The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-07-15
THURSDAY, JULY Is. 1869.
tut IHx TRIBUNE.
Physiology of Digestion.

(those that feed on both). That the one
class, as indicated by these terms, were
designed to subsist upon flesh, the other
upon vegetables, and the third upon a
mixture of both, there is abundant evil
dence, not only in the structure of the
teeth, but in the adaptation of the whole
digestive apparatus to the particular ali
ment evidently necessary to the welfare
and weli-being of each respectively. For
on investigation it is found, that there Is
not so much difference in the ultimate
constituents of animal and vegetable food,
as in the structure of the digestive organs
of the various animals Indeed analysis
has shown, that the constituents of flesh
are identical with those of vegetables,
out of which the former is composed; land
the reason why the dog cannot subsist
upon grass, or the OK upon flesh, is not so
much because the same elements of nu-
triton are not combined in those articles
equally adapted to the growth and per-
lection of both, but because the digestive
apparatus of each is not suited to their
separation and appropriation.
Since the manufacture and renewal of
the various tissues depend upon the diff
ferent materials taken is as food, it is
necessary, that the constituents of these
either be identical with, or capable of be-
ing converted into those of the body. The
ailments therefore necessary to the devel-
opment and growth of man, may be divi-
ded into two classes, viz: organic and in
organic; the former consisting of the sac
carine, oeeaginous, albuminous and gelati
nous substances, the latter being chloride
of sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, lime
and iron. Happily these latter are found
to exist IN greater or less quantity in the
different articles of diet in common use.
any of which if deficient may be supplied
in cooking as condiments, common salt
being an example Milk, the natural
food of infants, is the only article in which
all these elements are combined. and is
therefore taken as the type Of that of the
adult. Further, ailments are divided into
azotized, containing azote ornitrogen land
non-azotize,d destitute Of nitrogen) the
former only being appropriate to the
building up of the tissues proper or the
development Of muscle, while the latter
are used in the process of respiration,
being principally burned off within the
lungs, as fuel for combustion, for the pur-
pose of keeping up animal heat or main
tanning an equilibrium of temperature,
the surplus however being deposited
In the form of fat, as if for future emer-
gency.
Although classed among the on1ntrord,
we don't mean, that man must necessarily
combine both vegetable and animal diet,
which will be greatly to his advantage to
do however, particularly in the way Of
economy in expense as we'll as the glatif-
cation of the taste, but may accept or deny
himself of either either without deterior-
alton of health or diminution of bodily
vigor or loss of flesh, and is prepared for
the emergency or misfortune Of being
subjected, as we may be for time, to
either and is at liberty at all times to Sc
lect those articles from whatever source
which contain the elements of nutrition
and combustion best adapted to the wants
of the system. And to do this with any
thing like accuracy, a knowledge of
physiology is indispensable, although a
cultivated taste, unyitiated by excuses
or irregularities of any kind, or by bad
habits or bad teaching, would be a very
safe guide. Indeed it is just as necessary
that ailments, to be suited to the demand
of the organism, must contain certain
proportions of both the azotized and
non-azotized substances-which of course
will vary in different localities according
to the temperatures it is tor the air we
breathe to be definite compound of
oxygen and nitrogen.
Digestion may be denominated the
process by which the nutritive principles
are separated from the ingesta, to be as
simulated or converted into the organized
textures, or tissues of the body. The OBJ
ject therefore Of digestion,is the e!abora-
ton and preparation of suitable pabu-
lum, which is not merely to enhance the
bulk OF the individual, but to sustain and
repair the perpetual waste occasioned by
the constant oxydation of the tissues
the affete or worn out materials being
constantly replaced by new ones, and in
this way the whole system is most ingen-
iously nourished and replenished The
organs by which this is accomplished, viz:
the mouth, teeth, tongue etc. oesopha-
gus, stomach, duodenum, small and large
intestines, messentenic glands, thoracic
duct, liver and pancreas are collectively
called the digestive system or apparatus.
In the first place the food is taken into
the mouth. where it is subjected to the
action OF the teeth and undergoes masti-
cation. While here, during the process of
reduction, it becomes impregnated with
secretion furnished by the buecal mucus
membrane and salivary glands, called sa-
liya, which is not only serviceable III
molstening the food and thereby facilita-
ting the disinte gration, but TO assist further
along IN the process the pancreatic fluid
IN the transformation of of the amygla
ceous, or starchy substances into sugar.
The salivary glands. like most others of
the system actipr Dpdar Tho ;,H,,o,,oo = {