Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-17

sent themselves between the wants of the
sys.cm and the dictates ofappcrte. are CIT.
silly cxplcable on the more solid grou:.d oI
our own ignorance and inattention.
Many practical errors arise from over
looking the relation which nutrition ought
to bear to waste and growth. Thus, it IS
no uncommon thing for young men who
have experienced all the pleasures ola keen
appetite and easy digestion when growing
rapidly Or leading an active life, to induce
severe and proractcd indigestion, by cen-
iinulng, from mere habit, to cat an equal
quantity Of food either when grow;h is fin
ished and the system no longer requires the
same extensive supply, or after complete
change from activeto sedcntary habits has
greatly diminished that vase which alone
renders food necessary. This is, in fact,
one of the chief sources Of the troublesome
dyspeptic complaints often met with among
the;youthfuI Inhabitants Of our larger cities
and colleges.
The error, however, is unhappiy not con-
fined to the young, but extends generally to
all whose puruts are Of sedentary nature.
There are numerous persons, especially in
towns and among females, who, having their
time and employments entircy y at their own
disposal, carefully avoid every thing which
requires an effort of mind or body, and pass
their lives in Il sta'c of inaclion entirely in
compatible with the healthy performance Of
the various animal functions. Having no
bodily cxertron to excite waste, promote cir
culation, or simulate nutrition, they cxpe-
renee little kecnncss Of appetite, have weak
powers of digestion, aud require bnt limi.
led supply OF food. If, while inactive and
expending little, such persons could be con.
tented to follow nature SO far as not 10 pro-
woke appetite by stimuents and cookery,
and to eat and drink only in proportion to
the wants ofihc system, they would fare
comparatively well. But having no im7cr-
alive occupation, and no enjoyment from
active and useful exer;!on, their time hangs
heavily on Their hands; and they arc apt to
have recourse to eating as the only avenue
10 pleasure still open to them; and, forget
ful or ignorant Of the relation subsisting be-
tween waste and nutrition, they cndeayor 10
renew, in The present indul gencc ofappcti:c,
the real enjoyment which its legitimate graf.
iication afforded under different circumstan-
ccs. Pursuing the pleasures of the table
with the same ardour as before, they cat and
drink freely and abundantIy, and, instead Of
trying 10 acquire q healthy desire for food
and increased powers Of digestion by excr-
else, they resort to ;onics, spices, wine, and
other stimuli, which cer;ainly excite for the
moment, but eventually aggravate the mis-.
chiefly obscuring progress Il extent. The
natural result of this mode ofprocceding is,
that the stomach becomes oppressed by
excess cf cxcrtion-hcaI-hy appetite gives
way, :, 4d morbid craving tai kcs its place
sickness, headache, and bilious attacks be-
conc frequent the bowels are habualIy
dsordcrcd, the feet cold, and the circulation
irrcguiar--and a state Of bodily weakness
and mental irri;abIity is induced, which con-
stiutes heavy penalty for the previous in
dulgencc. SO far, however, is the true
cause of all these phenomena from being
perceived even then, that q cure is sought,
no. in better regulated diet and regimen,
but from bt,crs to strengthen the stomach.
laya!iyes TO TO- curry off the redundant ma
tcrials from the system, wine to overcome
the sense Of sinking, and heavy lunches to
satisfy the morbid craving which they only
silence for little, Some, ofcoursc, suffer
in greater, and others in less degree, ac-
cording to peculiaritics of constitution,
mode of life, and cxent Of indulgence; but
daily experience will testify, that, in its main
features, the foregoing description is not
ovcrchargcd, and that victims ofsuch dI9'et'c
errors are to be met with IN every class of
society.