“Suaviter in modo, sed fortiter in re.”

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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 Diarrhoea 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,

A quart of Beer,
A quart of Wine,
Two pieces of Salt Fish,
Half a dozen Red Herrings,
Four White ones, and
A Dish of Sprats!!!

“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.

“I knew a black servant of Mr. Pitt, an Indian Merchant in America, who was fond of Soup made of Rattle Snakes,—in which the Head, without any regard to the Poison, was boiled along with the rest of the animal.”—Dr. G. Fordyce, on Digestion, &c. 8vo. 1791, p. 119.

No food is so delicious that it pleases all palates,—nothing can be more correct than the old adage, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison.”

It would be as difficult for a Laplander, or an earth-eating Ottomaque, to convince our good citizens that Train Oil, and gutter-mud, is a more elegant relish than their favourite Turtle—as for the former to fancy that Kay or Birch’s Soup can be as agreeable as the Grease and Garbage which custom has taught them to think delicious.

“Man differs more from Man
Than Man from Beast.”—Colman.

Celsus95 very sensibly says, that “a healthy man, under his own government, ought not to tie himself up by strict rules,—nor to abstain from any sort of food; that he ought sometimes to fast, and sometimes to feast.” Sanis, sunt omnia Sana.

When the Stomach sends forth eructant signals of distress, for help against Indigestion, the Peristaltic Persuaders (see the end of this Essay) are as agreeable and effectual assistance as can be offered; and for delicate Constitutions, and those that are impaired by Age or Intemperance, are a valuable Panacea.

They derive, and deserve this name, from the peculiar mildness of their operation96. One or two very gently increase the action of the principal viscera, help them to do their work a little faster,—and enable the Stomach to serve with an ejectment whatever offends it,—and move it into the Bowels.

Thus Indigestion is easily and speedily removed,—Appetite restored,—(the mouths of the absorbing vessels being cleansed) Nutrition is facilitated,—and Strength of Body, and Energy of Mind97, are the happy results. If an immediate operation be desired, take some Tincture of Rhubarb—as a Pill is the most gentle and gradually operating form for a drug—a Tincture in which it is as it were ready digested, is the most immediate in its action.

To Make Tincture of Rhubarb.—Steep three ounces of the best Rhubarb (pounded) and half an ounce of Carraway Seeds, (pounded) in a bottle of Brandy, for ten days. A table-spoonful in a wine-glass of hot water will generally be enough.

Compound Tincture of Senna, has been recommended, especially to those who have accustomed themselves to the use of spirituous Liquors and high living. Several similar preparations are sold under the name of Daffy’s Elixir—or as much Epsom Salt, in half a pint of hot water, as experience has informed you, will produce one motion,—a Tea-spoonful (i. e. from one to two drachms) will generally do this—especially if it be taken in the morning, fasting, i. e. at least half an hour before Breakfast. The best way of covering the taste of Salt, is to put a lump of Sugar and a bit of thin-cut Lemon Peel98 into the hot water, for a few minutes before you stir the Salt into it,—to which you may add a few grains of grated Ginger.

Epsom Salt is a very speedy laxative, often operating within an hour,—does the business required of it with great regularity,—and is more uniform in what it does,—and when it does it,—than any Aperient;—ten minutes after you have taken it, encourage its operation by drinking half a pint, or more, of warm water—weak Broth—Tea—thin Gruel (No. 572), with some salt and butter in it—or Soda Water (No. 481.*) See Index.

“Nil tam ad sanitatem, et longevitatem conducit, quam crebrÆ et domesticÆ purgationes.”—Lord Bacon.—i. e. “Nothing contributes so much to preserve Health, and prolong Life, as frequently cleansing the alimentary canal with gentle laxatives.”

We perfectly agree with Lord Bacon, and believe that in nine cases out of ten, for which Tonic Medicines are administered, Peristaltic Persuaders will not only much more certainly improve Appetite,—but invigorate the Constitution; by facilitating the absorption of nutriment,—which, in aged and debilitated people, is often prevented by the mouths of the vessels being half closed by the accumulation of viscid mucus, &c.

Aperient Medicine does enough, if it increases the customary Evacuation,—and does too much,—if it does more,—than excite one additional motion.

Bowels which are forced into double action to-day—must, consequently, be costive to-morrow, and Constipation will be caused by the remedy you have recourse to to remove it,—this has given rise to a Vulgar Error,—that the use of even the mildest Laxative is followed by Costiveness.

Rhubarb is particularly under this prejudice,—because it has been more frequently employed as a domestic remedy,—and unadvisedly administered in either too little, or too large a Dose. It has, however, been recommended by a Physician of acknowledged Ability, and extensive Experience.

“If the Bowels are constipated, they should be kept regular by a Pill of Rhubarb of five grains every morning.”—Pemberton on the Abdominal Viscera, p. 113.

People are often needlessly uneasy about the Action of their Bowels.—If their general Health is good, and they have neither Head-ach nor other deranged sensations, and they live temperately, during the second period of Life, whether they have two motions in one day, or one in two days, perhaps is not of much consequence;—however, that the Alvine Exoneration should take place regularly is certainly most desirable;—especially after Thirty-Five years of age99, when the elasticity of the machinery of Life begins to diminish.

To acquire a Habit of Regularity, Mr. Locke, who was a Physician as well as a Philosopher, advises that “if any person, as soon as he has breakfasted, would presently solicit nature, so as to obtain a stool, he might in time, by a constant application, bring it to be habitual.” He says “I have known none who have been steady in the prosecution of this plan, who did not in a few months obtain the desired success.”—On Education, p. 23, &c.

“It is well known that the alvine evacuation is periodical, and subjected to the power of habit; if the regular call is not obeyed, the necessity for the evacuation passes away; and the call being again and again neglected, habitual costiveness is the consequence.”—Hamilton on Purgatives, p. 72.

It will facilitate the acquirement of this salutary evacuation,—to take at night—such a dose of an Aperient medicine, as Experience has pointed out, as just sufficient to assist nature to produce a Motion in the Morning.

Habitual Costiveness is not curable by Drugs alone,—and is most agreeably corrected by Diet and Regimen, those most important, and only effectual, although much neglected (because little understood) means of permanently alleviating Chronic Complaints, for which

“Coquina est optima Medicina.”

Strong Constitutions are generally Costive100,—that perfect and vigorous action of the absorbents, which is the cause of their strength, is also the cause of their Constipation:—

“Oportet sanorum, sedes esse figuratas.”

This ought to make them content,—but the Constipated are for ever murmuring about a habit—which, if managed with moderate care,—is the fundamental basis of Health and Long Life. A little attention to Regimen will generally prevent it—a simple Laxative will suffice to remove it—and neither will be often necessary, for those who observe a deobstruent Diet—take proper Exercise in a pure Air—sufficient liquid Food—and eat freely of Butter, Salt, and Sugar.

The peculiarity of most Constitutions is so convenient, that almost all Costive persons—by attending to the effects which various things produce upon their Bowels—may find, in their usual Food and Drink, the means of persuading their sluggish Viscera to vibrate with healthful celerity.

A Supper or Breakfast of thin Gruel, (No. 572,) with plenty of Butter and Salt in it,—ripe Fruits, particularly Grapes101,—Oranges,—Strawberries,—Raspberries,—Mulberries,—Marmalade,—Honey,—Treacle,—roasted Apples,—stewed Prunes,—Figs,—Raisins,—Tamarinds,—French Plumbs, &c.;—will almost always produce the desired effect.

Two or three strong Cinnamon or Ginger Lozenges, (see page 234,) gradually dissolved in the mouth when the Stomach is empty, will act as an Aperient on many persons. Salad Oil is a very pleasant Peristaltic Persuader:—by the following means it may be introduced (as a supper) to the most delicate Stomach,—without any offence to the most fastidious Palate.

Put a table-spoonful of Sherry into a wine-glass—on this a table-spoonful of Olive Oil—on this another table-spoonful of Sherry—or rub together a table-spoonful or two of Oil, with the yolk of an Egg boiled hard, (No. 547,) add a little Vinegar and Salt to it, and eat it at Supper as a Sauce to a Salad (No. 138*) of Mustard and Cresses,—or Lettuce,—Radishes,—Button Onions,—Celery,—Cucumber, &c.;—or cold boiled Asparagus,—Brocoli,—Cauliflower,—Carrot,—or Turnip,—Kidney or French Beans,—or Pease;—or Pickled Salmon, (No. 161,) Lobster, (No. 176,) Shrimps, Herrings, Sprats, (No. 170**,) or Mackarel, (No. 168,) or as a Sauce to cold Meat, &c.

You may give it an infinite variety of agreeable flavours; the ingredients to produce which are enumerated in (No. 372) of “the Cook’s Oracle.”

Hypochondriac people are fond of taking Medicine at certain times, the spring and fall,—at the full or the new Moon, &c. whether they want it or not.—For those in Health to attempt to improve it by taking Physic, is absurd indeed. Remember the epitaph on the Italian Count—

“I was well—
Wished to be better—
Took Physic—and died.”

Hypochondriasis—Spleen—Vapours—the Blue Devils—the Bile—Nervous Debility, &c. are but so many different names for those Disorders which arise either from Chronic Weakness of the Constitution—or an inconsiderate management of it.—A man who has a strong stamina will bear irregularities with impunity—which will soon destroy a more delicate frame.

We do not laugh at the melancholy of the Hypochondriac,—or consider his Complaints as merely the hallucinations of un Malade Imaginaire; but trace the cause of them to either some Indigestion interrupting the functions of the Alimentary Canal—which a gentle Aperient would immediately remove—or the ineffective performance of the Restorative Process—insufficiently nutritive Diet—or depression of the vital and animal functions from anxiety or over-exertion of either the Mind or the Body:—which nothing but Rest and nutritive Food can repair.

The Editor of this little treatise has had from his Youth to bear up against an highly irritable nervous system,—the means he has found useful to manage and support it, he is now recording for the benefit of other Nervous Invalids.

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We advise our Friends—never to call in even the gentle aid of Peristaltic Persuaders,—but when Instinct absolutely insists upon it—some of the Indications of which are, “A disagreeable taste in the Mouth—Eructations—Want of Appetite—Sensations of distention in the Stomach and Bowels—Pains in the Stomach or Head—Vertigo—Feverishness—Restlessness—Peevishness,” &c.—but these will often disappear by taking a liquid meal, instead of a solid one, or using more exercise, will often answer the purpose.—Mr. Jones very sensibly observes, “if people will by no means rest from constantly tampering with laxatives, instead of using exercise, the habit of using the Lavement every evening cannot be so destructive, as it irritates only twelve inches of intestine, and spares raking down the other thirty-nine feet.”—See Med. Vul. Errors, p. 44.

Relaxed Bowels102 are often extremely unmanageable, and difficult to regulate—and are the principal cause of that Chronic Weakness which is so generally complained of, and of many other distressing Nervous Disorders.

If the Bowels are unfaithful to the Stomach, and, instead of playing fair,—let go their hold of the “Pabulum VitÆ,” before the Absorbents have properly performed the process which that grand organ has prepared for them—Nutrition will be deficient; and Flatulence, &c. &c. Giddiness,—Spasms,—Head-ache,—and Back-ache,—and what are called Bilious and Nervous Disorders,—and all the Diseases incident to Debility, will attack you on the slightest cause.

Those who are afflicted with a relaxation of the Bowels, are advised to a Dry diet, rather than a Liquid one, and must submit to a Regimen diametrically contrary to that we have recommended to cure Constipation.

“Since I lessened my Drink I have been much more costive than I was before, and have for two years past freed myself from a Diarrhoea. Costiveness generally attends dry food in other animals as well as men.”—B. Robinson, on Food and Discharges, p. 82 and 64.

Live principally upon Animal Food sufficiently cooked, and Stale Bread, or biscuit;—instead of Malt liquor (unless it be very mild and good Homebrewed Beer, which is the best of all Beverages) drink Beef-Tea, (No. 563), or well made Toast and Water103 (No. 463*), with about one-fourth part of Wine, and a little Sugar and grated Nutmeg or Ginger in it;—if the Stomach be troubled with Acidity, or great Flatulence, one-eighth part of Brandy may agree with it better:—whatever You eat and drink should be Warmed.—See page 94 on Siesta, and page 158.

Be watchful of the effects of the Food which you take,—avoid whatever appears to irritate, and eat only that which experience has proved acceptable.

Irritable Bowels are excited to inconveniently increased action by any thing that the Stomach has either not the ability, or the inclination, to prepare for them,—and Diarrhoea is the consequence.

The easiest and most effectual method of restoring tranquillity in the Bowels—is to be content with a light diet of Gruel, Broth, or Fish, &c. till the return of a keen Appetite assures you, that the Stomach has recovered its powers, and being ready for action, requires its usual supply of solid food.

When the Bowels get a trick of emptying themselves too often,—a teaspoonful of Compound Powder of Chalk in your Tea,—or a wine-glassful of the following mixture, taken twice or thrice a day, will generally cure them of it very speedily:—

? Chalk mixture, six ounces.
Tincture of Cinnamon (No. 416*), one ditto.
Opiate Confection, one drachm.
Mixed together.

If Diarrhoea continues obstinate, more powerful Astringents104 may be necessary. Tincture of Cinnamon (No. 416*) is one of the best cordial tonics—see also (No. 569) and (Nos. 413 & 15.)

Opium Lozenges, containing a quarter of a grain each, and strongly flavoured with Oil of Peppermint, are recommended to those who are troubled with relaxed Bowels.

Strong Peppermint Lozenges are the most convenient portable carminative:—as soon as they are dissolved, their influence is felt from the beginning, to the end of the Alimentary Canal;—they dissipate flatulence so immediately, that they well deserve the name of Vegetable Æther; and are recommended to Singers105 and Public Speakers, as giving effective excitement to the organs of the Voice,—as a support against the distressing effects of fasting too long—and to give energy to the Stomach between meals.

N.B. Sixty different sorts of Lozenges, are made in the most superlative manner, by Mr. Smith, Fell Street, Wood Street, Cheapside.

His Rose Jujubes—are a very elegant preparation, which those who have not a remarkably Sweet Breath, are recommended to take the last thing at night, and the first in the morning—the breath smells faintest when the Stomach is emptiest.

His Mellifluous Aromatics are so delicately flavoured, they moisten the mouth and throat without cloying the Palate, Stomach, &c., which is more than can be said of most Lozenges. To make Forty Peristaltic Persuaders.

Take,
Turkey Rhubarb, finely pulverized, two drachms.
Syrup (by weight) one drachm.
Oil of Carraway, ten drops (minums).
Made into Pills, each of which will contain Three Grains of Rhubarb.

The Dose of the Persuaders must be adapted to the constitutional peculiarity of the Patient:—when you wish to accelerate or augment the Alvine Exoneration—take two, three, or more, according to the effect you desire to produce—two Pills will do as much for one person as five or six will for another; they generally will very regularly perform what you wish to-day,—without interfering with what you hope will happen to-morrow;—and are, therefore, as convenient an argument against Constipation as any we are acquainted with.

The most convenient opportunity to introduce them to the Stomach—is early in the Morning, when it is unoccupied,—and has no particular business to attend to, i. e. at least half an hour before Breakfast.

Physic should never interrupt the Stomach, when it is engaged in digesting Food—perhaps the best time to take it, is when you awake out of your first Sleep—or as soon as you awake in the morning. Moreover, such is the increased sensibility of some Stomachs at that time, that half the quantity of Medicine will suffice.

From two to four Persuaders will generally produce one additional motion within twelve hours.

They may be taken at any time—by the most delicate Females, whose Constitutions are so often distressed by Constipation106, and destroyed by the drastic purgatives they take to relieve it. See also page 224. Their agreeable flavour recommends them as the most convenient aperient for Children, whose indispositions most frequently arise from obstructions in the Bowels;—it is not always a very easy task to prevail upon a spoiled Child to take Physic;—therefore—we have made our Pill to taste exactly like Gingerbread.

For Infants, too young to swallow a Pill, pound it, and mix it with Currant Jelly, Honey, or Treacle. On the first attack of Disease—it may generally be disarmed by discharging the contents of the Bowels:—in every Disorder107 the main point is carefully to watch, and constantly to keep up the activity of the Alimentary Canal—for want of due attention to this, Millions (especially of Children) HAVE DIED OF MEDICABLE DISORDERS!!

For Bilious or Liver108 Complaints, (which are now the fashionable names for all those deranged sensations of the Abdominal Viscera—which as often arise from the want, as from the excess of Bile—and perhaps most frequently from Indigestion)—and for expelling Worms109, for which it is the fashion to administer Mercury110 (which, because it is the only remedy for one Disease, people suppose must be a panacea for every disorder) and other drastic mineral medicines, which are awfully uncertain both in their strength and in their operation.

If, instead of two or three times a week tormenting your Bowels with Corrosive Cathartics,—Hydragogues,—Phlegmagogues, &c., you take one or two gentle Persuaders, twice or thrice a day;—they will excite a gradual and regularly increased action of the Viscera—restore the tone of the Alimentary tube—and speedily and effectually cure the disorder, without injuring the Constitution.

There is not a more universal or more mischievous Vulgar Error, than the notion, that Physic is efficacious, in proportion as it is extremely disagreeable to take, and frightfully violent in its operation,—unless a medicine actually produces more Distress in the System, than the Disorder it is administered to remove—in fact, if the Remedy be not worse than the Disease, the million have no faith in it—and are not satisfied that they can be perfectly cured if they escape Phlebotomy,—unless put to extreme pain, and plentifully supplied with Black Doses, and drastic Drugs;—they have the best opinion of that Doctor who most furiously

“Vomits—Purges—Blisters—Bleeds, and Sweats ’em.”

To perfectly content them that you have most profoundly considered their case, you must to such Prescription—add a Proscription of every thing they appear particularly partial to!!!

People who in all other respects appear to be very rational—and are apt to try other questions by the rules of Common Sense, in matters relating to their Health, surrender their understanding to the fashion of the Day,—and in the present Century, on all occasions take Calomel as coolly as in the last, their Grandfathers inundated their poor Stomachs with Tar-Water.

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Tonic Tincture, (No. 569) is

Peruvian Bark, bruised, one ounce and a half.
Orange Peel, do. one ounce.
Brandy, or Proof Spirit, one pint.

Let these ingredients steep for ten days, shaking the bottle every day—let it remain quiet two days—and then decant the clear liquor.

Dose—one teaspoonful in a wineglass of water, twice a day, when you feel languid, i. e. when the Stomach is empty, about an hour before Dinner, and in the Evening. Twenty grains of the Powder of Bark may be added to it occasionally.

To this agreeable Aromatic Tonic we are under personal obligations, for frequently putting our Stomach into good temper, and procuring us good Appetite and good Digestion.

In low Nervous affections, arising from a languid Circulation—and, when the Stomach is in a state of shabby debility from age—intemperance, or other causes—this is a most acceptable restorative.

N.B. Tea made with dried and bruised Seville Orange Peel, (in the same manner as common Tea,) and drank with milk and sugar, has been taken for Breakfast by Nervous and Dyspeptic persons with great benefit.

Chewing a bit of Orange Peel twice a day when the Stomach is empty, will be found very grateful, and strengthening to it.—

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Stomachic Tinctures.

Two ounces of Cascarilla Bark (bruised)—or dried Orange Peel,—or Colomba Root—infused for a fortnight in a pint of Brandy, will give you the Tinctures called by those names.

Dose—one or two teaspoonsful in a wine-glass of water.

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Tincture of Cinnamon, (No. 416*).

This excellent Cordial is made by pouring a bottle of genuine Cogniac (No. 471) on three ounces of bruised Cinnamon (Cassia will not do). This cordial restorative was more in vogue formerly, than it is now;—a teaspoonful of it, and a lump of Sugar, in a glass of good Sherry or Madeira, with the yolk of an Egg beat up in it—was called “Balsamum VitÆ.”

“Cur moriatur homo, qui sumit de Cinnamomo?”—“Cinnamon is verie comfortable to the Stomacke, and the principall partes of the bodie.”

“Ventriculum, Jecur, Lienem Cerebrum, nervosque juvant et roborat.”—“I reckon it a great treasure for a student to have by him, in his closet, to take now and then a spoonfull.”—Cogan’s Haven of Health, 4to. 1584, p. 111.

Obs.—Two teaspoonsful in a wineglass of water—are a present and pleasant remedy in Nervous Languors—and in relaxations of the Bowels—in the latter case five drops of Laudanum may be added to each dose.

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Soda Water, (No. 481*.)

The best way of producing agreeable Pneumatic Punch, as a learned Chemist has called this refreshing refrigerant, is to fill two half-pint Tumblers half full of Water,—stir into one 30 grains of Carbonate of Potash,—into the other 25 grains of Citric111 Acid, (both being previously finely pounded,)—when the powders are perfectly dissolved—pour the contents of one tumbler into the other—and sparkling Soda Water is instantaneously produced.

To make Double Soda Water, use double the quantity of the Powder.

Single Soda Water is a delightful drink in sultry weather—and may be very agreeably flavoured by dissolving a little Raspberry or Red Currant Jelly in the Water, (before you add the Carbonate of Potash to it), or a little Tincture of Ginger, (No. 411,)—or Syrup of Ginger, (No. 394,)—or Syrup of Lemon Peel, (No. 393,)—or infuse a roll of fresh and thin-cut Lemon Peel, and a bit of Sugar in the water—or rub down a few drops of (No. 408,) with a bit of Lump Sugar, with or without a little grated Ginger;—a glass of Sherry or a tablespoonful of Brandy is sometimes added.

The addition of a teaspoonful of the Tonic Tincture (No. 569,) will give you a very refreshing Stomachic—and ten drops of Tinct. Ferri Muriati put into the water in which you dissolve the Citric Acid—a fine effervescing Chalybeate.

The day after a Feast, if you feel fevered and heated, you cannot do better than drink a half-pint glass or two of Single Soda Water between Breakfast and Dinner.

Double Soda Water (especially if made with tepid water) is an excellent auxiliary to accelerate the operation of Aperient Medicine—and, if taken in the Morning fasting, will sometimes move the Bowels without further assistance.

If some good Cogniac or Essence of Ginger (No. 411) be added to it, it is one of the best helps to set the Stomach to work—and remove the distressing languor which sometimes follows hard drinking.

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Essence of Ginger, (No. 411).

The fragrant aroma of Ginger is so extremely volatile, that it evaporates almost as soon as it is pounded—the fine Lemon peel goÛt flies off presently.

If Ginger is taken to produce an immediate effect—to warm the Stomach—dispel Flatulence, &c., or as an addition to Aperient Medicine—the following is the best preparation of it:—

Steep three ounces of fresh grated Ginger, and one ounce of fresh Lemon Peel, (cut thin) in a quart of Brandy—or Proof Spirit, for ten days, shaking it up each day.

N.B. Tincture of Allspice, which is sometimes called Essence of Bishop, for making Mulled Wine, &c. extempore, is prepared in the same manner.

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Gruel, (No. 252).

1st. Ask those who are to eat it, if they like it THICK or thin; if the latter, mix well together by degrees, in a pint basin, one tablespoonful of Oatmeal with three of cold water;—if the former, two spoonsful. Have ready, in a Stewpan, a pint of boiling water or milk—pour this by degrees to the Oatmeal you have mixed—return it into the Stewpan—set it on the fire—and let it boil for five minutes—stirring it all the time to prevent the Oatmeal from burning at the bottom of the Stewpan—skim—and strain it through a Hair Sieve.

2d. To convert this into Caudle—add a little Ale—Wine—or Brandy—with Sugar—and if the Bowels are disordered, a little Nutmeg or Ginger grated.

Gruel may be made with Broth112 (No. 490,) or (No. 252,) or (No. 564,) instead of Water—(to make Crowdie, see No. 205*,)—and may be flavoured with Sweet Herbs—Soup Roots and Savoury Spices—by boiling them for a few minutes in the water you are going to make the Gruel with—or Zest (No. 255)—Pea Powder (No. 458)—or dried Mint—Mushroom Catsup (No. 439)—or a few grains of Curry Powder (No. 455)—or Savoury Ragout Powder (No. 457)—or Cayenne (No. 404)—or Celery Seed bruised—or Soup Herb Powder (No. 459)—or an Onion minced very fine and bruised in with the Oatmeal—or a little Eschalot Wine (No. 402)—or Essence of Celery (No. 409)—or (No. 413)—(No. 417)—or (No. 420),&c.

Plain Gruel, such as is directed in the first part of this Recipe, is one of the best Breakfasts and Suppers that we can recommend to the rational Epicure;—is the most comforting soother of an irritable Stomach that we know—and particularly acceptable to it after a hard day’s work of Intemperate Feasting—when the addition of half an ounce of Butter, and a teaspoonful of Epsom Salt will give it an aperient quality, which will assist the principal Viscera to get rid of their burden.

“Water Gruel” (says Tryon in his Obs. on Health, 16mo. 1688, p. 42,) is “the King of Spoon Meats,” and “the Queen of Soups,” and gratifies nature beyond all others.

In the “Art of Thriving,” 1697, p. 8, are directions for preparing Fourscore Noble and Wholesome Dishes, upon most of which a Man may live excellent well for Twopence a day: the author’s Obs. on Water Gruel is, that “Essence of Oatmeal” makes “a noble and exhilarating meal!”

Dr. Franklin’s favourite Breakfast was a good basin of warm Gruel, in which there was a small slice of Butter with Toasted Bread and Nutmeg—the expense of this, he reckoned at three half-pence.

“Mastication is a very necessary Preparation of solid Aliment, without which there can be no good Digestion.”—The above are the first lines in Arbuthnot’s Essay on Aliment.

This first act of the important process of Digestion, is most perfectly performed, when the flavour, &c. of our Food is agreeable to our Taste;—we naturally detain upon our Palate those things which please it,—and the Meat we relish most, is consequently most broken down by chewing, and most intimately incorporated with the Saliva—this is the reason why what we desire most, we digest best. Here, is a sufficient answer, to the Folios which have sprung from the Pens of cynical and senseless Scribblers—on whom Nature not having bestowed a Palate, they have proscribed those pleasures they had not Sense113 to taste, or comprehend the wise purposes for which they were given to us, and

How large a share of the business of Digestion is managed by Mastication, has been shown by the experiments of Spallanzani114. To Chew long, and leisurely, is the only way to extract the essence of our food—to enjoy the taste of it, and to render it easily convertible into laudable Chyle, by the facility it gives to the gastric juices to dissolve it without trouble.

The pleasure of the Palate, and the health of the Stomach, are equally promoted by this salutary habit, which all should be taught to acquire in their infancy.

The more tender meat is, the more we may eat of it.—That which is most difficult to Chew, is of course most difficult to Digest.

From 30 to 40 (according to the tenderness of the meat) has been calculated as the mean number of Munches, that solid meat requires, to prepare it for its journey down the Red Lane; less will be sufficient for tender, delicate, and easily digestible white meats.

The sagacious Gourmand, will calculate this precisely,—and not waste his precious moments in useless Jaw-work, or invite an Indigestion by neglecting Mastication.

I cannot give any positive rules for this, it depends on the state of the Teeth115; every one, especially the Dyspeptic, ought to ascertain the condition of these useful working tools; and to use them with proportionate diligence, is an indispensable exercise which every rational Epicure will most cheerfully perform, who has any regard for the welfare of his Stomach116. It has been recommended, that those whose Teeth are defective, should mince their meat—this will certainly save trouble to both Teeth and Stomach—nevertheless, it is advisable, let the meat be minced ever so fine, to endeavour to mumble it into a pulp before it be introduced to the Stomach—on account of the advantage derived from its admixture with the Saliva.

“By experiment, I determined the quantity of Saliva secreted in half an hour, to be whilst the parts were at rest, four drachms,—whilst eating, five ounces four drachms.”—Stark on Diet, p. 99.

Mastication is the source of all good Digestion;—with its assistance, almost any thing may be put into any stomach with impunity:—without it, Digestion is always difficult, and often impossible: and be it always remembered, it is not merely what we eat, but what we digest well, that nourishes us.

The sagacious Gourmand is ever mindful of his motto—

“Masticate, Denticate, Chump, Grind, and Swallow.”

The four first acts, he knows he must perform properly,—before he dare attempt the fifth.

Those who cannot enjoy a savoury morsel on account of their Teeth, or rather on account of the want of them, we refer to the note at the foot of p. 260, and also have the pleasure to inform them, that Patent Masticators are made by Palmer, Cutler, in St. James’s Street.

To those who may inadvertently exercise their Masticative faculties on unworthy materials—or longer on worthy ones than nature finds convenient, we recommend “Peristaltic Persuaders.” See page 235.

When either the Teeth or Stomach are extremely feeble, especial care must be taken to keep Meat till it is tender—before it is cooked—and call in the aid of the Pestle and Mortar.—And see Nos. 10,—18,—87,—89,—175,—178; from 185 to 250,—502—542—and especially 503. Or dress in the usual way whatever is best liked—mince it—put it into a Mortar—and pound it with a little Broth or melted Butter,—Vegetable,—Herb,—Spice,—Zest, No. 255, &c.—according to the taste, &c. of the Eater.—The business of the Stomach is thus very materially facilitated.

“Mincing or Pounding Meat—saveth the grinding of the Teeth; and therefore (no doubt) is more nourishing, especially in Age,—or to them that have weak teeth; but Butter is not proper for weak bodies,—and therefore, moisten it in pounding with a little Claret Wine, and a very little Cinnamon or Nutmeg.”—Lord Bacon’s Natural History, Century 1.—54.

This is important Advice for those who are afflicted with “Tic Douloureux,”—the paroxysm of which is generally provoked by the exercise of Eating,—and the Editor has known that dreadful disorder cured by the Patient frequently taking food thus prepared in small portions, instead of a regular meal.

The Teeth should be cleaned after every meal with a “Tooth Preserver,” (i. e. a very soft brush,) and then rinsed with tepid water—never neglect this at night;—nothing destroys the Teeth so fast as suffering food to stick between them—those who observe this rule, will seldom have any occasion for Dentifrices—Essences of Ivory—Indurating Liquid Enamels, &c.

But it is the rage just now with some Dentists, to recommend Brushes so hard, that they fetch Blood like a Lancet wherever they touch; and instead of “Teeth Preservers,” these should rather be termed “Gum Bleeders.”

Not even a Philosopher can endure the Toothach patiently—what an overcoming agony then it must be to a Grand Gourmand!—depriving him of the means of enjoying an amusement which to him is the grand solace for all sublunary cares.—To alleviate, and indeed generally to cure this intolerable pain—we recommend

Toothache and Anti-rheumatic Embrocation, (No. 567.)

Sal Volatile—three parts.
Laudanum—one part.

Mix and rub the part in pain therewith frequently. If the Tooth which aches is hollow, drop some of this on a bit of cotton, and put it into the Tooth,—if the pain does not abate within an hour—take out the cotton, and put another piece in—changing it every hour four or five times, till the pain ceases.

In a general Face-ach, or sore Throat—moisten a piece of flannel with it and put it to the part affected,—rub any part afflicted with Rheumatism night and morning, and in the middle of the day. I have frequently cured old and inveterate Rheumatic affections with this Liniment.

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