Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-04-26

Wy "LLot SlLCuHSLnuCeS anu |
habits, in regard to temperature, employ
ment, dress, food, &C., that change is i'm
peded, and disease produced.
Every person, who feels, smells, tastes,
hears or sees, should know the constitu- |
ton and structure of the organs by whose
instrumen,ality these surprising effects are
produced. The study Of these "doors,"
by which knowledge is conveyed to the
human soul, will naturally lead to the
study ofthe brain and nervous system, and
the constitution, laws and relations of this
wonderful portion of the human ma
chinery.
The study of the moving powers of the
human bod y-the bones, muscles, tendons,
&c.-will lead US to the laws which pre-
vail in the animal economy, in relation to
exercise. This department. of physiology
will embrace knowledge of the nature
and tendency of the various physical
habhs-among which are the EN- ploy-
ments, occupations, professions and recre-
atlons-of mankind. 1t will, also, in con-
junction with a knowledge of the other
departments of our natural science, sug-
gest to US which are more healthy, and
which less so as well as which Of them
tend, under the most favorable circum-
stances, TO lay the foundations Of future
disease. And if it be true, as is no doubt
the TACT that some employmen:s and rec
reatIons, naturally healthy, become inju-
rIous by excess, physiology teaches US
how to draw the line between the appro-
pirate use of them and their abuse
The study of the structure and func-
lions OF the skin, aside from its connection
with the lungs, may lead US to the obvious
necessity of paying due regard TO clean
lneSS, by frequent local and general bath
ing. When we understand well this sub
Jcct, We shall no longer wonder at the
genera prevalence Of colds. consump:ions,
levers, and bowel complaints; nor even
at the existence of cholera The wonder
VIII be, rather, that so many of US escape
disease, and that any Of US attain TO Old
age.
We shall, also, be led, in connection
with this department OF Physiology, to in
vestIgate the nature and character Of cloth
ing and OF all other artificial means of
increasing or preserving human tenn
Perament-and Of those abuses, in this de-
partment, which lead to disease.
In regard to the digestive system and
digestion, Physiology is of immense i'm
Portance. The comp plant has long been,
that, IN regard to dietlc rules, " doctors
disagree" But, whatever ground may
exist for this complaint, it cannot be so
well preferred against Physiology. Her
language, when her voice is distinctly
heard, is one and the same and her rules,
many Of them, as fixed as those of the
mathematics. The digestive apparatus,
10 lis broadest sense, embraces the teeth,
the salivary glands, the stomach, the liver,
the pancreas and the intestines. Con-
corning the nature and character and re-
lations Of these, and the character and use
ot'the saliva, the gastric juice, the bile, as
well as the products OF digestion-chyme,
chyIe' and blood-Physiology gives US
the most full and complete Instruction.
1t points out, also, the relation which SUBJ
sIsts between the various kinds of food
drink and medicine in common and daiIy
use among mankind, and this extensive
digestive apparatus; and enables US to
determine, In no measured degree, what
quantity, quality, &c of cd and drink
are best adapted to sustain health, and
proiong life; and which Of lhem-and
under what circumstance s-lend, directly
or indirectly, to produce disease.
1t IS, indeed, prominent object ofthis AS
soclatlon to stud y the dictetc nature. and
character ofman, and to observe the chan
ges induced on him by various articles of
food and modes of cookery. The air we
breathe, the Sounds we hear, the odors we
lnhale, and the objects we see, are not al
ways wholly within our control, though
We may, indeed, do much in the appro-
pirate selection even Of some Of these
We may, to very greo: extent, avoid
breathing impure air, in our dwellings,
our school-houses, our shops, our facto-
rles, and our churches, and thus, as has
been already suggested, escape no small
portion OF the diseases which afflict and
scourge our erring race. But food and
drink do not so easily eude our grasp
Here we can select-choose or refuse
especially in land Of abundance, like this,
TO an almost unlimited extent
The stud V of our relation to our mother
earth must be overlooked or forgotten by
this association. Nor will such result
be likely to happen when it is considered
how large portion Of the best food for
man-we mean the farinaceous vegetables
are the direct products Of this beautiful
toster-Parent. A thorough knowledge of
the dietetic character Of our race will almost |
inevitably lead to an investigation of the
present state ofagricul;ural science. The
farmer W no has but just imbibcd taste
LOT PHYSIOLOGY will probably be surpris-
eG at the mass OF ignorance and error
winch prevails in this ancient honorable,
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