Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-02
Indigestion and Disease.

Dr. Henry Reynolds. In the chronological Journal
The important relation of indigestion to many
| diseases which people suffer is not sufficiently
realized. Difficulty in breathing. occurring
spontaneously, or on slight exertion, NAV be
caused by Indigestion
Indigestion causes alterations in the general
nutrition of the body, which are manifested in
various ways, among which are the following:
Armenia, or depraved state OF the blood, in
yolVlng deficiency of the red globules of the
blood. and causing persons thus affected TO be
unnaturaliy pale especially about the lips: de-
cay OF the teeth; grayness of the hair: excess
slVe inability TO Inflammation, from slight causes
OF the mucous membranes especially the
eyes and throat; to which may be added, In
cases of those predisposed to such affections
liability to govt and rheumatism, and affections
OF the lungs or Kidneys Consumption has fire.
quently been regarded as due in MANY cases to
lOng-continued arrangement of the digestion
whereby the general nutrition of the system has
become impaired.
The Inflammation of the mucous membrane of
the throat, known as "clergyman's sore throat"
10 Il pfouuct OF indigestion, and the removal of
the cause by the adoption of q suitable dietary.
exercise In the open air and observance of the
laws of health generally will be the best treat
nents of 1t.
Indigestion is the cause Of various alterations
In the skin. manifested by general cOldness or
chllllness, especially of the extremities by
changes in its color or texture which NAV be
earthly or sallow in tint or dry and coarse and by
various erupttons, among which are the we'll
known eczema. acne impetigO and nettle rash.
Most OF the cases of skin diseases affecting chill
dren are best treated by attention to the diet.
making the diet easily digestible and sufficiently
limited to insure complete digestion
The causes of Indigestion NAV be dine to the
food or condition of the stomach. The food
may be defective in quality. There may be ex-
cess or deficiency of the normal inoredientu
saccharine, starchy, albuminous, or fatty. or
some OF the naturally indigestbe materials
which form part of all food. The food NAV be
introduced In an indfgestible form on account of
the defects In the cooking Of it. or imperfect
inastcati0n. OF from its having undergone M
trefactlOn or fermentation, which arrests the
functions OF the stomach. Imperfect mastca-
tion OF 1000 Is very common cause Of indipes-
ton among Americans
Eating too much is probably the most COM
mon OF all causes of indigestion. The secretion
OF the gastric juice In the stomach seems to be
proport1oned to the amount of material required
!or the nourishment of the system Food taken
In excess OF this amount acts as foreign SUBJ
stance undergoing fermentation and putrefac-
ZION, and Occasloning much disturbance in the
system.
Much may be done for the cure of INDIGESTION
Dy eating very abstemiOusly of suitable food
thoroughly masticated, taking exercise In the
open air, breathing pure air. and observing the
laws of health generally. The amount OF food
should be reduced until the quantity is reached
which the stomach can digest without eyincinp
any symptoms Of indigestion.