The Wilmingtonian., 1888-02-18
The Importance or Dieteiics.
[Dietetic Gazette ]

[Dietetic Gazette
The preventation and treatment of d'seas-
es by the administration of proper food sug-
gested itself to the earliest observers, and,
in its simplest sense, certainly does not re-
qure profound knowledge of either physi-
ology or pathology in order to harmonize
the idea with common sense and sound
ph osophy.
In the development Of medicine the ten
dency has been to cultivate its allied branch
g, without much regard to their mutual re-
lations. Wc too often lose sight of the ulti-
mate aim and intent of our calling: the cure
If disease. rhe different del atments have
advanced on parallel instead of covering
lines and the result is that there is to day a
great accumulation of facts and theories,
many of which are conflicting and confusing
and have little effect in alevat'ng human
suffering, there is vast gulf between path
othological appearances and the remedial
agent.
We are firmly of the opinion that many OF
the ailments common to humanity are due
to errors in diet and faulty assimilation.
Sir William Roberts very aptly remarks,
that the natural diet is very simple monot'
onous one, like that COWS and horses; ano
that, although by the process of evolution
the digestive functions have, IN degree
kent up with the demand made upon then
by the connections Of the progressive cook
they are yet along way behind: Students o
| natural history are well aware of the modifi
cations as to piurage, form, vigor, etc.
which are brought about in birds and othe
animals by special articles of food.
Although the digestion of food is one o
the simplest of animal functions, if inter
rupted or at al. ,tel ferred with, the mos
harrass'ng results follow. Mop, in his pres
ent civilized condition, is a very nervou
specimen, and the digestive process, like al
others, is under the nerve control. The del
cate mechenism by which the crude alimen
is properly prepared for ABSORPTION and al
preparation is, in our M, con family sui
iect to storm of interference through mel
tai and physical influences; we refer to wo
ry and strain ofthe mind, and theindigestio
of improperly cooked or selected articles {
diet. a a thu inhibition of unnatural beye
ages: bs,r, wine and spirits. II require
only reference to these points in order
prove their Significance.
The time has come for the profession
: look more their physiology. A thoroug
or s-is 5fsHS6 Is m6cE nc
helpful in therapeutic way than some OF
| ers which are pushed TO the front and wbit
} confer upon their p esentatives sad air
profou d h lpl, sn In the light Of r, c.
investig ttions we know that, as result
defective digestion, re,t in poisonous cor
/ pounds called ptomaines are developed
The alimentary canal, and, on being sbsor
: ed, are capable of Irodu ,ng varie) al
, grave results. We aie also in possession
sufficient data to confirm the belief that ce
5 TIN serious affections, such as rheumatisr
s G ut, scurvy, many skin diseases, ard Il
h: dra called dyspepsia, are dre to what a.
. how we eat and ink.
n Far be it fr m us to decry the judicio
d use of remedies. These must also be emplo
d ed, but until we Thoroughly appreciate t
influence of dit, ard know how to regula
it and assist tie digestive processes by a
n propriate measures, our treatment will
e vain.
, I