The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-28
INFLUENCE OF THE MIND ON DIGESTION
From COp,be's phusiolopu

The state OF the mind cxerts powerful influence not
only the stomach, but the whole process OF nutr-
| ton and greatly modifes the quantity which may
safely be eaten If the mind be gay and joyous, appe
lite will be comparatively keen, digestion effective aud
nutrition complete Examples of this kind abound IN
childhood aud among easy-minded, welfed pcasanly.
Whereas the mind be harassed by care and anxiety,
dcvoured by grief envy, jealousy, or other troubles
and disquetng PASSIONS healthy calls OF appetite VIII
scarcely known, and digestion and nutrition will be
equally impaired. The fact is exemplned to large
scale in every commercial country, and especially in
times Of public distress and political change. Shaks-
peare obviously had the principle in view when he made
Cesar exclaim -
i" Let me have men about me that are tdf
| +" Sleek hcadcd men, and such as sleep onlghts
| Yond' Cassus has a lean and hungry look;
| He thinks Too much such men are dangerous.
Auiouy Fear him not, Caesar, he's not dangerous.
| He is a noble Roman, and well given.
Caesar. Would he ,1cre fdhcr but fearhim not
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
| do not know the man should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassus He reads much
He is great observer, and he looks
Quite through the deeds OF men he fopes no plays,
As thou dost, Antony he hears no music,
Seldom he Smiles and smiles IN such sort
As If he Knocked himself, and scorned his spirit
| That could be moved to smile at any thing,
Snch men as he he never at hearts ease
While they behold greater than themselves,
And, therefore, are they very dangerous.
| Even experience must have taught every one win
what zes we down to enjoy the pleasures OF me Ia
bic, and how largely incline to eat, when me mnd
free unburdened and joyous, compared with the niue
attention we bestow our meals when we are over
whemed with anxiety have the whole energies OF INC
| mind concentrated some important scheme There
cannot be doubt indeed that the over excrtion and
excitement or absolute inerness Of the mind IN which
sedcn,ary people are generally immersed contributes
greatly along with tho Of muscular exercise IN inc
omen aiE TO impair the Of the digestive organs IN
This way as ii is not less Justly than forcby remarked
by Dr. Caldwell, "dyspepsy commences, perhaps as
often IN tho brain in the stomach Possibly oenet.
That this is true Of the disease in Europe Will scarcely
be denied after fair examination Of the facts connect
ed with it, 1t is there almost exclusively conpa,n'
Of the studious aud the schening who, ever asks 'o
brains, inlure them by toll ,, ,-
In depouncing active exercise OF body or 'nino ''
mediately after eating as innical TO DIGESTION not
meant that we should 90 to sleep OF indulge IN aoso
lnte listlessncss A weak constitution NAY iequne
something like comblete repose; but person 10 oru'.
nary health NAV indulge in leisurey saun OF P'ea
conyo,satou not only wiibou, injury but WIN Pos'o
heoe6t and perhaps thcre Is situation ~ whcn "
ccs,ion goes on so iavorably as during me
If sentiment in the aftcr.dinner small talk OF we"
sorted circle The nervous stimulous SEM " '"o
stomach is then Of the most hcalthin ana ihVlgoiau"S
description and even the dyspept'c, on nus gna'u
AGAINST heavy neal forgets his woes anna inc u""o"
ed vigor Of his functions -.