INDIGESTION. 



celebrated Portland Po\vdi>r, for the cure of the gout : a very 

 large number of tliofe perfons who took that medicine, which 

 confided of bitters and aromatics, having died of apoplexy, 

 Gr fome other fevere difcafe, after having been apparently 

 much benefited by its nfe. When thefe medicines are taken, 

 therefore, with a view to reftore the tone and vigour of the 

 fiomach, it is advifablenotto employ them unremittingly for 

 a great length of time ; but to fufpend the ufe of them occa- 

 fionally for a confiderable period, fubllituting fome other 

 corroborant medicines, if neceflity require them. Among 

 thefe the mineral ad^s are important adjuvants, efpecially the 

 fiilphuric (or vitriolic) and muriatic acids ; which have not 

 only a direct tonic power upon the ftomach, incrcafe the ap- 

 petite, and aid digeftion, but alfo tend to prevent tiie procefs 

 of fermentation in the food taken in. In this way, pro- 

 bably, their efficacy in preventing the formation of acidity in 

 file [iomach, and tlie heart -bum. Sec. arifing from fuch aci- 

 dity, is to he explained. It is certain, that, in many in- 

 ftances, where the alkalies and abforbcnts Iiave failed to ob- 

 viate acidity and its confequeuces, connefted with indigeftion, 

 tlie free ufe of one or other of the mineral acids has 

 eifeftually remedied the diforder. ylrcmalic fubltances ftimu- 

 Jate the ilomach, and frequently therefore relieve accfcency, 

 flatulence, and carjialgia ; e. g. cinnamon, ginger, capfi- 

 cum, &c. but their ftimulus is tranfitory, and if they are 

 frequently repeated, and taken in large quantities, they may 

 injure the tone of the ftomach. Chalyheaie medicines, or the 

 Tarious preparations of iron, ai-e often employed as tonics, 

 in the cure of indigeftion ; and they may be adminiftered in 

 tonfiderable quantities with fafety. They have not, how- 

 ever, been found foefScacious in the cure of indigeftion, as 

 the remedies above-mentioned ; and they are principally taken 

 in the form of chalybeate tuaters. But it is certain that thefe 

 waters contain in general a vei-y fmall proportion of fteel ; 

 and that other preparations of the fteel are adminiftered in 

 much larger quantities without producing thofe falutary 

 effeds, which are often afcribed to tlie r.iineral wEters ; it is, 

 therefore, probable that the benefits, which are obferved to 

 accrue during the ufe of thefe waters, are generally the re- 

 fult of other circumitances connefted with the drinking of 

 them. 



For, in fact, the moft eflential means of fulfilling the third 

 indication are thofe which flrengthen the fyftem at large, and 

 thus indirectly reftore the vigour of the ftomach ; and among 

 thefe, exercije claims our firft notice. We have ftiewn, in its 

 proper place, the mode in which exercii'e operates, in pro- 

 moting the full and perfect circidation of the fluids through 

 all the organs of the body, and therefore in perfec\ing the 

 performance of all the funftions. (See Exkiuise.) But 

 we may remark, with Dr. Ciillcn, that it in a particulnr 

 manner ftrengthens the ftomach by promoting perfpiration, 

 and excilinj; the aftion of the velTels on the furface of the 

 body, the fkin having a pccuhar fympathy with tlie ftomach. 

 In this intlance, however, as in every other operation of the 

 animal economy, moderation muft be the leadmg rule ; for, 

 although the fteady and free circulation through the cuta- 

 neous velfels conduces to a fympathctic f.ipport of the aftion 

 of the itomach ; yet excefiive perfpiration, arihng from over- 

 aftion of thefe veffels, is followed by a languor and partial 

 torpor, which is alfo communicated to the ftomach ; info- 

 much that fickocfs, and total lofs of appetite are often the 

 immediate refiJts of violent extrcife, attended with profufc 

 perfpiration. Regular exercife on horfeback has been gene- 

 rally found the moll efTefinal means of Itrengthening the 

 itomach, and of curing indigeftion. 



Cold bathing is anotlier important mode of reftoring both 

 rtneral aud Ivcal vigour ; bat uolcfs it be lelorted to with 



fome difcrimination, like other a£live agents upon the aniirsl 

 frame, it may be productive of much detriment. In order 

 to iibtain benefit from the external application of cold, a 

 certain degree of vigour in the circulation, efpecially in the 

 vefll-ls of the fl^in, fiiould be prcfent. In the dyfpeptic 

 ftate, the temperature of the (Ivin is liable to be defcdtive, 

 and tlie cutaneous circulation to be feeble ; and under fuch 

 circumftances, fo far from giving ftrength te the conftitution, 

 or to the ftomach, the powers of life are depreffed by the 

 ufe of the cold bath, and the digcftive organs fympathize in 

 the torpor, produced in the fkin. The tepid or w arm bath 

 is more beneficial when this condition of the fyftem exifts, 

 and the baths of Buxton and Matlock may be reforted to 

 with advantage ; the fame principle, liowcver, muft be kept 

 in view in the ufe of thefe j which niuil not be entered with & 

 chilly and ftiuddering furface ; nor the immerlion be repeated, 

 if a glow dues not fucceed. See Cold, as a remedx. 



In confequence of the great fympatliy betw een t!ie ilomsch 

 and the flcin, the proper regulation of the chlhing is a matter 

 of confiderable importance to thofe who are liable to indi- 

 geftion ; and as the temperature, though variable, is mofl 

 frequently below the ftandard of health, fo in general warmth 

 is a neceffary quality to be maintained. This is moft parti- 

 cularly required in the extremities, in which the circulation 

 is neceflarily moft languid, in confequence of the greater 

 diftance from the heart ; warmth and drynefs of the feet, 

 therefore, are peculiarly ferviceable in the cure and preven- 

 tion of dyfpepfia ; and for thole whufe temperature is eafily 

 diminilhed by external cold, the general ftimulus and flow- 

 condudting power of woollen garments, worn next the fkin 

 during the winter months, may be confidercd as affording 

 much fecurity from the attacks of indigeftion. But as pro- 

 fufe perfpiration is generally accompanied by fome degree of 

 fympathctic debihty in tlie ftomach, thefe garments fhould 

 not be ufed, during the hot feafons, by thofe whofe ikin is 

 readily brought into a perfpirable ftate. 



A relaxation of the mind from the anxieties of bufinefs 

 and the fatigues of ftudy, and the pnrfi'it of objects of 

 amufement, contribute materially to the well-being of the 

 animal economy, and efpecially to the proper performance of 

 the digeftive functions. This object is more particularly to 

 be confidcred, when there is a tendency to hypochondriafis. 

 And as we have already obfeived, it is probably from the 

 auiufcments and regular exercife, which are generally enjoyed 

 at watering places, as they are called, that more benefits ac- 

 crue to the dyfpeptic invahds, than from the virtues of the 

 mineral fpriugs, thefe places of refort may be recom- 

 mended. 



Before -^-e conclude this topic, it may be proper to flate, 

 that feveral contemporary phyficians and furgeons have ob- 

 ferved, thai a difordered condition of the digeftive organs, 

 however induced, becomes the caufe of many fecondary 

 difeafes, both general and local ; fucli as fuperficial ulcera- 

 tions, pains, tumours, &c. ; which fpontaneoufly ceafe, 

 when the diforder of the digeftive organs is removed. We 

 may remark, however, that it is not eveiT- diforder of di- 

 geftion which is followed by thefe confequences ; and that it 

 is rather in the morbid condition of the biliary fecretion, than 

 of the ftomach itfclf, that the diforder alUided to confifts. 

 Its fyinptoms are thus defcribed by Mr. Aberncthy. " This 

 (lighter diforder of the chylopoietic organs is, in general, 

 manifeftcd by a diminution of the appetite and digeftioa, 

 flatulence, and an unnatural colour and factor of the excre- 

 tionSj which are generally deficient in quantity. The tongue 

 is dry, whi'.ifli, or furred, particularly at the back part : 

 this fymptoin is moft apparent in the morning. The fur is 

 greateft at the back part, and extends along the middle of 

 3 the 



