The doctor at home, and nurse's guidebook ... / edited by George Black.

  • Black, George
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The doctor at home, and nurse's guidebook ... / edited by George Black. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    250/908 (page 240)
    Diet, Jebb on,—See Jebb on Diet. Die t, Low.—See Low Diet. Diet, Mixed, Lancaster on.— See VtGETAKiAN Diet. Diet Modified by Age—See Age, Diet IIobified by. Diet of Adults.—See Adults, Diet or. Diet of Brain Workers. —See EuAIN YfOKKEES, DiET OF. Diet of Children.—See Ciiildeen, Diet op. Diet of Children and Adults.— The principal difference between the diet of adults and that supplied by Nature for the young consists in the fact that the diet of the adult contains less water, and is sea- soned with more or less of the group of accessory foods. Diet, Poor.—See Poor Diet. Diet, Prudent Council respec- ting.—There is no better established law of physiology than tliat the habit of concen- trating the attention of the mind upon the action of any organ of the body is fatal to the proper performance of its functions, 'rhe stomach is peculiarly sensitive to this mental watchfulness, and, like a shy pupil, always blunders in its work when under the too close supervision of its master. There is more harm done to the stomach by the over-anxious, with their constant fear of injuring it, than by the reckless, with all their audacious disregard of danger. Many a person has spoiled his digestion by the very means by which he lias striven to keep it in good condition. On the other hand, there are not a few who, having done apparently their best to destroy, have suc- ceeded in preserving it unimpaired. It must not be inferred, however, that recklessness in eating and drinldng is more favourable to health than prudence. Physiology com- mands us to obey certain laws of diet, and requires and indicates the manner of obedi- ence. It is essential to comply with both. The daily food and drink of eveiy person should be in accordance with the well-known principles of healthful diet. The habit should be established, and never swerved from, of living properly, so that no one, as he takes his seat at the table and prepares to satisfy his appetite, need be distracted from the fulness of its enjoyment by any vexatious questions. He should not be forced to set up a debate in his own mind as to the digestibility of every bit of broad he breaks, or of each plate of meat set before him. It matters not how wholesome may be the ai-ticle of diet, no stomach will digest it easily if its operations are disturbed by distracting doubts of their efficiency. Phy- I siology has a ready explanation of this j undoubted fact. Mental anxiety of all kinds weakens the nervous power, and, v.’hile lowering the general tone of the body, diminishes especially the power of digestion. The brain, moreover, is at the same time inordinately active, and reserves the force of nervous energy and draws the blood to itself at the very moment the stomach chiefly requires its full supply of both. The easy, unquestioning consumer of his food is the most likely to digest it well. Diet, Sydney Smith on.—Seel Sydney' Smith on Diet. | Diot, Vegetarian. — See Vege-1 Tariak Diet. I Dietaries, Public. — See Public- Dietaries. Dietary, Banting’s. — See Ban- ting’s Dietary. ] Diffusion of Odours.—/See Sense] OF Smell.