CHAPTER IV.

CONDITIONS TO BE OBSERVED BEFORE AND AFTER EATING.

General laws of organic activity apply to the stomach as well as to other parts--Increased flow of blood towards the stomach during digestion--Hence less circulating in other organs--and consequently less aptitude for exertion in them--Bodily rest and mental tranquillity essential to sound digestion--Rest always attended to before feeding horses--Hence also a natural aversion to exertion immediately after eating--Mischief done by hurrying away to business after meals--Severe thinking hurtful at that time--Playful cheerfulness after dinner conducive to digestion--The mind often the cause of indigestion--Its mode of operation explained--Also influences nutrition--Illustration from Shakspeare--Importance of attending to this condition of health enforced, 288–303