16 ALIMENTATION. 



persons, of all ages, were exposed on a raft for thirteen days 

 with hardly any food. Out of this number only fifteen sur- 

 vived, among them M. Savigny, and the children, young 

 persons, and the aged, were the first to succumb. 1 



Important modifications in the appetite are due to tem- 

 perature. In cold climates, and during the winter season in 

 all climates, the desire for food is notably increased, and the 

 tastes are somewhat modified. Animal food, and particu- 

 larly fats, are more agreeable at that time, and the quantity 

 of nutriment which is demanded by the system is then con- 

 siderably greater. In many persons, the difference in the 

 appetite in warm and cold seasons is very marked, and they 

 habitually lose flesh in the summer and regain it in the winter. 



Exercise and occupation, both mental and physical, when 

 not pushed to the point of exhaustion, increase the desire for 

 food and undoubtedly facilitate digestion. Certain articles, es- 

 pecially the vegetable bitters, taken into the stomach imme- 

 diately before the time when food is habitually taken, frequent- 

 ly have the same effect; while other articles, which do not 

 satisfy the requirements of the system, have a tendency to 

 diminish the desire for food. Many articles of the materia 

 medica, especially preparations of opium, have, in some per- 

 sons, a marked influencp in diminishing the appetite. The 

 abuse of alcoholic stimulants will sometimes take away all 

 desire for food. When hunger is pressing, it has been ob- 

 served that tobacco, in those who are accustomed to its use, 

 will frequently allay the sensation for a time. 2 When the 



1 SAVIGNY, Observations sur les Effete de la Faim et de la Soif, eprouvles 

 apres le Naufrage de la Fregate du Hoi, la Meduse, en 1816. These, No. 84, 

 Paris, 1818. 



8 In this connection, the experience of Dr. W. A. Hammond, who was de- 

 layed for a number of hours on the railroad between Philadelphia and New 

 York, is very instructive. On this occasion, Dr. Hammond was deprived of 

 food for twenty-eight hours. During this time, when the sense of hunger be- 

 came very intense, he obtained marked though temporary relief by smoking 

 tobacco. This he repeated several times, always with the same result. (Ver- 

 bal communication.) - . 



