24 PHYSIOLOGY AND NATIONAL NEEDS 



The Specific Dynamic Action of Protein. — By this 

 one means that protein, and especially meat protein, acts 

 as a stimulant, stimulating the body to a higher heat 

 production ; and this increase in heat production is not 

 all utilisable in the execution of mechanical work. Those 

 who have read the works of Arctic or Antarctic explorers 

 must have noted the beneficial action a good meat meal 

 has on the comfort and well-being of the explorers. In a 

 temperate zone like this, except in the winter, this dynamic 

 action of meat is unnecessary, and the distaste for much 

 meaty food, which we all experience in warm weather, is 

 an instinctive recognition of this physiological principle. 



Temperance in alcohoUc drinks is not the only form of 

 moderation which we all ought to practise ; temperance 

 in other stimulants (meat included) is also obUgatory. 



Rations for Brain-workers. — The brain works eco- 

 nomically : any measurable increase in energy-output is 

 negligible, and so it may be at once said that the brain- 

 worker requires no increased intake of food. The food 

 must naturally be easily digestible ; one cannot expect a 

 man to do good mental work who is suffering from the 

 pangs of dyspepsia, but beyond this anything further is 

 unnecessary. 



