78 ELEMENTARY PHYSIOLOGY. 



Perhaps no system of the body is more 

 Health of the * J 



Digestive carelessly or more frequently abused 



than the digestive system. No system 

 of the body brings back upon the abusing offender 

 a severer penalty of discomfort. Proper digestion is 

 the very first condition of good health. Hence the 

 hygienic principles referring to this system should 

 be carefully learned and regarded. 



The injury resulting from eating too 



K Too 

 Fast. 



Eating TOO agt comes chiefly from this, that the 



processes of mastication and insaliva- 

 tion cannot be properly performed. Unless the 

 food is properly chewed, and thoroughly mixed with 

 saliva, its digestion in the stomach will be either 

 much retarded or left incomplete. 



The capacity of the stomach is limited. 



; Too 

 Much. 



Eating? TOO If it ip over l oa ded, it can not thoroughly 



digest its contents. Besides, the gas- 

 tric juice is also limited in quantity, and will not 

 completely change into chyme more than a proper 

 portion. 



Between the digestive operations of the 

 stomach, it needs intervals of rest. If 

 food is taken too frequently, it loses its 

 vigor, and soon fails to perform its work in a healthy 

 manner. 



Some articles ofj food, though very 

 tempting to the taste, are very "trying " 

 to the stomach. It is plain, that, if 



