98 HORSE-BACK RIDING. 



Chomel, and with him a large school, regard pain, 

 and with good reason, as only of secondary impor- 

 tance in alterations of the digestive functions. 



" There is," says Beau, ** dyspepsia whenever there 

 is trouble, weakness, or absence of the digestive act, 

 whatever be its symptoms, and whatever be its 

 causes." He also regards any diminution, absence, 

 or alteration of the absorbable ahmentary products as 

 a dyspeptic affection. 



We say, then, that there is dyspepsia when the gas- 

 tric juice is abnormal, either as regards quantity, 

 quality, or both ; when from any cause the move- 

 ments of the stomach or intestines are lessened or 

 entirely wanting, or when the actions of the nerves 

 which control this act are altered — and then we have 

 a true neurosis. 



It is seldom easy, it is more often impossible, to 

 determine with precision the seat and cause of dys- 

 pepsia. If we but think how complex are the phys- 

 iological conditions upon which perfect digestion 

 depends, how many and how varied are both the 

 articles submitted to the action of the digestive work, 

 and of the elaboration and transformations which 

 they are to undergo, before they reach either the 

 liver or lungs, we will no longer wonder why the 

 point of departure from the proper way escapes our 

 notice. 



Though CI. Bernard's discoveries have greatly 

 enlightened us, yet it is but too true that a dyspepsia 



