Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/269

Rh necessary and beneficial, especially to those who are troubled with costiveness, head-achs, flatulency, spasms, and the numberless unpleasant disorders thence arising.—See.

Persons in a good state of health ought to have one evacuation at least, and sometimes two, in the course of twenty-four hours.—Moderate exercise and a tranquil mind, equally tend to promote these salutary excretions, which should be in a state neither too fluid, nor too concrete. Hard and continued labour, ardent spirits, or heating liquors, as well as long abstinence, render them extremely tenacious in the strongest and most healthy individuals. When such a habit prevails, it at length generates costiveness, with all its attendant evils.

Those who indulge either in excessive eating or drinking, are generally troubled with loose and frequent stools; because their alimentary matter is expelled, without being properly assimilated. Indeed, thin and copious discharges are a certain evidence of indigestion.

Regular and daily evacuations, therefore, essentially contribute to the preservation of health. This desirable object may be attained, by taking sufficient, but moderate, exercise; by adapting the food to the nature of the constitution, and using a proportionate quantity of drink; by observing strict temperance in both; and lastly, by not indulging in too much sleep, which is in a peculiar degree hurtful after dinner, to those whose digestive powers are impaired, and whose evacuations are uncommonly languid.—By attending to these few practical suggestions, a due excretion of the noxious and superabundant fluids will be promoted, and the greatest of blessings, health, consequently ensured.  EXERCISE, in general, is such an agitation of the body, as produces salutary effects in the.

Exercise may be divided into two classes, active and passive: the former includes, , , running, leaping, , on horseback, , the military exercise, and, in short, all such  as require muscular exertions. Passive exercise comprehends riding in a, sailing, , &c.; all which we shall notice in their alphabetical order.

Exercise in the open air is, in every respect, preferable to that in houses, and close apartments. It ought, however, to be commenced and concluded in a gradual manner, and by no means abruptly. It should be continued only while we enjoy it without fatigue, and ought to be relinquished as soon as it becomes a task. The best time for this purpose is the forenoon, or some time before dinner, when the stomach is not too much distended: thus it increases the circulation of the blood: attenuates and divides the fluids; and promotes a regular perspiration, as well as a due secretion of all the humours. It likewise raises the animal spirits, strengthens the muscular parts, creates appetite, and aids digestion. Hence those who take proper daily exercise, are in general robust, and afflicted with few diseases.

On the other hand, violent exercise, or even fast walking, immediately before or after meals, is extremely pernicious; for it impedes digestion, and impels to the surface of the body those fluids which are intended