and functions of our digestive and assimilating organs, and that, therefore, instead of continuing their use, and merely resorting to purgatives to excite an action for the removal of a residue which does not exist, reason requires that we should select a diet better adapted to the constitution and laws of the organization by which it is to be acted upon. The same remark applies to those who are accustomed to dine chiefly on animal food, and rice or bread, without any sufficient admixture of herbaceous or other innutritious substances. If, in such circumstances, the aliment is almost entirely converted into nourishment and absorbed, it follows, as a matter of necessity, that little will remain to be thrown out of the body, and that the bowels will act less than with a different kind of diet. If the state of the constitution at the time be such as to require the exclusive use of this kind of aliment, forced action of the bowels by purgatives will not be needed, because their slowness will be natural and healthy. But if it be not, then the proper remedy is, not to excite the bowels by irritating purgatives, but to remove the cause of the intestinal inactivity by changing the system of diet. It may be answered to this, that there are many instances in which the stomach is unable to digest any vegetable or innutritious food, and in which, consequently, the diet cannot be altered without injury. I admit that, in the present state of society, cases of this kind are common; but their number would be greatly reduced if a proper mode of life were systematically adopted, and that regard paid to the conditions of health which their intrinsic importance deserves. There are very few individuals who, when in health, and with the aid of a proper regimen, cannot digest aliment suited to the natural constitution of the stomach and bowels; and when such cases do occur, they constitute exceptions to the general rule, and must, of course, be treated either by the use of laxatives, or such other remedies as the circumstances may require.