'BEST TIME FOR TAKING EXERCISE. 127 



Unable to carry on digestion with success. This is 

 very obviously the case where the exercise has been 

 severe or protracted, and the consequence is so well 

 known, that it is an invariable rule in the manage- 

 ment of horses, never to feed them immediately 

 after work, but always to allow them an interval of 

 rest proportioned to the previous labour. Even in- 

 stinct would lead to this conduct, for appetite revives 

 after repose. 



Exercise ought to he equally avoided immediately 

 after a heavy meal. In such circumstances, the func- 

 tions of the digestive organs are in their highest state 

 of activity; and if the muscular system be then called 

 into considerable action, the withdrawal of the vital 

 stimuli of the blood and nervous influence from the 

 stomach to the extremities is sufficient almost to 

 stop the digestive process. This is no supposition, 

 but demonstrated fact ; and accordingly, there is a 

 natural and marked aversion to active pursuits after 

 a full meal. In a dog, which had hunted for an hour 

 or two directly after eating, digestion was found on 

 dissection to have scarcely begun ; while in another 

 dog, fed at the same time, and left at home, digestion 

 was nearly completed. 



A mere stroll, which requires no exertion, and 

 does not fatigue, will not be injurious before or after 

 eating ; but exercise beyond this limit is hurtful at 

 such times. All, therefore, whose object is to im- 

 prove or preserve health, and whose occupations are 

 in their own power, ought to arrange these, so as to 

 observe faithfully this important law, for they will 

 otherwise deprive themselves of most of the benefits 

 resulting from exercise. 



When we know that we shall be forced to exertion 

 soon after eating, we ought to make a very moderate 

 meal, to avoid setting the stomach and muscles at 

 variance with each other, and exciting feverish dis- 

 turbance. In travelling by a stage-coach, where no 

 repose is allowed, this precaution is invaluable. If 



