CHAPTEK X 



CONDIMENTS 



MiTCHBL Bruce * says that " the aromatic volatile oils are in 

 the mouth antiseptic, and also increase the circulation of the 

 blood, exciting the nerves of taste and smell (flavour) power- 

 fully. Several results of the first importance in digestion 

 follow, viz., increase of saliva, reflex increase of blood to the 

 surface of the stomach, stimulation of appetite, increase of 

 relish by pleasing flavour, in a word desire for, enjoyment 

 of, and digestion of food. In the stomach the effect on the 

 vessels and nerves is continued, and here it is generally 

 described as carminative. Besides causing increased flow of 

 gastric juice by stimulation of the mouth, these substances 

 are powerful stomachics in several ways. The blood vessels 

 of the surface of the stomach are dilated and the nerves of 

 the same are first excited, then soothed ; the contents of the 

 stomach, if decomposing as in dyspepsia, are partially 

 disinfected. Their reflex influence is equally important. The 

 muscular coat of the stomach is stimulated, thus increasing 

 gastric movement, expelling flatulence. Thus they are 

 general stimulants. In the intestines they are still found 

 partly unabsorbed, increasing local functions, stimulating 

 intestinal movements, and expelling flatus. They thus 



% (( 



Materia Medica," p. 243. 



