Why Are Americans Dyspeptics?
It has been truly said that man is a creature of habit, and if there is any one direction in which this saying is more applicable than in another, it is that which points to the dietetic habits of civilized nations. This saying is especially true of the American people. There is probably not another nation on the face of the earth where the people have so many artificial wants, and so many injurious habits in eating and drinking, as our own nation. The reason is obvious. Here, labor of all kinds is remunerative, and the so-called good things are easily obtained. In European countries, the laborer is compelled, by reason of low wages, to subsist, both himself and his family, upon the barest necessities of life, hence he has not that opportunity for creating artificial wants and false dietetic habits, that is afforded in our country where the laborer is able not only to provide the necessaries, but also many of the so-called luxuries of life. If we compare the average health of the laboring classes of America with that of the same class in the East, we shall see that the standard is much lower here than there; and the same is true of the wealthier classes also. Why is this? Is it because the climate of this country is more unfavorable to health than that of Europe? or is it due to a difference in the habits of the people? A careful examination of the matter will convince any candid person that the origin of very many of the diseases of our people is owing to their unhygienic habits, and that the reason why the standard of health is lower in America than in Europe is, the habits of the people are more unhygienic here than there. Thousands of girls belonging to the laboring classes come from Europe to this country yearly. They are, generally, strong and healthy on their arrival here, but in a few years many of them lose their health, sicken, or die prematurely. This might, at the first view, be considered as sufficient proof that the climactic influences of this country are less conducive to health than those of their native land; but when we take a closer view, and inquire into their habits, we find that the greater number of these girls were reared with simple habits, and on a plain diet, composed almost wholly of vegetable substances, and that they spent much of their time in the open air, performing out-door labor, and as a consequence, they possessed almost perfect health while thus living. After arriving here, they engage as servants in the families of well-to-do people, and partake largely of rich food, to which they have heretofore been wholly unaccustomed. They consider condiments, rich gravies, flesh meats, tea, coffee, highly seasoned cakes and pies, as among the most desirable things to be obtained, and they use them so freely that their stomachs, livers, etc., are soon worn out by overwork, and many of those, who, in their native land were so robust and healthy, find themselves, after a few years' residence in this country, miserable dyspeptics. These emigrants are not the only cases that are thus affected by the use of improper food. Like causes produce like effects; and it matters not whether the individual is rich or poor, of high degree or of low degree, nor of what nationality or clime, if he pampers the appetite with highly seasoned food, or uses improper food of any description for any length of time, disease will surely follow. It is proverbial of the American people that they are a nation of dyspeptics. Why are they such? There can be but one answer to this question. It is because they do not control their appetites. The ease with which the so-called luxuries of life can be obtained in this country is a very great temptation to their use; and that which at first is taken only as a luxury, to afford temporary pleasure to the vital instincts, soon perverts those instincts and becomes a necessity, and its continued use occasions disease. — Health Reformer.