of the Stomach. 297 



on horseback, cutting wood, &c. The sweat and ear 

 wax of laboring people, is altered in like manner, and 

 Ukc^TjpsCjthe milk of the female. The bile also is great- 

 ly im'proved in its quality, and often increased in its quan- 

 tit}', by the same cause. May we not reasonably infer 

 the same of the gastric liquor ? 



\^^latever be tliought of this reasoning, the fact that 

 exercise greatly benefits the health, will not be disputed. 

 In many instances this alone j or in conjunction with a 

 greater or less number of the several things before re- 

 commended, has effected a complete cure. Exercise in- 

 creases the appetite, prevents acidity and wind from for- 

 ming in the alimentary canal, removes eostiveness, and 

 thus destroys vertigo, head ache, pain in the eyes, catarrh, 

 cough and discouragement; and greatly lessens or whol- 

 ly removes all the other morbid symptoms. One day's 

 riding on horseback will almost invariably relieve me 

 from eostiveness for the time, however obstinate, and a 

 a long journey usually throws it off, for a considerable 

 period. The Vv'orst case of stomach cough which I have 

 ever known was wholly cured by riding on horseback a 

 few days. I have also known repeated instances, of 

 weakness and pain in the eyes, which regularly became 

 better or worse as the patient increased or diminished 

 his exercise. For man in his present state, that sentence 

 denounced on him at the fall, that he should "earn his 

 bread by the sweat of his brow," is one of the greatest 

 temporal blessings ever conferred on him by his Maker. 

 Exercise is the natural state of man. All healthy little 

 children vv^hen suffered to pursue their own inclinations 

 are, when awake, in almost constant motion.. As soon 

 as they are able they set their hands and their feet, and 

 their bodies in exercise. Those parents who tie their 

 children in a chair, or confine them habitually in any way^ 

 do them a great injury. 



How long a time should exercise be persevered in, it 

 may be asked ? I answer as long as life remains. The 

 life of a person afflicted with severe permanent debility 

 of the stomach is, like the christian race, a state of con- 

 tinual warfare. In many instances all that may have 

 been gained hitherto, will without unceasing persever- 



L 



