Remarks on fasting, and on the discipline of the body : in a letter to a clergyman / by a physician.

Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on fasting, and on the discipline of the body : in a letter to a clergyman / by a physician. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    time very practicable, is to retire at eleven o'clock, or half-past, and to rise at six, or at latest seven. I may remark, that early rising affords the means of exercising self-control and self-discipline in a very useful way. There are very few who cannot bear to give up one or two hours from their morning sleep; on the contrary, most persons derive great benefit from curtailing sleep at that period. On the other hand, it is well known to medical men, that sitting up late, or contracting one's hours of sleep by late watchingv is frequently most pernicious, inducing palpitations, debility, and nervous excitement. I would next remark, that any great departure from such a course, as that above laid down, must, sooner or later, tell unfavourably upon health. I fear that the generality of persons are apt to err on the side of excess, and not only do they take too much, but they eat too quickly, and without sufficient mastication,—a preliminary to di- gestion very necessary for the perfect exercise of that function. To such persons, the observance of the Church's fasts must prove extremely beneficial, if for nothing else, at least for their bodily health. The weekly fast on Fridays, and on the other days appointed by the Church, not only gives rest to their digestive organs, but it may also wean them from many bad customs in their habitual mode of living. This class of persons, I need scarcely re- mark, may be safely advised to observe the Church's fasts regularly, and you may say to them, in the