A certain degree of Heat is absolutely necessary to excite and support a regular process of Digestion;--when the Circulation is languid, and the food difficult of solution, in Aged persons and Invalids,--_External Heat_ will considerably assist Concoction, and the application of this califacient concave will enable the Digestive organs to overcome refractory materials,--and convert them into laudable Chyle.
Unless the Constitution is so confoundedly debilitated, that the Circulation cannot run alone--_Abstinence_[70] is the easiest--cheapest--and best cure for the disorders which arise from _Indigestion_ or _Intemperance_. I do not mean what Celsus calls the first degree of it, "when the sick man takes nothing," but the second, "when he takes nothing but what he ought."
The Chylopoietic organs are uncomfortable when entirely unoccupied,--when the Stomach is too tired to work, and too weak to be employed on actual service,--it desires something to be introduced to it, that will entertain it till it recovers its energy.
After INTEMPERATE FEASTING one day, let the food of the following day be Liquid, or of such materials as are easy of solution.
Various expedients have been recommended for preventing and relieving the disorders arising from too copious libations of "the Regal purple Stream."
When a good fellow has been sacrificing rather too liberally at the shrine of the Jolly God, the best remedy to help the Stomach to get rid of its burthen, is to take for Supper some GRUEL, (No. 572, _see Index_,) with half an ounce of Butter, and a teaspoonful of _Epsom Salt_ in it; or two or three _Peristaltic Persuaders_,--which some Gastropholists take as a provocative to appetite, about an hour before Dinner.
Some persons take as a "_sequitur_" a drachm of _Carbonate of Soda_.
Others a teaspoonful of _Calcined Magnesia_:--when immediate relief is required, never administer this uncertain medicine, which, if the Stomach has no Acid ready to dissolve it,--will remain inert; it must be taken, only when _Heart-burn_ and symptoms of Acidity are manifest.
As a _Finale_ to the day of the Feast, or the _Overture_ of the day after, take (No. 481*,) or two drachms of _Epsom Salt_ in half a pint of _Beef Tea_,--or some _Tincture of Rhubarb_ in hot water,--the first thing to be done, is to endeavour to get rid of the offending material.