The Tongue.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 9, Issue 78, 30 September 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Tongue.

The tongue is a kind of health barometer, giving indications of value to the close observer. It tells, sayatheHerald of Health,” of the condition of the blood, the condition of the nervous system, and the functions of nutrition and excretion. We find the expression of disease in its form, its dryness or moisture, its coatings and colours. ihaj elongated and pointed tongue indicate* a condition of irritation and determlna* tlon of blood to the stomach and bowel* and nuts us on guard against usinß anything irritating to these organs.,TM full tongue, broad and thick, is evident* of atony, want of action in the dlgestl* tract. With it the stomach will be* mild carthatics without danger. T* dry pinched tongue expresses a want * functional activity in the digestive pH gans, and is the tongue of acute and usually associated with dryness. ■ is one of the signs that food may 1* given, but carefully and In warm liqUw form. The fissured tongue in chroriH diseases indicates inflammatory actloH of the kidneys ; and in advanced stag® of acute disease refers us to lesions * the kidneys, or'irritation of the ner* centres. It means that the skin shou* be put in better condition and nervo* irritation allayed. If the tongue Is d* we are sure the stomach and intestin* can do but little digestive work, and, cJ rhartics are useless except to remo* irritating matter. In acute disease,* lessening of the dryness is a symptQ* of improvement. The thin, transpare* coating of the tongue gives evidence * enfeebled digestion, often from Inter* perate eating and drinking. A heavil* loaded tongue at the base calls attentlc* to accumulations in the. stomach,, ai* suggests the use of an emetic. Tl* broad, pallid tongue gives evidence * the want of the alkaline elements of tl* blood ; and the deep red tongue, gene* ally dry, of the need of acid. A dir* white or dirty gray tongue calls f* antiseptics. While dryness always ij* dicates excitement of the nerve centre* and calls for sedatives, too much mol* ture and relaxation are evidence of opposite condition. H