THE IMPORTANCE OF APPETITE. 133 



ability that the newer acquirements of physiology may fruitfully 

 influence the work of the physician. But physiology naturally can 

 make no pretence to guide the field of medicine, since the knowledge 

 at its disposal is incomplete, and is much more restricted than that of 

 the broad world of clinical reality. As a recompense for this, however, 

 physiological knowledge is often able to explain the causation of an ill- 

 ness and the meaning of empirical curative methods. To employ a 

 remedy the mode of action of which is not clear, is quite a different 

 thing from knowing precisely what we are doing. In the latter case, 

 the treatment of the diseased organ will be more effective, because it will 

 be better adapted to the special needs of the case. It is thus that 

 medicine, being daily enriched by new physiological facts, will at length 

 grow into what it ideally must become, namely, the art of repairing 

 the damaged machinery of the human body, based upon exact know- 

 ledge, or, in other words, applied physiology. 



We may now return to our subject. If it be at all admitted that 

 human instinct is the outcome of an everyday experience, which has led 

 to the unconscious adoption of the most favourable conditions for life, it 

 is particularly so with regard to the phenomena of digestion. The expres- 

 sion that physiology merely confirms the precepts of instinct is justified 

 here more than anywhere else. It appears to me also that, in relation 

 to the foregoing facts, instinct has often made out a brilliant case when 

 brought before the tribunal of physiology. Perhaps the old and empirical 

 requirement, that food should be eaten with interest and enjoyment, is 

 the most imperatively emphasised and strengthened of all. In every 

 land the act of eating is connected with certain customs designed to 

 distract from the business of daily life. A suitable time of day is 

 chosen, a company of relatives, acquaintances or comrades assemble. 

 Certain preparations are carried out (in England a change of raiment is 

 usually effected, and often a blessing is asked upon the meal by the oldest 

 of the family). In the case of the well-to-do, a special room for meals is 

 set apart ; musical and other guests are invited to while away the time 

 at meals in a word, everything is directed to take away the thoughts 

 from the c.ires of daily life, and to concentrate them on the repast. 

 From this point of view it is also plain why heated discussions and 

 serious readings are held to be unsuitable during meal times. Probably 

 this also explains the use of alcoholic beverages at meals, for alcohol, 

 even in the lighter phases of its action, induces a mild narcosis, which 

 contributes towards distraction from the pressing burden of the daily 

 work. Naturally this highly developed hygiene of eating is only found 

 in the intelligent and well-to-do classes, first, because here the mental 

 activity is more strained and the various questions of life more burning ; 

 and secondly, because here also the food is served in greater quantity 



