Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-24
A GENERAL COMPLAINT,
Causes that Lead to Loss Of Appe-
ute-Remedies to Restore it thas
are Easy to Apply.

tlte-Remedies to Restore it that
are Easy to Apply.
Loss of appetite is OF common occurrence at
the onset Of many fevers, but usually it Is a
1ar more chronic complaint. Nothing is COM
!n than to hear people say that they
have no appetite" they do not care for
any thing" or that they "hate the sight OF
1ood:" 1t Is often enough associated with a
condition OF debility and general inaptitude
ior work 1t Is by no means uncommon In
those who are worried and anxious and find 1t
difficult to make both ends meet. People who
devote too much attention to the brandy bottle
generally find meals rather a trouble than
Otherwise; breakfast, especially, is difficulty.
These individuals are generally very dainty
ana fanc1ful, and when at home grumbie at
everything that is set before them. They are
very fond OF abusing the cook for what is in
reality the morbid condition OF their own
digestive organs. Tobacco smokers, or at all
events, those who smoke in any quantity are
seldom great performers with the knife and
fork. Tobacco and opium and alcohol seem
all to have the power of deadening the
appetite. People who take little or no out
door exercise generally complain that they
do not eat wen, and no wonder. II man
wants good appetite, he must earn it some
how or other. Some one may give him his
dinner, but If he is to enjoy 1t he will have to
bring his own sauce In the shape OF an ap-
rerite
Irregularity of meals Is another common
cause Of loss of appetite. The stomach ap-
preciates regularity, and likes to have its
wants attended to at the proper time. 1t is
sre for feod Is experienced day by day at
exactly the same hour. We ali know how
6readfully bad-tempered many people get
is all very well to say that they are stupid.
and should not be put out about tribes, but it
must must be remembered that 1t is no trlfie to
rise to considerable amount Of bodily dis
comfort. The stomach has been accustomed
to receive supplies at certain regular inter
walls, and If it fails to receive them, it objects
IL In
to spoil the appetite than eating or drinking
between meals. You hear man complaining
that he cannot eat his dinner, and you find on
inquiry that about an hour before he had three
or four dozen oysters and some bread and
butter and a pint of stout, "just to pull him
together" 1t may be thought that this is an ex-
we wish we had not. for nothing can be more
contempt1ble than man who makes deity
OF his stomach. We should eat to live, and
not live to eat. For people who dine in the
Many people seem to think that it would be a
great hardship to go without food from $50
am to l pm They make good breakfast
directly they get up: ham and eggs and all
for bread and cheese and beer. Somebody
once said that ''lunch is reflection ON your
breakfast and an insult to your dinner" and
it is pity that more people do not bear this
in mind. You can never expect to have good
appetite unless you allow a good five hours to
elapse between each of the Chief meals OF the
day.
What is to be done for loss Of appetite? In
the first place it is essential to avoid, as far
as possible, any of the circumstances we have
mentioned as causes OF this complaint Be
regular in your habits get up early; do not
stay out late at night; take plenty OF outdoor
exercise: have your bowels well open every
morning; do not drink much tea; be quite
sure that you are not smoking too much, and
are not taking more than you ought to in the
way of stimulant. It is great thing If you
can dine in cheerful, pleasant socfety-the
Example OF eating seems to be almost con-
,agious. 1t is astonishing what great deal
bad cookery has to answer for in the way OF
exciting distaste for food.
The practice of taking bitters before meals
with the view of increasing the appetite is a
common one. 1t is undoubtedly bad habit,
but In certain functional arrangements OF the
stomach an occasional gin and bitters or
sherry and bitters may have its advantages,
THE REMEDIES.
Probably the drug most frequently en-
ployed with the view OF stimulating the faded
appetite. is quinine. Two tablespOonfuls Of
the tonic quinine mixture should be taken
about half an hour before meals or two
tablespoonful of quinine wine will do equally
well. The infusion OF quaSSta may also be
greatly enhanced by the addition of three or
four drops OF t1ncture of nux vomtca Nux
vomica Is one of the pleasantest bttters we
know, and Will often succeed admirably, even
when given In plain water. Other tinctureS
and tnfusions employed for a similar purpose
are those OF columbia, gentian, chirette and
cusparia. The 1nfustons should be given in two
tablespoonful doses, while the dose Of t1nctures
Is teaSpoonful In water The tncture OF nuX
vomica, it will be remembered, is much more
powerful drug, and the dose of this should
not exceed eight drops. The different prepara-
tons OF hops are useful, but are, we think, best
taken in the form of bitter beer. Absinthe, or
WOrmwOod, Is largely employed. With many
people, especially those who are predisposed
10 constipation, two or three tablespoonfuls
OF compound decoction OF aloes will succeed
better than anything For elderly people,
pepsin taken in five-grain doses half an hour
before meals is useful. We need hardly say
that Tor patients who are an9mic or suffering
from what is usually called 'poorness O.
blood" ironis the remedy.-P,iladeiphia Times.