The nerves control the peristaltic movements of the stomach and the action of the absorptive cells, as well as the cells which secrete the digestive juices. Thus it is that a food which one likes is not only more palatable, but it will also digest more readily, the digestive juices flowing more freely because of the mental stimulus.
It is well, therefore, to begin the meal with something especially appetizing, that the flow of the digestive juices may be incited. For this reason, if one cares for fruit, it is an excellent custom to begin the meal with fruit, or with a well-made soup, containing protein extractives, which will stimulate the flow of digestive juices.
The habit of finishing a meal with some tasty dessert is based on the scientific principle that its palatability will cause the gastric juices to flow more freely after the meal, thus aiding in its digestion.
Dainty service in a sick-room, because of the psychic effect of a meal daintily served, is of utmost importance. Because of the effect on the mind, the sight of a meal served on soiled linen will almost stop the flow of gastric juice and will destroy the desire for food, while a meal well served on dainty linen, with garnishings and tasteful table decorations, incites the flow of gastric juices.
The careful wife and mother, who notes any failure of appetite in members of her family, should attend carefully to the garnishing of her dishes and to serving them in a neat, attractive manner; also to changing her table decorations, so far as may be consistent that the eye as well as the sense of smell and taste may be pleased and the effect of the mind on digestion be exerted.
It is strange, but it is true, that a fresh flower, or a new table decoration, may so pleasantly affect one afflicted with nervous indigestion that the meal more readily digests, while an untidy table, or a lot of food served untidily will retard digestion.
The custom, among hearty eaters, of serving a plate too plentifully, destroys the appetite of one whose digestion is not so active. Our grandmother’s overloaded table, with sufficient food of various kinds to serve many times the number of participants, might stimulate the appetite of hearty, strong men, but the very sight of so much might turn the appetite of one more delicate.
The mind must be relaxed and directed to pleasant themes during a meal or the condition of the nerves of the digestive organs will not permit a free secretion of digestive juices. Chronic indigestion is sure to result from this practice. Dinner, or the hearty meal at night, rather than at noon, is preferable for the business or professional man or woman, because the cares of the day are over and the brain force relaxes. The vital forces are not detracted from the work of digestion.
Foods which are forced down, with a mind arrayed against them, do not digest so readily, because the dislike hinders the flow of the gastric juices. Any food fails of prompt digestion when the nerves controlling the stomach are acting feebly; however, while they digest more slowly during mental protest, they do nourish the system.
Likes and dislikes are largely mental. Certain foods continuously disagree and they should be avoided; but many abstain from wholesome food because it has disagreed a few times. It may be that it was not the particular food but the weakness of the stomach at the time.