Epilepsy, Hysteria, and Neurasthenia by Isaac G. Briggs
page 68 of 164 (41%)
page 68 of 164 (41%)
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Water may be drunk with meals, provided it is drunk between eating, and not while masticating, for it has decidedly beneficial effects upon the digestive functions. Water is usually forbidden with meals because if patients drink while eating, the water usurps the functions of saliva, and moistens the bolus, which is then swallowed with little or no mastication. If you cannot drink between mouthfuls, then drink only between meals. _Never drink while food is in the mouth!_ After the meal, lie down on the right side for half an hour, _resting_, and so directing all available nerve-energy to getting digestion well under way. Indifferent appetites must be tempted by wholesome dishes made up in a variety of enticing ways. Fats are good, but must be taken in a tasty form. Eat fruit deluged with cream. The crux of digestion is to "_Chew_! CHEW!! and KEEP ON CHEWING!!!" for until food is thoroughly masticated there will be no relief. The only part of the whole digestive process placed under the control of consciousness is mastication, and, paradoxically, it is the only part that consciousness usually ignores. A healthy man never knows he has a stomach; a dyspeptic never knows he has anything else, because he will not _eat_ his food, but throws it into his stomach as the average bachelor throws his belongings into a trunk. A varied, tasty diet, thoroughly chewed and salivated, with rest before and after meals, is the only means of curing dyspepsia, for no medicine can |
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