CHAPTER XVII.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

525. I Do not expect that those of my readers who enjoy what they consider good health, will be induced to test for themselves the truth of the views advocated in this work. They will perhaps say-"It is all very well for those to adopt a fruit and farinaceous diet, who find a necessity for so doing; but, as we possess excellent health, and enjoy our food, we are satisfied that a mixed diet agrees with us best; and, therefore, shall make no change, but let well alone.'" They may think that constitutions are different; and that the food which agrees with some, may not suit others. To such I would only observe, that the digestive and chylo-poietic organs of all men are formed after one type; and that constitutions differ merely by slight congenital peculiarities, modified by long habit; and these differences would prove no serious obstacle to the gradual adoption of a more natural diet. If fruit and farinacea be the natural and best food of man, there cannot be a doubt that all would find this diet more conducive to perfect health, real pleasure, and long life, than any other. But let no one

attempt the change, who is not convinced that great benefits are to be derived from it, or who is not determined to bear patiently the inconveniences that will be at first experienced. To commence requires great selfdenial and to reap all the pleasures and advantages that result, demands great perseverance. Unless, therefore, the mind be firmly resolved, the desire for more tasty and stimulating food will be continually recurring; and, so long as this is the case, no relish will be acquired for more simple fare. I should be sorry to induce any one to make such alterations in his mode of living, as would diminish his pleasures, or interfere with the real enjoyment of life; and must leave each to adopt that course, which he thinks will secure to him the most permanent felicity. "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." Many, however, who are suffering from disease, will be disposed to make trial of a diet which promises so many advantages; and it is to such that the following cautions and advice are more particularly addressed.

526. The generality of persons who have not lived on a full animal diet, may at once make the change, without experiencing much inconvenience: but others will find it safer to adopt a fruit and farinaceous diet by degrees; and to permit a few weeks to elapse, before they live on it exclusively. It has been already stated, that the gastric juice, and other secretions, vary with the character of the ingesta (82): slight indisposition, therefore, may attend any sudden change of diet. It has also been shown, that when a stimulating diet has been exchanged

for a simple and nutritious one, the circulation and respiration will probably become slower; the physical force may appear diminished; the frame may become languid, and the spirits less buoyant. No one, however, need be alarmed at these effects: they are but temporary, and will soon be succeeded by more agreeable sensations. Prejudices against an exclusively vegetable diet are so strong, that those who commence it are apt to attribute to its use every disagreeable feeling, and every deviation from health which they experience;-regardless of many other circumstances, which may have been the real cause. It must not be expected, that the trial of a few weeks, or even of a few months, will be sufficient to eradicate any serious disease: some progress may be made in that time, but Nature is slow in all her operations; and it is necessary that the whole of the blood, and a considerable portion of the tissues should be renewed, before a complete state of health can be expected. In simpler and less dangerous disorders, a state of convalescence is very often produced remarkably soon. Medicine may, in many cases, succeed in effecting a cure much more rapidly; but without a proper attention to diet, there is continual danger of a recurrence. Those who have been in the habit of taking much animal food, should commence the change with farinaceous articles, or preparations from them, (such as rice, sago, barley, wheaten flour, oatmeal, potatoes, &c.,) rather than with fruits, either ripe or preserved; but these will be found very beneficial if gradu ally introduced. Care should be taken that the bread employed is not made from flour of too fine a quality; as

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it very frequently produces constipation. Undressed meal is decidedly the most wholesome (223).

527. No operations are more necessary to be performed by the vegetable-eater, than due mastication and insalivation; for unless these important processes be attended to, indigestion is almost sure to be the consequence. Chymification commences in the stomach on the surface of each individual fragment of food; consequently the smaller the particles into which it is comminuted by the teeth, the sooner it will be digested (211). The saliva has a considerable influence on farinaceous food; and the glands which secrete it are large in all herbivorous and frugivorous animals (32). This fluid is alkaline; and it is worthy of remark, that when any of the alkalies are taken for the purpose of neutralizing morbid acidity of the stomach, the nature of the saliva is entirely changed, and it assumes quite an opposite property. Many, therefore, produce serious mischief by neglecting to employ an antidote supplied by nature; while they officiously substitute artificial preparations. Acidity, heartburn, &c., would frequently be easily removed, if the patient would voluntarily excite an increased flow of saliva, and continue to swallow it for a few minutes; but this would seldom be necessary if proper food were used, and carefully masticated.

528. Each meal should be completely digested before another is taken; and a period of repose should always succeed a period of activity. When the sensation of hunger is experienced in less

time than six hours after

each meal, it may be generally considered as a morbid

craving, dependant on imperfect chylification;-in consequence of the too frequent ingestion of food, interrupting the ventricular and cœcal digestion. The faintness usually experienced by the dyspeptic, is only increased by frequent eating, and is most readily removed by fasting.

529. Moderate exercise in the open air, for the purpose of assisting the various secretions, is another essential requisite for the production and maintenance of good health. None can long neglect this rule with impunity; but a sedentary life is certainly not so detrimental to those who live on vegetable food, as to those who live on an animal or mixed diet; for reasons already stated (195, 196, 202). Unless sufficient oxygen be supplied to the lungs, by daily exercise in the open air, the products of decomposition fail to be removed in sufficient quantity for the maintenance of a healthy state; and the assimilation of new matter is impeded. Without exercise, also, "the contractile power of the heart and large arteries is feebly exerted; and, though sufficient to carry the blood to the ultimate tissue, it is nevertheless not strong enough to carry it through with the rapidity necessary for health. The ultimate tissue being thus filled faster than it is emptied, congestion takes place in those delicate and important vessels which compose it; as well as in the large veins, the office of which is to convey the blood from this tissue to the heart. One of the chief conditions of the body, in that general ill state of health usually denominated indigestion', is congestion of blood in the ultimate tissue of our organs; the brain, the lungs, the spinal marrow, the stomach, the ganglionic system, the liver, bowels, and