INDIGESTION.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2830, 11 March 1878, Page 3

INDIGESTION.

This distressing mtlndy is of so complex a nature, affecting various persons in various wnya, that advice ami treatment which would benefit oue would in no wr.y relieve another. As a great .-utTiT. r from this complaint for some timr. li >w rcr, I willingly give a few hint*, which in my own case have been benelicual: — Rise earl}' and sponge tlic entire bod . well with cold water —dry thoroughly with a good rough towel. Take a gentle walk before breakfast to circulate the blood, which in all dyspeptic subjects is rather stagnant. Eat a moderate breakfast of a light and nulritious nature, taking care thoroughly to masticate every particlo of food. This is Tcry important, as half the cases of indigestion are produced firstly through inattention to this principle. Avoid drinking the breakfast beverage too hot. Hoi drinks impnir the digestive organs. Some persons have found great benefit by taking a basinful of oatmeal porridge, boiled for an hour over night in an enamelled saucepan, and made just warm jwhen served up. Katen with brown bread this is decidedly nourishing, and is most easy of assimilation. Between breakfast nnd dinner have a single digestive or charcoal biscuit to prevent flatulency. At dinner eat just enough to satisfy nature's cravings, and no more. Let the meat be slightly under* done, and tho vegetables well done. Eschew pastry of all kinds, however tempting. Let the animal food be light and lean; all fatty substance is an abomination to the stomach. If possible do not drink, until an hour, or two after dinner, as all liquids taken with solid dilute, and thus weaken the fluids of the stomach. Pay the same attention to the tea as to the previous meals, refraining from toast, crumpets, tea-cakes, and all such spongy edibles. A glass of light ale or weak brandy and water drunk with a biscuit will do no harm for supper if taken not less than an hour before retiring. But three meals a day are ample for all. When undressed at night take a rough, dry towel and rub the body briskly from head to feet until the whole is in a warm glow. Perhaps more than a warm glow will be the result this tropical weather if the exertion be rigorous. But, nevertheless, this practice is most beneficial. • In cases of long-standing indigestion constipation is frequently very obstinate. It, is a mistake in such cases to fly to purgatives, oither mild or drastic. They enfeeble the mucous membrane, and the first dose necessitates a second, and so on. A good plan is to solicit nature every morning at one regular hour. For some days, or perhaps weeks, this may prove ineffectual, but perseverance will generally accomplish the desired result. If constipation be very obstinate the following will be found useful and harmless:— Twopenny-worth of essence of peppermint, loz of magnesia, loz of purified Epsom salts dissolved in a pint of tea made from loz of camomile flowers, and take a wineglassful whenever necessary. A little quinine added will serve as a tonic. Practice a rigorous abstention from pork, real, boiled beef, new bread, black beers of all kinds, an inordinate use of condiments, unripe fruit, smoking, excessive or insufficient exercise, and everything which common sense would regard as inexpedient. One thing more. If an unpleasant [ feeling should occur after meals in the lower region of the stomach, produce friction by gently rubbing this part with the hand. It arouses the action of the organs, and promotes digestion. If tho nerves be affected, which is frequently the case, avoid excitement, and eat liberally, but well masticate, celery and watercress, and drink a tea made from the flowers of the lime-tree or from sweetwort. These are simple, but powerful and efficacious nervotonics.—T. and 0. Journal.