296 , On Chro?iic Debility 



some constant employment should be furnished, an em- 

 ployment requiring considerable exercise of body, with- 

 out occasioning severe fatigue ; which will moderately 

 rouse and occupy the mind, without producing anxiety ; 

 which will excite hope, and furnish variety and amuse- 

 ment. The disordered mind has a real and important 

 influence on the body and whatever promotes cheerful- 

 ness or inspires hope, benefits the health. Most dyspep- 

 tic persons being fond of secluding themselves from com- 

 pany, pains should be taken to drav/ them away from 

 themselves, and to entice them into frequent conversa- 

 tion with cheerful and agreeable people. In connexion 

 with this, other exercise must be taken of a pleasant na- 

 ture, and as m.uch as can be borne, without inducing se- 

 vere fatigue. 



In what way is exercise useful in such cases, it may be 

 asked ? I answer by strengthening the whole muscular 

 system, and by improving all the secretions, but especial- 

 ly the gastric liquor and the bile ; while it also diverts 

 the mind from a dangerous attention to the disease of 

 which it partakes, and frequently furnishes an agreeable 

 novelty and variety. That exercise strengthens the 

 muscles, may be easily evinced. Every one knows, that 

 it increases greatly the circulation of the blood, and in 

 this w^ay an additional quantity of nutriment is added to 

 the solids ; it also sharpens the appetite, and renders the 

 digestion more vigorous. Of course a larger quantity 

 of nutriment is derived from a given quantity of food. 

 The same truth is evident, from facts, obvious to every 

 observer. Thus certain mechanical employments, which 

 call into frequent or constant daily action, particular 

 muscles, occasion in them considerable enlargement, 

 and an increase of strength. The whole muscular sys- 

 tem of a labouring man, other things being equal, is vast- 

 ly stronger, than of a man confined to light and easy 

 employments. That exercise improves the secretions, 

 any one may be satisfied by attending to its effects upon 

 himself. The secretion from the axillary glands it is well 

 known, is greatly increased in quantity, and rendered far 

 more odorous, by hard labor, or by any kind of exercise 

 that moves the arm to an unusual degree, such as riding 



