325. It is noted of individuals who restrain the free movements of the abdominal muscles by tight dresses, that the tone and vigor of the digestive organs are diminished. The restricted waist will not admit of a full and deep inspiration and so essential is this to health, that abuse in this respect soon enfeebles and destroys the functions of the system.
326. Pure air is necessary to give a keen appetite and vigorous digestion. The digestive organs not only need the stimulus of blood, but they absolutely need the influence of pure blood, which cannot exist in the system, except when we breathe a pure air. From this we learn why those persons who sleep in small, ill ventilated rooms, have little or no appetite in the morning, and why the mouth and throat are so dry and disagreeable. The effect of impure blood, in diminishing the desire for food, and enfeebling the digestive organs, is well illustrated by the following incidents.
Illustrations. 1st. Dr. Reid, in his work on “Ventilation of Rooms,” relates that an innkeeper in London, when he provided a public dinner, always spread his tables in an under-ground room, with low walls, where the air was confined and impure. He assigned as a reason for so doing, that his guests consumed only one third as much food and wine, as if the tables were laid in the open air.
2d. A manufacturer stated before a committee of the British Parliament, that he had removed an arrangement for ventilating his mill, because he noticed that his men ate much more after his mill was ventilated, than previous to admitting fresh air into the rooms, and that he could not afford to have them breathe pure air.
Observation. Many of the cases of indigestion among clergymen, seamstresses, school teachers, sedentary mechanics, 152 and factory operatives, are produced by breathing the impure air of the rooms they occupy. These cases can be prevented, as well as cured, by proper attention to ventilation.
325. What is observed of those individuals that restrict the movements of the abdominal muscles? 326. Why is pure air necessary to vigorous digestion? Give illustration 1st. Illustration 2d. What is one cause of indigestion among the sedentary class in community?
327. The position of a person, in standing or sitting, exerts an influence upon the digestive organs. If a person lean, or stoop forward, the distance between the pelvic bones and the diaphragm is diminished. This prevents the depression of the diaphragm, while the stomach, liver, pancreas, and other abdominal organs, suffer compression, which induces many severe diseases of these organs. As healthy and well-developed muscles keep the spinal column in an erect position, which conduces to the health of the organs of digestion, the child should be taught to avoid all positions but the erect, while studying or walking. This position, combined with unrestricted waists, will do much to remove the now prevalent disease, dyspepsia.
328. Whatever kind of aliment is taken, it is separated into nutriment and residuum; the former of which is conveyed, through the medium of the circulation, to all organs of the system, and the latter, if not expelled, accumulates, causing headache and dizziness, with a general uneasiness; and, if allowed to continue, it lays the foundation of a long period of suffering and disease. For the preservation of health, it is necessary that there should be a daily evacuation of the residual matter.
Observation. In chronic diseases of the digestive organs, very frequently, there is an inactive, or costive condition of the alimentary canal. This may be removed in many cases, and relieved in all instances, by friction over the abdominal organs, and by making an effort at some stated period each day, (evening is best,) to evacuate the residuum. In acute 153 diseases, as fever, regard should be given to regularity in relieving the intestines of residuum. Attention to this suggestion will in many instances obviate the necessity of cathartic medicine.