Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/108

84] The apothecaries of this country, however, are, almost without exception, men of a liberal and scientific education. They were incorporated into a company, by a charter obtained from I. at the solicitation of Drs. and ; previously to which time, they formed a part of the Grocers' Company. By an act, which was made perpetual in the 9th year of I. they are exempted from serving upon juries, and from parochial offices. Their medicines are compounded from the formulæ prescribed in a printed dispensatory; and their shops may be visited by the censors of the Royal College of Physicians, who are empowered to destroy such articles of the materia medica, as they think either damaged or unfit for use. This power, however, is rarely, if ever, exercised. There is now established a handsome Apothecaries' Hall, in Blackfriars, with two fine laboratories, from which the surgeons' chests are furnished with medicines for the Royal Navy.  APPETITE, in general, signifies the natural instinctive desire, by which the animal is led to pursue the gratifications of sense. In the present instance, however, we shall confine its meaning to the craving for food. In this respect, the appetite of man may be divided into three different species, though that evinced by inferior animals is naturally simple, because it is not impaired by art. Thus, if children were never enticed, by weak parents, and ignorant nurses, to eat more than their own inclination directs them, or to partake of highly flavoured artificial dishes which stimulate the palate, and preternaturally distend the stomach, there is every reason to believe, that the following classification would be unnecessary:

1. The natural appetite, which is contented, as well with the most simple as the most compound and delicious dishes: such is that of country people employed in hard manual labour; of children who have not been mismanaged in the nursery; and of every rational person who is convinced of the advantages resulting to both mind and body, from a simple and frugal diet.

2. The artificial appetite of the epicure, the hypochondriac, and the tipler; all may be ranked under the same class. It would be needless to add, in this place, any other remark, than that such an inclination for sensual enjoyment remains only so long as the operation of these exquisite stimulants continues. When the papillary nerves of the palate can be no longer influenced by such excitement, the sensualist loses his appetite, and is punished with all the concomitant symptoms of indigestion.

3. The habitual appetite, though partly acquired, is not liable to those serious objections which apply to the latter species; nor is it attended with any other disadvantages than those arising from long-fasting, or an undue allowance of food on particular occasions. Thus, after fatiguing exercise, when the fibres of the digestive organs are already weakened, and the circulation of the blood to those parts is unusually increased, the nourishment then received can be digested only with great difficulty, and to the detriment of the body.

Want of appetite may proceed either from a defective energy of the stomach, originating more  quently