DIESPITER, in antiquity, a name given to Jupiter; and signifying diei pater, "father of the day." St Augustin derives the name from diei, "day," and partus, "production, bringing forth;" it being Jupiter that brings forth the day. Of which sentiment were Servius and Macrobius; the former adding, that in the language of the Osce they called him Lucencius, as Diespiter in Latin.
DIEſ, in Medicine, according to some, comprehends the whole regimen or rule of life with regard to the six non-naturals; air, meats and drinks, sleep and watching, motion and rest, passions of the mind, retentions and excretions. Others restrain the term of diet to what regards eating and drinking, or solid aliments and drinks. See FOOD.
The natural constitution of the body of man is such, that it can easily bear some change and irregularities without much injury. Had it been otherwise, we should be almost constantly put out of order by every slight cause. This advantage arises from those wonderful communications of the inward parts, whereby, when one part is affected, another comes immediately to its relief.
Thus, when the body is too full, nature causes evacuations through some of the outlets; and for this reason it is, that diseases from inanition are generally more dangerous than from repletion; because we can more expeditiously diminish than increase the juices of the body. Upon the same account, also, though temperance be beneficial to all men, the ancient physicians advised persons in good health, and their own masters, to indulge a little now and then, by eating and drinking more plentifully than usual. But, of the two, intemperance in drinking is safer than in eating; and if a person has committed excess in the latter, cold water drank upon a full stomach will help digestion; to which it will be of service to add lemon juice or elixir of vitriol. If he has eaten high-seasoned things, rich sauces, &c. then let him sit up for some little time, and afterwards sleep. But if a man happen to be obliged to fast, he ought to avoid all laborious work. From satiety it is not proper to pass directly to sharp hunger, nor from hunger to satiety; neither will it be safe to indulge absolute rest immediately after excessive labour,
Diet II
Dietrich.
not suddenly to fall to hard work after long idleness. In a word, therefore, all changes in the way of living should be made by degrees.
The softer and milder kinds of aliment are proper for children, and for youth the stronger. Old people ought to lessen the quantity of their food, and increase that of their drink; but yet some allowance is to be made for custom, especially in the colder climates like ours; for as in these the appetite is keener, so is the digestion better performed. Mead's Monita et Praecepta.