EXERCISE AFTER MEALS. 57 



f food, the stomach was found to be dissolved in a sim- 

 ilar way. 



Emily. What effects has the process of digestion 

 on the other functions of the body ? From considering 

 its importance, and the extensive relations of the stom- 

 ach with other organs, it might be expected, I think, to 

 be felt in other parts of the system. One thing is cer- 

 tainly produced the feeling of a gratified appetite gives 

 to the mind a delicious sensation of tranquillity and self 

 satisfaction. 



Dr. B. The vital powers during digestion are said 

 to be concentrated on the stomach, and hence that sense 

 of lassitude and drowsiness which a full dinner frequently 

 occasions. A short nap at such times, is to many peo- 

 ple peculiarly refreshing, and undoubtedly facilitates di- 

 gestion. There is always more or less reluctance to 

 commence active exertion immediately after a full meal. 



Emily. Yet, Dr. B., a little exercise after a meal is 

 popularly considered as conducive to health. At least 

 that has been my belief. 



Dr. B. Physicians have generally eschewed all ex- 

 ercise directly after eating, chiefly on the strength of an 

 experiment periormed by Sir Busick Harwood. Two 

 pointers were fed on an equal quantity of the same food 

 one was suffered to go to his kennel, and lie down, 

 while the other was taken out to hunt. At the end of 

 two hours they were both killed and examined ; when 

 in the first the food was found very well digested, while 

 in the other it was scarcely altered. This experiment 

 however proves merely, that violent not moderate exer- 

 cise, is unfavorable to healthy digestion. 



But the truth of the matter is that the effects of 

 exercise after digestion, depend greatly on habit and con- 

 stitution. To sedentary people and others who have the 

 Command of their time, exercise after dinner is exceed- 

 ingly disagreeable, though after breakfast or supper they 

 can immediately go about their business with alacrity 



