The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-12
Late ami Heavy Suppers.

The objections to late and heavy sup
pers, if we care more for our health than
for mere sensual indulgence, will be ap-
parent if we consider few facts.
AS a fundamental principle. let it be
remem bared that the stomach labors as
much as any organ of the boky, and that
it suffers from fatigue, like others. Ii
the body, as n whole, is more fatigued at
night than in the day LESS able to perform
the hardest work, it is reasonable to in
fer that the stomach is subject to the
same depression in consequence OF
similar labors; and since all must agree
that the hardest work may properly be
done In the morning, after the rest and
sleep of the night, and the lightest when
the body is fatigued by the days labors,
it is reasonable to apply the same prln'
ciple to the stomach labors. II the rest
is necessary condition to precede the
labor OF the day, it is reasonable to infer
that the heaviest meals may be taken IN
the morning and at noon, the hghtest at
night, or not more than one-sixth OF that
for the whole day, instead of one-third.
If the more substantial and more
nutritious may then be taken as a means
of carrying the laborer through the day,
it is reasonable to take the less substan-
tial at night, that one may have good.
refreshing sleep and be in proper con.
dition for labor, since it is a we'll estab.
lished principle that, with ordinary hui.
man beings, digestion and sound sleep
do not proceed at the time. IT the
stomach is filled with food, and digestion
is in full progress, the sleep must be
disturbed, dreamy and undressing. 1t
is also as true that if food rather difficult
of digestion is taken in the first part of
the day, when the digestive powers are
active and vigorous, the lightest meal
the smallest in quantity and the easiest
of digestion-should be taken when the
stomach is somewhat debilitated, like the
body.
While some of the more intelligent
and thoughtful suspend work at early
tea-time, as they do at noon, others con-
tinue about as long as they can see, then
stop and do the "chores," take a heavy
meal and soon retire. After such tolls
the powers of the body, the digestive in
cluded, are much exhausted and in an
unfit condition for their best efferts. 1t
would be no more cruel and unreason
able to require the limbs to toll for three
or four hours longer than to compel, by
heavy supper, the stomach to digest
such a meal before any sound and re-
freshing sleep can be ordinarily obtain
ed. If heavy meal is taken at late
hour, and then one goes to place OF
amusement, entertains company, or is
entertained till midnight ruinous
custom-there is ample time for diges.
ton. But not so with the farmer who
has no time to waste in mere amuse-
ments. He is asleep soon after his
lators are finished, that he may be ready
for the coming day.
If such heavy meal is taken as the
cold ham and cabbage left at noon, pie
and cake, or worse still, if possible, hot
and new biscuit, one of two results or.
dinarily follow: Either sleep takes pos
session, suspending digestion, mainly
this process to be recommended with
poor appetite in the morning., or the
sleep must be disturbed by the digestion,
of necessity undressing and unsatifac-
tory. This no farmer can afford, as good
sleep and rest must accompany hard
labor.
It is during the hours of rest and re.
pose that the blood made by the food of
the day il consolidated into muscle,
bones, etc, on which he must depend
for success in his business. Just to the
extent that this change of the blood is
impaired by wakefulness-naturally pros
duced by the digestive process-the con,
stitution is undermined, and he must
suffer. It would be far better, therefore,
to take seven-eights of the food needed
for the day at the first and second m Gals
mo luncheons are really OF any advan-
tage eventually, with very light supper.
DR.. Hall, we'll known, but now dead. ad-
vised single slice of bread and q cup OF
weak tea. But am still more temper
ate in my habits, taking less and simpler
food, emitting the tea, as that might dis
turb sleep, which l cannot afford. As
an experiment, and not from necessity,
as 1 am far from being dyspeptic, l
have confined myself to single mug OF
breakfast cocoa, without milk, that no
digestive labor may be performed, or
the same OF cereal Coffee" similar to
crust coffee, and have been perfectly
satisfied, sleeping we'll and feeling re-
freshed, with fine appetite in the morn
inc