The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1883-04-26
Indigestion and Disease.

DR.. Henry Reynolds has an article in
the chronological Journal on indigestion
which seems to define the nature and
symptoms of the case very closely, He
says
The important relation of indigestion
TO many diseases which people suffer is
not sufficiently realized. Difficulty III
breathing, occurring spontaneously or
on slight eXertion, may be causedby in
digestion.
Indigestion causes alterations in the
general nutrition of the body, which are
manifested in various ways, among
which are the following; Anmmia, or u
deprayed state of the blood. involving a
deficiency OF the red globules of the
! blood, and causing persons thus affected
to be unnaturally pale, especially about
the lips; decay of the teeth; grayness of
the hair; excessive liability TO inilam-
nation, from slight causes. of the
mucous membranes, especially the eyes
and throat; to which may be added, in
cases of those predisposed to such ailec-
tions, liability TO gout and rheumatism,
and affections Of the lungs or Kidneys.
I Consumption has frequently been re-
| garded rs due in many eases to long
continued arrangement of the digestion,
whereby the general nutrition of the
4 system has become impaired.
The inflammation of the mucous
membrane of the throat, known as
"clergyman's sore throat, is a product
of Indigestion, and the removal Of the
cause by the adoption Of a suitable diet
airy, exercise in the open air and obs
\ scrvance of the laws of health generally
will be the best treatment for il,
Indigestion is the cause of various
alterations in the skin manifested by
general GOODNESS or chilliness, especially
Of the eXtremitics, by changes in its
4 color or texture, which may be earthly
or sallow in tint, or dry and coarse, and
by various eruptions, among which are
the well known eczema, acne, impetigo
and nettle rash Most of the cases of
skin diseases affecting children are best
treated by attention 10 the diet, making
the diet easily digestible, and sufficient
n ~ limited TO insure complete digestion.
The causes of indigestion may bedue
to the food or condition of the stomach.
The food may be defective in quality.
There may be excess or deficiency OF
the normal ingredients, saccharine,
starchy, albuminoiis, or fatty, or some
OF the naturally indigestible materials
which form part of all food. Tho
food may be introduced in an indigest-
ible form on account of defects in the
cooking Of it, or imperfect maStication,
or from its having undergone putre-
faction or fermentation, which arrests
the functions of the stomach. lmper.
feet masticaton of food is very com.
mon cause of Indigestion among Amer
leans.
Eating too much is probably the most
common of all causes of indigestion.
The secretion Of the gastric juice in the
stomach seems to be proportioned to
the amount of material required fol
the nourshmcnt of the system. Food
taken in excess of this amount acts as
foreign substance undergoing fer
mentation and putrcfaction, and occa,
sioning much disturbance in the system
Much may be done for the cure of in.
digestion by eating very abstemiously
Of suitable food, thoroughly masteat
ted, taking exercise in the open air
breathing pure air and observing thC
laws of health generally. The amount
of food should be reduced until the
quantity is reached which the stomach
can digest without evincing any symp
toms of indigestion.