THE MCES 853 



the amount of faeces formed is limited to that produced by the 

 intestinal wall itself. The small bulk exercises very little stimulating 

 effect on the intestine, and the movements of the latter will therefore 

 tend to be sluggish, especially in the absence of the mechanical 

 stimulus determined by muscular exercise. The presence of a certain 

 amount of cellulose in the diet may therefore be of considerable 

 advantage by giving bulk to the faeces and ensuring the proper 

 regular evacuation of the lower gut. It is probable that the con- 

 stipation which is so common a disorder in civilised communities 

 is due as much to the refinement in the preparation of the food as 

 to the prevalence of sedentary occupations incident on the working 

 of such a community. 



