Now-a-days, Babies are brought to table after Dinner by Children of larger growth—to drink Wine,—which has as bad an effect on their tender susceptible stomachs, as the like quantity of Alcohol would produce upon an Adult.
Wine has been called “the Milk of Old Age,” so “Milk is the Wine of Youth.” As Dr. Johnson observed, it is much easier to be abstinent than to be temperate—and no man should habitually take Wine as Food till he is past 30 years of age64 at least;—happy is He who preserves this best of Cordials in reserve, and only takes it to support his Mind and Heart when distressed by anxiety and fatigue. That which may be a needful stimulus at 40 or 50, will inflame the Passions into madness at 20 or 30—and at an earlier period is absolute Poison.
Among other innumerable Advantages which the Water-drinker enjoys, remember he saves at least Fifty Guineas per annum—which the Beer and Wine drinker wastes—as much to the detriment of his health, as the diminution of his Finances: moreover, nothing deteriorates the sense of Taste so soon as strong liquors—the Water-drinker enjoys an exquisite sensibility of Palate, and relish for plain food, that a Wine-drinker has no idea of.
Some people make it a rule to drink a certain number of Glasses of Wine during and after dinner, whether they are dry, or languid, or not—this is as ridiculous as it would be to eat a certain number of Mutton Chops whether you are hungry or not. The effect produced by Wine is seldom the same, even in the same person—and depends on the state of the animal spirits at the time—whether the stomach be full or empty, &c.
The more simply Life is supported, and the less Stimulus we use, the better—and Happy are the Young and Healthy who are wise enough to be convinced that Water is the best drink, and Salt the best sauce.
But in Invalids past the Meridian of Life, we believe as much mischief is going on when our Pulse hobbles along as if the Heart was too tired to carry on the Circulation, as can possibly be done to the constitution by taking such a portion of Wine as will remove the collapse—and excite the mainspring of Life to vibrate with healthful vigour.
The following is the Editor’s plan of taking liquid food at Dinner,—when he cannot get Good Beer:—he has two wine glasses of Sherry, or one of Whiskey65, or Brandy, (No. 471), and three-fourths of a pint of good Toast and Water, (No. 463), (which when Dyspeptic he has warmed to about Summer Heat, i. e. 75 of Fahrenheit,) and puts a wine-glass of Sherry, or half a glass of Whiskey, &c. into half a pint of the water, and the other glass of Sherry, or half glass of Whiskey, &c. into the remaining quarter pint—thus increasing the strength of the liquid towards the conclusion of Dinner, after which he drinks from two to four glasses of Port or Sherry—as Instinct suggests the state of the circulation requires—if it be very languid, a Liqueur glass of Johnson’s66 Witte Curaçoa67 is occasionally recommended as a renovating Bonne Bouche—about a quarter of an hour after dinner, he lies down on a Sofa, and sleeps for about half an hour—this has been his custom for the last twenty years—half an hour’s horizontal posture is more restorative to him—than if he had sat up and drank three or four more glasses of wine.
As to the Wholesomeness of various Wines68,—that depends on the integrity and skill of the Wine-maker,—and upon the peculiar state of the stomach of the Wine-drinker:—when my Stomach is not in Good Temper,—it generally desires to have Red Wine,—but when in best Health,—nothing affronts it more than to put Port into it—and one of the first symptoms of its coming into adjustment, is a wish for White Wine.
One of the chief causes of that derangement of the Stomach, which delicate and aged persons so constantly complain of after Dining out—is the drinking of Wines, &c. which they are unused to.
White, deserve to be preferred to Red Wines,—because the latter being harder pressed, and subjected to a stronger fermentation to extract the colouring matter from the husks of the Grape, are more loaded with feculence.
Of Red Wines, Claret is the best; and it is to be lamented, that the Duty imposed upon it is so great, that to moderate fortunes it amounts to a prohibition—when we make this observation, we do not mean to impeach the prudence which has induced those who no doubt best understand the subject,—to determine that political necessity imperatively decrees that the delightful and salubrious wines of France—must be taxed twice as high as the coarse unwholesome wines of Portugal.
Of the White Wines, we believe that Sherry is the most easy—and Madeira the most difficult to obtain genuine—most of the Sweet Wines are as artificially compounded, as the Beers of this country; the addition of Capillaire to Port wine, makes what is commonly called Tent. Mountain, Calcavella, &c. are made up in the same manner.
For further Illustrations of this subject, see Accum on Adulterations, 2d Edition, 12mo. 1820.
An Inquiry into the Effects of Fermented Liquors, by a Water-drinker, 2d Edit. 1818.
Sandford’s Remarks on Wine. Worcester, 1799.
Lettsom, on the Effects of Hard Drinking.
Trotter, on Drunkenness, 1804.
Accum’s Art of making English Wine, 1820.
Carnell, on Family Wine Making, 1814.
Accum, on Brewing, 1820.
Rawlinson, on Brewing in Small Quantities,—printed for Johnson, 1807, price 1s.; and Home Brewed Ale, printed for Robinson, 1804, price 2s.
Facts Proving Water the best Beverage. Printed by Smeeton, in St. Martin’s Lane.
Manuel de Sommelier, par A. Jullien, Paris, 1817.
“Suaviter in modo, sed fortiter in re.”
Not one Constitution in a thousand, is so happily constructed or is constantly in such perfect adjustment, that the operations of the Abdominal Viscera (on which every other movement of the system depends) proceed with healthful regularity.
The following hints will point out to the Reader, how to employ Art to afford that assistance to Nature, which in Indisposition and Age, is so often required, and will teach him to counteract in the most prompt and agreeable manner—the effects of those accidental deviations from strict Temperance,—which sometimes overcome the most abstemious philosopher—when the seducing charms of Conviviality tempt him to forego the prudent maxims of his cooler moments.
They will help those who have delicate Constitutions, to obtain their fair share of Health and Strength,—and instruct the Weak, so to economize the powers they have, that they may enjoy Life as well as the Strong.
To humour that desire for the marvellous, which is so universal in medical (as well as in other) matters,—the makers of Aperient Pills generally select the most Drastic Purgatives, which operating considerably in a dose of a few grains, excite admiration in the Patient, and faith in their powers, in proportion as a small dose produces a great effect,—who seldom considers how irritating such materials must be,—and consequently how injurious to a Stomach in a state of Debility, and perhaps deranged by indulging Appetite beyond the bounds of moderation.
Indigestion will sometimes overtake the most experienced Epicure;—when the gustatory nerves are in good humour, Hunger and Savoury Viands will sometimes seduce the Tongue of a “Grand Gourmand” to betray the interest of his Stomach69 in spite of his Brains.
On such an unfortunate occasion,—whether the intestinal commotion be excited by having eaten too much, or too strong food—lie down—have your Tea early after Dinner—and drink it warm.
This is a hint to help the Invalid, whose digestion is so delicate, that it is sometimes disordered by a Meal of the strictest Temperance. If the anxiety, &c. about the Stomach does not speedily abate, apply the “Stomach Warmer.” This valuable companion to Aged and Gouty Subjects, may be procured at No. 58, Haymarket.
A certain degree of Heat is absolutely necessary to excite and support a regular process of Digestion;—when the Circulation is languid, and the food difficult of solution, in Aged persons and Invalids,—External Heat will considerably assist Concoction, and the application of this califacient concave will enable the Digestive organs to overcome refractory materials,—and convert them into laudable Chyle.
Unless the Constitution is so confoundedly debilitated, that the Circulation cannot run alone—Abstinence70 is the easiest—cheapest—and best cure for the disorders which arise from Indigestion or Intemperance. I do not mean what Celsus calls the first degree of it, “when the sick man takes nothing,” but the second, “when he takes nothing but what he ought.”
The Chylopoietic organs are uncomfortable when entirely unoccupied,—when the Stomach is too tired to work, and too weak to be employed on actual service,—it desires something to be introduced to it, that will entertain it till it recovers its energy.
After intemperate Feasting one day, let the food of the following day be Liquid, or of such materials as are easy of solution.
Various expedients have been recommended for preventing and relieving the disorders arising from too copious libations of “the Regal purple Stream.”
When a good fellow has been sacrificing rather too liberally at the shrine of the Jolly God, the best remedy to help the Stomach to get rid of its burthen, is to take for Supper some Gruel, (No. 572, see Index,) with half an ounce of Butter, and a teaspoonful of Epsom Salt in it; or two or three Peristaltic Persuaders,—which some Gastropholists take as a provocative to appetite, about an hour before Dinner.
Some persons take as a “sequitur” a drachm of Carbonate of Soda.
Others a teaspoonful of Calcined Magnesia:—when immediate relief is required, never administer this uncertain medicine, which, if the Stomach has no Acid ready to dissolve it,—will remain inert; it must be taken, only when Heart-burn and symptoms of Acidity are manifest.
As a Finale to the day of the Feast, or the Overture of the day after, take (No. 481*,) or two drachms of Epsom Salt in half a pint of Beef Tea,—or some Tincture of Rhubarb in hot water,—the first thing to be done, is to endeavour to get rid of the offending material.
A Breakfast of Beef Tea71 (No. 563,) is an excellent Restorative;—when the Languor following Hard Drinking is very distressing, indulge in the horizontal posture; (see Siesta, p. 94;) nothing relieves it so effectually, or so soon cheers the Circulation, and sets all right;—get an early Luncheon of restorative Broth or Soup.
Hard Drinking is doubly debilitating, when pursued beyond the usual hour of retiring to Rest.
Those devotees to the Bottle, who never suffer the orgies of Bacchus to encroach on the time which Nature demands for Sleep,—escape with impunity, many of the evils which soon—and irreparably—impair the Health of the Midnight reveller.
A facetious observer of the inordinate degree in which some people will indulge their Palate, to the gratification of which they sacrifice all their other senses,—recommends such to have their Soup seasoned with a tasteless purgative, as the Food of insane persons sometimes is, and so prepare their bowels for the hard work they are going to give them!!
To let the Stomach have a holiday occasionally—i. e. a Liquid diet, of Broth and Vegetable Soup, is one of the most agreeable and most wholesome ways of restoring its Tone.
If your Appetite72 be languid, take additional Exercise in a pure open Air,—or Dine half an hour later than usual, and so give time for the Gastric Juices to assemble in full force;—or dine upon Fish—or Chinese Soup, i. e. Tea.
If these simple means are ineffectual,—the next step, is to produce energetic vibration in the Alimentary tube, without exciting inordinate action, or debilitating depletion; and to empty the Bowels, without irritating them.
Sometimes when the languor occasioned by Dyspepsia, &c. is extreme, the Torpor of the System becomes so tremendous—that no Stimulus will help it, and the Heart feels as if it was tired of beating—a moderate dose of a quickly operating Aperient, i. e. half an ounce of Tincture of Rhubarb, and two drachms of Epsom Salts in a tumbler of hot water—will speedily restore its wonted energy.
The Stomach is the centre of Sympathy;—if the most minute fibre of the human frame be hurt, intelligence of the injury instantaneously arrives;—and the Stomach is disturbed, in proportion to the importance of the Member, and the degree in which it is offended.
If either the Body or the Mind be fatigued,—the Stomach invariably sympathizes;—if the most robust do any thing too much, the Stomach is soon affronted,—and does too little:—unless this mainspring of Health be in perfect adjustment, the machinery of life will vibrate with languor;—especially those parts which are naturally weak, or have been injured by Accidents, &c. Constipation is increased in costive habits—and Diarrhœa in such as are subject thereto—and all Chronic complaints are exasperated, especially in persons past the age of 35 years.
Of the various helps to Science, none perhaps more rapidly facilitate the acquirement of knowledge, than analogical reasoning; or illustrating an Art we are ignorant of, by one we are acquainted with.
The Human Frame may be compared to a Watch, of which the Heart is the Mainspring—the Stomach the regulator,—and what we put into it, the Key by which the machine is wound up;—according to the quantity,—quality,—and proper digestion of what we Eat73 and Drink, will be the pace of the Pulse, and the action of the System in general:—when we observe a due proportion between the quantum of Exercise and that of Excitement, all goes well.—If the machine be disordered, the same expedients are employed for its re-adjustment, as are used by the Watch-maker; it must be carefully cleaned, and judiciously oiled.
Eating Salads after Dinner,—and chilling the Stomach, and checking the process of digestion by swilling cold Soda Water—we hold to be other Vulgar Errors.
It is your superfluous Second Courses,—and ridiculous variety of Wines,—Liqueurs,—Ices, Desserts, &c.—which (are served up more to gratify the pride of the Host, than the appetite of the Guests that) overcome the Stomach, and paralyze Digestion, and seduce “Children of larger Growth” to sacrifice the health and comfort of several days—for the Baby-pleasure of tickling their tongue for a few minutes, with Trifles and Custards!!
Most of those who have written on what—by a strange perversion of language—are most non-naturally termed the non-naturals,—have merely laid before the Public a nonsensical register of the peculiarities of their own Palate, and the idiosyncracies of their own Constitution74.
Some omnivorous Cormorants have such an ever-craving Appetite, that they are raging with hunger as soon as they open their Eyes,—and bolt half a dozen hard Eggs before they are well awake;—Others are so perfectly restored by that “chief nourisher in Life’s feast,” Balmy Sleep, that they do not think about Eating,—till they have been up and actively employed for several hours.
The strong Food, which the strong action of strong bodies requires—would soon destroy weak ones,—if the latter attempt to follow the example of the former,—instead of feeling invigorated, their Stomachs will be as oppressed, as a Porter is with a load that is too heavy for him,—and, under the idea of swallowing what are called strengthening nourishing things,—will very soon make themselves ready for the Undertaker.
Some people seem to think, that the more plentifully they stuff themselves, the better they must thrive, and the stronger they must grow.
It is not the quantity that we swallow,—but that which is properly digested, which nourishes us.
A Moderate Meal well digested, renders the body vigorous,—glutting it with superfluity, (which is only turned into excrement instead of aliment, and if not speedily evacuated,) not only oppresses the System, but produces all sorts of Disorders.
Some are continually inviting Indigestion,—by eating Water-cresses, or other undressed Vegetables75, “to sweeten their Blood,”—or Oysters “to enrich it.”—Others fancy their Dinner cannot digest till they have closed the orifice of their Stomachs with a certain portion of Cheese,—if the preceding Dinner has been a light one, a little bit of Cheese after it may not do much harm, but its character for encouraging concoction is undeserved,—there is not a more absurd Vulgar Error, than the often quoted proverb, that
A Third never eats Goose, &c. without remembering that Brandy or Cayenne is the Latin for it.
A much less portion of Stimulus is necessary after a hearty meal of califactive materials, such as good Beef or Mutton—than after a maigre Dinner of Fish, &c.
Another Vulgar Error in the school of Good Living, is, that “Good eating requires Good drinking.”—Good eating generally implies high seasoned Viands,—the savoury Herbs, and stimulating Spices with which these Haut-Gouts are sprinkled and stuffed, &c. are sufficient to encourage the digestive faculties to work “con amore” without any “douceur” of Vinous irrigation,—but many persons make it a rule, after eating Pig, &c. to take a glass of Liqueur, or Eau de Vie, &c.—or, as when used in this manner, it would be as properly called, “eau de mort.”
Indigestion, or, to use the term of the day, A Bilious Attack,—as often arises from over-exertion, or Anxiety Of Mind,—as from refractory Food; it frequently produces Flatulence76, and flatulence produces Palpitation of the Heart; which is most difficult to stop, when it comes on about an hour or two after a Meal;—the Stomach seems incapable of proceeding in its business, from being over-distended with wind, which pressing on the Heart and larger vessels, obstructs the Circulation:—as soon as this flatulence is dispelled, all goes well again:—inflating the Lungs to the utmost, i. e. taking in as much breath as you can, and holding it as long as you can, will sometimes act as a counterbalance, and produce relief.
This is the first thing to do when this distressing Spasm attacks you,—if it is not immediately checked; take a strong Peppermint, or Ginger Lozenge, (see page 99,) sit, —or if possible lie down and loosen all ligatures; the horizontal posture and perfect quiet are grand Panaceas in this disorder;—if these do not soon settle it, drink some stimulus: sometimes a teacupful of Hot water, with a teaspoonful of common salt in it, will suffice,—or a couple of glasses of Wine,—or one of Brandy in one of hot water: either of these will generally soon restore sufficient energy to the Stomach, to enable it to expel the enemy that offends it, and set the circulation to work freely again.—If these means are not immediately efficacious, take half an ounce of Tincture of Rhubarb in a quarter pint of hot water,—or three or four Peristaltic Persuaders, with half a pint of hot water.
If this complaint comes on when the Bowels are costive,—they must be put into motion as speedily as possible, by some of the means recommended in the following pages.
It will sometimes come on during the collapsed state of the system, from FASTING TOO LONG.
Those who take no Food between an early Breakfast—and a late Dinner,—for fear, as they term it, of spoiling the latter meal,—generally complain of Flatulence,—Languor, Lowness of Spirits, &c. (and those who are troubled by a Cough, have often a paroxysm of it,) for the hour or more before Dinner;—and Heartburn, &c. after it:—the former arising from fasting too long, the latter from indulging an Appetite so over excited, that a Baron of Beef, a Pail of Port Wine, and a Tubful of Tea, will hardly satisfy it.
The languor of Inanition, and the fever of Repletion, may be easily avoided by eating a Luncheon,—solid and nutritive, in proportion as the Dinner is protracted, and the activity of the Exercise to be taken in the mean-time.
The oftener you eat, the less ought to be eaten at a time; and the less you eat at a time, the oftener you ought to eat:—a weak Stomach has a much better chance of digesting two light meals, than one heavy one.
The Stomach should be allowed time to empty itself, before we fill it again.
There is not only a considerable difference in the digestibility of various Foods,—but also of the time required by different Stomachs to digest them—the sign of which, is the return of Appetite.
The digestion of Aliment is perfect, and quickly performed, in proportion to the keenness of our Appetite at the time of taking it—more or less perfect Mastication—and the vigorous state of the organs of Digestion,—as a general rule, the interval of Fasting should seldom be less than three, nor more than five hours77,—Digestion being generally completed within that time.
The Fashion of A.D. 1820 has introduced a much longer fast (“a windy recreation,” as father Paul assures the lay brother) than even the elasticity of robust Health can endure, without distressing the adjustment of the System,—and creating such an over-excited appetite, that the Stomach does not feel it has had enough,—till it finds that it has been crammed too much78.
This important truth—we would most strongly press on the consideration of Those who attend our Courts of Law, and Parliament.
Many industrious Professional men, in order to add a few pounds to their Income—in a few years are quite worn out—from their digestive faculties being continually disordered and fretted for want of regular supplies of Food; and sufficient Sleep.
An Egg boiled in the shell for five minutes, or Les Tablettes de Bouillon (No. 252), and a bit of Bread, is a convenient provision against the former—the Siesta (see page 94) is the best Antidote for the latter.
The sensation of Hunger arises from the Gastric juices acting upon the coats of the Stomach—how injurious it must be to fast so long, that by neglecting to supply it with some alimentary substance which this fluid was formed to dissolve,—the Stomach becomes in danger of being digested itself!!!
Those who feel a gnawing, as they call it, in their Stomach, should not wait till the stated hour of dinner, but eat a little forthwith, that the Stomach may have something to work upon.
By too long Fasting, Wind accumulates in the Stomach, especially of those who have passed the meridian of Life—and produces a distressing Flatulence—Languor—Faintness—Giddiness—Palpitation of the Heart, &c.
If the Morning has been occupied by anxiety in Business,—or the Mind or Body is fatigued by over-exertion—these symptoms will sometimes come on about an hour or two before the usual time of Dining,—well masticating a bit of Biscuit, and letting a strong Peppermint Lozenge (see page 99) dissolve in the mouth as soon as you feel the first symptoms of Flatulence,—will often pacify the Stomach, and prevent the increase of these complaints.
Dr. Whytt, whose observations on Nervous Disorders, (like this work), are valuable, inasmuch as they are the authentic narrative of his own Experience—says, page 344, “When my Stomach has been weak, after I have been indisposed, I have often found myself much better for a glass of Claret and a bit of bread, an hour or more before Dinner, and I have ordered it in the same way to others, and again in the evening, an hour or more before Supper, with advantage.”
There is no doubt of the propriety of Dr. W.’s prescription, the Editor’s own feelings bear witness to it. For those who are just recovering from Diseases which have left them in a state of great Debility, a glass of Wine and a bit of Bread,—or a cup of good Beef Tea, (see page 96) are perhaps as good Tonics as any,—they not only remove Languor, but at the same time furnish Nutriment.
We have known weak Stomachs, when kept fasting beyond the time they expected,—become so exhausted—they would refuse to receive any solid Food,—until restored to good temper,—and wound up by some Wine, or other stimulus—as Instinct proposed.
Feeble Persons, who are subject to such sudden attacks, should always travel armed with a Pocket Pistol charged with a couple of glasses of White Wine, or, “Veritable Eau de Vie,”—a Biscuit, and some strong Peppermint or Ginger Lozenges, or see “Tablettes de Bouillon” (No. 252):—when their Stomach is uneasy from emptiness, &c. these crutches will support the Circulation,—and considerably diminish, and sometimes entirely prevent the distressing effects which Invalids suffer from too long a Fast80.
What a contrast there is between the materials of the morning meal A.D. 1550, when Queen Elizabeth’s Maids of Honour began the day with a Round of Beef,—or a Red Herring, and a flaggon of Ale—and in 1821, when the Sportsman, and even the day-Labourer, breakfast on what Cooks call “Chinese Soup,” i. e. Tea.
Swift has jocosely observed, such is the extent of modern Epicurism, that “the World81 must be encompassed—before a Washerwoman can sit down to Breakfast,” i. e. by a voyage to the East for Tea, and to the West for Sugar.
In The Northumberland Household Book for 1512, we are informed that “a Thousand Pounds was the sum annually expended in Housekeeping,—this maintained 166 Persons,—and the Wheat was then 5s. 8d. per quarter.
“The Family rose at six in the morning,—my Lord and my Lady had set on their Table for Breakfast, at Seven o’clock in the morning,
“They DINED at Ten—Supped at Four in the afternoon,—The Gates were all shut at nine, and no further ingress or egress permitted.”—See pages 314 and 318.
But now, A.D. 1821,
Dinners at Night,
AND
Suppers in the Morning,
A few Cautionary Hints to Modern Fashionables.—
That distressing interruption of the Circulation, which is called “Nightmare,” “Globus Hystericus,” “Spasms,” “Cramp,” or “Gout,” in the Stomach, with which few who have passed the Meridian of Life83, are so fortunate as not to be too well acquainted, we believe to arise from the same causes—which in the day produce Palpitation of the Heart.
The Editor is now in his forty-third year, and has been from his youth occasionally afflicted with both these disorders; sometimes without being able to imagine what has produced them:—sometimes he has not been attacked with either of these complaints for many months; they have then seized him for a week or more,—and as unaccountably ceased.
The Nightmare has generally come on about three o’clock in the morning,—at the termination of the first, or rather at the commencement of the second sleep;—quite as often when he has taken only a liquid or very light supper,—as when he has eaten some solid food, and gone to bed soon after;—and most frequently after he has Dined84 out: not from the quantity, but the quality of the food and drink he has taken, the change of the time of taking it. The fatigue attending his performance of Amphytrion at his own table, has also occasionally produced it.
It appears to be occasioned by want of Action in the System, being generally preceded by Languor—(which, if not removed, may proceed to produce—Palsy—or Death,) caused either by depression of the power of the Heart by anxiety,—obstruction of the peristaltic motion by the oppression of indigestible matter,—or interruption of the performance of the Restorative Process.
It is certainly not to be prevented by Abstinence, for during the time that the Editor was trying the effect of a spare diet, he was most frequently afflicted with it.—See Obs. on Sleep, &c. It is only to be relieved by Stimulants, and in an extreme case—by quickly acting Aperients, &c. See following pages.
Some persons are peculiarly subject to it when they lie on their back,—others if on their left side:—when the Editor has any disposition to this malady, it is certainly exasperated if he lays upon his right side,—especially during the first part of the Night,—it is a good Custom to lay one half of the Night on one side, and the other half on the other.
When this appalling pause of the Circulation takes place—he wakes, with the idea that another minute of such suspended action will terminate his Existence:—his first recourse is to force the action of the Lungs by breathing as quick and as deep as possible.—He feels very languid,—and to prevent a return of the fit, drinks a couple of glasses of White Wine,—or half a wine-glass of Brandy, in a wine-glass of Peppermint Water.
Sometimes the Disorder does not terminate with one paroxysm, but recurs as soon as Sleep returns:—when this is the case, get half a tumbler of Hot Water, add to it a wine-glass of Peppermint Water, and half that quantity of Tincture of Rhubarb, or fifty drops of Sal Volatile, or both.
The symptom of security from a repetition of the Fit, is a vermicular sensation, betokening that the peristaltic motion, and the Circulation is restored to its regular pace again.
His belief that many sudden and unaccountable Deaths in the night have arisen from Invalids not knowing how to manage this Disorder, induces the Editor to relate his own personal experience concerning it—and the Remedies which he has found effectual to remove it.
“Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco.”
The case is very similar to what Dr. Whytt relates of himself, in his Observations on Nervous, Hysteric, and Hypochondriac Disorders, 8vo. 176785; by which, Dr. Cullen, in p. 10 of his Clinical Lectures, says, “he has done more than all his predecessors.”
Mr. Waller has written a very sensible Essay on the Nightmare—those who are much afflicted with it, cannot lay out 3s. 6d. better, than in buying his book—12mo. 1816. He says, “it most frequently proceeds from acidity in the Stomach, and recommends Carbonate of Soda, to be taken in the Beer you Drink at dinner.” He tells us “he derived his information, as to the cause, and cure of this distressing disorder, from a personal acquaintance with it for many years.”
How devoutly it is to be wished that all Authors would follow good old Sydenham and Mr. Waller’s example,—and give us a register of the progress of those chronic complaints which they have themselves been afflicted with, and the regimen, &c. which they have found most effectual to alleviate and cure them;—and, instead of what they think,—write only what they know,—as the pains-taking Sanctorius—Spallanzani—Bryan Robinson,—and the persevering and minutely accurately observing Dr. Stark have in their Dietetical Experiments.
Dr. Whytt has immortalized himself by the candid relation of his own infirmities, and his circumstantial account of the Regimen, &c. which enabled him to bear up against them,—which forms the most valuable collection of observations on Nervous Complaints, that experience and liberality have yet presented to the public.
One page of PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, is worth folios of theoretic Fancies,—or Clinical Cases, which can only be illuminated by the twilight of conjecture:—they may be faithful narratives of the accounts given by Patients, yet, as these are very often imposed upon by their imagination attributing effects to very different causes than those which produce them, they are often very inaccurate deductions.
The Delicate and the Nervous, will derive the greatest advantage from keeping a Register of their Health,—they should note, and avoid whatever disagrees with them,—and endeavour to ascertain, what kind and quantity of Food—Exercise—Occupation and Pleasures, &c. are most agreeable to their constitution, and take them at those regular periods which appear most convenient to them. However this advice may excite the smiles of those who are swelling “in all the pride of superfluous Health,” such methodical movements will considerably improve the enjoyment, and prolong the life of the Valetudinary and the Aged: for whom, Instinct is the best Guide in the choice of Aliment.
None but the most obstinately ignorant Visionary, would dream of laying down absolute Rules86 for governing the caprice and whims of the infirm Stomachs of Crazy Valetudinarians. Codes of Dietetics87 are almost useless,—the suggestions of Reason are often in direct opposition to the desires of Appetite.
In most matters regarding the adjustment of that supreme organ of existence,—the Stomach,—“honest Instinct88 comes a Volunteer.”—Ventriloquism seldom falls to make out a fair title, to be called “unerring.” A due respect to the suggestions of Instinct, every Invalid will find highly advantageous,—natural longing has frequently pointed out Food—by which Acute Diseases have been cured, when the most consummate medical skill was at fault, and Life at its lowest ebb.
It is needless to insist upon the importance of Diet and Regimen in Chronic Disorders.
Be content with One89 Dish,—from want of submission to this salutary rule of Temperance—as many men dig their Grave with their Teeth, as with the Tankard;—Drunkenness is deplorably destructive, but her demurer sister Gluttony destroys an hundred to her one.
Instinct speaks pretty plainly to those whose instruments of Digestion are in a delicate state—and is an infinitely surer guide than any Dietetic rules that can be contrived.
That the Food which we fancy most—generally sits easiest on the Stomach—is a fact which the experience of almost every individual can confirm.
The functions of Digestion go on merrily when exercised by Aliment which the Stomach asks for—they often labour in vain when we eat merely because it is the usual hour of Dining—or out of necessity, to amuse the Gastric juices, and “lull the grinding stomach’s hungry rage.”
To affirm that any thing is wholesome, or unwholesome,—without considering the subject in all the circumstances to which it bears relation, and the unaccountable peculiarities of different Constitutions,—is, with submission, talking nonsense.
Let every Man consult his Stomach;—to eat and drink such things—and in such quantities—as agree with that perfectly well, is wholesome for him, whilst they continue to do so90:—that which satisfies and refreshes us, and causes no uneasiness after, may safely be taken in moderation—whenever the Appetite is keen—whether it be at Dinner or Supper.
What we have been longest used to, is most likely to agree with us best.
The wholesomeness, &c. of all Food, depends very much on the quality of it—and the way in which it is cooked.
Those who are poor in Health, must live as they can;—certainly the less Stimulus any of us use the better, provided it be sufficient to properly carry on the Circulation:—I sometimes hold it lawful to excite Appetite when it is feeble by Age, or debilitated by Indisposition.
Those Stimuli which excite the circulation at the least expense of nervous irritation—and afford the greatest quantity of nutriment, must be most acceptable to the Stomach, when it demands restorative diet.
A healthful impetus may be given to the System by a well seasoned Soup, or a restorative Ragout, at half the expense to the machinery of Life, than by the use of those Spirituous Stimuli—which fan a feverish fire—exciting action without supplying the expenditure of the principle producing it—and merely quicken the circulation for a few minutes, without contributing any material to feed the Lamp of Life—which, if it be originally or organically defective—or is impaired by Time or Disease—will sometimes not burn brightly, unless it be supplied with the best oil, and trimmed in the most skilful manner.
Good Mock Turtle, see (No. 246, or 247*,) will agree with weak stomachs surprisingly well; so will that made by Birch in Cornhill, and by Kay at Albion House, Aldersgate Street.—This excellent Soup, is frequently ordered for Dyspeptic patients, by the senior Physician to one of the largest hospitals in this Metropolis: as a man of science and talent, certainly in as high estimation as any of his cotemporaries.
Ox-tail Soup (No. 240,) Giblet Soup (No. 244,) and (No. 87,) and (No. 89,) (No. 489,) and (No. 503,) are very agreeable extempore Restoratives,—so easy of digestion, that they are a sinecure to the Stomach, and give very little trouble to the chylopoietic organs—those whose Teeth are defective—and those whose Circulation is below par,—will find them acceptable Foods. “Experto crede,”—the reader will remember Baglivi’s chapter “de Idolis Medicorum,” wherein he tells us, that “Physicians always prescribe to others, what they like themselves.” The learned Mandeville has favoured us with five pages on the incomparably invigorating virtues of Stock Fish!! a kind of Cod which is dried without being salted. See pages 316, &c. of his Treatise on Hypochondriasis.
The best Answers, to all inquiries about The Wholesomes, are the following Questions;—“Do you like it?” “Does it agree with you?”—“then eat in moderation, and you cannot do very wrong.”
Those who have long lived luxuriously, to be sufficiently nourished, must be regularly supplied with Food that is nutritive, and Drink that is stimulating91,—Spice and Wine, are as needful to the “Bon Vivant” of a certain Age—as its Mother’s Milk, is to a New-born Babe.
The decrease of the energy of Life arises from the decrease of the action of the organs of the Body—especially those of Digestion,—which in early life is so intense and perfect, that a Child, after its common unexcitant meal of Bread and Milk, is as hilarious and frolicsome as an Adult person is after a certain quantity of Roast Beef and Port.
The infirm stomachs of Invalids, require a little indulgence92—like other bad instruments, they often want oiling, and screwing, and winding up and adjusting with the utmost care, to keep them in tolerable order;—and will receive the most salutary Stimulus, from now and then making a full meal of a favourite dish. This is not a singular notion of my own, though it may not exactly agree with the fastidious fancy of Dr. Sangrado’s disciples,—that Starvation and Phlebotomy, are Sovereign Remedies for all Disorders.
Those philanthropic Physicians, Dr. Diet,—Dr. Quiet,—and Dr. Merryman,—hold the same doctrine as the Magnus Coquus—i. e. the Author of “the Cook’s Oracle,” to whose culinary skill we have been so repeatedly indebted in the composition of this work.
As excessive Eating and Drinking is certainly the most frequent cause of the disorders of the Rich,—so privation is the common source of complaints among the Poor;—the cause of the one, is the cure of the other—but where one of the latter dies of Want, how many thousands of the former are destroyed by Indigestion!
If strong Spices and savoury Herbs excite appetite—they (in an increased ratio,) accelerate the action of the Bowels—and hurry the food through the alimentary canal, too rapidly to allow the Absorbents to do their work properly.
Salt is the most salubrious and easily obtainable relish which Nature has given us to give sapidity to other substances; and has this advantage over all other Sauces, that if taken to excess—it carries its remedy with it in its Aperient quality.
We suspect that most mischief is done by the immoderate and constant use of the Common Condiments.—We have seen some puritanical folks, who are for ever boasting that They never touch Made Dishes, &c. (one would suppose they had the Tongue of Pityllus93,) so be-devil every morsel they put into their Mouth—with Pepper, and Mustard, &c. that they made their common food ten times more piquante—than the burn-gullet Bonne Bouche of an eastern Nabob, or a Broiled Devil, enveloped in “veritable Sauce d’Enfer.”—See (No. 355 and 538).
We do not condemn the moderate use of Spices, but the constant and excessive abuse of them,—by which the papillary nerves of the tongue become so blunted, that in a little time they lose all relish for useful nourishing food, and the Epicure is punished with all the sufferings of incessant and incurable Indigestion,—perturbed Sleep—and the horrors of the Night-Mare, &c. &c.—However, enough has been written by a thousand cautionists, to convince any rational creature of the advantage resulting to both the Body and the Mind from a simple and frugal fare:—the great secret of Health and Longevity is to keep up the sensibility of the Stomach.
No Regimen94 can be contrived that will suit every body.