One of the first requirements in vitality building is strengthening the
stomach. Within the stomach we find the beginning of all vital blood-
making processes. Here is where the food first passes through the
changes essential to create the life-building fluid called the
blood. We therefore cannot exaggerate the importance of strength to
this important organ. When referring to a strong stomach, I do not mean
strength in the abdominal muscles lying immediately in front of the
stomach; I mean strength of the muscles within the walls of the stomach
itself, which, to a large extent, actually constitute the stomach.
These layers of muscular fibers which assist in carrying on important
parts of the digestive processes must be strong if digestion is to be
satisfactory in every way.
Now the work of strengthening the stomach does not, by any means,
consist wholly of exercise. The stomach in order to be strengthened must
have a due amount of intelligent consideration at all times. For
instance, you cannot make a garbage can of your stomach and expect to
increase the strength of the organ. It is really necessary, if you are
seriously desirous of securing the best results in vitality building,
to learn at least the fundamental facts relating to rational
dietetics; and, after acquiring this knowledge, to apply it to your
individual use throughout every day of your life. The suggestions that
I have offered in the chapter on Cleansing and Stimulating the
Alimentary Canal are truly of extreme importance in these
strengthening processes. In fact in every instance this plan will
increase the assimilative strength, and will enable you to create a
better quality of blood; and this result in turn naturally aids in
strengthening the stomach itself as well as all other parts of the
body. Furthermore, this is a method for cleansing directly not only the
organ itself but the various glands which furnish the digestive
juices. Therefore, if difficulties are frequently presented in
connection with the functions of this organ, special attention should
be given to the elemental cleansing and strengthening processes as
outlined in the chapter referred to.
There are various special exercises which will have a certain influence
upon the stomach because of their mechanical stimulation of this organ.
All bending and twisting movements of the trunk of the body will
naturally stimulate the action of the stomach because of their
direct mechanical effect. All movements of this sort are naturally
valuable under the circumstances, though for a short time after a meal
any exercise that is so severe as to interfere with digestion should be
avoided. Such interference results when the muscles are used to such an
extent that they require greatly increased quantities of blood at a
time when a plentiful supply is needed by the stomach to carry on the
work of digestion. All my readers no doubt already understand the
necessity for giving the digestive organs every opportunity to carry on
their processes for at least one hour after a hearty meal. Bending
and body-twisting movements are valuable one hour or more after a
meal for strengthening the stomach, but they interfere with digestion
if taken immediately thereafter. For increasing the vigor of this
most important organ I would especially recommend the method already
referred to for cleansing the alimentary canal and also the exercises
which are given in connection therewith in the same chapter. If one
is not in possession of a fair amount of strength I would suggest
merely the exercises illustrated in Chapter VII to be taken in
conjunction with the morning hot-water-drinking regimen.
It should be remembered, however, that for the strengthening of the
stomach one must really depend most of all upon a proper diet and the
care of the stomach generally, rather than upon any system of exercises
intended to invigorate this organ.
To build up a strong stomach a daily plan of life must be followed which
requires of the entire body a normal amount of activity, thus demanding
and using a fairly liberal supply of nourishment. An active life is
always favorable to good digestion, and especially so if it is an
out-of-door life for at least a large part of each day, for then an
appetite is created demanding of the stomach that healthy activity
essential to strength building; in other words, an active and normal
life generally is essential to the maintenance of a strong and healthy
stomach. The body must be regarded not as an aggregation of parts, but
as one complete unit, and anything that affects all parts affects each
separate part. It is quite true that when the stomach is weakened from
any cause, it is not wise to overtax it by the ingestion of foods
that are difficult to digest. But at the same time a policy of using
predigested foods, or others that are suited only to a weak stomach, is
not likely to develop a vigorous digestion. It is essential that one
should use a proper supply of natural and wholesome foods properly
prepared. If this is done and the general rules of rational dietetics
are observed, there is no reason why any one should not enjoy the
possession of a strong stomach and a vigorous digestion. I cannot,
however, place too much emphasis upon the value of outdoor life and
general activity and the constitutional benefits that go with them
for improving the stomach as well as all other parts of the body.