CHAPTER XXII 

 THE HYGIENE OF NUTRITION 



IT is convenient to make a division under this general 

 heading between those factors not directly connected with 

 the diet, which none the less deserve consideration, and 

 those which do concern the choice of food. Probably too 

 little attention is paid to the fact that disorders of digestion 

 and nutrition frequently arise when the food eaten is above 

 criticism, both as to quantity and kind. 



Nervous Conditions Affecting Digestion. Enough has 

 already been said to make it plain that the processes oc- 

 curring in the alimentary canal are greatly subject to 

 influences radiating from the brain. It is especially strik- 

 ing that both the movements of the stomach and the secre- 

 tion of the gastric juice may be inhibited as a result of 

 disturbing circumstances. Intestinal movements may be 

 modified in similar fashion. Emphasis has been placed on 

 the dependence of the whole digestive process upon a good 

 start. This can hardly be too strongly enforced. The 

 good start can scarcely be secured if the mental state of the 

 subject is not favorable to the enjoyment of his meal. 



Cannon has collected various instances of the suspension 

 of digestion in consequence of disagreeable experiences, 

 and it would be easy for almost anyone to add to his list. 

 He tells us, for example, of the case of a woman whose 

 stomach was emptied under the direction of a specialist 

 in order to ascertain the degree of digestion undergone by a 

 prescribed breakfast. The dinner of the night before was 

 recovered and was found almost unaltered. Inquiry led 

 to the discovery that the woman had passed a night of 

 intense agitation as the result of misconduct on the part of 



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