Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-07-16
utritiOn.

DOuy are renewed eacn tOur mOntuS some pdTtS
being changed more slowly, others more rapidly
The renewal of tissue is called nutrition. In the
child the waste is not quite rapid, as there is
not so much exertion, but there must be added
the increase of growth.
! We have also seen that the material for nutri-
ton comes from the food we take, which, being
divested of its previous forms by the act of di-
geston, is made into blood, and then distributed
to all parts of the body for its use.
| The blood contains all the elements of the tis-
sues, and contains them in that fluid plastic
form, that they can be readily taken to, and APP
propriated by the most minute parts of the body.
All tissues are formed of cells. We get good
idea of an animal cell from the egg-composed
of an outer envelop and contents. But the It's
sue cells very minute if ranged IN row, it
would require twenty five hundred to make an
inch in length. But each one oe these little
bodies is possessed of life. Ia them reside the
formdtiUe, UHai force. This life manfests itself
in three ways: lst, in the power of develop
ment from point to perfect cell I'd, in hav-
ing the function, and doing its part of the work
of the part in W hich it is placed aud Sd, in CIV
ing birth to cell of similar properties when it
has lived its life and is about to die.
1t is interesting to study the development of
these minute bodies, and see how they are woven
into different shapes. Here are some passing to
and fro in the blood, which serve boats /;
freightng oxygen from the lungs to the tissues,
/ anu ChTDODlC-dclu gas from Une TISSUES 10 Jue
lungs. Here are others which are fattened, and
Over-lapped one upon another like shingles on
the roof of a house, in this way skin is pro-
tected from injury, like the scaly coat of the fish
Others, again, are attached en0 to end, and be-
ing drawn out, form fbres threads of won
drous fneness. Others are attached end to enc, ,
and their contents being absorbed and these
ends giving way we have minute tuoe, which
forms vessel for the circulation of the finer
parts of the blood
Whilst this is interesting, and a subject we
should like to study, we will cOnfine ourselves
here TO the general study of cell life and nutri-
tion. The subject thus far may be clearly
stated-the food is to be broken up, rendered
plastic, and made into blood. The blood is to
be carried to the tissues, where it is to be taken
by these minute cells aud woven into the struc-
lures of the part.
Healthy life comes from the regular perform
ance OF these process, which have been called
vegetative. Good nutrition gives regular and
healthy Junction. the man enjoys life, and has
the capacity to perform its duties. Increased
nutrition gives increased power in every func-
tional activity whilst defective nutrition impars
the power of the individual and presently results
in disease.
Healthy nutrition depends upon these facts :
That good food he taken in sufficient quantity,
and that it be prepared by digestion to make
good blood; that the blood thus formed be
reach the parts to be supplied that the part it,
self be in healthy condition, and its cells have
that formative force heretofore described /; that
old and worn-out tissues be continually removed
to make way for new. Thus, if the supply of
food is scanty the tissues will be impoverished
and wasted. l: the food be of bad quality, or
spoiled in digestion, then the tissues will suffer
from being repaired with bad material. If the
blood is not well circulated it deterorates and
is not carried where it is required for use. If
the part has not sufficient formative force it
not employ the nutrtient materials of the blood
however good or plenty. And lastly, if the old
or worn out tissues are not removed, new tissues
! cannot be formed in their place.
Increased nutrition depends, as we have al
ready seen upon one more of the following
conditions: An excess of formative, or cell
production an excess of food and its prepara-
tion for the nutritiye processes an increased
amount of blood carried to the part ; an in
creased innervation.
A very important law of our being develops
itself here that size, strength and actiOtty de-
pend upon the proper and continued exercise of
tissues, organs and parts. 1t is given to man to
have that amount of strength and activity that
may be required under any circumstances in
which may be adapted. 1t is according to this
law of use that the blacksmith apprentice finds
an increased size and strength of arm as he con-
tinues its use, and that the danseuse attains that
immense power in the muscles of the leg. The
process by which it is attained is very simple
the cOntleued use of the power we have increases
the circulation, innervation, metamOrphosis and
cell-production of part. 1t is illustrated ia the
case of DIR. Wnship, who, commencing by lifting
weight of some five hundred pounds, and add
ing to this day by day, was enabled in the
course of some years, to lift the weight of
twenty-one hundred pounds.
This law is operative in all parts of the body,
and its intelligent guidance offers the only ra-
tional means of overcoming some diseases. Is
there an imperfect development Of the respiratory
muscles? by calling them fully into play, day
after day, by appropriate exercise, they can be
fdy developed. Have the lungs themselves an
imperfect development? this mperfection is in
creased by want of use but good development
is attained by full and continued use of the in
spiratory power we have. Is there feebeness of
the stomach? its power can certainly be in
creased by the judicious exercise of what it has :
but IT must not be over-taxed to exhaustion. In
habtual constipation we find the curative means
in exercise, not in cathartcs. We direct the
patient to take a large tumbler of water on get
ting up in the morning, then rub the abdomen
thoroughly with the hand, and going to stool
Immediately after breakfast. If the person
adopts this plan with the determination to sue
ceed my experience shows that they never fail
Of course there is difficulty at first but as week
after week passes it becomes easier and finally
habit is formed that will last a lifetime.
1t will be seen that this law is universal, as
applicable to the structure and function of in
ternal organs, as it is the muscles of animal life
have been accustomed to point out to my
classes the importance of its recognition in men
tai development. Every man has the germs of
endless development of mind, and can make
of himself whatever he may determine. The law
is absolute Use that thou hast to its fullest ex-
tent, and there shall be continued increase.
need but call the attention of my readers to its
Importance in the treatment of deformites from
muscular debility. In this is the theory of the
movement cure, and wherever wel-regulated
movement can be brought to bear there will be
increased development. insisted, some ten
years since, that it afforded the only rational
means for the relief of displacements of the
uterus that if the abdominal and perineal mus
cles rennthened hx h. ani..o