16 BIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS 



even of some benefit. But the cases in which it does 

 good are abnormal, and the results could be obtained 

 in other ways. It is not, in fact, a necessity. 



To return to the question of economy in the use of 

 food, we may note that the point of view changes 

 somewhat at different times, according to what articles 

 are abundant. It seems that, while the supply lasts, 

 it may be the duty of those who can afford to buy the 

 more costly articles to do so, in order to leave the 

 more essential ones for the poorer members of the 

 community. Of course, in normal times this would 

 be looked upon as waste. 



I have alreadv mentioned the fact that the household 



j 



consumption before the war appears to have been 

 unnecessarily great. I say "appears", because the 

 figures are taken on the assumption that the food is 

 actually eaten. Since the "Yapp ration" has been 

 introduced I have made enquiries in several house- 

 holds where casual observation would detect no real 

 deficiency on the table. I am told that, so long as 

 waste is carefullv avoided in the kitchen, there is no 

 difficulty in supplementing the official ration by un- 

 rationed articles up to a proper calorie value. It is 

 evident that much economy is possible in the kitchen, 

 and this is an argument for the extended formation ot 

 national kitchens. There is no doubt, however, that 

 the shortage of many articles has entailed more diffi- 

 culties in the art of cooking. If it has brought the 

 necessity for more knowledge, it will have had some 

 good result. It is not to be forgotten, nevertheless, 

 that the more we are compelled to pay for our food 

 the less we have to lend to the country in the shape of 

 War Loan. 



In conclusion, I may refer briefly to two or three 

 points of some importance. Suggestions have been 

 made that when muscular exercise is taken otherwise 



