The sagacious Gourmand, will calculate this precisely,—and not waste his precious moments in useless Jaw-work, or invite an Indigestion by neglecting Mastication.
I cannot give any positive rules for this, it depends on the state of the Teeth[115]; every one, especially the Dyspeptic, ought to ascertain the condition of these useful working tools; and to use them with proportionate diligence, is an indispensable exercise which every rational Epicure will most cheerfully perform, who has any regard for the welfare of his Stomach[116].
It has been recommended, that those whose Teeth are defective, should mince their meat—this will certainly save trouble to both Teeth and Stomach—nevertheless, it is advisable, let the meat be minced ever so fine, to endeavour to mumble it into a pulp before it be introduced to the Stomach—on account of the advantage derived from its admixture with the Saliva.
“By experiment, I determined the quantity of Saliva secreted in half an hour, to be whilst the parts were at rest, four drachms,—whilst eating, five ounces four drachms.”—Stark on Diet, p. 99.
Mastication is the source of all good Digestion;—with its assistance, almost any thing may be put into any stomach with impunity:—without it, Digestion is always difficult, and often impossible: and be it always remembered, it is not merely what we eat, but what we digest well, that nourishes us.
The sagacious Gourmand is ever mindful of his motto—
“Masticate, Denticate, Chump, Grind, and Swallow.”
The four first acts, he knows he must perform properly,—before he dare attempt the fifth.
Those who cannot enjoy a savoury morsel on account of their Teeth, or rather on account of the want of them, we refer to the note at the foot of [p. 260], and also have the pleasure to inform them, that Patent Masticators are made by Palmer, Cutler, in St. James’s Street.
To those who may inadvertently exercise their Masticative faculties on unworthy materials—or longer on worthy ones than nature finds convenient, we recommend “Peristaltic Persuaders.” See [page 235].