The Wilmingtonian., 1886-05-22
HEALTH HINTS.
Function Of Digestion.

sal disohedence to the law that governs the
function of digestion. does not exist than i'm
proper mastication of food, and insalivation.
From what has been said, few thoughts at
this time, on the destination of food, and |
some of the changes wrought during the pro- |
cess Of digestion and assimilation in the |
human organism, may be opportune.
The infant draws from the maternal Isom
its f. cd, which posse ses all the essential |
constituents for the repair of the bodily or
ganism, and increasing the growth, making |
hair, nails, bone and tissue. 10 due time,a
the child advances in age, the system de-
mauds more substantial nutriment. The |
uudeveloped teeth press tleir way through |
the tender gums, and stand crowned with
enamel, as sentinels well panoplied with
power to guard the passage through which
DEMONSTRATING food must pass. Before this
mutation, the child received its food, guided
by instinct, but now, as the system demands
the solid, and more substantial aliment, im-
tation and reason take its place. When the
teeth are fully developed they exhibit for
midable power for mastcation, and argue
well for the trituraton of food, and it is GER
tain that the health of an individual depends
much upon their sound condition, as well as
upon their proper use. AS soon as food is
taken into the mouth, the salivary glands
s nd forth fluid to moisten ard assist in
reducir g it to proper condition for the
stomach.
The promoting of the mechanical rCduc-
tion of food during the act of masticatiOn,.
is not the only important action OF tho sdli-
va ; it has chemical action on the farinace-
Gus elements of food, and is an auxiliary to
the gastric juice of the stomach. The com
plete disintegration of alimentary matter is
of great consequence, and if it is imperfectly
effected, the subsequent processes are liable
to be deranged. There is not more fire.
queut source of Dyspepsia than imperfect
mast'cation, and it is of but little conse-
auence, whether the food is too hastily swal-
lowed, or poorly masticated for the want OF
teeth, the result is the same to the stomach.
There can be but one excuse rendered for the
imperfect reduction Of food, viz: toothless-
ness with extreme poverty. If the teeth
are decayed, they should be filed or remov-
ed as the case may demand, and their places
supplied with artificial ones the Filings
should be of the same kind OF metal, and il
partial or whole sets are placed, let the
plates also be of the same material. By
observing this rule, there will be no gaiyan-
ic currents produced in the mouth but il
different metals of opposing chemical action
,x,;I ha al nil
ing On the salivary fluid, aud disturbing the
normal action of the pneumogastric nerve,
causing arrangement in the function OF
digestion, let the food be masticatcd never
so well.
The food is carried to the stomach by the
muscular action of the asophagus tine pro
cess in the iesophagus is automatic, and does
not depend on volition, or the will. The
food enters the stomach through the cardiac
orifice in successive waves, and is at once
subjected to peristaltic movement, whici
thoroughly ntermiugles it with the gastric
fluid. The alimeutary substance is usually
carried from the large curvature of tbs stom
ach, to the small or pyloric end, aud bacl
again, completing its revolution in from on
to three minutes. In addition to the pers
taltic movements of the stomach, IL IS con
stantly agitated by the act ct breathing
here are IN my causes that influence it's mo
tious, SO that no precise or very acchra'
estimate of its action Ca be made.
Ii tie general system is in good condtlln
and the food taken at the meal, proper, a
to quantity quality, aud temperature, tn
churnng motion of the stomach is at ono
set up, and continues until it is thorough
prepared to pass tue pyloric oritice, anles
checked by some sudden draft made upo
the nervous system by an injury or violel
mental emotion. 1t is well know that IL
system will not bear up under an injur
nearly so we'll after full meal, as it doc
alter the assimilative process is fully set u
When the Chyme, or product of the gastr
digestion, reaches the Duodenum, it IS su
iect to the action of the bile, pancreatic fui
aud the secretion from the grauule of Il
walls of the intestine, which serve an iupC
tant purpose in this stage of the digestl
process. Tue injestive matter, which h
now undergone a very important chan
within this portion of the canal, is gradual
propelled onw ard by the peristalt1 contrf
tions Of its walls, and as it reaches the sni
intcstines, the nutritious portion is taken
by the blood vessels and absorbents t
residue is carried into the large INTESTINE
and assumes the character OF excremen
tous matter.
These are some Of the important seri IS
operations, by which the nntiitive materi
aIe prepared for further action, beyond
function of digestion the nutlitive mater
is taken up by the blood-vcssels, and the
surbeut vessels; that which is taken up
tho blood-vesscls, is carried through the
er, and there receives an impul tant chanA
that which is taken up by the Lbsorbsntsi
the vital endowment of "cells," il yel'
up by the lacteals, and receives tie na
cf chyle and passes through long and
tuous system Of absorbent vessels and glar
aud /, ctives a decided alteration in its |
pei ties, aud as it reaches the thOracic dl
approaches qui near to blood in its gel
al character, which indicates that the
cess of organization, and vitalization,
commenced. The chyle, thus modified
conveyed into the sanguiTerons system
vessels, and flows directly to the heart,
passes with the mass of blood, to receive