Copy 1, Volume 1

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1834
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    169/784 page 115
    i { CL. I. ] DIGESTIVE FUNCTION. [ORD. I. SPECIES ITI. LIMOSIS PICA. DEPRAVED. APPETITE. APPETITE FOR IMPROPER AND INDIGESTIBLE SUBSTANCES. In this species there is no want of appetite; often, indeed, an inordinate craving ; but, instead of its directing the patient, as in the first species, to palatable and substantial food, whenever such can be obtained, it urges him in preference to the most whimsical and innutritive materials. This character forms the specific definition. The specific name here given is pica. Not that the term has any particular or very obvious merit ; for its origin and primary meaning are doubtful ; but that, out of many terms, with which nosology has been encumbered to express this disease, pica appears to be the most general, and there is no sufficient reason for changing it. Now, an appetite for improper and indigestible substances may be of two descriptions. It may proceed from a want of taste or discrimination, as in infants or idiots; or from a corrupt taste, or cor- rupt indulgence, often founded on empirical or other dangerous advice, as the eating of chalk or acids to produce a fair skin; and we have hence the two following varieties : e Insulsa. From want of correct taste Unwitting pica.. or discrimination. B Perversa. ' From a corrupt taste or in- Perverse pica. dulgence. The depraved appetite, which is sometimes manifest in infants, can only proceed from want of proper management and direction ; for nothing is more tractable, than the organ of taste in early life. And hence, indeed, it is that the different nations of the world are brought by habit, and habit almost coeval with their birth, to prefer such kinds of food as their respective climates produce in greatest abundance, or as they obtain by an easy barter of indigenous substances. Thus, the Hindoos live entirely on fruits and grain ; the Tonguses, on berries, the refuse lichen found undigested in the stomach of the reindeer, dried fishes, and beasts of prey; the Californians, on snakes, rats, lizards, rabbits, intermixed with the wild herbs of the soil. But, perhaps, there is no stronger proof of the force of habit in forming an acquired taste to be met with in any part of the world, than in our own country; in our exchanging the natural and instinctive desire of a bland and sweet fluid, as milk, for the bitter beverage of tea for breakfast, and beer for dinner. On this account it is not to be wondered at, that children, with- out a guidance, or with an improper one, should often acquire depraved or vicious tastes, and be longing for substances that are innutritive, or even hurtful to the general health. Where this propensity has obtained a footing, it may be successfully opposed 12 115 Gen. V. Srec. III. Difference as com- pared with the preced- ing species. aL. Pica insulsa. Produced partly by habit.
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