Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-17
From ComJe's PhysiolQgyg Digestion
CAUSE AND LAWS OF HUNGER.

Without pretending 10 determine what the
precise condition Of the nerves ofthc stom-
ach is, which, when conveyed TO the brain,
excites the sensation of appetite, | think it
sufficient for every practical purpose if VIC
keep in mind that the cooperation of the
nervous system is necessarytor the produc-
ton ofappetiie, and that, there isa direct
sympathy betwecn the stomach md The rest
Of the body, by means OF which the stimulus
Of hunger becomes unusually urgent where
the bodily waste has been great, although Il
comparatively short time has elapsed since
the preceding meal.
Appetite, then, being given for the express
purpose of warning us when supply Of
food is necessary, it follows that its call will
be experienced in the highest intensity when
waste and growth--or, in other words, the
operations which demand supplies Of fresh
materlals-arc most active; and in the low.
est intensity when, from Incidence and the
cessation OF growth, the demand is least. In
youth, accordingly, when bolil ly activity is
very great, and liberal supply Of nourish-
mcnt is required both to repair waste and to
carry on growth, the appetite is kccner and
less discriminating than al any other period
of life, and, what is worthy Of remark, as
another admirable instance Of adoption, d.
gestion isproportionaby rigorous and rapid:
whereas, in mature age, when growth is fin
ished, and the mode Of life more scdentary,
the same abundance Of alimcnt is no longer
needed, the appetite becomes less keen
and more select in its choice, and digestion
loses something of the resis:lcss power which
generally distinguishes it in carly youth.
Articles of food which were once digcstcd
with case arc now burdensome to the stom-
ach, and, if not altogether rejected, are dis
posed Of with degree Of labour and diff
Guilty that was formerly unknown.
When, however, the mode of life in ma
turc age is active and laborious, and the
waste matter thrown out Of the system is
consequently considerable, the appetite for
food and the power ofdigcsting it are cor
rcspoadingly strong; for in general it is only
when the mode Of life is indolent and mac
tive, and the waste consequently small. that
the appetite and digestion are weak. So
natural, indeed, is the connexion between
tho two conditions, that crcrcisc is proven
bially the first thing we think of recon-
n'ending to improve the appetite and the
tone Of the digestive organs, when these are
observed 10 be impaired; and where posi-
tive disease does not exist, no other remedy
is half so clfectuual.
1t is highly important to notice this natu-
raj relation between waste and appetite, and
between appetite and digestion; because, if
it be real, appetite must be the safest guide
We can ftlow in determining when and how
much we ought to cat. 1t is true that,
amid the Fictitious calls and wants of civil
izcd life, its suggestions are often perverted,
and that hence we may CIR in bludIy fol-
loving every thing which assumes lis semi
bIancc. Tie conclusion TO be drawn from
this, however, is rot that the sense ofhun@cr
will. iftrus,cd 10, generally misIcad us, but
ONLY that VIC mus. learn to distinguish is
true dictates before we can implicitly rely on
its guidance. If, when jairly consulted, its
dictates are found to be erroneous, it will
consttutefthc only known instance where The
Creator has failed in the attempt to fulfil his
own dcsign--an assumption not only rePng-
nart alike 10 feeling and 10 reason, but III
:sct afoy,ti:cr gra:ttous. For tic "ppa-
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