Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-18

Systematic recurrence is the order Of ma
ture, observed everywhere, alike in the timing
of meodious sounds, the rhythmic beat Of the
heart, the measured respirations, the coming
and going of light, the oceans ebb and flow,
seasonable revolutions and planetary periodic
tiles. The arrangement of regular times for
meals, harmonzes, therefore, with the uni
Versal policy of nature, and is, moreover, of
the highest social convenience. Yet it is i'm
possible to subject all to the same regulations
of time. Dr. Combe remarks "Ihe grand
rule in fixing the number and periods OF our
meals is, to proportion them to the real wants
of our system, as modified by age, SEX health,
and manner of life, and as indicated by the
true returns of appetite" As the blood is
usually most impoverished after the eight or
ten hours fast of the night, breakfast should
be early. The stomach is usually vacated of
its nutrtlve contents i'll about four hours after
eating, but it may be an hour or two later be-
fore the blood begins to call upon it for a re-
newed supply. Persons engaged in active la
Dor, in which bodily expenditure is rapid, of
course require to eat more often than the
INDECENT and the sedentary and children
need nourishment oftener than adults. But
too long abstinence, especially if the digestive
power be not strong, sharpens the appetite, so
that there arises danger of excessive eating.
Some avoid luncheon for fear of Spelling the
to have it spoiled. Where the intervals be-
tween the meals are so long as to produce
pressing hunger, something should be taken
between them TO stay the appetite and prevent
Over-eating. Late and hearty suppers are to
be reprobated. Active digestion and sleep
mutually disturb each other, as Mt night the
exhalation OF carbonic gas is slowest, and It's
sue changes most retarded, the overloaded
blood is not relieved, and invades the repose
90 Ifpn
dreams, and nightmare, followed by head
ache and il.humor in the morning. Still
there is the opposite extreme, OF sit
ting up late at night, aud going to bed
wearied, hungry, and with an "indefnable
sense of sinking" followed by restless, un.
refreshing sleep. a little light nouIishment
7, Mn such cases may prevent these unpleasant
effects Custom has fixed the daily number
OF meals at from three to five probably three
is the smaller number that consists with we'll
sustained vigor Of the system; four or five
may be unobjectionable, the amount of nourish-
ment taken each time being less. The essen.
tial thing is regularity in each case, in order
that the digestive glands may have time to
prepare their secretions.
We should not take our meals when tired
out, or much fatigued. The stomach partici-
pates with the other parts OF the system in the
exhaustion, and is thus untitled for the per-
lornance OF lis proper and active duties Ii
there has been severe exercise, either of body
or mind, Il short interval should be allowed
for repose, or half an hour may beappropriated
to any light occupation, such as dressing be-.
fore sitting down to dinner. 1t is questionable
il much exercise before breakfast be generally
proper When VIC rise in the morning the
system has passed the longest interval without
food, and is at the lowest diurnal point of
weakness from want Of npurishment. 1t is
well understood that the body is more sus-
ceptible to the morbid influence OF colds,
miasms, and all noxious agencies in the
morning, before eating, than at any other
time, and those exposed to the open air before
getting anything TO eat, in aguish regions, are
infinitely more liable to be affected than those
who have been fortified by comfortable
breakfast. Cases may be quoted and un.
doubleday, in which early exercise has pro-
uuced no injurious resuls-perhaps even the
contrary. Yet in most instances, especially il
the constitution be not strong, breakfast should