382 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



the stomach ; but it does this also in a particular manner, by 

 promoting perspiration, and exciting the action of the vessels on 

 the surface of the body, which have a particular consent with the 

 muscular fibres of the stomach. This particularly explains why 

 the exercises of gestation, though not the most powerful in 

 strengthening the whole system, are, however, very powerful in 

 strengthening the stomach ; of which we have a remarkable 

 proof in the effects of sailing. In strengthening the general sys- 

 tem, as fatigue must be avoided, so bodily exercise is of ambigu- 

 ous use ; and perhaps it is thereby, that riding on horseback has 

 been so often found to be one of the most powerful means of 

 strengthening the stomach, and thereby of curing dyspepsia. 

 " As a bodily exercise, I can say, that walking has good effects. 

 I have always thought it necessary to contrive other amuse- 

 ments or business : and there are several instances of persons, 

 who have long laboured under weakness of the stomach, cured 

 by undertaking the overseeing of their farm, which obliges them 

 to be much in fresh air, and in constant gentle motion. I have 

 cured weak stomachs by engaging the persons in the study of 

 Botany, and particularly in the investigation of our native plants, 

 and in other gentle and long-continued amusements, such as our 

 amusement of golf'* 



MCCXVIII. The other general remedy of dyspepsia is the 

 application of cold ; which may be in two ways ; that is, either 

 by the application of cold air, or of cold water. It is probable, 

 that, in the atmosphere constantly surrounding our bodies, a cer- 

 tain degree of cold, considerably less than the temperature of 

 our bodies themselves, is necessary to the health of the human 

 body. Such a degree of cold seems to strengthen the vessels 

 on the surface of the body, and therefore the muscular fibres of 

 the stomach. But, further, it is well known, that, if the body 

 is in exercise sufficient to support such a determination to the 

 surface as to prevent the cold from producing an entire con- 

 striction of the pores, a certain degree of cold in the atmosphere, 

 with such exercise, will render the perspiration more considerable. 

 From the sharp appetite that, in such circumstances, is com- 

 monly produced, we can have no doubt, that, by the applica- 

 tion of such cold, the tone of the stomach is considerably strength- 

 ened. Cold air, therefore, applied with exercise, is a most 



2 



