The influence of tropical climates on European constitutions ; to which is now added, an essay on morbid sensibility of the stomach and bowels, as the proximate cause, or characteristic condition of indigestion, nervous irritability, mental despondency, hypochondriasis, &c. &c. preceded by observations on the diseases and regimen of invalids, on their return from hot and unhealthy climates / by James Johnson.

  • Johnson, James, 1777-1845.
Date:
1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The influence of tropical climates on European constitutions ; to which is now added, an essay on morbid sensibility of the stomach and bowels, as the proximate cause, or characteristic condition of indigestion, nervous irritability, mental despondency, hypochondriasis, &c. &c. preceded by observations on the diseases and regimen of invalids, on their return from hot and unhealthy climates / by James Johnson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

    31/706 (page 9)
    purposes,) and goading it thereby to exertions beyond its natural power, producing a temporary plethora or excitement, with a great increase of subsequent atony. A remark, which every person of observation must have made, even in this country, during the summer, but particularly in equa- torial regions, will farther elucidate this subject. If, by walking, for instance, or any other bodily exercise, in the heat of the sun, during the forenoon, especially near dinner hour, the perspiration be much increased, and the extreme vessels relaxed, we find, on sitting down to table, our appetites almost entirely gone, until we take a glass of wine, or other stimulating fluid, to excite the ener- gy of the stomach. Under such circumstances of artificial or forced relish for food, it is not to be wondered at, that the diges- tion should be incomplete, and that the intestines should suffer from the passage of badly concocted aliment. Observation and personal feeling have taught me this,—that in hot climates, per- haps during hot weather in all climates, an hour’s cool repose be- fore dinner is highly salutary ; and if, on commencing our repast, we find we cannot eat without drinking, we may be assured that it is Nature’s caveat,—to beware of eating at all. This will be deemed hard doctrine by some, and visionary by others; but I know it is neither the one nor the other; and those Avho neglect or despise it, may feel the bad consequences, when it is too late to repair the error. There are several other causes, however, which operate in con- junction with the above, to impair the appetite :—one of which is, the want of rest at night. After disturbed and unrefreshing sleep, (but too common in tropical climates) the whole frame languishes next day, and the stomach participates in the general relaxation. The means of managing and obviating these effects, will be pointed out in the prophylactic part of this Essay, III.—We now take a wider range, and come to a subject more intricate in its nature, extensive in its bearings, and important iu its consequences. It will readily be understood, that I allude to the influence of a tropical climate on the liver and its functions. This immense gland is the largest organ in the human frame ; for neither the brain, heart, spleen, nor kidneys, can be at all com- pared with it; and the lungs, though occupying a larger extent when inflated, yet if condensed to equal solidity, would fall short in size and weight. Now, since Nature, throughout her works, has seldom been accused of supererogation, we may safely con- clude that the importance of this organ’s function, in the animal economy, is commensurate with its magnitude. The structure of the liver has been explored by the anatomist, and the bile secre- ted in it, analysed. But, although the chymist has separated this fluid into its constituent, parts, yet physiologists are not exactly c