Causes and treatment of imperfect digestion / by Arthur Leared.

  • Leared, Arthur, 1822-1879.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Causes and treatment of imperfect digestion / by Arthur Leared. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    138/292 (page 126)
    Luncheon.—Should the invalid adopt the plan just described of having slight refresh- ment on rising, and a substantial meal after- wards, luncheon will seldom be required, unless he dines very late. In any case, luncheon should always be of the lightest nature—something to stay, but not to satisfy the appetite—a rusk or biscuit; and should debility be felt, a glass of sherry or malt drink may be added. The natural action of the human stomach is intermittent, and the organ, when properly charged with aliment, should be allowed to dispose of its contents before any addition is made to them. The usual interval between our meals, which migrht appear arbitrary, is founded on physiological principles. In health the period of gastric digestion varies with the constitution of the individual, as well as the amount of exercise and the nature of food; but from four to six hours may be taken as its average duration. Dinner.—The time for this meal must be regulated by circumstances. If a substantial breakfast is made at nine or ten o'clock, three or four in the afternoon would be the natural