the supply must he of
a similar character. No other fluid can
be introduced at once, unchanged, in
to the blood, without danger: and in
the case of wine, or ardent spirits, or
malt liquors. without immediate death.
Has u person been much exhausted
with lingering Cever-the renovation
of strength and flesh mnst he slow and
gradual and this is mainly accom-
plished with most safety and success,
as far as beverage is concerned, by
pure water, or bland drinks having wa
ter for their basis. In indigestion and
its attendant train Of hysterical and
hypochondriacal disorders, although
perverted appetite has craved, aud false
theory sometimes allowed, the use of
ardent spirits and wine, we have expe-
rience of the most conclusive charac-
ter, that the sum of bodily comfort, in
mitigated disease and final cure, is i'm
measurably on the side of those who a
dept the wa,ery regimen, by making
water their only beverage, and using
it in large quantities. There is hard
" a disease incident to the human
frame which has not at times been Gu
red by the abundant potation of pure
water. Exercisein pure air is OF course
a powerful adjuyant, and must not be
overlooked: but even when this latter
could not be had, recourse TO the for
mer has been completely successful.
The Malvern Springs, in England,
have long obtained celebrity for the
cure Of many obstinate diseases espe-
ciaIly scrotula accompanied with sores
and ulcers of the worst kind and ii
is now pretty generally conceded that
their efficacy depends on their great
purity.
Whatever concessions may have
been made to perverted appetite and
the love of varIety-or whatever sway
custom and fashion, occasionally sane.
toned by theory, may have exercised
over mankind at different times and
places, we are still entirely justified in
saying, that water is the only fitting
drink for the preservation Of health and
proongation OF life for a mans en-
joying the greatest degree Of bodily
strength and mental vigour; for his
resisting disease, and, when under It's
influence, Of removing it; and, finally
for keeping up that equable disposition
by which he can best discharge his va
ried duties in this world and be happi
ly prepared for the next. Other view:
may be suggested by our imperfect ma
ture, and we may sometimes, pleading
its known in6rmity of purpose, ex
claim, that it is impossible to keep up
to the observance of law, which in.
culcates such rigid temperance.