One may form some Idea of the Self-consumption of the human body, by reflecting that the pulsation of the Heart, and the motion of the Blood connected with it, takes place 100,000 times every day; i. e. on an average
| the pulse[21] beats | 70 | times in a minute, |
| multiplied by | 60 | minutes in an hour, |
| —— | ||
| 4200 | ||
| 24 | hours in a day, | |
| ——– | ||
| 16800 | ||
| 8400 | ||
| ——— | ||
| 100800 | pulsations in a day. |
What Machine, of the most adamantine material, will not soon be the worse for wear, from such incessant vibration—especially if the Mainsprings of it are not preserved in a state of due regulation?
The generative faculties, which are the last that Nature finishes—are the first that fail.—Economy in the exercise of them—especially before and after the second period of Life—is the grand precept for the restoration and accumulation of Strength, the preservation of Health, and the prolongation of Life;—we are vigorous, in proportion to the perfection of the performance of the Restorative process, i. e. as we Eat hearty, and Sleep soundly—as our Body loses the power of renovating itself, in like ratio, fails its faculty of creating—what may be a salutary subduction of the superfluous health of the Second—during the Third period of life, will be a destructive sacrifice of the strength of both the Mind and the Body.—See also the 9th chapter of the First Edition of Willich on Diet. 8vo. 1799.
The next organical defect, (we perceive too plainly for our self-love to mistake it,) is manifested by the Eye[22]. To read a small print—you must remove it from the Eye further than you have been accustomed to do—and place it in a better light.
The Falsetto Voice now begins to fail, and the Ear loses some of its quickness—several extraordinary Musicians have been able till then, if a handful of the keys of a Harpsichord were put down so as to produce the most irrelative combinations—to name each half note without a mistake.—When I mentioned this to that excellent Organ Player, Mr. Charles Wesley, he said, “At the age of twenty, I could do it myself—but I can’t now.” He was then in his 55th year.
About the same time, the Palate is no longer contented with being employed as a mere shovel to the Stomach,—and as it finds its master becomes every day more difficult to please—learns to be a more watchful Purveyor.
After 40,—the strongest People begin to talk about being Bilious, or Nervous, &c. &c. and the Stomach will no longer do its duty properly—unless the Food offered to it is perfectly agreeable to it—when offended, Indigestion brings with it, all that melancholy depression of the Animal Spirits, which disables a Man from either thinking with precision, or acting with vigour—during the distressing suspension of the restorative process—arise all those miseries of Mind and Body, which drive Fools to get drunk, and make Madmen commit suicide:—without due attention to Diet, &c. the Third period of Life is little better than a Chronic Disease.
As our assimilating powers become enfeebled, we must endeavour to entertain them with food so prepared, as to give them the least trouble, and the most nourishment[23].
In the proportion that our Food is restorative, and properly digested—our bodies are preserved in Health and Strength—and all our faculties continue vigorous and perfect.