THE HYGIENE OF NUTRITION 215 



must be unfortunate and must favor some phases of auto- 

 intoxication. Many people resort periodically to the use 

 of cathartics when they feel slightly "under the weather," 

 and enjoy a buoyant recovery of energy and ambition 

 when the disturbance is over. It is natural to interpret 

 such an experience as showing, first, the existence of a 

 source of poisoning, and, second, its successful removal. 

 The wise man, however, will not be satisfied with knowing 

 a way out of such disorders; he will aim to prevent their 

 recurrence. The habit of depending upon laxatives in- 

 stead of general hygiene is to be deplored. Irrigation of 

 the colon to relieve from auto-intoxication is often resorted 

 to as a part of medical treatment with good effects, but 

 is not to be advised so long as attention to diet and ex- 

 ercise can be made to serve the need. 



Obesity. The accumulation of adipose tissue in burden- 

 some and disfiguring deposits is regarded as mirth-provok- 

 ing, but should be viewed with due appreciation of its 

 seriousness. In the light of what has gone before, there 

 is no escape from the conclusion that during the period 

 of increasing weight the diet must have been in excess of 

 the requirement. Yet when a person has once become 

 notably stout he is often observed to be a light eater. It 

 is likely to be found that he cannot reduce his allowance of 

 food without feeling quite uncomfortable. Various means 

 may be resorted to in the attempt to abate the unwelcome 

 condition, but frequently without success. Thus out- 

 door exercise, which, of course, increases the metabolism 

 and should destroy the body-fat, may stimulate the ap- 

 petite to an extent which fully corresponds with the oxida- 

 tion, and so defeats its own purpose, 



The gathering of adipose tissue under the skin has an 

 effect somewhat like that of extra clothing. It is an 

 obstacle to heat loss and makes it possible for the possessor 

 to maintain himself with less expenditure of fuel. Hence, 

 when the protecting layer is once established it becomes 

 more and more easy to add to it. Its absence from the 

 lean subject makes him a more prodigal dispenser of heat 



