The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-08-08
The Stomach.

This important organ is muscular
sack formed by a dilation of the alimen-
tary canal. In shape it somewhat re-
sembles curved section of cone; in
size it varies from eight to twelve inches
in width, and from three to four in its
greatest diameter 1t is usually esti-
mated to contain about one quart when
in perfectly normal condition; but so
universally are excuses committed IN
eating and drinking that in scores OF
observations we do not remember to
have seen single one that had not been
dilated beyond this capacity. Its situ-
alton varies considerably, according as
it is distended with food or otherwise;
it's proper position is just below the
liver. 1t is of purely carnivorous type;
being intended only for the dissolving or
chymifaction of the food which has been
finely triturated by the teeth. It fur
nishes by far the most important of the
gastric juice. It actually digests, or
food except the non-nitrogenous and
dro-carbons, or sugar, starch and oil.
OF these, sugar and starch are digested
by the duodenal juices; oils by the pan
creatic fluid.
OF its physiological functions we know
much; the celebrated Martin case where
in permanent fstula or opening fol-
lowed a terrible gun-shot wound, having
afforded wonderful facilities for study
ing its functions and given great i'm
petus to the investigation of all the de
tails of Authorization. Many important
facts have been thus obtained; some
psychologists even 20 50 far as to lay
down laws for the exact time in which
any given article of food would be di-
gested, and, consequently, classifying all
such as wholesome or unwholcsome ac-
cording as they seemed to resist the &C
ton of the digestive powers of the stom-
ach, or otherwise. By such rules pigs
feet and tripe were laid down as being
digcstcd in an hour; trout, in one and a
half hours; milk, in two hours; roast
beef, in three; and 50 on, until the climax
wasIeached with roast pork and boiled
cabbage, which, they said, required five
and one-half hours for their proper di-
gestion. But, from close observation, it
is our belief that stomachs have as many
Whims and idiosyncrasies as have their
masters, and that which is easily digcstcd
by one is poison" to another. Hence,
the folly of any set of rules which pre-
scribe just what all persons shall eat
A]hSA pCloOu hHO" CLOuSN VI Ills
own temperament and physiological Or
clcs of food which are best adapted to
his own individual wants.
Treated from this common-sense stand
point, many Of the fearfully numerous
diseases of the digestive organs would
cease to exist. But we 90 on, defying or
ignoring Natures laws; eating, in half
the time required for perfect mastication,
double the amount necessary for our sus-
tcnance; jumping up and going at hard
brain work Immediately after each meal
when we ought to take complete mental
relaxation for some time in order that our
nerve forces may he properly concen-
trated upon the digestion of our food
drugging ourselves with stimulants when
we see our digestive powers are begin
ming to fail until the inevitable result fol-
lows and we become confirmed dyspep.
tics. We then pOunce upon the stomach
as the unlucky source of all our evils,
forgetting that large percentage of our
food was never intended to he digested
by it.; forgetting that Nature has given
us organs of locomotion demanding that
they be exercised; free, pure air, requir-
ing it to be breathed; proper hours for
repose, and insisting on their being so oc.
cupied.
Indigestion may also be intestinal, and
aggravated by the use of sugar or starchy
substances; or it may be pancrcatic, and
increased by the improper use of oils; or
it may be due to a torpid liver or def
cicnt nerve energy, and rendered doubly
worse by scdcntary habits. Treat your
stomach us becomes rational being; live
in accordance with the laws of nature,
taking due exercise, pure air, good food
that is suited to your own peculiar or
ganization, and, above all, allow yourself
plenty of cheerful, mirth- provoking re-
to suffer from indigestion. Pacific Rural
prcS8