The Royal Road to Health; or, the Secret of Health Without DrugsTyrrell, Chas. A. (Charles Alfred)
Science
The Royal Road to Health; or, the Secret of Health Without Drugs
Tyrrell, Chas. A. (Charles Alfred)
Enema; Health; Health -- Popular works; Health promotion; Hygiene
Here we have one of the most ancient races of the earth--a race that has
endured the most terrible persecutions that ever befell a people, yet
have survived it all, and are to-day a robust and unusually prolific
race; while intellectually and morally they are surpassed by none. They
are a greater power in the world than any other race, by reason of their
skill in finance and natural business instincts. There is no question
but that the sanitary system of living established by Moses has been the
principle factor in perpetuating this hardy race; and a mixed diet was
and is an integral part of that system. It may also be confidently
claimed that the teachings of the Bible, along these lines, have been in
a large degree responsible for the position occupied by the Christian
nations in the world to-day.
However, we have no desire to impose our views upon our readers, and
having given expression to our sentiments, we return to the main
question.
Having disposed of the question, “what to eat,” we will consider
another matter, almost equally important, and that is:
HOW TO EAT.
The one fundamental principle underlying this question is thorough
mastication, and we cannot too strongly impress upon our readers the
necessity for its proper observance. We have already stated that
digestion commences in the mouth--that by the action of the saliva, the
starchy matter in food is converted into glucose. It is therefore
necessary that the saliva should be brought into intimate contact with
every part of the bolus; and for that purpose thorough mastication is
absolutely necessary. In addition, the separation of the food into small
fragments, by the teeth, assists stomach digestion, by permitting the
gastric juice freer access to the food. It is stated that Mr. Gladstone
formed the habit of thorough mastication by making it a rule to count
thirty-two while masticating each mouthful. Mastication need not be slow
to be thorough, although there is an impression to that effect, for, as
a matter of fact, quick and vigorous chewing excites the salivary glands
to more energetic action.
Drinking at meals should be avoided as much as possible, and whenever
any digestive trouble is present, not only should no liquids accompany
the meal, but nothing in the form of fluids should be partaken of within
half an hour preceding or following a meal. The philosophy of this is
apparent, when we reflect that all digestive disturbances are
accompanied by imperfect secretion of the gastric juices, and to dilute
them with an excess of fluid is to weaken its power of action on the
food. It is as if a man, when attempting to dissolve a piece of metal in
a powerful acid, should deliberately add water to the acid, and thereby
arrest, wholly or in part, the process of decomposition. It is plain,
therefore, that although the practice of drinking at meals may help the
food to pass more easily down the æsophagus, yet it must inevitably
retard digestion when it reaches the stomach.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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