The one problem:
The stomach wound refused to heal
completely. St. Martin refused any kind of operation that might close the
stomach wall, preferring instead to get along with bandages in place of an
intact wall. He did get along remarkably well, and cooperated with Beaumont,
who decided to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to make some
observations. It was this work that led to the isolation of hydro- chloric acid
in the stomach. And from it came many other findings. Beaumont was able to
note, for example, that the stomach became flushed with blood when St. Martin
became angry and that it also moved about with considerable energy during
anger.
Organic diseases-including ulcer, cancer, virus
infection, food poisoning, and many otherscan, of course, affect the digestive
system. You can protect the digestive system by taking many simple, sensible
pre- cautions. For one thing, you can be sensible about the food you eat. If
you know that some particular food does not agree with you, you should avoid it.
If you happen to be a person with a sensitive colon, it may be that raw
vegetables or fresh fruits trouble you. Some people are bothered unduly by such
gas-forming foods as radishes, cabbage, cucumbers, and eggs.
Alcoholic
beverages may cause great difficulties for some sensitive people, leading to
diarrhea or cramps in some and belching in others. Excessive smoking can upset
the stomach.
The list of possible trouble- makers is long;
individual sensitivities vary greatly. You need to, and can, be your own
"alimentary tract detective." You should, of course, eat a balanced
diet. Since such a diet will contain well-proportioned amounts of proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats, without an excess of any, it will put less of a strain
on anyone particular digestive function.
Avoid rapid eating; the stomach works
overtime in trying to handle a meal you did not take time to eat properly-and
it may start sending out distress signals. None of us can be entirely free of
tension. We're all subject on occasion to "nerves." But we can see to
it that we make mealtime a reason- ably pleasant, relaxed time, as an aid to
both enjoyment of food and its better digestion.
