The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-08-05
PHYSIOLOGY OF DIGESTION.

complete synopsis OF the proce9S VI III
eestion in health, or brief exposition OF
its physiology. But as digestion has of
ten to be performed. timperfectly though
:, It may be- in almost every conceivable
variation from healthy action of the or
gans engaged, constituting varieties OF
dyspepsia, -insufficient perhaps, to JUS
sffy application for medical interference,
it may be proper here, or in this article,
as well as interesting and profitable to the
readers of the TRIBUNE-espec to
the dyspeptic and those who make health
desideratum-to point out some of the
chief requisites to health, with the most
frequent variations from normal healthy
action, and the measures for their relief,
that the dreaded malady may either be
avoided, or checked in its very incipi
ency.
First then, az q condition of the highest
possible state of health as before intima-
ted, the food should be well masticated
and thoroughly mixed with the saliva in
stead of too much of other fluids. Hence
so far from hurrying at the table as if
eating for a wager, much time should be
spent here as one of the principal sources
of temporal enjoyment, in the first step
of the wonderful process by which the
various articles ingested are to be trans
formed into nerve, bone, and muscle.
Also it will be readily seen, that much
discrimination is necessary In the selec-
ton of eatables, as well as in the prepa-
ration of them for the table and to dc
this, an enlightened judgement, or some
knowledge of physiology is indispensable.
Much has been said about tea and cot
Fee, their effect upon digestion, influence
upon health, etc., resulting in some fool
ish theories and no little vague specula
ton. But very often the honest inquiry
Is made: ssare tea and coffee really limo
cent and harmless beverages, or are they
injurious and hurtful ?" 1t is true, there
may be an occasional individual case
where serious doubts are justly entertain
ed as to their influence, whether mis-
chieVous or beneficial. Now, without en-
tering into any discussion of the multi
tude of various and conflicting opinions
already put forth, or the differences made
from them, we will simply and briefly
state, that too much, or an excess, of any
liquid taken at meals will do harm, first,
Nv IF ha oh RI
by lessening its contractile power; and,
second, by diluting the secretions both Of
this organ and Of the moath, which play
so important a part IN the changes to be
wrought; but that both tea and coffee, II
moderate or reasonable quantities are
generally beneficial, and if not conclusive
are not injurious to health, is fac
which accords strictly both with physi
ology and experience. 1t is true, there
may be exceptions to this, or constitu
tons in which one or the other or both
may not agree, and hence the necessity
of studying the diathesis and regulating
the habits accordingly. Many however
who complain of slight arrangements,
conceive that these very grateful bever-
ages are doing them harm, while there is
no evidence but that they perfectly agree,
when the mischief evidently results from
something else; hence anything that will
throw light upon the subject Will be a
desidei aipn,
Tea and coffee may very properly be
classed among the mild2st of nervous
stimulants, and when taken in sufficient
quantities, Slightly increase the activity Of
the mind and the nervous energy gener-
ally; therefore an excess at night may
result in more vivid and perhaps irregular
trains of thought, restlessness, and in
ability to quiet, peaceful, and undisturbed
balmy sleep, nature sweet restorer.
Also they are antiseptic and retard de-
composition, diminish the loss by per.
SEPARATION, lessen the quantity Of urea and
faces excreted and where the diet is in
sufficient, tea and coffee limit very much
the loss of weight thereby entailed.
Hence the use of tea and coffee is not
only harmless qualification and luxury,
but an economy, requiring a less quantity
OF food to be equally well nourished.
DR.. Carpenter, in his Physiology says:
These observations would seem to show
that the tea and coffee drinker may have
less to eat, and yet lose less weight than
the water-drinker; and that under cir
cumstances where Animal Food is scarce,
they may diminish the demand for it by
'essenlng the waste of the nitrocenized
TISSUES by the use of these beverages ="
Therefore Tea AMI Coffee are not. as we
have shown, Incompatible with health as
many have taught and still teach, but
may ii dcsired, be used to ADVANTAGE. dis
crcetly and wisely. abstinence from
Them" however, when it is desirable
that secretion should take place more ac-
lively, destructive absorption encouraged
or the circulation moderated, should be
epjoined."
But impeded digestion, or ''indiges-
ton, may result from a variety of, and
entirely different conditions. First, there
may DO lack of nervous energy, some
other organ, as the brain for instance,
NAV FOR time, in its excessive activity,
monopolize the nervous fluid, so that the
stomach receives an insufficient supply.
And this is often the case, especially
with those, complaining of indigestion,
whose minds are constantly engaged in