DIGESTION. 



99 



tions make tlie mouth dry, that is, they restrain the flow 

 of the saliva ; and without doubt they render the stomach 

 dry also, by preventing the flow of the gastric juice. And, 

 as a general rule, we may decide, from a parched and coated 

 tongue, that the condition of the stomach is not very dis- 

 similar, and that it is unfit for the performance of digestive 

 labor. This is one of the points which the physician bears 

 in mind when he examines the tongue of his patient. 



44. The practice of eating at short intervals, or " between 

 meals," as it is called, has its disadvantage, as well as rapid 

 eating and over-eating, since it robs the stomach of its needed 

 period of entire rest, and thus overtasks its power. With 

 the exception of infants and the sick, no persons require 

 food more frequently than once in four hours. Severe 

 exercise either directly before or directly after eating retards 

 digestion ; a period of repose is most favorable to the proper 

 action of the stomach. The natural inclination to rest 

 after a hearty meal may be indulged, but should not be 

 carried to the extent of sleeping; since in that state the 

 stomach, as well as the brain and the muscles, seeks re- 

 lease from labor. 



44. Eating between meals ? Severe exercise ? Sleep after meals } 



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